In the News

WORLD

SUVA, Fiji – Fiji’s military commander declared a state of emergency Wednesday, a day after he overthrew the elected government, bringing international sanctions and censure that began to isolate the South Pacific country.

It was the nation’s fourth coup in 19 years. The radio network Legend quoted a military statement saying that armed forces would set up a cordon of checkpoints around the capital, Suva, as part of the state of emergency.

“As of 6 o’clock this evening, the military has taken over the government, has executive authority and the running of this country,” Commodore Frank Bainimarama, the armed forces chief credited with resolving Fiji’s last coup, said Tuesday in a nationally broadcast statement.

Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, who insists he is still Fiji’s legitimate leader, flew Wednesday from the capital to his home village on the remote northeastern Lau group of islands, said Pene Nonu, his private secretary.

The takeover, like the previous three coups, has its roots in the ethnic divide between the descendants of ancient Melanesian warrior tribes and those of Indian laborers brought by former colonial power Britain to work in sugar plantations.

Fiji has lurched from one political crisis to the next since the military twice grabbed power in 1987 to ensure political supremacy for the 51 percent majority indigenous Fijians, cutting out the 44 percent ethnic Indian minority.

NATION

NEW YORK – New York on Tuesday became the first city in the nation to ban artery-clogging artificial trans fats at restaurants, leading the charge to limit consumption of an ingredient linked to heart disease and used in everything from french fries to pizza dough to pancake mix.

In a city where eating out is a major form of activity – either for fun or out of hectic necessity – many New Yorkers were all for the ban, saying health concerns were more important than fears of Big Brother supervising their stomachs.

Health and nutrition groups say artificial trans fats clearly contribute to heart disease. Studies have shown they raise bad cholesterol and lower the good kind. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, the main form of artificial trans fats, is used for frying and baking and turns up in a host of processed foods: cookies, pizza dough, crackers and pre-made blends like pancake mix.

The Board of Health, which passed the ban unanimously, gave restaurants a minor break by relaxing the proposed deadline. Restaurants will now be barred from using most frying oils containing the fats by July 2007 and will have another year to eliminate them from all foods.

The ban, which was advocated by health-conscious Mayor Michael Bloomberg, follows a national requirement beginning this past January that companies list artificial trans-fat content on food labels. Efforts are also being made to reduce the trans-fat content of snacks in school vending machines.

STATE & LOCAL

RICHMOND – Chickahominy Chief Stephen Adkins said Tuesday that Virginia Indians would be troubled if they didn’t receive federal recognition before the Jamestown 2007 commemoration, but stopped short of saying they would boycott the 18 months of events in response.

“I think it’s going to happen before then,” Adkins told journalists gathered at the fifth annual AP Day at the Capitol. “I’m an eternal optimist.”

Adkins spoke on issues facing Indians – from tribal recognition to Indian-inspired sports mascots – at the event, which familiarizes journalists with issues likely to arise during the upcoming legislative session.

Despite increased visibility, Virginia’s Indians continue to struggle with basics like getting accurate Indian history lessons in schools, Adkins said.

Six Virginia tribes, including the Chickahominy, have attempted to secure federal recognition. Tribal leaders have spent years seeking the status, which would make them eligible for things like federal assistance programs.

Critics argue the recognition would be a stepping stone to Indian-run casinos in Virginia. Indian leaders say they’re not interested in gambling.