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1st July
‘Obstructed’ ranking for Fiji; Raj hits out at Civicus
Fiji Human Rights and Anti Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) director Ashwin Raj, hit out at Civicus, a global civil society alliance for comments it made against the commission. He said Civicus did not engage with the...
New prices in effect: Motorists to pay extra at the pump
Motorists will have to fork out more at the pump as of today. The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) announced a massive increase in motor spirits up by 36 cents per litre from $3.08 to $3.44. Premix is up 34 cents a litre from $2.90 to $3.24, kerosene goes up to $2.50 per litre...
Albanese and Ardern set to visit Fiji
Newly-elected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern will attend the 51st Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Suva between July 11-14. Mr Albanese told reporters in Madrid, Spain, where he’s currently attending the NATO summit that he had a telephone conversation with the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare,...
Good turnout for national budget consultation held at FNU
Students and staff of the Fiji National University (FNU) participated in an interactive 2022-2023 National Budget Consultations last week which was hosted by the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. The event held at FNU’s Derrick Campus in Samabula, Suva was also live-streamed to other campuses via Zoom, providing students and staff with the...
MoH clears three, stays vigilant
Three people who were under investigation for suspected monkeypox have tested negative and are no longer in isolation, says Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong. He said of the three individuals, one was a local citizen while two were foreign persons and all had travel-related exposure risks. Dr Fong said Fiji was in the...
FNU promotes climate sustainability initiatives
The Fiji National University’s, Labasa Campus at Naduna undertook its first tree planting initiative in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on climate action and FNU’s Strategic Plan 2021-2026 which promotes Climate Change Adaptation, Resilience and Sustainability. Head of Campus, Pardeep Lal, said tree-planting initiatives have multiple benefits; it builds the resilience of ecosystems,...
Media plays vital role
We see the media as a critical stakeholder in raising awareness, shaping attitudes and opinions in our society on matters concerning the LGBTQI community, says Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN) CEO Isikeli Vulavou. Vulavou said this during the opening of the training for Fijian Media on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sex...
What’s happening today!
Bula vinaka everyone. Here is another edition of some basic information you may need to know for today. First, here is your weather forecast for today: Weather A weak trough of low pressure lies slow moving over Fiji and is gradually moving eastwards away from the country. Meanwhile an east to southeast wind flow prevails...
30th June
Fiji music industry’s future ‘looks bright’
He has played to packed houses and performed his music around the world in his more than four decades in the business. But nothing could stop veteran composer and musician Seru Serevi from smiling when he heard the 10 finalists of the inaugural Domo Vou Talei song contest during a mentoring session at the Fiji...
Back in history: Nature’s wrath
Looking back over the past decades, cyclones and hurricanes have become a way of life for Fiji. From mid-November to mid-April, it has become the norm that a storm could be headed our way, and people expect and prepare for this every year. In an article published in The Fiji Times on January 19, 1985,...
Protecting Fiji’s ‘fragile’ economy
Government has to ensure that it protects the fragile and hard fought recovery of the Fijian economy. While speaking at a 2022-2023 pre-budget consultation in Lautoka on Tuesday, Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said Government had to anticipate future risks that could affect the economy. “We have a number of risks,” he said. “We know what’s...
‘Establish complaints mechanism’
Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum urged the Fiji Institute of Accountants (FIA) to establish a complaints mechanism similar to that of the Fiji Law Society. He said this while speaking at the FIAs 50th anniversary celebration in Nadi last week. “You know lawyers, for a number of years in this country we called for self-regulation, at the...
A-G: Break the law, pay fines
Economy Minister and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said some drivers copped a lot of fines because they broke the law. He made the comment in response to the members of the Fiji Minibus Association who raised the issue of the high number of fines on drivers. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said people needed to follow regulations that were...
Singing from the heart – Duikete ready to make a name for herself
For Kaylia Duikete, music is her favourite form of escape and it helped her through the COVID-19 pandemic. She began writing original songs when she was 10 years old. “Growing up, music was always my outlet,” the 18-year-old Nadi resident said. “Kind of an escape from day-to-day life. During COVID-19 that was how I was...
Probe into discovery of student’s body underway
The body of an 18-year-old student was discovered in Waiqali Settlement, Maro, Sigatoka this morning. According to Police the student was found motionless outside his girlfriend’s home early this morning in what is believed to be an alleged suicide case. Police say a post mortem will be conducted to confirm the cause of death as...
New fuel prices effective from tomorrow; consumers set to fork out more
New fuel and LPG prices come into effect from tomorrow with consumers set to fork out more for motor spirit, kerosene and diesel. The new prices have been determined by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) for Unleaded Petrol, Premix, Kerosene, Diesel, and LPG products for July 2022. New approved Retail Fuel Prices: Motor...
