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Local News
27th March
A sense of adventure
USAIA Masuwale was just out of high school when the British Army recruitment drive came knocking. It was 1961, and the young Usaia was just considering entering medical school. “My friend said let’s go apply...
Gurdwala Sahib to feature architecture from Amritsar
THE new renovation at the Gurdwala Sahib in Samabula, Suva, will feature architecture from Amritsar in Punjab, India. Samabula Sikh Temple head priest Preetnam Singh Shokar said this would be the first-ever renovation to be carried out since its establishment in 1923. “This architecture is very significant and it has taken a long process to bring it...
Fiji Police commends NZ counterparts in their handling of terror attack
FIJI Police Force Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho has commended the New Zealand Police Force in their handling of the Christchurch terror attack on March 15. While speaking at the Pacific Detector Dog Programme Annual Workshop in Nadi yesterday, he said their Kiwi counterparts had the world watching them as they carried out their work...
Seruiratu expected to reaffirm ongoing commitment to UN Peacekeeping
MINISTER for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu is expected to reaffirm Fiji’s ongoing commitment to the United Nations Peacekeeping. He will also be having meetings with the United Nations(UN) officials and Fiji’s partners in order to strengthen Fiji’s peacekeeping capabilities and capacity, where Fiji’s UN Peacekeepers are deployed. Mr Seruiratu is in...
Health Minister calls for more effective research
MINISTER for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete has called for more efficient and effective research ethics involving human beings. While opening the national consultation on Governance for the National Human Research Ethics in Fiji yesterday in Nadi, he said the current process was too long. “I have to admit that I have experienced...
Under-representation of women can result in democratic deficit
THE under-representation of women at any level of Government can result in a democratic deficit, says President Jioji Konrote. He made the comment while speaking at the Pacific Women in Power Forum reception at Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on Monday. Mr Konrote said it had been proven time and again that diverse groups made...
200 doctors trained to conduct impairment assessment
THERE are a total of 200 doctors around hospitals in the country trained to do impairment assessment for victims of motor vehicle accidents and mishaps in workplaces and schools. This was revealed by the Accident Compensation Committee chief executive officer Parvez Akbar who said these were trained doctors who followed the American Medical Association guidelines...
Talk about climate finance: A-G
WHEN discussing development finance, it is also important to talk about climate finance, says Attorney-General and Minister of Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. He highlighted this while officiating at the climate change and migration project launch at the Holiday Inn Suva yesterday. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said Fiji lost one third of its gross domestic product (GDP) within 48...
26th March
Community volunteers complete caregivers workshop
ABOUT 70 community volunteers from Nacula District, Yasawa, underwent a two-day caregivers workshop that ended today. The training was facilitated by the Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and Australia Pacific Training Coalition. Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa said the training recognised the need to empower communities and build their capacity...
Cyprus nationals told to sort out legal representation
TWO Cyprus nationals who are charged with a count each of money laundering, attempt to obtain property by deception and possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime have been further remanded in custody. Loizos Petridis and Cleanthis Petridis appeared before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe at the High Court in Suva today. The duo is charged...
Freebird shareholders set to receive final dividend
SHAREHOLDERS of Freebird Institute Ltd are set to receive a final dividend payout of 3.5 cents in relation to the 2018 financial year reflecting a 1.18 per cent return on investment to the shareholders. The company released its audited financial statements for 2018 today. A market announcement from the South Pacific Stock Exchange said the...
Fiji Police: Initial information indicate murder-suicide in Lami discovery
INITIAL information gathered by Fijian Police regarding the discovery of a couple who was found dead by their son at their Lami home today indicates an alleged murder-suicide. However, Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said this was subject to the outcome of the investigation they had gathered so far. “Credible information gathered so far from the...
April date for pastor and church member on rape charge to take plea
TWO men charged with sexual-related offences will take their plea on April 29. Agape Healing Church Ministry’s Pastor Waisake Tulavu and senior church member Sakiusa Nakutoro appeared before judge Justice Daniel Goundar today. Mr Tulavu is charged with four counts of rape and one of sexual assault, while Mr Nakutoro is charged with one count of...
High Court convicts Reddy for rape and theft
A MAN accused of the rape of a 20-year-old woman at a resort in Nadi has been convicted of the offence. Shaneil Reddy has been convicted of two counts of rape and one count of theft following a judgment by Justice Daniel Goundar at the High Court in Suva today. The court heard Reddy met...
Duo on fraud charges front High Court
TWO men charged with fraud-related charges appeared at the High Court in Suva today. Laisiasa Valesu, the former land acquisition officer for Water Authority of Fiji, is charged with a count each of abuse of office, forgery and obtaining a financial advantage while Pauliasi Waite Simione is charged with a count of aiding and abetting obtaining a financial...
