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Politics
PM makes first official visit to Samoa
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka made his first official visit to Samoa this week to be part of the country’s 61st independence anniversary celebrations in Apia, Samoa. Speaking at a bilateral meeting with Samoan PM Fiame...
Panels for three green markets
Three rain harvesting and solar panel market projects in the Levuka, Savusavu and Nakasi markets are expected to be completed by the end of this year. This was recently confirmed by Ministry of Local Government senior administration officer Usaia Korodrau while delivering the ministry’s 2018-2019 annual report before the Standing Committee on Social Affairs. He...
China’s snub of U.S. military leader highlights escalation risk
WASHINGTON/BEIJING (Reuters) -Brief smiles and handshakes by U.S. and Chinese military leaders at a luxury hotel in Singapore on Friday belie a deep freeze in communications between the two armed forces that is becoming a growing worry at the Pentagon. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had sought a proper meeting with his Chinese counterpart at...
3rd June
Registrar explains what can happen to suspended party
The FijiFirst party is likely to face deregistration if it fails to comply with the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act by July 15, says acting registrar of political parties Ana Mataiciwa. In a statement issued yesterday, she said the political party had been given 60 days to comply. She said if the...
2nd June
Minister warns illegal traders
Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa says anyone operating a business illegally in a residential area will be taken to task. He said all complaints of illegal businesses from residents were immediately attended to by municipal councils. “I think the message must be clear to everyone that if you operate a business in residential area and...
Expatriate patient billed $46,690 – Dr Bhagat
An expatriate who fell ill and was admitted at the Lautoka Hospital for two weeks was billed more than $46,000 by Aspen Medical. While speaking at a national budget consultation in Lautoka this week, general practitioner Dr Mukesh Bhagat said he was shocked that the expatriate patient was billed $46,690. “I was astonished that one...
Changes introduced in upcoming budget ‘will not be too drastic’
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Prof Biman Prasad says changes that will be introduced in the upcoming 2023-2024 National Budget “will not be too drastic”. Speaking at a national budget consultation in Lautoka this week, he also said the three different rates of VAT (value added tax) would not exist once the new...
Get out of jail bid | Vosarogo: Presidential pardon a recourse available to all convicts
A petition for mercy is a recourse available to all persons convicted, not just a few. Acting Home Affairs Minister Filimoni Vosarogo said this as he stressed the initiation of a petition by a prisoner “did not automatically mean a release”. In a statement, Mr Vosarogo said Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Major General...
31st May
Fiji Government appoints 11 new permanent secretaries
Fiji’s Public Service Commission has announced the appointment of 11 permanent secretaries. It said the appointments followed an extensive recruitment process, and was also in agreement with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. The appointments: Dr Andrew Tukana Dr Tukana is the new PS for Agriculture and Waterways. He served in the agricultural sector for more than...
What $756m upgrade? | Ditoka: Bainimarama’s claim not reflected on the ground
Where has all the money gone? Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Minister Sakiasi Ditoka said this of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s boast that his government invested more than $756 million to develop eight provinces in the country. In an interview in June last year, the former PM said the FijiFirst government spent...
Quality childcare access expected post-Cabinet endorsement
Following Cabinet’s endorsement of the Guidance Note for the National Early Childhood Care Services Policy and Regulatory Framework, working parents in Fiji can now expect access to good quality childcare options. The Guidance Note will form the basis for public consultations with focused collaboration with stakeholders for the development of the country’s first early childhood...
30th May
Community honours sons
The tears that our forefathers shed and the hurt and pain we have been carrying all these years will now be heard in Parliament, thanks to you. Descendants of Solomon Islanders in Tamavua-i-wai settlement expressed this sentiment at an emotional ceremony yesterday where they celebrated the achievements of two of their sons — Assistant Minister...
