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Austrian data privacy activist files complaint against Apple, Amazon, others
VIENNA (Reuters) – Apple and Amazon are among eight tech firms named in a complaint filed in Austria by non-profit organisation noyb, which cited their failure to comply with the European Union’s General Data Protection...
Relationship on the mend between ATS management and FASA members
DESPITE their issues, the relationship between Federated Airlines Staff Association members and Air Terminal Services management is on the mend as both parties continue to engage in dialogue. FASA national secretary Manasa Ratuvili said despite several setbacks after returning to work in January, 2018, the association has been able to engage in positive discussions with ATS management. “Since...
19th January
Government signs partnership for two western hospitals
FIJI’S first public private partnership (PPP) for the Ba and Lautoka hospitals in the country was signed on Thursday in Suva. The signing was done by the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum on behalf of the Fijian Government with Healthcare Fiji Pte Ltd and Aspen Medical. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said Healthcare Fiji Pte Ltd was the...
TLTB: Not enough staff to monitor all cane farms in Tavua
THE iTaukei Land Trust Board says it does not have enough staff members to monitor all sugarcane farms in Tavua. The issue came to light during a National Sugar Industry Policy consultation in Tavua this week. Tagitagi, Tavua, farmer Umesh Prasad said there was vacant land in Tavua and it was imperative that agencies like...
Farmer airs concern on mill efficiency
STAKEHOLDERS in the Sugar Industry have acknowledged how poorly Rarawai mill operated in the last crushing season. Speaking during the National Sugar Industry Policy consultations in Tavua this week, Rajendra Raghlu a prominent grower from Yaladro said mill issues was one of the biggest challenges for farmers. “When we talk about mill efficiency, people will...
Seafood at the Suva Market
PLANNING a seafood lunch? Here’s what’s available at the Suva Market this morning. Tilapia fish are being sold at $10 a kilogram. Bundles of fish are being sold from $25 to $50. Crabs are a bit pricey at $60 to $150 a bundle while lobsters are priced between $35 to $80.
Gandhi awarded top accounting honour
IN recognition for his outstanding service to his profession and community, Fijian chartered accountant Nitin Gandhi was recently awarded a top accounting honour known as the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) Fellowship. The managing partner of multinational professional services firm PwC in Fiji and past President of the Fiji Red Cross Society...
$6m for the sale of the GPSD
A CHEQUE of $6 million was presented to Government for the sale of the Government Printing and Stationery Department (GPSD) as part of its divestment. In receiving the cheque that completes the sale to Serendip Investment Limited, the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum highlighted the opportunities that exist with this privatisation such as...
18th January
Egypt resumes air freight service to United States after 2015 halt
CAIRO (Reuters) – EgyptAir has resumed air freight service to New York after a three-year halt following the downing of a Russian airliner over the Sinai Peninsula in an Islamist bomb attack, a source at the flagship carrier said on Thursday. “(The United States) was apprehensive after the incident, and this may be normal for...
Many coffee species threatened with extinction, scientists warn
LONDON (Reuters) – Climate change and deforestation are putting more than half the world’s wild coffee species at risk of extinction, including the popular commercial coffees Arabica and Robusta, scientists warned on Wednesday. Research published by experts at Britain’s Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew found that current conservation measures for wild coffee species are not...
Walking out of poverty
SEKONAIA Kotobalavu received his New Year’s wish yesterday in the form of assistance to start his own business from Kontiki Finance Ltd. The 36-year-old from Kalabu, Nasinu lost mobility in his limbs after an accident in 2002 and since then he has been assigned to a wheelchair. Mr Kotobalavu said he had business ideas but...
Company focuses on career development
FULTON Hogan Hiways has introduced a program that includes on-the-job training as well as workshops and seminars, which provide a pathway for promotion within the organisation. This program also includes bringing in road specialists from overseas, to not only enhance the quality of work, but also to share international expertise that supports the FHH staff...
130 cruise liners to visit the country this year
WITH the tourism industry growing in the country, 130 cruise liner visits are expected in the country during this year. According to Kenua Fiji schedule, these liners would visit Suva, Lautoka, Levuka Port Denarau, Savusavu Dravuni and Beqa. For the month of January, a total of 17 visits are expected at various ports around the...
State-of-the-art laboratory for fuel aviation opens
A BRAND new state-of-the-art laboratory has been commissioned in Lautoka, supporting Fiji and surrounding islands with aviation fuel recertification. Intertek Caleb Brett, a Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, has launched an aviation fuel recertification facility in Fiji. Previously, all fuel brought into the country took up to five days to get tested and...
Digital TV delivery
SKY Pacific is expected to start preparatory work for channel delivery and billing integration soon to enable the rollout of Sky Pacific subscriptions via Walesi later this year. This has been made possible through a memorandum of understanding that was signed between Digicel founder and chairman and interim CEO Denis O’Brien and Walesi chairman Sharvada...
