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Weatherman – Fiji’s climate may begin to exhibit La-Niña-like patterns
Fiji’s climate may begin to exhibit La-Niña like patterns in the coming months. This was revealed by the Fiji Meteorological Services’ outlook from September to November. According to the report, although the phenomenon would occur...
New Korovula bridge opens along Nabouwalu Road
The new Korovula Bridge on Vanua Levu opened from 10am today and is expected to benefit thousands of people from better and improved access. The bridge is located along Nabouwalu road between Seaqaqa and Savusavu intersection. According to the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), the new bridge is a steel beam structure with a concrete deck...
Goat thief sentenced
A Tavua man who stole two billy goats was jailed for 38 days by the Tavua Magistrates Court. Petero Ratoto stole the two goats on February 2 from Melaia Vouvou who lives at Tagitagi, Tavua. The goats were worth $80 each and Mr Ratoto sold them for $55 each. “You sold the goats and you...
Exports increase despite COVID-19 pandemic
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, exports in 2020 had increased compared with the first quarter of 2019. This, according to Ministry of Agriculture permanent secretary Ritesh Dass while speaking at a webinar session earlier. Mr Dass said last year, $234 million in total export value of crop and livestock was recorded where a total of 223...
Aggravated robbery suspect remanded
The State has amended information in a matter involving a 23-year-old man who allegedly lied to the prosecution about his involvement in an aggravated robbery case. Isoa Vonu appeared before High Court in Suva judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe yesterday charged with one count of aggravated robbery. State lawyer Zenith Zunaid told the court two people...
Man acquitted of attempted murder
A Nadi man who stabbed another man in January this year has been acquitted of an attempted murder charge. High Court in Lautoka judge Justice Chamath Morais ordered that Ritesh Sharma be detained at the St Giles Psychiatric Hospital to undergo psychiatric treatment and to be freed once deemed fit to return to society. Mr...
COVID-19 not an excuse to breach regulations, says Dr Reddy
We will not allow people to use COVID-19 as an excuse to breach environmental regulations, says Environment Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy. He made the comment during a celebration to mark World Ozone Day in Nadi on Wednesday. “We will neither allow nor change our environmental regulations and legislations due to COVID-19,” he said. Dr Reddy...
18th September
Airport secures ranking for ‘breathtaking’ view
Nadi International Airport has been ranked in the top 10 most scenic airports of 2020 by voters around the globe. According to PrivateFly, a global private jet charter broker company, voters said the views of the Nadi bay and mountainous regions were amazing when landing. “Just getting into the Nadi International Airport, you see the...
Ex-workers face probe
The Ministry of Housing and Community Development is not engaged in the sale of land or assurance of leases, says Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar. She said the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) was investigating two former staff members of the ministry who were issuing letters by using fake...
Bus drivers quizzed over damage claim
Police are investigating allegations that bus drivers damaged property at Naqere subdivision, Savusavu. Police spokeswoman Savaira Gonedua said investigations had begun after property owner Bashir Khan lodged a report at the Savusavu Police Station. She said a few Vishnu Holdings Ltd bus drivers were taken in yesterday and questioned over the alleged incident. Ms Gonedua...
PEOPLE: Little dholakia
The complexity of dholak (Indian drum) playing did not hinder Arnav Chand’s little fingers from giving it a try. The belief that little children cannot play dholak perfectly was proven wrong by Arnav. Originally from Rambisessar Rd, Sawani, Nausori, he is known as the youngest dholakia in the community. Arnav, 7, is a Year 2...
Labour leader questions disparity in fuel prices on Garden Island
Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry has questioned the disparity in fuel prices on Taveuni and the rest of Fiji. He said it was unfair that people living on the Garden Island were forced to pay 35 cents a litre more for all types of fuel. “They feel cheated considering that the price per litre...
Former ministers call for a committee of inquiry
Two former Fijian education ministers have called on the Education Ministry to establish a committee of inquiry to look into the grievances of students at Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS). Opposition parliamentarian Ro Teimumu Kepa said the ministry needed to urgently resolve the impasse. She said closing the school and acting “in a high handed manner”...
Countries can end COVID-19 by working together in solidarity – Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Minister
In the Declaration on the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations, governments and heads of state acknowledge that only by working together in solidarity can countries end the pandemic and effectively tackle its consequences. This has been the message shared by Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Jaushieh...
Moore: This is wrong
All foreign companies contracted for road maintenance projects must abide by Fiji’s labour laws, says Fiji Roads Authority chief executive officer Jonathan Moore. He made the comments in response to a statement by contractor China Railway No.5 Engineering Group Fiji Co that they were not familiar with “Fiji’s labour laws” when they sent home more...
