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	Top Stories USAID launches solar/clean energy training programme for the Pacific Fiji: Turtle Island Resort goes solar Fiji solar project gathering energy

	Top Stories Students practising Transcendental Meditation in Fiji create coherence for their nation Transcendental Meditation brings Fiji students relief from tension, better test scores: 'After meditation, all the tiredness is gone' Fiji: Students express appreciation for Transcendental Meditation

	Top Stories Fiji government imposes new public order controls Fiji military extends its grip on power Fiji leader imposes state of emergency
Positive Trends Short Summaries of Top Stories USAID launches solar/clean energy training programme for the Pacific 12 February 2013 - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), is implementing the Vocational Training and Education for Clean Energy (VOCTEC) Programme to help improve the sustainability of renewable energy investments and infrastructure in the Pacific region by increasing local awareness, knowledge, and capacity in clean energy. VOCTEC, in partnership with USP, is implementing a two-year solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity-building programme customized for the Pacific Islands to support the sustainability of off-grid solar energy installations and help in the reduction of carbon emissions. Solar PV panels are widespread throughout the Pacific region and are the most appropriate technology to replace dependence on imported petroleum products. (more) Fiji: Turtle Island Resort goes solar 22 January 2013 - Turtle Island Resort in the Yasawas has taken a step into the future. In an ambitious plan to supply the resort with 85 per cent clean renewable energy, hotelier Richard Evanson has almost completed the installation of about 1,000 solar panels. The environmentally-friendly solar technology is unprecedented in the Pacific and Mr Evanson said it was an idea hatched many years ago. (more) Fiji solar project gathering energy 10 January 2013 - A village on the Fiji island of Kadavu has become the first in the country to benefit from a Japanese aid programme to provide solar power to rural households. The village of Matasawalevu received solar panels as part of the 'Fiji 1,000 Solar Home Systems Project', a USD $2.3 million initiative developed and implemented by the Government of Fiji. (more) Fiji: Potential in organic papaya 28 March 2012 - Organic agriculture is being promoted as a means to increase the income of Pacific Island farmers, and European Union-funded market studies have identified organic papaya as a product with considerable potential for Fijian farmers. The year 2011 was a record year for papaya exports. The papaya industry is now leading the way for agricultural based products in terms of how it has grown immensely export wise in the past few years. (more) New flowering plant found in Fiji 22 January 2012 - Scientists have discovered a new flowering plant in the highlands of Matasawalevu village, on the island of Kadavu in Fiji. The plant, belonging to the Medinilla group, was found by a team from the International Union for Conservation of Nature who was assessing the degradation of the river basin in order to help local people manage their water resources. (more) UN Secretary-General welcomes move to end state of emergency in Fiji 4 January 2012 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the announcement by Fiji that it will lift the state of emergency imposed in 2009, calling it a 'positive step' towards restoring constitutional order in the South Pacific archipelago. Fijian authorities indicated that the public emergency regulation would be lifted by the coming weekend, according to media reports earlier this week. (more) Fiji regime says it will ease emergency controls 1 January 2012 - Fiji's military government will move Saturday to lift a state of emergency it imposed in 2009, as the country prepares to open consultation on a new constitution, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said in a New Year's message. New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully, a staunch critic of the military government, said Monday he 'welcomes the announcement that the regulations are to be lifted and the announcement that public consultations will commence on a new constitution in February'. (more) Fiji to lift emergency laws - military ruler 1 January 2012 - Fiji's military ruler Commodore Frank Bainimarama has announced that emergency laws in place since a 2009 political crisis will be lifted this week, government officials said on Monday. In a New Year speech, Bainimarama also said consultations would start in February on a new constitution to replace one annulled in 2009, at the height of a political crisis over his rule. (more) Fiji: World peace begins at home 25 November 2011 - 'Creating a loving and caring society starts at one's home and it is only when we are able to establish this, we can truly dissipate peace into our communities and nation,' said Minister for Social Welfare, Women, and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Jiko Luveni during the official launch of the 16 Days of Activism on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. (more) Fiji: Youths turn to organic farming 20 November 2011 - Three youth groups in Seaqaqa, Fiji have begun the creation of a crop organic seed bank with the use of organic fertilizer to help generate seedlings and food supply for a sustainable livelihood. The youth clubs are passionate about using their farming skills and available land resources to eradicate poverty from their respective villages. (more)
