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Bainimarama listed in top 100 Global Thinkers in the world
PRIME Minister Frank Bainimarama was listed in this year’s top 100 Global Thinkers in the world. According to a Government statement issued today, Mr Bainimarama’s environmental leadership has earned him a top spot on Foreign...
Missing person: Information appeal to locate Melania
A 47-YEAR-OLD woman was reported missing by her husband after she failed to return home on January 18, 2019. This was confirmed by police in statement saying namely Melania Dau of Nukunuku Settlement, Malabi Wainibuka, Tailevu was last seen on the said date at Nukunuku settlement. Anyone who has information that could help us in...
Hamilton 7s: Captains ready for HSBC New Zealand Sevens
SIXTEEN captains lined up at the iconic Tūrangawaewae Marae, ahead of the HSBC New Zealand Sevens, which kicks off this weekend at the FMG Stadium in Hamilton. The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series has delivered scintillating action from the opening two rounds in Dubai and Cape Town. Heading into Hamilton, USA sit top of the...
Aussie Police team on fact finding mission
THE Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Andrew Colvin visited the Fiji Police Academy in Suva earlier today. Earlier today, Commissioner Colvin held a meeting with Fiji’s Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho at Police Headquarters. Commissioner Colvin said he and his team were here in the country on a fact finding mission. “We are...
PVAWFFS initiative aims to improve gender equality
THE House of Sarah (HOS) launched its four-year faith-based program- Preventing Violence Against Women in Fiji’s Faith Settings (PVAWFFS) initiative In Suva this morning. The program aims to improve gender equality and prevent violence against women and girls. The program which will be implemented over four-years uses faith-based approaches to encourage gender equality and prevent violence...
Hamilton 7s: Fans flock to team training
THE Fiji Airways Fiji 7s popularity is gripping Hamilton with Fijian fans spilling to the Marist Rugby Club ground during this morning’s training session. Fans cheered the team during training and coach Gareth Baber is keeping the run on list close to his chest to avoid prying eyes from oppositions. *More in tomorrow’s edition of...
LDS church holds public affairs seminar in Nadi
THE Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ directors from eight Pacific Island Countries are in Nadi for a public affairs seminar. Held at the Westin Denarau Resort and Spa in Nadi, the seminar is focused on the work carried out by the Church and the impact of social media. The religious leaders are...
Officers undergo instuctor’s drill course
BEING chosen to take part in this training is a reflection of our faith in your ability to dish out directives and deliver lectures and align the officers under your command to the Commissioner’s intent in terms of driving the institution forward. These were the word of Deputy Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu while opening the one-month...
Rape suspect request to contact his family
A MAN charged with a count each of rape, criminal intimidation, false information to public servant, escape from lawful custody and serious assault has been remanded by the High Court in Suva. It is alleged that Wise Ezekiel Lagilevu, 29, raped a 20-year-old girl on December 13, 2018, in Suva. State lawyer Eoghan Samisoni has sought...
Cane growers called to speak openly about industry
LANDS Minister Ashneel Sudhakar opened the National Sugar Industry Policy consultation in Lautoka today by calling on growers to speak openly about how the industry could be improved. He said cane production had decreased from more than four million tonnes in the past to 1.7million tonnes over the past few years – and the industry...
Drugs suspects arrested; plants sent for analysis
A 19-YEAR-OLD farmer of Nakoroivau, Tailevu has been arrested after police seized 22 plots containing 83 plants believed to be marijuana. Chief Intelligence and Investigation Officer ACP Vakacegu Toduadua said the plants have been sent for analysis and the suspect is in custody as investigation continue. Meanwhile a 23-year-old man was also arrested in relation...
Kerevi named Reds captain
FIJIAN Samu Kerevi has today been named by the Queensland Rugby Union to captain the Reds in this year’s Vodafone Super Rugby competition. The Viseisei, Lautoka lad will be playing his sixth season with the Queensland Reds. While he has already captained Queensland on a few occasions in the past, this time he has been...
Hamilton 7s: Fijian storm looms
FIJI’S win in New Zealand last year is the drawcard for many Fijians who are expected to take Hamilton by storm this weekend in support of the Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team. Fiji Society Hamilton president Ilaijia Tuwere said they expected many more Fijians to visit Hamilton this year. “Now that we are defending the...
Social media abuzz with reactions
WHILE social media is abuzz with mixed reactions from present and former students of Adi Cakobau School over the cutting down of mahogany trees beside the main school block, president of the ACS Old Girls Association, Ilisapeci Movono says she will not comment until she has visited the school. Mrs Movono said she would need...
Traditional landowners claim ‘no consultation’
WE were not consulted before the cutting of mahogany trees beside Adi Cakobau School, says the traditional landowners of Sawani. Sawani Village headman Anare Batigai said as traditional resource owners they should be consulted adding with a few of their girls attending the all-girls school, they were wary of their safety from a possible landslide....