‘MOE still rebuilding schools’
The Ministry of Education is still rebuilding schools four years after Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston made landfall in Fiji. This, according to Education Minister Rosy Akbar while commissioning new school classrooms at Naivicula District School in Wainibuka, Tailevu. Ms Akbar said Government spent more than $220 million in their rebuilding process. She said a total...
Fiji’s Registrar of Political Parties request meeting with NFP accounts team, auditor
Fiji’s Registrar of Political Parties Mohammed Saneem has requested a meeting with the National Federation Party’s (NFP) accounts team so issues identified by the verification team are conveyed to all parties. Mr Saneem called for the meeting this afternoon after receiving confirmation that the NFP had appointed an auditor – recognised by the Fiji Institute...
Training plane reports landing incident on Kadavu
A Cessna training plane went off the runway on Kadavu this morning. Pacific Flying School chief executive officer Tim Joyce said there were no injuries. “I can confirm a landing incident,” Mr Joyce said. He said inspectors from the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji had departed Nadi for Kadavu to inspect the plane.
Agreement signed for waste collection service
Residents, businesses and informal settlements in the Nasinu area will receive regular and efficient waste collection service from next Monday, says Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar. She said this was made possible after the Suva City Council (SCC) and the Nasinu Town Council (NTC) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA)...
Parliament – Small Grant Scheme funded 171 projects since 2018
The Small Grant Scheme (SEG) has funded a total of 171 projects at a combined cost of $12.6million. This was revealed in a written response provided by Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama following a question raised by Opposition MP Mosese Bulitavu in Parliament querying statistics and costing on projects funded by small grant project allocation...
Teenagers feared drowned are brothers; yet to be found
The two brothers believed to have drowned in Lautoka are students of Tilak High School. They have been identified as Shivnil Singh and Shelvin Singh. It is understood they did not go to school and joined a group of other students to spend the day the Saweni picnic spot. Initial searches conducted by Police and...
‘Big Guns’: Top Funding for FijiFirst
The FijiFirst party has been mostly funded by “big guns” of the local business community. This, according to Labasa businessman Charan Jeath Singh who claimed he received a list yesterday containing the names of donors from the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) after he made a formal request. He said he could not release a copy...
Child injured in felling accident; police investigate
Fijian Police are investigating an incident where a four-year-old girl sustained injuries by a tree allegedly felled by military engineers near her home at Wailailai Settlement in Suva last week. Police spokesperson Savaira Tabua also confirmed a report had been lodged with Police regarding the incident. “Investigations are still ongoing. If any progress, I will...
NFA commends public response to new 910 emergency line
National Fire Authority (NFA) chief executive officer Puamau Sowane says it is encouraging to see the public acknowledge the new 910 fire emergency number that officially launched last week. Mr Sowane said the authority was grateful that the 910 emergency line was finally reaching the public and feedbacks were being provided. A letter writer to...
Fiji Navy musical band commissioned
The Republic of the Fiji Military Forces Navy band was commissioned at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua this morning. RFMF Commander Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto said the event would add on to their rich history. “Today, on display as the RFMF Navy band is a direct product of the RFMF band,” Cmdr Naupoto said....
Teenagers believed to have drowned at Lautoka picnic spot
Two teenagers are believed to have drowned at a picnic spot in Saweni, Lautoka. They are high school students who had gone to the picnic area with a group of other students. Family, friends and Police officers are now looking for the missing students.
Police seize marijuana plants from Cakaudrove farm
The Fijian Police Special Response Unit seized more than 30 plants confirmed to be marijuana from a farm in Cakaudrove on Vanua Levu. Police said the raid was conducted on the farm that allegedly belonged to a 41-year-old man of Loa Village. The man has been charged with one count of unlawful possession of illicit...
Port Denarau Marina: Blue Lane initiative attracts 72 vessels
The Blue Lane initiative has so far attracted 72 vessels, including six superyachts and several pending applications. This was revealed by publicly-listed company Port Denarau Marina in its market announcement via the South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX). Company chairman David Skeggs said it was pleasing to see the gradual increase in their occupancy from the...
Fiji can expect new innovative programs to support green growth investments
Fiji can expect new innovative programs supporting ‘Green Growth Investments’ to emerge through strengthened engagements between the Fijian Government and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), an international organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing economies. This was emphasised at a meeting held on Monday this week between...
U.S reaffirms commitment to work closely with Fiji and the region
The United States of America has reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with Fiji and the region in advancing the shared vision of building lasting peace and prosperity. This was the key message of the commemoration of the 244th anniversary of Independence celebrations with the theme “Stars and Stripes Forever”. The program, organised by the...