Success of Maharishi's Programmes Short Summaries of Top Stories Students practising Transcendental Meditation in Fiji create coherence for their nation 13 January 2011 - An initiative to create an invincible, permanent state of peace and progress in Fiji has gained momentum in the past year through programmes in education. (more) Transcendental Meditation brings Fiji students relief from tension, better test scores: 'After meditation, all the tiredness is gone' 21 December 2009 - One hundred sixty high school students in Fiji are practising the Transcendental Meditation Programme. They have expressed great satisfaction with the programme, writing comments such as: 'I think meditation is a good experience, and I like it because it relaxes my mind, and my body gets rest. I was also able to do my homework without any problem. I really enjoyed it and I hope to continue my meditation . . . at home, at school, and everywhere I go.' (more) Fiji: Students express appreciation for Transcendental Meditation 20 December 2009 - High School students in Fiji recently learned the Transcendental Meditation Programme, and have commented on how much they are enjoying the programme. One student said, 'It's a very great and unique experience. Since I have started doing meditation I totally feel changed. I could concentrate on my studies . . . [and] it gave me a relaxing feeling. It's not hard, it's something that's interesting.' (more) Fiji: Hundreds of students to learn Transcendental Meditation 19 December 2009 - A Consciousness-Based Education programme has begun in one of the largest high schools in Fiji. One hundred sixty students are already practising the Transcendental Meditation Programme, and another 160 students will learn the technique beginning in January. (more) Maharishi's Invincible Defence Technology: Fiji Daily Post 8 September 2008 - Invincible Defence Technology is the way to world peace. The prevention strategy, introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, would alleviate the world-suffering caused by greedy governments and arms dealers who profit from war. 'Intelligent military thinking dictates that you prevent the birth of an enemy -- that you make your enemy into your friend. It will be much easier to make your enemy your friend than it will be to defend yourself against an unseen enemy,' Maharishi said. (more) Transcendental Meditation benefits for health, creativity, reduced stress, and a better society: Fiji Daily Post 31 August 2008 - Transcendental Meditation, or 'TM' as it is commonly described by its Western practitioners, was introduced to the world by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi of India, and a total of 600 scientific research studies have since been carried out in 200 universities and research institutions around 32 countries to prove its authenticity. Maharishi Mahesh opened the gateway of enlightenment to millions of people and his influence is now bringing the untapped knowledge of Natural Law to the field of health to create a disease-free society. (more)
Flops Short Summaries of Top Stories Fiji government imposes new public order controls 6 January 2012 - Fiji's government stepped back from a promise of a more open society Friday, imposing new controls on public order just a day before it was supposed to lift more than two years of emergency rule. Commodore Frank Bainimarama's government had announced on New Year's Day that it would lift the emergency rule Saturday, but the new rules indicate that the military government will still maintain tight control. Bainimarama, who seized power in a coup in late 2006, imposed the emergency regulations in mid-2009 after the South Pacific nation's Court of Appeal ruled his military government was illegal. Fiji has had sanctions and financial penalties imposed on it by the United States, European Union, Australia, and New Zealand. It remains suspended from the British-led Commonwealth grouping of 53 nations -- mainly former British colonies. (more) Fiji military extends its grip on power 17 April 2009 - Fiji's military government extended its grip on power Friday as a former army commander was sworn in as vice president of the volatile South Pacific nation. Armed forces chief Comodore Frank Bainimarama, meanwhile, said the country should accept that he is in control and move on, following a week of turmoil in which the constitution was abolished and media freedoms squashed. 'There is no need to speculate as to what happened, how it happened, what should have happened or what should not have happened,' the Comodore said in a speech to public servants that was posted on the government's Web site. While the office of president is largely ceremonial under the abolished constitution, Nailatikau's appointment puts another Bainimarama ally in a prime position to succeed the ailing Iloilo, 88. Senior bureaucrats including the central bank governor have also been replaced this week. Pressure is mounting among South Pacific nations to suspend Fiji from a key regional group. Paul Reeves, the British Commonwealth's special envoy to Fiji, said the 53-member organization was also considering suspending Fiji's membership and would take its lead from the Pacific forum. (more) Fiji leader imposes state of emergency 7 September 2007 - Fiji's military-led government imposed a monthlong state of emergency Thursday, accusing the Prime Minister, who was ousted in a coup last year, of seeking to 'destabilize' the South Pacific nation. Under the measures, the military regime has the right to detain Fijians without charge. Public meetings are only allowed with formal police approval, while street marches are banned entirely. (more) State of emergency declared in Fiji 7 December 2006 - Fiji's military commander declared a state of emergency and installed a new prime minister and police chief Wednesday, a day after he overthrew the elected government and brought international sanctions and censure that began to isolate the South Pacific country. The takeover, like the previous three coups, has its roots in the nation's ethnic divisions. (more) Fiji's Prime Minister says military coup under way 5 December 2006 - Fiji's elected leader said Tuesday a military takeover was under way in the South Pacific country as armed troops surrounded his house and other government buildings in a lockdown of the capital. Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said it was not clear who was in control of his tiny country. The coup would be the fourth in 19 years for the country. (more) Fiji: Troops move against police 4 December 2006 - Soldiers moved against at least two police compounds in Fiji on Monday, seizing weapons in the apparent first step toward taking over the South Pacific island nation. (more) Fiji Commander threatens to oust the government 1 December 2006 - Fiji's military chief declared talks with the Prime Minister to avert a coup a failure and issued a fresh threat to replace the government unless it moves immediately to meet his demands. (more) Fiji troops to conduct training exercise 28 November 2006 - Fiji's military said it would secure parts of the capital for three hours overnight Wednesday as part of a training exercise designed to prepare for foreign troops entering the coup-plagued nation. Australia and other regional neighbours have said a coup may be imminent. (more) Fiji army commander warns of bloodshed 2 November 2006 - Fiji's military commander warned Thursday that the Prime Minister's refusal to resign over a dispute between the two men could plunge the coup-prone South Pacific nation into bloodshed. (more)