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Can kava mana be exported?
Kava is the ancient drink of Pacific people. Surrounded in custom, and steeped in thousands of years of tradition, it is considered a ‘life source’ for many. ‘Anau Mesui Henry describes kava as ‘being alive’,...
Triple bottom line | Shifting smaller businesses from informal to formal sector
Soleya, a management consultancy company, has dedicated itself to the aid of micro enterprises; one woman’s passion project to uplift aspiring entrepreneurs in a nation that she now calls home. Mrs Noellie Garand, managing director of Soleya, holds a diploma in Innovation Management and two master’s degrees: one in Policy Studies and another in Development...
$35 million complex for Nausori
Nausori residents will soon have access to an apartment hotel and retail complex at the heart of the town’s main business area thanks to a public private partnership between the Nausori Town Council and Shop N Save Supermarkets Ltd. The approximately 7500 metre squared plot where the old Nausori market once stood will house a...
North bank staff donate blood to help save lives
Inspired by the 43 pints of blood donated by staff of the Westpac Suva and Lautoka branches during an organised blood drive earlier this year, the Labasa branch staff took it upon themselves to donate to the Blood Bank up north. Westpac Fiji organised blood drives for staff in partnership with the Fiji Red Cross...
Yemen Houthis flex military muscle in parade as Riyadh seeks ceasefire
By Abdulrahman Al-Ansi SANAA (Reuters) – Yemen’s Houthi movement displayed ballistic missiles and armed drones in a massive military parade in Sanaa on Thursday, a message to their foes in a Saudi-led coalition as they continue ceasefire negotiations with Riyadh. The head of Yemen’s Houthi Supreme Political Council, Mahdi al-Mashat, and other officials watched as...
36 hotels record $4.3m room sales
Thirty-six hotels in Fiji recorded room sales of $4,372,033 in the month of August, Tourism Fiji has revealed in its monthly accommodation report. Fiji recorded 87,368 visitor arrivals in August. “In August 2023, properties in Fiji maintained a steady occupancy rate of 84%, showing a slight decline from the previous month of July, which averaged...
Vidya Patel leaves legacy behind
The founder of major developers Challenge Group of Companies, Vidya Ben Patel, was laid to rest at the Lovu Crematorium in Lautoka on Tuesday. Mrs Vidya Patel, the wife of business tycoon Suresh Patel, died at the William Harvey Hospital in Willesborough in Ashford, United Kingdom, on September 5. She was remembered at an intimate...
China won’t stand by idly in case of German 5G restrictions – embassy
BERLIN (Reuters) – China will not stand by idly if the German government decides to restrict the use of components from Chinese firms such as Huawei and ZTE <000063.SZ> in its 5G network, the Chinese embassy in Berlin said on Thursday. Germany’s interior ministry has proposed forcing telecoms operators to curb their use of equipment...
Warmth of people and delightful dishes leaves lasting impression
My one-week stay in Chengdu, one of the biggest cities in China, has had a profound impact on my life. Although it was a short visit, the warmth of the people and the delightful dishes left a lasting impression on me. Throughout the week, I had the opportunity to visit several incredible places. And I...
A visit with many firsts
My visit to China is filled with many firsts. My first time travelling out of Fiji and first time on an airplane. And to experience China in my first overseas trip has been nothing short of amazing. Chengdu is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me personally. Because before this, my life was centred around Wainiveidio...
For Libya’s Haftar, flood aftermath tests strongman image
(Reuters) – After Derna’s catastrophic floods, eastern Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar flew in by helicopter and received salutes from his troops as he toured the city where thousands of people were killed when whole districts were swept away. Three days later, residents vented their anger on the mud-caked streets, torching the mayor’s house as...
Not just another ‘talk fest’: Prof Shaista
The National Education Summit was not just another ‘talk fest’ says University of Fiji vice chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem. Professor Shameem said the three day discussions was data driven that showed the need to change and review Fiji’s education sector. “I was very encouraged by the data provided by the Ministry’s permanent secretary who gave...
Court dismisses case of unfair dismissal
The Employment Relations Court has dismissed a case of unlawful and unfair dismissal brought by former USP vice president-administration Dr Dilawar Grewal against USP. Dr Grewal’s services were terminated on June 13, 2016 on charges of gross misconduct after it was discovered he had forwarded a confidential email to a third party and that the...
U.S. government awards $45 million for long COVID clinics
By Ahmed Aboulenein WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. government is awarding $45 million in grants to help clinics treating long COVID develop new models of care and expand access, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said on Wednesday. Nine clinics will receive $1 million grants annually over the next five years through the...
Increase in overall crime rate
The overall crime rate increased by 5 per cent during the month of August in the Western, Eastern and Northern divisions. A police statement read 1524 reports were registered during the month and compares with 1456 reports for the same period last year. The Western Division recorded the most crime with 570 reports. The Southern...
