Subscribe
Local News
20th January
Serevi vouches for Fiji in NZ
RUGBY 7s wizard Waisale Serevi believes Fiji can win the Hamilton 7s in New Zealand next week. Serevi who arrived at the 2019 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s tournament yesterday from the US commended Fiji...
Kumar welcomes Australian support for sports in Fiji
FIJI’S Minister for Youth and Sports Parveen Kumar has welcomed the support shown by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on his recent visit to Fiji. Mr Kumar said the various kind of support across numerous sports would be an added boost to Fijian athletes. “As part of our continuing assistance program, Australia will also assist...
Tuivaga cherishes role as a campus guide for Australian PM
AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Scott Morrison visit to Fiji will go down in the history books of Matuku, Lau man Viliame Tuivaga, and one he will cherish for life. The 36-year-old FNU trainer was given the honours to guide the Australian PM during his visit to FNU’s Derrick Campus in Suva yesterday to meet APTC students...
Fiji trio makes it through Aussie Rules recruitment
THREE local players have been given the lifetime opportunity after being recruited by the CDHBU Football & Netball Club to play Aussie Rules next month. Vitogo, Lautoka lad Jekesoni Koroi who plays for the Nadi Panthers will be joined by Lautoka Raiders duo William Dyer and Josese Rokodamana. The three boys are still trying to...
Australia recognises climate change challenge for the Pacific
AUSTRALIA has recognised that climate change is a challenge and is a main priority for the Pacific. During his first bilateral visit to the country last week, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there was a global action needed for this issue. He said they had committed to reduce their emissions by 26 to 28 per cent below...
Enough doctors in Fiji, says Minister
THERE is enough doctors in the country, says Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete. He said having 815 doctors in Fiji was not bad for a country with over 900,000 people. Dr Waqainabete said the number of doctors the country had at the moment was better than what the country had before. More details...
Relationship on the mend between ATS management and FASA members
DESPITE their issues, the relationship between Federated Airlines Staff Association members and Air Terminal Services management is on the mend as both parties continue to engage in dialogue. FASA national secretary Manasa Ratuvili said despite several setbacks after returning to work in January, 2018, the association has been able to engage in positive discussions with ATS management. “Since...
FRA impressed with work progress by two contractors
THE Fiji Roads Authority is impressed with the ongoing works by their two contractors — Higgins Fiji and Dayals Quarries involved in the S3-4 lane road project between the Rewa Bridge in Nausori and 9 Miles. FRA chief executive officer Jonathan Moore visited the project site on Friday and said he was impressed by the...
19th January
FNU advises enrolment and orientation info
THE Fiji National University (FNU) director Marketing and Communications Jenies Mudiliar say all new students need to take note of the dates for the 2019 orientation week and attend this important event. Ms Mudiliar said to avoid the last minute rush, or missing out on the orientation, all students who had received their offer letters from FNU were requested...
Seven drug-related arrests in two days: Police
FIJIAN Police made a total of seven drug-related arrests in separate incidents in the last two days. Among those arrested are two high school students. Police arrested and detained a 28-year-old woman of MacFarland Road, Raiwai after she was found to be in possession of a small clear plastic containing white crystals believed to be...
Prospective models attend casting for Bottega fashion festival
THE Bottega Fijian Fashion Festival held its first model casting for the 2019 fashion year at the University of the South Pacific’s(USP) Oceania Centre in Suva today. More than 100 interested models turned up to showcase their modelling skills to make the final cut for the main event scheduled for June later in the year....
Lest the opportunity be lost to posterity
WHAT may appear to be a tussle between church and State on the statements made by Archbishop Peter Loy Chong on Catholic education and the open merit system implemented by the Ministry of Education, is cause for great interest and indeed serious reflection. The archbishop’s statements have even been labelled as racist, subjective and contrary...
Fire destroys ice plant building
A BUILDING housing an ice plant at Solovi in Nadi was destroyed in a fire yesterday. Police said the structure housing the plant was completely destroyed. The cause of the blaze and the total cost of damage incurred was yet to be determined, Police said as their investigations continued. The property belonged to a 57-year-old...
Bridges submerged as heavy rain belts Nadroga highlands; Villagers stranded
VILLAGERS in Lomawai and Emuri in Nadroga were left stranded today after bridges near communities disappeared under flood waters. Emuri villager Sakiusa Qautoka said their village was inaccessible since yesterday. “There wasn’t a lot of rain here but there’s a lot of rain further uphill which is why bridges downstream are getting flooded,” Mr Qautoka...
Legal Aid support staff encouraged to educate themselves on national issues
LEGAL Aid Commission support staff were encouraged to educate themselves about national issues especially those that concern the law. While speaking at the closing of the Annual National Corporate Staff Workshop at the Intercontinental Resort and Spa today, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said it was important for the legal assistants to upskill themselves. “Even though...
Cakaudrove commends Government development projects
THE Cakaudrove Provincial Council has commended the various State-funded projects targeted at enhancing the livelihoods of rural dwellers. In particular, the council commended the Government’s development projects saying it had improved the livelihoods of people in their villages and communities within the province. Council chairperson Ratu Jekesoni Yavalanavanua said villagers had been blessed with development projects...
