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25th December
COVID-19: 70 cases and three deaths reported
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has reported 70 new cases of COVID-19 and seven cases of reinfections. The ministry also recorded three COVID deaths. Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong said of the...
2022 General Election: Fiji’s Speaker of Parliament notes reduction in women reps
Newly-elected Speaker of Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has noted the reduction in the number of women representatives in parliament. He made the remark in his address after his election as Speaker yesterday. “Whilst we have many new and young members entering Parliament for the first time, I also notice the reduction of the number of...
Employment Ministry advises employers and workers of last tranche of minimum wage increase
Fiji’s Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations has advised employers and workers of the implementation of the fourth and last tranche of minimum wage increase that will come into effect from January 1, 2023. Ministry permanent secretary Osea Cawaru announced this in a government statement yesterday saying the new rate for the national minimum...
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 -Cloudy periods with some showers over the greater Suva/Nausori-Tailevu, interior Ra, Naitasiri and Serua, Kadavu, Cakaudrove and Southern Bua, Lau and the Lomaiviti groups -Fine weather elsewhere apart...
24th December
Focus on goal: Cawaru
EMPLOYMENT Ministry permanent secretary Osea Cawaru urged 200 Fijian workers selected under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM scheme) and New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) scheme to make good choices while abroad. “Let all the decisions you make in Australia or New Zealand be influenced by your motivations, goals, and aspirations, including your country,...
They’re off to Aust
MORE aged-care graduates are expected to leave our shores early next year. They were among students who completed their studies at the Sangam School of Nursing and graduated this week Tuesday in Labasa. According to the school’s academic board chairman Amraiya Naidu, some were expected to leave by March next year as they had been...
Star for USP : Students, staff secure top research rank for regional university
UNIVERSITY of the South Pacific vice-chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia has acknowledged the hard work, commitment, and dedication of 118 staff and 15 students who released A-Star and A-ranked research publications in 2020 and 2021 and received awards for their efforts. While speaking to the recipients, he said awards were a tribute to honour their hard...
ADRA helps 371,082 Fijians
THE Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) said 371,082 Fijians benefitted from 19 projects facilitated and managed by the non-governmental organisation. ADRA Fiji, in a statement, said along with its partners, it has impacted lives through its sustainable livelihood, food security support, emergency response, health and safety awareness and climate resilient projects. With projects sites...
Rise in COVID cases
THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services has recorded 56 new cases of COVID-19 as at December 17. In a statement, the ministry said of the 56 new cases recorded, 39 cases were recorded in the Central Division; 15 cases in the Western Division; 1 case in the Northern Division with nil cases in the...
Dump fires a hazard
REGULAR fire incidents at Vunato dump site has been labelled a major health hazard for residents in the greater Lautoka area. Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association president Narayan Reddy said the incident was worrying because of the health risks associated with the annual occurrence of thick smoke produced by the dump fire. Thick smoke engulfed...
Vet Corner: Sunlight and skin disease
DO dogs and cats get sunburn? Yes they do! It is called solar dermatitis. Even though pigmentation (gives skin a dark color, whether all over or in spots and splotches), and hair coat can offer some protection from the sun. Skin disease associated with sunlight is increased with no pigment which includes white dogs and...
2022 General Election: Bainimarama hopes to be appointed Opposition Leader
FijiFirst Party leader Voreqe Bainimarama hopes he will be appointed as Leader of Opposition. The former prime minister said this while responding to queries outside Parliament on whether he will be the Leader of Opposition in this new term of parliament. The People’s Alliance Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka was appointed Fiji’s new Prime Minister earlier...
2022 General Election: Bulitavu glad to be back in Opposition
FijiFirst MP Mosese Bulitavu says he is glad to be back in Opposition. He abandoned SODELPA a few weeks leading to the 2022 General Election to join the FijiFirst Party who has been in power since 2006. Mr Bulitavu tried to evade journalists when walking out of Parliament this morning but was approached on his...
Life in jail for attempted murder
The High Court in Lautoka has jailed a man for life in prison on two charges of attempted murder and one charge of act intended to cause grievous harm. Vilimone Balevirewa tried to choke his wife to death on the night of January 16, 2021, and after failing do so, came back with a knife...
Cabby’s $4700 goes up in flames
A Lautoka taxidriver has lost $4700 he put into buying a new taxi after it caught fire on Monday night and was destroyed. The incident happened near Nadovu grounds when Kalivati Navukitu was driving the vehicle. “When I reached here, I could smell the smoke and after opening the bonnet, suddenly there was a small...
