Local News
27th January
One in custody for alleged murder at Natokowaqa
A HEAVY load has finally being lifted off Babu Sharma’s shoulder when police arrested a person in relation to his son’s alleged murder in Lautoka recently. The body of Hasneel Sharma, 22, was found at...
Expect ‘abundance of jellyfish’ around Fiji
WITH the increasing water temperatures as a result of climate change, members of the public have been advised to expect an abundance of jellyfish in waters around the country. Responding to questions from this newspaper, the Ministry of Fisheries said in a statement that the two species of jellyfishes found in Fiji were Portuguese man-of-war...
Ministry clarifies myths about jellyfish
WHILE jellyfish do not directly contribute to fish poisoning, their feeding habits in degraded habitats affect marine species turning them toxic. Responding to questions from this newspaper, a statement from the Ministry of Fisheries said there was no scientific evidence to prove that jellyfish made certain fish species toxic. The statement said since jellyfish were...
Milestone Hindi conference for the region
THE High Commission of India organised the first Regional Hindi Conference on Saturday at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva. The Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, Padmaja, said the event was a milestone because it was the first to be organised in the region. The event attracted Hindi scholars, authors, poets, and government officials associated...
Fijian authorities quarantine ill Chinese nationals
A group of six Chinese nationals from the Fujian province are in quarantine in Nadi as the Ministry of Health carries out investigations on their health. They were denied entry into Samoa yesterday and were sent back to Nadi, as reported in the Fiji Times print edition today. “The Ministry of Health and Medical Services health...
Teachers sent abroad for treatment due to depression, claims Unions
OVERCROWDED classrooms resulted in 561 teachers being medically treated for depression and hypertension last year, claims two teacher unions. And of this number, 82 had to be sent for further treatment abroad. This was the claim made by the Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) and the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) in response to queries from this...
Ratepayers owe council $1.6m in town rates
RATEPAYERS of Labasa owe the Labasa Town Council $1.6million in town rates. This was revealed at the Public Accounts Committee consultation with Labasa Town Council executives during the consultation on Friday evening. It has also been suggested that the council closely liaise with commercial banks to deduct outstanding rates if ratepayers apply for loans to...
Hirst to push for more funding for projects
THE special administrator of Rakiraki Town Council will push for more funding for projects in the town with Government. Mark Hirst made the comments when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee last Wednesday. “We had a lot of promises about streetlights and roads that haven’t eventuated,” he said. “In the last couple of budgets,...
26th January
Call to take heed of the realities of climate change
THE Pacific Conference of Churches has called on Australia to take heed the realities of climate change and the call for respect of the right of the indigenous people of Australia. PCC general secretary Reverend James Bhagwan said it was a big challenge to discuss climate change and its sad realities with the Prime Minister...
22-year-old charged with murder to appear in court
A 22-YEAR-OLD has been charged with the murder of Hasneel Sharma – whose body was found dead at the back of an old service station at Natokowaqa, Lautoka a week ago. Police chief intelligence and investigation ACP Biu Matavou confirmed that the suspect will be produced at the tomorrow. “The three others who were also...
FBOA questions FCCC on formula used in increase of bus fares
THE Fiji Bus Operators Association (FBOA) has called on Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) chief executive officer Joel Abraham to come out clean and reveal the formula used to increase bus fares by 7 per cent. In a statement FBOA president Nishar Shah said on average, the fare increase for all stages in Viti...
NZ 7s: Ikanikoda starts in match against South Africa
FIJI is expected to fight until the end of the New Zealand Sevens despite being dethroned by Argentina 10-26. While Fiji’s relegation could be noticed on empty seats on stands with most Fijian fans heading home, coach Gareth Baber has named a strong side against South Africa in the play-off for north position. Fiji team: 1. Sevuloni...
NZ 7s: Fiji to face South Africa in 9th place playoff
THE Fiji 7s team, after being relegated by Argentina in their last pool match of the New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton, will play South Africa in the ninth place play-off. Fiji lost the Hamilton 7s title after losing 10-26 to Argentina. England and France meet in the first semi-final while New Zealand and Australia face...
NZ 7s: Three in a row
THE Fiji 7s team has lost the New Zealand 7s title. Fiji’s 10-26 loss to Argentina relegated itself from the cup running after beating Australia and Samoa last year. Fiji coach Gareth Baber said Argentina was the better team. His counterpart Santiago Gomez Cora said he told his players to respect Fiji and work hard...
NZ 7s: Argentina leads Fiji
Argentina is leading Fiji in the last pool match this morning at the New Zealand Sevens at Hamilton. Argentina scored three tries in the first half to Fiji’s lone try to Sevuloni Mocenacagi. Fiji trails 5-21.