Missing person: Information sought for Raravisa’s whereabouts
POLICE in Labasa are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Apenisa Rosa Raravisa of Basoga. According to Police, the 30-year-old man was reported missing by his father after he failed to return home from town last Wednesday. Members of the public who may have any information that could assist in establishing Mr Raravisa’s whereabouts are...
Fiji Coral Coast 7s: Police first team to win title four times
POLICE have become the first team to win the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s title four times after beating Tabadamu 17-0 in the cup final this evening. Police scored through Joseva Kuricuri and a double to Rusiate Matai. First Light Taveuni won the plate after beating Sigatoka River Safari Henibua 15-10. The NFA team won...
Fiji Coral Coast 7s: Police in the lead in cup final
POLICE look good to retain the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s title as they lead Tabadamu 15-0 in the cup final. Police scored three tries on a slippery Lawaqa ground as the second half gets underway. Stay with us as we get you the latest from Sigatoka.
Police to question Rabuka tomorrow over talkback show comments
OPPOSITION and Social Democratic Liberal Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka will be taken in for questioning by Police tomorrow. Mr Rabauka confirmed to this newspaper that he was supposed to be interviewed today but was deferred to tomorrow because his lawyer was not present. He said this was a continuous interrogation by Police in relation to...
Fiji Coral Coast 7s: Police and Tabadamu to clash for main prize
POLICE and Tabadamu will clash for the main prize of the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s. Suva-based Tabadamu edged Ratu Filise 7-5 while the defending champions, the lawmen from Suva beat Australia Development 22-7. Other finals: Shield: Suva Stallions vs BLK. Bowl: Dratabu vs NFA. Plate: Sigatoka River Safari Henibua vs First Light Taveuni. Meanwhile,...
Divisional commissioners can assist in generating community interest in public consultations
SODELPA MP Mosese Bulitavu believes the involvement of the Government’s four Divisional Commissioners in assisting Parliamentary committees in spreading the word about public consultations could generate interest from communities. His comment was made as members of the Standing Committee on Justice Law and Human Rights discussed ways of attracting members of the public to attend...
Fiji Coral Coast 7s: Police downs Australia Development
POLICE have booked a place in the 2019 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s tournament after ousting a physical Australia Development side 22-7 in the semi-finals at Lawaqa Park this afternoon. Police scored four tries to one and await the winner of the second semi between Tabadamu and Ratu Filise. In other semis: Shield: Suva Stallions...
Education PS defends policy
A HEATED argument broke out between Education Ministry permanent secretary Alison Burchell and stakeholders of Catholic schools during a meeting at the Sacred Heart Cathedral crypt in Suva on Thursday night. The arguments from the stakeholders were based on the fact that the appointment of a school leader must not only be based on the...
ATS employees hold church service to mark one year of lockout
AIR Terminal Services employees and members of the Federated Airlines Staff Association (FASA) remembered their 34-day lockout between 2017 and 2018 during a church service in Nadi today. FASA president Semisi Turagabaleti said it was important for the members of the association to remember their fight for their rights. He said they wanted to celebrate...
Fiji Coral Coast 7s: Ratu Filise ousts First Light Taveuni
FIRST Light Taveuni is out of the 2019 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s after it was beaten by Ratu Filise 12-17 in the last cup quarter-finals at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Amenoni Nasilasila got a yellow card allowing the islanders to strike with two tries and a conversion. Results so far: Cup quarters: Tabadamu 26-...
Government signs partnership for two western hospitals
FIJI’S first public private partnership (PPP) for the Ba and Lautoka hospitals in the country was signed on Thursday in Suva. The signing was done by the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum on behalf of the Fijian Government with Healthcare Fiji Pte Ltd and Aspen Medical. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said Healthcare Fiji Pte Ltd was the...
Churches attack Government’s open merit practice in faith-based schools
TWO major faith-based organisations which run a number of schools in the country have joined forces to openly criticise Government on its decision to appoint school heads based on open merit recruitment and selection (OMRS) guidelines. Methodist Church in Fiji president the Rev Dr Epineri Vakadewavosa and the head of the Catholic Church of Fiji,...
TLTB: Not enough staff to monitor all cane farms in Tavua
THE iTaukei Land Trust Board says it does not have enough staff members to monitor all sugarcane farms in Tavua. The issue came to light during a National Sugar Industry Policy consultation in Tavua this week. Tagitagi, Tavua, farmer Umesh Prasad said there was vacant land in Tavua and it was imperative that agencies like...
Farmer airs concern on mill efficiency
STAKEHOLDERS in the Sugar Industry have acknowledged how poorly Rarawai mill operated in the last crushing season. Speaking during the National Sugar Industry Policy consultations in Tavua this week, Rajendra Raghlu a prominent grower from Yaladro said mill issues was one of the biggest challenges for farmers. “When we talk about mill efficiency, people will...