Australia to ease restrictions on kava; Fijian PM welcomes this move
FIJIAN Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has welcomed the decision by his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison to ease the restrictions on kava exportations to Australia. Mr Bainimarama said this was sure to benefit a lot of farmers in the country. “The Fijian economy is in the process of rapid growth. A move that will undoubtedly enrich the lives of...
17th January
Traffic change in Nadi’s central business district
CHANGES have been made to the route in Nadi’s central business district after a safety audit at Koroivulo Avenue, Vunavau Street, and Queens Road intersection. And the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) is advising members of the travelling public that the flow of traffic out of Koroivulo Avenue and Vunavau Street into Queens Road is now...
Exclusive: Facebook brings stricter ads rules to India ahead of general election
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Facebook Inc told Reuters on Tuesday that it would extend some of its political advertising rules and tools for curbing election interference to India, Nigeria, Ukraine and the European Union before significant votes in the next few months. As the largest social media service in nearly every big country, Facebook since...
Start-up Bamboo Airways launches flights in crowded Vietnam market
HANOI (Reuters) – Bamboo Airways launched its long-delayed maiden commercial flight on Wednesday to become the fifth Vietnamese airline, heightening competition in the aviation sector of the Southeast Asian nation which is emerging as a popular tourist destination. The inaugural flight of the start-up airline, owned by property and leisure firm FLC Group, landed at...
Use registered bus cards to avoid travel disruptions: FBOA
MEMBERS of the travelling public are urged to use their registered eTransport cards to avoid the inconvenience of the shortage of disposable cards. The Fiji Bus Operators Association (FBOA) made this call as he reiterated the statement by card supplier Vodafone Fiji – also the electronic ticketing administrator – that disposable travel cards are intended for...
Fuel price decrease still leaves huge shortfall for bus operators: Latchan
THE Fiji Bus Operators Association says while the recent fuel price decrease has given some comfort to operators, it is still a long way from addressing the rising costs of operating bus services. In the past year, the world price for crude oil was about USD$70-80 per barrel, which had increased fuel price to about...
16th January
Statutory bodies also need officers with people skills: Kumar
“ACCOUNTABILITY and transparency will only come up when we clearly spell out what your jobs are.” This was the comment made by Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Premila Kumar during a workshop organised by the ministry and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mrs Kumar urged the directors of the State statutory bodies to adopt a more comprehensive approach...
Training begins for directors of Government statutory bodies
A THREE-day training aimed at building and educating directors and senior officials of Government statutory bodies on the Companies Act 2015 was opened today by Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Local Government, Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar. Ms Kumar said the course modules would provide an in-depth understanding of effective decision-making, legal aspects of...
TELS: $302million given so far
DEBT repayment for the State’s Tertiary Education Loans Scheme (TELS) will start once the recipient finds a secure job, says Fiji Revenue and Customs Service chief executive officer Visvanath Das. Mr Das said some recipients would pay off their debts on a voluntary basis. Since 2014, he said, a total of $302 million in loans...
Back-up batteries stolen from Hideaway tower
FIJIAN Police are investigating the disappearance of more than 10 back-up batteries owned by the country’s oldest mobile company. The 16 batteries valued at $20,000 belonged to Vodafone Fiji, and it was stolen from Generator room at the Bucona Bay Hideaway Tower in Sigatoka on Monday, January 14. Police said there were 12 new batteries...
15th January
Samoa Airways jet operation back to normal schedule
APIA, 15 JANUARY 2019 (GOVT PRESS SECRETARIAT) – Samoa Airways says its international jet schedule will return to normal from today, Tuesday 15 January. The airline’s international flights during 6-14 January were rescheduled, after its Boeing 737-800 aircraft made an unplanned overnight stopover in Sydney on 05 January due to unsuitable weather conditions and the...
Road upgrades and drainage works to benefit western cane farmers
TWO thousand sugarcane farmers along Fiji’s cane belt will benefit from ongoing road upgrades and drainage works funded by the European Union (EU) in the Western Division. The road upgrades are being carried out in Koronubu, Drasa and Malolo under the Rural Access Roads and Associated Infrastructure (RARAI) project. The project was implemented by the...
Court rules case to answer in Prime Fiji Ltd alleged forgery case
SUVA Magistrate Deepika Prakash has ruled that there is a case to answer in the case of Prime Fiji Limited who is charged with a count each of forgery and using forged documents. Magistrate Prakash said having heard the prosecution and also having considered the submissions of both the prosecution and the defence, there was...
Consumer watchdogs welcome reduced fuel prices
THE Consumer Council of Fiji is urging consumers to ensure they check their receipts when paying for fuel and liquid petroleum gas after the price of both commodities decreased from this morning. CCF said in a statement that the prices would be welcomed by consumers. The council stated that consumers must exercise their rights and responsibilities...
Japan funds development of Naduruloulou Research Station
THE Japanese government has rendered $370,422 worth of funding to assist in the development of Naduruloulou Research Station in Nausori. Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau finalised the grant contract agreement with the Ambassador of Japan, Masahiro Omura, in Suva this morning. Mr Koroilavesau said this assistance would help further develop the aquaculture sector, improve food and most importantly meet local...