Trees cut on request
THE Forests Ministry acted on a request by Adi Cakobau School to cut the treeline close to the main school block area. Director Forests Central/Eastern Division Apisai Rinamalo said a request was made after the treeline became a hazard for teachers and students. “There was no EIA and ministry acted on the request of the...
Soot emission issue
THE Fiji Sugar Corporation has admitted that soot emitted from the Rarawai mill is a concern and potential health risk for farmers and families residing in the immediate mill area. CEO Graham Clark made the comment during the National Sugar Industry Policy consultation in Ba this week. “When I arrived in Fiji, I couldn’t believe...
OHS concern
A BA farmer has questioned whether packaging fertiliser in 50 kilogram bags breached occupational health and safety (OHS) standards. Sunil Chandra from Varoko sector raised the concern during the National Sugar Industry Policy consultation in Ba this week. He said lifting 50kg bags proved to be quite difficult for farmers to manage, especially female farmers...
Farmer: Cane access roads need to last
CANE access roads need to be repaired so they last for several years, says Ba farmer Khalid Ali. Speaking at the National Sugar Industry Policy consultation in Ba, Mr Ali said while they appreciated Government’s cane access road grants, there needed to be an emphasis on quality. “We are concerned about the quality of the...
Boy, 11, youngest person charged with rape
A TOTAL of 141 people were charged with a total of 378 separate counts of serious sexual offences as of December 31 last year. According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), there were 21 people charged who were under the age of 18 years and the youngest accused person charged with...
One pit toilet for 55 people
FIFTY-FIVE people from nine families of the Marata clan in Waidradra Village in Navua have been using one pit toilet over the past decades because of extreme poverty. This was revealed to this newspaper by village elder Anisi Uva. Mr Uva, 68, said the facility constructed with corrugated iron was used by the nine families....
Journalists tour visiting US coast guard ship
FIJIAN journalists were given a tour of the visiting US Coast Guard Cutter Mellon yesterday in Suva. Lieutenant junior grade Austin Ross, who was the tour guide on the vessel, explained the process and equipment that are used by the crew during Mellon’s operations. Lt Ross said the flight deck of the vessel which was...
Moore raises concern on road workers’ safety
SOME people seem to think that Kings Rd is a busy highway but right now it’s a road under construction and people must get used to that idea and treat it with respect, says Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) CEO Jonathan Moore. Mr Moore said the safety of road users was a concern and FRA workers...
Deadly accident
A FAMILY is mourning the loss of a loved one in a road accident at Davuilevu Housing in Nakasi yesterday. Subba Naidu, 69, was allegedly hit by a bus while crossing the road. Ranjila Fred, the niece of the deceased, said the family was still trying to come to terms with their loss. “He was...
$20k solar freezer to ease fish storage woes
FISHERMEN in outer islands face storage hardship while waiting for boats to transport their fish to ready markets on the mainland. Transporting fish by boat can be a hard task for outer island fishermen, especially since fish quality can be affected if there isn’t any proper storage. Witnessing the hardship that these fishermen face in...
Boat safety vital
“SAFETY, safety, safety!” These were the words of Peni Masau the Boat captain of Leleuvia Island Resort. Mr Masau has been operating a boat since he was a young boy growing up in his village in Naseara on the island of Moturiki in the Lomaivit Group. His adherence to safety was grounded the first day...
Mellon calls in
THE US Coast Guard cutter Mellon, a high endurance vessel is in the country as part of the bilateral and shiprider agreements between the US and Fiji. The cutter Mellon commanding officer Stephen Burdian said the visit signified their commitment to the region and to their partner nations such as Fiji. “We patrol the high...
Road reopened after landslides, single lane only
THE Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) has confirmed that Princes Rd has reopened from Monday night. However, traffic has been restricted to a single lane under stop and go traffic management. “This is after one major and two minor landslides forced closures along Dilkusha in Nausori yesterday (Sunday) afternoon,” the FRA said in a statement. “The...
High demand for fish fish species in province
FISH farmers in Cakaudrove can only supply 15 per cent of customer demand for tilapia and maleya species. According to the Ministry of Fisheries, this 15 per cent is equivalent to 1.6tonnes out of the 200 tonnes of tilapia and maleya fish in demand in Cakaudrove. Demand for such species of fish stands at around...
Scent of memories
SOMETIMES, it’s the scent of memories that lingers back and leaves nostalgic feelings in our hearts. At least that’s how it is for New Zealand based historian Rob Hunt. When the cold winter winds of Auckland strikes, it was the memory of sunny tropical Fiji that comes to his mind. It was the place where...
