Infant buried alive

Photo borrowed from Fiji Time

A miracle recently occurred when Solomon Island infant survives being buried alive in Honiara on the 22nd of May 2013.  The baby was discovered by Frank Misi around 6:30 am.  The Solomons Star reported a few quotes that Mr. Misi said about his discovery of the child.  "An old vehicle tire was also placed on top of the fresh pit.  I took a spade, removed the tire and started digging." he said.  Until finally he discovered a baby's hand that popped through the shallow grave.  "The innocent infant stuck the hand out as if it was begging to live."  The discovery of the baby was truly a miracle and the fact that the infant still had the umbilical cord attached to her was one of the core reasons for her survival.

Please feel free to read more about this child's story:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/8700142/Baby-girl-suvives-burial

Life as a journalist is not always easy

Image of tear gas taken from
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/tear-gas 

Everyday journalists around the world put their lives in danger to ensure that the people throughout the world have access to the latest news.

On the 28th of May 2013 approximately 20 journalists from Uganda (Africa) who were trying to report about the media crackdown protest that was taking place in the capital found themselves in a mist of tear gas.  The gas was being administered by the Ugandan police force.

Tear gas causes irritation of the mucous membranes throughout ones eyes, nose, and mouth.  These reactions can cause symptoms from sneezing to temporary blindness.

The deputy police spokesman Patrick Onyango mentioned that the these journalists were not suppose to be reporting on this event and that is why they were sprayed with tear gas.

Feel free to read more about this case:

http://www.euronews.com/newswires/1972014-ugandan-police-fire-tear-gas-at-journalists-protesting-crackdown/

My Fijian Experiences

This video emphasizes a small portion of all the fun and exciting things I have been able to experience here in the Fiji Islands.  I know when I leave I will miss the people I have met in Fiji and hope to see most of the again in the future.  As an international student I would encourage anyone who is thinking about studying abroad to just take advantage of the opportunities and try to emerge yourself into the culture.  Where ever you may be live your life with no regrets!!

Migrants and refugees are placed in undesirable situations

Unspoken cruelties in Syria leaves many in life threatening situations.
Photo taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-22622467.

Migrants throughout Syria are being forced into abusive situations, including slavery and sexual abuse.  Since 2011 Syrians have been fighting a civil war against their government.  More than 70,000 lives have been taken from conflicts during this time and another 1.5 million Syrians have crossed boarders in attempt to live a better life.  The Syrian Civil War was started because most Syrians do not feel the same family should be able to run the country for as long as they have.  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad's family has been in power since 1971.  It is the people who support a new government and a new way of life who are in danger.

Should prints cease to exist

YESTERDAY'S KNOWLEDGE
                 Photo of a print news paper taken from
               http://pacific.scoop.conz/tag/wansolwara 

Each and everyday hundreds of people around the world have adapted the idea of the internet being their main connection to the outside world.  Today more than 300,000,000 United States of America's citizens are using computers on a daily bases.  So why do prints exist and will they continue in the future?  It seems as though many believe that prints will become extinct during our lifetime. 

Bradley Wilson who used to work for Microsoft stated "newspapers will vanish from the market shelves by 2050."  This idea may seem far fetched for some but consider the fact that 48 percent of the people over the age of 68 read the printed newspaper verse, and only 6 percent of the 18-24 age group read the printed news.  These figures show the potential of internet being the main source of communication.

Currently, 12 percent of Americans use only the internet for gathering and reading about the news, this number continues to increase at a rate of 2 percent per year.  The online environment allows people to access information for a cheaper price.  Imagine how much cheaper things would be if you never had to pay for another newspaper, book, magazine or transportation costs for these items.  

Imagine instead of having a room full of books, all your books would be neatly organized in a 1"by 9" reader.  We can conclude that technology is not about to stop evolving and neither are the consumers, do you think prints will cease to exist in 2050?

Oklahoma tornado leaves many devastated

Oklahoma tornado leaves many homes  a wreck.
Photo from www.nytimes.com.

Oklahoma teachers are carrying their students away from the school after the tornado struck.
 Photo from NBCnews.com.

The 20th of May will hardly be a day to forget for most who live in Moore, Oklahoma. NBC News announced that "A little girl was lifted out by rescuers while a small boy was carried to a triage area by a woman who face was streaked with dirt and etched with worry."  At least 7 of the school children have been confirmed dead and offered a vigil Monday night; another 70 students are in the hospital suffering damages from the tornado.  In addition the hospital is taking care of 70 adults and 44 adult deaths have been confirmed.  Monday night the National Guard went through the collapse school building with cameras that detect body heat in attempt to find the rest of the missing children.

Please read the article and watch the video provided by: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/20/18381078-7-children-found-dead-at-oklahoma-school-wrecked-by-tornado-officials-say?lite

At this time people should pray for the families of the lost ones and hope that the missing people are found.  Anyone can make a $10 donation to the Oklahoma Red Cross by texting 90999.

Innocent until proven guilty

Photo provided from Simon Parry http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/
1237843/air-pacific-accused-hypocrisy-over-shark-fins-cargo

One of the largest Fiji company’s Air Pacific is being accused of transporting shark fins from Pacific countries to Hong Kong.   Is this true?  Everything we read about makes it seem like it could be true the only thing ever single site is missing is a proven guilty part.  Not a single site can say they are guilty and here are the facts.  They all state that it seems like they are guilty. 

Under the court of law on is innocent until proven guilty.  So as of now it is only a potential believe that Fiji’s number one airline Air Pacific is carrying shark fins on their planes and that is supposedly the reason why Air Pacific can fly planes that do not meet full compacity.

Critics state that shark fining is still legal in Fiji and that local fishermen are becoming part of this trade because shark fins are worth as much as $300 a pound.  Though if this were true why would Fiji have joined the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species in April 2013?  Also why would Air Pacific support a program with Hong Kong’s shark protection group and fund a newly-wed couple a trip to Fiji.  So was it all just a cover-up to make it look like the company is innocent?  No one knows for sure yet.

Though it is suspicious that Air Pacific CEO, Dave Pflieger is leaving Air Pacific in May after his three year contract ends.  The reason this is suspicious is because articles state that Fiji has increased cargo load from 45 tonnes to over 1000 tonnes in shipments to Hong Kong since 2009 and according to Air Pacific website “Mr. Pflieger led a 360 degree review and restructure of an ailing Air Pacific, financially putting the carrier back on its feet by reversing record losses,”  stated Air Pacific site online.  http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/air-pacific-charts-its-future-course-as-a-rebranded-fiji-airways-when-md-dave-pflieger-departs-101339

The problem stems from the fact that the seats on these fights to Hong Kong are not full so where is all this extra weight coming from if it’s not from more people?  If you look at shark populations research projects you will see that shark population have declined by more than 70-90% in the past few years and they continue to decline everywhere through Fiji.

What are your thoughts is something fishy going on?  Is Air Pacific guilty or is someone just trying to get them in trouble?