2022 General Election: Vasu ready to serve
SODELPA MP Ifereimi Vasu says he is ready to serve the people. He said he was satisfied with the decision of the SODELPA management board to form a coalition with The People’s Alliance Party and National Federation Party to run the Fijian Government for the next four years. “I have decided to go into politics...
2022 General Election: ‘Let me eat first’ – Seruiratu
Former Minister for Defence and FijiFirst MP Inia Seruiratu brushed the media aside today when approached for an interview. He had been asked to respond to the verdict of the secret ballot in Parliament this morning that resulted in the appointment of The People’s Alliance Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka as Fiji’s new Prime Minister. He...
6 years apart for MBBS
LEAVING his family in Labasa to pursue his studies for six years in Suva was hard. However, Manish Kumar said that decision was worth it. The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery student graduated from the Fiji National University (FNU) College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMHS) with a certificate and two other...
Gem’s now a nurse
DAUGHTERS are a gem to their parents and Aaliyath Aamira Rahiman’s parents were emotional as they watched theirs graduate with a Bachelor of Nursing Degree. Her father, Hafiz Rahiman, was all smiles as he saw his little girl walk to the stage to receive her certificate at the Fiji National University graduation ceremony on Thursday....
2022 General Election: Rabuka is Fiji’s new Prime Minister
The People’s Alliance Party leader Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka is the new Prime Minister of Fiji. Mr Rabuka was nominated by SODELPA leader Viliame Gavoka in the first sitting of parliament today. He was elected via a secret ballot. He received 28 votes. The other nominee was FijiFirst Party leader Voreqe Bainimarama who received 27 votes.
2022 General Election : ‘Let us not let politics divide us’ – Ratu Filimoni
LET us not let politics divide us. This is the plea from Momo na Tui Ba Ratu Filimoni Nale Lagivala. His comment followed the recent statement by the Fiji Police Force that they have called on the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to assist in operations amidst reports of alleged threats against minority groups in...
2022 General Election: Qereqeretabua is new Deputy Speaker of Fijian Parliament
National Federation Party elected-member Lenora Salusalu Qereqeretabua has been appointed the new Deputy Speaker of Parliament. Ms Qereqeretabua received 28 votes. The other nominee was FijiFirst elected-MP Viliame Naupoto who received 27 votes. Ms Qereqeretabua also took her oath of allegiance as deputy Speaker.
‘Far from being an ethnic tension or national security’
TWO houses being stoned is far from being an ethnic tension or national security threat, claims Fijian academic, director of the University of Canterbury’s Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies Professor Steven Ratuva. He said this in response to a statement by Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho on Thursday that as a result of threats...
2022 General Election : Ratu Naiqama thanks elected members for their trust
Newly-elected Speaker of the Fijian Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has acknowledged the newly-elected members of parliament for the trust placed on him to serve as Speaker. In his address this morning from the chair, he thanked God for this “great honour” bestowed on him. He congratulated the newly-elected members for their successful election into parliament....
2022 General Election: Call to wait patiently and calmly
PRESIDENT of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, the Reverend Ili Vunisuwai, has called on the public to wait patiently, and calmly while politicians do play their part. Speaking to this paper he said he saw no reason why the military should be called in to assist the police. “I do not see any...
2022 General Election : Ratu Naiqama is new Speaker of Fijian Parliament
As the first sitting of Parliament continues, the Speaker of Parliament has been appointed. The nominees were former speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu. After casting of a secret ballot, the result stood at 27 votes for Ratu Epeli and 28 for Ratu Naiqama. Ratu Naiqama was nominated by National Federation...
Lawyer starts social media campaign
A SOCIAL media campaign kick-started by a local lawyer which encourages minority groups to share how they are feeling and to stand united is going viral. Bhumika Khatri, a lawyer with leading legal firm Munro Leys, said she started the campaign on Thursday after the announcement by Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho that the Republic...
Economic recover effort
INVOLVING the Republic of Fiji Military Forces directly or indirectly to maintain security could have far-reaching ramifications internally and could also impact on tourism and investment during a critical time – Fiji’s economic recovery effort from the financial crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This according to Fijian academic and director of the University of...
2022 General Election : ‘No racial tension or attacks’ – Vani
NO racial tension or attacks on minority groups have been received so far from the 18 District Council of Social Services (DCOSS) across the four divisions. Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) executive director Vani Catanasiga said this at midday yesterday, adding they had only received flooding reports in Nadroga. This newspaper had asked Ms...
2022 General Election : ‘We will deliver, we will give Fijians a government they will be proud of’ – Rabuka, Biman
WE will deliver on the promises we have made and we will give Fijians a government they will be proud of. These were the promises made by The People’s Alliance leader Sitiveni Rabuka and National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad at a news conference, soon after the Social Democratic Liberal Party management board voted...