2019 Coke Games: Torch visit to QVS remind students of expectations
THE Coca-Cola Games torch relay team visited Queen Victoria School in Tailevu today. And according to school principal Qalo Lesi, it was a reminder to the students of their expectations. Lesi said this week’s Tailevu Zone will be a testing ground for its athletes. “For the Tailevu Zone, QVS has the least number of athletes from Tailevu....
FHL appoints Raivoce to chair South Sea Cruises board
SECURITY consultant and former senior military officer Sakiusa Raivoce has been appointed by Fijian Holdings Limited as the chairman for South Sea Cruises Pte Ltd (SSCL). The appointed was announced yesterday via a market announcement from the South Pacific Stock Exchange. Prior to this, Mr Raivoce was the chairman of FHL’s subsidiaries Basic Industries Pte...
High Court allows State 21 days to file information in rape case
THE High Court in Suva has given 21 days time for the State to file information and disclosures in a case involving a mother who allegedly raped her three-year-old daughter. The woman appeared before judge Justice Daniel Goundar today charged with one count of rape. It is alleged the mother raped her daughter between September...
Weather watch: Heavy rain warning cancelled for eastern Viti Levu
THE heavy rain warning issued for the eastern part and interior of Viti Levu has cancelled. However, the warning remains in force for Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, and Lau and Lomaiviti groups. In its special weather bulletin issued at 1pm today, the weather forecasting centre in Nadi says a trough of low...
Son finds parents dead in their Lami home
AN elderly couple were found dead in their Lami home this morning. According to Police, the victims were found by their son inside their room lying motionless with visible injuries. Police forensic team are currently at the scene. “It is still early in the investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Police said in...
Degei apologies to the mother of the man he mowed to death
“I MADE a mistake that day and it wasn’t my intention to take away your son’s life.” These were the words of Semi Degei as he apologised to the mother of the man he mowed to death in an accident along Salim Street in Nakasi last year. Degei is convicted of one count each of...
FHL appoints Karan as deputy chairman
PERMANENT Secretary to the Office of the Prime Minister Yogesh Karan has been appointed the deputy chairman of Fiji Holdings Limited. Mr Karan was appointed Thursday, March 21, 2019, as a director representing class ‘A’ shareholders. According to the market announcement by the South Pacific Stock Exchange, Mr Karan had vacated his seat on November...
Lands ministry should ensure equitable returns to resource owners: Radrodro
THE Land and Mineral Resources Ministry should ensure there are equitable returns for resource owners around the country that invest their land under the land bank, says SODELPA MP Aseri Radrodro. He said the purpose of the land bank was for economic generation. “I would be interested to know the returns to landowning units,” Mr Radrodro...
Setting up a unit to check foreign investors’ background costly: Finau
SETTING up a unit to carry out background checks on foreign investors within the Land and Mineral Resources Ministry will be a costly exercise, says permanent secretary Malakai Finau. Mr Finau said there wasn’t any need to establish or strengthen background checks on foreign investors because that was the role of Investment Fiji and the...
Fiji Times popular sports journalist passes away
RENOWNED and popular Fiji Times sports reporter Maciu Malo passed away at the Lautoka Hospital yesterday. The sudden passing of Maciu after a short illness, has left his family and the media fraternity in shock. The 43-year-old Naisausau, Namara, Tailevu, native and former Natabua High School student had a huge following due to his intuitive and in-depth...
Local aviation operators call for swift resolution to ATC dispute
LOCAL aviation operators are calling for a swift resolution to the Fiji Airports and air traffic controller issue. Loss of business and income caused by Fiji Airports’ decision to shut down trainee pilot circuit training and skydiving type activities during a “strike” by the majority of ATCs has impacted on their operations. The ATCs have maintained...
Air controllers question management claims
A GROUP of air traffic controllers involved in an impasse with Fiji Airports management are questioning assurances made by the organisation and the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji that operations at Nadi and Nausori international airports were “normal”. In a statement issued this week, senior air traffic controller and team leader Kolokesa Kini claimed there...
Aircraft found difficulty landing, says Northern Air owner
A NORTHERN Air plane that faced difficulties landing at Savusavu Airport on Vanua Levu yesterday had been flown back to Nausori Airport and released for service. Northern Air owner Rainjash San said because of the rainy conditions yesterday, the plane found difficulty landing — overruning the apron slightly. “The aircraft flew out of Nausori to...
Police probe alleged electrocution; Mother laments loss
A MOTHER is grieving the loss of her 26-year-old son, Rohit Lal who was allegedly electrocuted at his workplace last Sunday. Bimla Wati could not control her emotion as she broke down yesterday at their Lajonia family home lamenting the loss of her second eldest of three sons. Ms Wati said she spoke with her...
Wife hopes for husband’s return
DISTRAUGHT housewife from Kavewa Island Losana Durunilotu is hoping for the return of her 46-year-old husband Taito Saqacala who went missing at sea last Wednesday. An emotional Ms Durunilotu said on Tuesday last week that Police located her husband’s snorkel and sack of trochus niloticus (sici), but there was no sign of him. Ms Durunilotu...
