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ABC News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
George 'Fiji' Veikoso remembered by fans and artists as man who unified the Pacific
George "Fiji" Veikoso's death has rippled out across the moana as fellow musicians and fans alike remember him as a man who unified the Pacific. Fiji, known for shaping the sound of Polynesian reggae and Island R&B, spent more than 30 years in Hawai'i, where the sails in his music career caught wind and earned him global recognition and respect. In 2024, the 55-year-old returned to Fiji for his first-ever Homecoming concert, a sold-out event that drew thousands of fans from across the Pacific. He had planned a second concert for September this year. On Thursday, Fiji's family confirmed he had died at the age of 55 in Suva. Lapi Mariner, a member of Polynesian vocal quartet Jamoa Jam and a friend of Fiji, told ABC Pacific that the music legend was "the chosen one" for him. "We talk about how we, as Pacific, navigated the oceans of the Pacific by just using stars. Fiji was one of the stars for us in the music industry," he said. "He dared to open the pathway. He gave us permission to dream big, express our talent and individuality, without conforming and he gifted us a map to navigate through." Former Fiji Bati and NRL player Eloni Vunakece remembered crossing paths with Fiji and reflected on the love he felt on those occasions. "They say you never meet your heroes. But if you were lucky enough to meet George, you felt the love that emanates through his music [and] in one of his big warm hugs." Fiji helped Eloni 'strengthen' the connection with his father's homeland and 'all the islands of the Pacific'. ( ABC Pacific: Penina Momoisea ) Vunakece said Fiji helped "strengthen" the connection he has with his father's homeland and "all the islands of the Pacific". "Every time I sing Chant, I well up. That song hits something deep in my core being. A purpose. A call to more and better. "Vina du riki for all that you are and all that you did to unify the Pacific and showcase the love, beauty and power of the people. The love that you put out to the world now rests amongst the universe. We will continue to carry your legacy forward." Lead singer of Three Houses Down, Charlie Pomee, shared one of his fond memories of "the legend" and "loving man". "One thing that I love about Fiji is that you have people who have time, then you've got people who make time. He always made time." Fiji and Charlie perform their first ever song together, Rescue me. ( Supplied: Instagram/Charlie Pomee ) Pomee grew up listening to Fiji's music and dreamt about collaborating on music with him, so when it came to his first music studio session with the man himself, it was a surreal moment. At the time, Pomee was going through the motions of a relationship and told Fiji he just wanted to create a song about what he was experiencing. "He understood the assignment. He said, 'Look, Charlie, you go into that room, you write the hook. Leave the verses to me'." Ten minutes later, Pomee was only two to three sentences into his hook when Fiji called out. "Charlie, are you done?" Pomee told ABC Pacific he was "scared" being in Fiji's presence. "It's freaky ... he's a beast," he said. "I went in, man, this guy already did two verses, and I was only two, three sentences in to my hook. "One of the things I learnt from this guy, you know, creativity doesn't come from pen to paper, it comes from the heart mind and soul." Pomee and Fiji ended up writing Rescue Me in 45 minutes, which Pomee described as a "magical experience". "You've been a huge inspiration for me, for my brothers and to all Pacific Island musicians," he said in tribute. "I truly believe that legends don't die, your legacy will always, forever live on."
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
Want Shiva's blessings? Try these 6 rare night rituals to attract miracles
The month of Shravan is not an ordinary time. It's when Lord Shiva is believed to descend to Earth, ready to remove obstacles, bless devotees, and shift destinies. But while everyone's busy with early morning pujas, few know that the real magic often happens after sunset. Here are six rare Shravan night rituals that are spiritual powerhouses of unlocking the Lord Shiva's blessings - The Milk-Til Offering Pick any Monday night of Shravan. Mix a bit of raw milk with a pinch of black sesame seeds, and pour it over the Shivling. Say your deepest wish out loud. This ritual is known to reduce Rahu-related problems in your life and clear major success blocks. The Ghee Lamp Ritual Try this ritual if you are struggling with finances. Visit a Lord Shiva temple on a Monday night and light a desi ghee diya facing the Shivling. It helps you attract wealth and calm financial turbulence. The Silent Chant In the quiet of the night, chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' 108 times. You can also pair it with the Shiva Chalisa. This simple practice clears negativity, overthinking, and emotional clutter. The Sacred Leaves & Flowers Every day during the month of Shravan, offer bilva leaves, dhatura, and aak flowers on the Shivling. These offerings aren't just symbolic: they're Lord Shiva's favorites. If offered with pure intention, the practice can open divine doors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Discover Why These Off-Plan Dubai Apartments Sell Fast? Binghatti Developers FZE Read More Undo The Soaked Barley Trick Soak barley in milk overnight. Then, feed it to the birds at sunrise. It's an old but trusted way to win over enemies and attract prosperity. The Midnight Rudrabhishek If you can stay up till Nishita Kaal (midnight), perform a Rudrabhishek on Shravan Shivratri. It's believed to dissolve deep-rooted sorrows and lead the soul toward moksha. If you try even one of these rituals, don't be surprised if life starts shifting in the best way! Discover everything about astrology at Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces . Read your detailed Horoscope Today and Horoscope Tomorrow here.