NZ 7s: Baber sticks with lineup that beat Australia
FIJI 7s team coach Gareth Baber has stuck to the team that beat Australia at the New Zealand Sevens at Hamilton, yesterday. This is to ensure of an unbeaten run in our pool when the team plays Argentina in its last pool match this morning. While France and England have been named to meet in the...
NZ 7s: Support for Jerry Tuwai
A GROUP of seasonal workers from Fiji will be among the vocal Fijian crowd at the New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton. They will cheer for Jerry Tuwai. Stay tuned for more updates from Hamilton. Watch video:
Regional Hindi forum
HINDI has been spoken in Fiji for the past 140 years and today it has been recognised as one of the three official languages in Fiji. This was highlighted by the Office of the Prime Minister’s permanent secretary Yogesh Karan while officiating at the Regional Hindi Conference at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva yesterday....
FRA: Overloading still a pressing issue
OVERLOADING is still a pressing issue that impacts Fiji Roads Authority’s (FRA) assets which includes jetties, roads and bridges. In a statement, the authority advised heavy vehicle owners to comply with the vehicle axle load limits to prevent further deterioration of the road network caused by overloading. “We are working closely with the LTA and...
Safety concern for staff
A TOURISM leisure events provider says he is concerned about the safety of his staff members because most of his clients are Chinese nationals. “Our staff have direct contact with a lot of Chinese tourists and they specifically like to go on our excursions,” said Nadi businessman Stephen Mallerich. He made the comment in relation...
Strategies in place to deal with virus
FIJI’S effort to stop the entry of the coronavirus through its borders hinges on hope, says permanent secretary for the Prime Minister’s Office Yogesh Karan. Responding to questions on Fiji’s chances of controlling the virus at its borders considering the fact that it had infiltrated developed countries with advanced technology, Mr Karan said the Office...
PM’s office receives positive feedback on RFMF soldiers
THE Prime Minister’s Office has been receiving good feedback regarding the 54 personnel from the engineering division of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. In an interview, the office’s permanent secretary Yogesh Karan said the personnel had been deployed to affected areas in Australia and they were performing their duties well. “Fiji’s High Commissioner to...
Sudhakar: Social media is a joke
SOCIAL media is a joke, says Lands and Mineral Resources Minister Ashneel Sudhakar. He made the comment during an interview with this newspaper in Rakiraki on Friday. Mr Sudhakar was asked about recent social media posts which alleged he was under investigation by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption. “Facebook, any Tom, Dick and Harry...
Four in custody over death
FOUR people were taken into custody earlier this week in relation to the death of 22-year-old Hasneel Sharma whose body was found at the back of an old service station in Lautoka last Sunday. According to police, the four suspects — believed to be from Natokowaqa — were arrested on Thursday night by officers from...
Feakes thankful for helping hands
DESPITE the heartbreak caused by the Australia bushfires, support from countries such as Fiji has helped the nation pick up after the devastation. Speaking during the Fiji 4 Australia concert at Ratu Sukuna Park in Suva yesterday, Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes thanked those who turned up for the event and contributed towards...
Making sense of tragedy ‘hard’
MAKING sense of the scale of the tragedy caused by the unprecedented bushfire crisis can be hard, says Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes. He made the comment during the Australia Day celebrations held at his residence in Princes Rd, Tamavua yesterday. He said he had to dispense with tradition and speak more on...
Support for bushfire victims overwhelming, says Feakes
FIJIANS will always hold a special place in the hearts of all Australians says Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes. Delivering an emotional message at Sukuna Park in Suva today at the fundraiser for victims of the Australian bushfires during the Fiji 4 Australia Fire Concert, Mr Feakes said Australians could not have survived...
25th January
World 7s series could move to Fiji in 2023
GOOD news today for Fiji 7s rugby supporters following the annual World Rugby Sevens Series Fiji is in a strong position now to host one of the tournaments in the Oceania leg of the 2023 series. This was announced this morning at the NZ Sevens by New Zealand Rugby chief rugby officer, Nigel Cass. He...
Culvert installation along Nasekula next week
THERE will be road closure and diversion at the main road in Labasa Town due to a culvert installation along the Nasekula road. Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) in a statement says the road will be closed next week on Saturday, February 1 until Sunday, February 2, 2020. “The work will begin at 6pm to 6am...
NZ 7s: Keep on working hard, says Baber
FIJI 7s coach Gareth Baber has asked his players to keep on working hard in the New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton. Despite beating Australia 19-12 and Samoa 19-12 today, Baber is not intending to slow down. “We are not there yet,” he said after beating Australia. Crowd favourite Fiji opened the scoring when Asaeli Ratuvuaka...