Ulacake teaches youths canoe craft
“You do not choose the canoe, the canoe chooses you” – this is the motto Samuela Ulacake lives by. Originally from Nasaqa Village in Macuata with maternal links to Taveuni, the 30-year-old started building traditional canoes since 2018. But he doesn’t build them for himself – he teaches young people in maritime villages to build...
Back to the ‘buka’
Gas stoves may be a more modern and faster way to cook, but residents in Savutalele are reverting to matchsticks and firewood to put together a meal. One, it’s simply cheaper, but even better still; it plays a small part in the global fight against climate change. The kerosene-free stove, SITOVU BUKA, entered the life...
Plea for help to relocate
A lot has changed in Sawani Village since Seveci Tavaga was a boy. The landscape and environment of the village he has called home for his whole life has evolved dramatically. Over the past 20 years, he and the community have encountered more and more flooding – none worse than the “big flood” in 2013....
‘Too little, too late’ – Gavoka labels $100 unemployment assistance a ‘political freebie’
Social Democratic Liberal Party leader Viliame Gavoka labelled Government’s $100 unemployment assistance to the people of Vanua Levu a “political freebie”. In a statement issued yesterday, he said the “$100 is too little, too late”. Mr Gavoka claimed the FijiFirst party government was “desperate to maintain power at all costs”. “It is only logical to...
Focus areas for budget – Basic needs, jobs, investment
Government’s aim with the upcoming 2022-2023 National Budget is to ensure Fijians’ basic needs are met, jobs are created and investment continued in key areas. While speaking at a 2022-2023 pre-budget consultation in Lautoka on Tuesday, Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said Government’s aim with the budget was to ensure that Fijians continued to have access...
‘Lau seascape will be a marine protected area’
Fiji is pursuing the biggest ocean governance transformation in its history, says Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Addressing the Oceans Conference in Portugal, he said this was perhaps one of the biggest in the world. “Not because it’s simple or comfortable, but because these protections can’t wait,” Mr Bainimarama said. “These investments can’t wait, nor can...
FNU launches Alcohol and Substance Abuse Awareness Week
The Fiji National University (FNU) launched the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Awareness Week last Friday to highlight the dangers and destruction related to alcohol and drug use. Held at the FNU Sports and Wellness Centre at Nasinu Campus, the event organised by the Office of the Registrar was attended in-person and via Zoom by students, staff...
Usamate willing to contest election under FijiFirst party banner
Infrastructure Minister Jone Usamate is planning to contest the upcoming elections under the FijiFirst party banner. When asked by this newspaper if he would run again, he said, “I will apply”. “I will offer myself to my party as a candidate and it’ll be up to them to decide,” he said. Mr Usamate was first...
A-G: Think of future, stability
You need people who can give you stability, says Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. He said this to participants at the Nadi Women’s Forum last weekend. The A-G said it was important for Fijians to keep that in mind when choosing people to vote for. “Don’t think about now, don’t just think about this election, think about...
FNU holds a weeklong campaign to mark World Blood Donor Day
The Fiji National University’s (FNU) Department of Student Support Services under the Office of The Registrar organised a weeklong Blood Donation drive at campuses across the country to celebrate World Blood Donor Day. The blood drive was coordinated as part of the University’s Corporate Social Responsibility and community engagement initiative. This is also aligned to...
What’s happening today!
Bula vinaka everyone. Here is another edition of some basic information you may need to know for today. First, here is your weather forecast for today: Weather A trough of low pressure to the west of Fiji continues to move east towards the group. Associated cloud and showers expected to affect the country from later...
29th June
Back in history: Rodan leads Fiji team
For veteran athlete, Joe Rodan, leading the national team to the South Pacific Mini Games in Tonga was just another challenge. In an article in The Fiji Times on August 19, 1989, this was not the first time leading the men’s athletic team to an international meet. The 38-year-old Olympian had seen many athletic meets...
Brawl duo released on bail
The two men charged in relation to the brawl at McFarlane Rd at Raiwai in Suva on Sunday, June 19 were released on bail by the Suva Magistrates Court on Monday. The duo, Ilikimi Kurusiga and Tamani Dogolau, charged with incitement to violence and disobedience of the law under Order 16 of the Public Order...
Medical officer fronts court
A senior medical officer from the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWM), charged with two counts of sexual assault, was granted bail by the Suva Magistrates Court on Monday. Dr Joji Vakadiwaiwai was produced before Resident Magistrate Indula Ratnayake. Dr Vakadiwaiwai, who appeared for a similar matter on June 17, was alleged to have procured the...
