Some abortions legal in Fiji

The Fiji Court of Appeal has ruled that doctors can perform abortions in “good faith” to save women from becoming “physical or mental wrecks”, the Fiji Times reported on October 2.

In September, director of public prosecutions Isikeli Mataitoga asked the court to determine whether “good faith” could be used as a defence in abortion cases. Mataitoga's appeal arose from the acquittal of a Lautoka doctor on two counts of illegal use of instruments to procure abortions.

Fiji mine workers march

Striking miners of the Australian-owned Emperor Gold Mine staged a protest march on October 2 demanding the immediate deportation of company chief executive Jeffrey Reid.

The Fiji Times reported that 400 striking miners were joined by relatives, supporters and school children as they marched from the mining town of Vatukoula to the administrative centre of Tavua. The miners also demanded the setting up of a commission of inquiry into the operations of the mine, the reinstatement of the striking miners and the withdrawal of notices to vacate company houses.

The strike began in February 1991 when the company refused to recognise or negotiate with the Fiji Mine Workers Union. It has also defied a government order to recognise the union.

Indian wheat to Cuba

A train loaded with 70,000 bags of wheat for Cuba was flagged away from Barnala station in Punjab by Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet on September 19. Four trains from other districts in Punjab also left for West Bengal, from where a total of 10,000 tonnes of wheat will be shipped to Cuba.

A rally of 5000 people saw the train off from Barnala. The porters and loaders of the Lal Jhanda Union loaded the wheat onto the train free of charge.

The wheat was purchased by the National Committee for Solidarity with Cuba from funds donated by Indians opposed to the US blockade of Cuba.

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