Simpson to take stage
Domo Vou Talei 2022 finalist Amos Simpson will take to the stage at this year’s Woodstock Uprising Music Festival but this time he won’t be flying solo. Amos will be there as part of Waikama, a band out of Savusavu which features his guitarist/vocalist brother Robin Simpson – a musician of note in Australia. Robin...
Drop in serious crimes
Serious crimes recorded last month decreased by 20 per cent over July, while crimes against women dropped by 11 per cent and crimes against children by 38 per cent. Police statistics show that while there was a reduction in crimes against women, domestic violence still dominated the list. Of the 177 reports, 16 per cent...
Telecom Fiji and Housing Authority sign MOU
Housing Authority (HA) and Telecom Fiji Limited signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the digital transformation journey of the authority to enhance customer and staff experiences. The MOU paves the way for Telecom Fiji to provide innovative Electronic Document Management Solutions (EDMS) to enhance document handling and workflow efficiency within...
No plans to diversify sugar production
The Government has no plans to diversify sugar production into syrup, the Sugar Ministry has clarified. Earlier this week, this newspaper highlighted a story about a multi-million dollar investment by Rama Se Foundation founder and philanthropist Deepak Tahal and Y3 Kofera Trust, the traditional owners of Denarau. The partnership is expected to facilitate cane syrup...
Ministry to address internet issue in rural areas
Getting internet to rural and maritime schools is a challenge that the Education Ministry will address as one of its key focuses moving forward. This issue was thoroughly discussed at the National Education Summit with stakeholders from the public, private and civil sector coming together to find solutions to the ongoing issue. Education Minister Aseri...
Congo army seeks insight into Islamist militants from women held captive
By Yassin Kombi and Gradel Muiysa BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) – At a military intelligence centre in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, 22-year-old Mariam recounted how she lived alongside Islamist insurgents for two years after she was taken by the militants and force-marched to their camp in the rainforest. Mariam said a Ugandan...
‘Only 45pc girls in workforce’
More girls are completing higher education, but they are not making it into the formal workforce, according to a study by the Education Ministry. Permanent secretary for Education Ministry Selina Kuruleca said 97 per cent of girls completed their secondary school education compared with 79 per cent of boys. “60 to 65 per cent of...
A-G: Need to reform education laws
Attorney-General Siromi Turaga says it is apparent that the law needs to be reformed when it comes to the education sector. “Unfortunately, after 10 years, this is the first education forum to be called,” Mr Turaga said. “This education forum is basically to provide policy advice to the minister and the minister then discusses it...
93,011 cases of violent offences
A total of 93,011 cases of violent offences were discovered in primary schools from 2019 to 2022. Permanent Secretary for Education Ministry Selina Kuruleca said these were among the disciplinary issues the ministry recorded within that period. “For alcohol and other drugs offences, in primary school there were 2355 cases and for secondary schools, 5933,”...
State loses $1.4b from failed subjects
The Government lost $1.4 billion when 56 per cent of Year 12 students failed their STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in 2022. Permanent Secretary for Education Ministry Selina Kuruleca told the National Education Summit in Nadi that per annum per child, it cost $2043 at the primary sector then it went up to...
Two mainland China bishops to attend big Vatican meeting after tensions
By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Two bishops from mainland China are due to attend a major Vatican meeting next month, officials said on Thursday, a positive sign after recent tensions between the Holy See and Beijing. The two bishops were chosen by their brother bishops in China, meaning they likely had approval from...
Bonus payments deferred | Minister wants info on methodology used
Bonus payments to pine landowners has been deferred, says Fiji Pine Ltd board chairman Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure. The deferred payment, he said, was because of the Minister for Forestry’s request to know the methodology of the bonus payments. His comments follow concerns and queries from pine landowners in Vanua Levu who said the bonus was...
NGO receives $53k to fight cancer
Walk On Walk Strong Fiji has received a gift of $53,241.40 from Value City that will boost WOWS Kids Fiji in their work of caring for children with cancer. Handing over the gift, Value City managing director Vera Chute said the gift was part of its corporate social responsibility with the funds raised through fundraising...
Pio commends police response in apprehending suspect
Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua has commended the actions taken by officers of Totogo Police Station in their effort to subdue a man who allegedly tried to burn down the station. A video from the incident has gone viral on social media, raising concerns from members of the public on the manner in which the...
Workers receive 12 per cent pay rise
Energy Fiji Ltd workers will now enjoy a 12 per cent pay increase — thanks to the efforts of the Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji, after the inking of an agreement with EFL management yesterday. CETWUF national secretary John Paul said the “battle” with EFL management began 12 years ago in 2011....