Boston Globe
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Illicit massage businesses still ‘operating in plain sight,' N.H. police and nonprofit leaders say
The Coalition notched a legislative victory on this topic last month, when lawmakers approved Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up Meg Chant, a Coalition program director, said law enforcement had reported seeing more illicit massage businesses migrate over the state line after Massachusetts imposed stiffer penalties, so the change in New Hampshire aims to mitigate that. Advertisement Looking ahead to the next legislative session, the Coalition will push again to reform licensing laws to improve oversight of massage businesses, an idea that has 'The way that it works right now is that, in New Hampshire, the individual massage therapists are licensed, but the business itself is not,' Chant said, 'so that leaves a gap where ultimately if there are any infractions, it's falling to the individual massage therapists — who, in these cases, are the victims — and it's very difficult for regulators to go in and do routine checks and get into these businesses to see if there are signs that it's not a legitimate business.' Advertisement Chant said people need to recognize that these establishments have been identified in all 10 of New Hampshire's counties, and it's often easy to spot clues that a particular business might not be entirely aboveboard. 'In a lot of cases, it's pretty obvious,' she said. If a massage business has unusual hours, covered windows, and patrons using a discreet entrance, those could be hints that something is amiss, Chant said. 'It's one of those things where often your instincts for just kind of feeling like this isn't quite right are probably spot on as a community member,' she said. Chant said people who are being exploited may seem isolated, fearful, or controlled by someone else. That said, not all of them will immediately identify themselves as trafficking victims, so it's important to remain receptive to listening to and believing them, she added. Landlords and residents who believe an illicit massage business may be operating on their property can contact the New Hampshire Department of Justice Anti-Trafficking Hotline at 603-271-9703. For those seeking confidential help, the Coalition offers a round-the-clock support line for victims and survivors at 866-644-3574. This story first appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter focused on the news you need to know about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from other places. If you'd like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, Advertisement Steven Porter can be reached at
BBC News
15-04-2025
- BBC News
Dangerous dog attack owners defend their pets
The owners of dogs that have attacked humans and other pets have said they "saw the beauty" in their animals and wanted to give them a second number of incidents where an out of control dog has caused injury has risen sharply over the past five Chant from Bishopsworth in Bristol took ownership of a Bullmastiff in having the dog, which he named Handsome, for just three days it lost control and began mauling a neighbours' dog. Mr Chant was injured himself by the dog as he tried to intervene and still has a crooked finger as a result of the incident. Caution: Graphic description of violence He said: "He was brought up to fight, so his ears are clipped, his tail's clipped so... he's gone jogging it round the corner, gone straight into her (his neighbour's) hallway and he's grabbed her dog and ripped all his leg open. "I panicked, I dived on top of him, and as I grabbed him he's bit down and bit into me fingers, I've grabbed his cheeks. So he's grabbed that finger on one side and done that finger on another side. I'm bleeding all over the place, I've managed to drag him out."The neighbour called the police and her dog had to be put down because of its Chant said the police told him he would also have to put his own dog down because of what it did, or face found a vet who carried out the procedure for free. 'Big scrap' Claire Garraway from Withywood in Bristol owns three dogs including a female rottweiler which attacked her 25-year-old son in her Garraway said: "My two sons were having a big scrap and she could hear all the commotion behind the door, she didn't know who it was so she automatically bit my son on the bum and he went to hospital and had a tetanus jab."She said: "I was unhappy that she done that obviously but I didn't want to get rid of her or put her down because she's never done anything like that before, and I think the commotion was so much she was doing it out of protection of me." According to the government, dogs are considered dangerously out of control if they injured people, or made people concerned they were about to be included unlimited fines, six months' imprisonment, or both, and offenders might be banned from owning dogs in the future. Allowing a dangerous dog to kill someone could lead to 14 years' imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both. 'Deserve a chance' Despite Mr Chant's experiences, he said he did not regret buying a dog breed known for Chant said: "I can see the beauty in him… they deserve a chance. "Alright they were brought up to clip their ears and get in there and fight and win some money, they were brought up like that. "If they come out of that and nobody wants them any more because they're like that they deserve a chance for them to pull back, that's only fair. "And if they don't, then yeah put them down," he said. Jenny and Colin Coombes from Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset adopted a Romanian border collie rescue dog which they named bit a builder who was working in their Coombes said: "He lunged and he nipped. We made sure the guy went to hospital and he was okay about it."The couple were worried it might happen Coombes added: "We did debate returning him to the home, the dogs home that we got him from and they helped us over that they were very good and they supported us and offered us extra training and we got through it. "It was our fault because we were at that stage where we were still inexperienced with handling a dog like that and we just allowed the dog to get a little bit too close to the guy."Ms Coombes said she believed dog attacks were not always the owners' said: "Sometimes, especially with a rescue dog it can be a dog that's got problems and got issues." Victims of dog attacks have told the BBC how they have been affected Champion was walking home in West Somerset when an elderly man with three dogs parked alongside her."As I passed, the dog shot out [of the car] and grabbed onto my leg," she wound was bandaged up and she was given a tetanus shot and a course of penicillin to resist against any Champion is also a dog owner herself and said the experience had left her wary of other people's pets."I'm not scared of dogs," she said. "But now I'm looking out for dogs all the time even though I have two of my own."The owner of the dog that bit Mrs Champion could not be identified so no action was taken.
