Politics
Fiji-Ireland bilateral relations set to improve
FIJI and Ireland bilateral relations are set to improve following a meeting between Fiji’s Foreign Minister Inia Seruiratu and Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland Taoiseach Leo Varadkar earlier in the week. Mr Seruiratu represented Fiji at the Global Ireland conference at the invitation of Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs...
Seasoned politician and FLP president Padarath passes away
FIJI’S seasoned politician and the president of the Fiji Labour Party(FLP) Lavinia Padarath has passed away, aged 74. This was confirmed to Fiji Times Online by her son Benjamin Padarath who confirmed that the late Ms Padarath died at the CWM hospital this morning after a short illness. “We are deeply saddened on the untimely passing away of...
US special agent: Locals and other nationals want to cook meth in Fiji labs
IT is becoming apparent that Fijians and other nationals are not only importing and exporting methamphetamine but wanting to cook and produce the drug in clandestine labs in Fiji, says a US special agent. US Department of State Diplomatic Security Service special agent Billy Lewis said this was disturbing since there were so many hazards...
US couple’s death in Fiji: Expert might fly in to collect specimen
A FORENSIC expert from the United States will travel to Fiji to collect specimen from American David Paul’s remains should cremation remain inevitable. While this latest development has given his emotionally wretched family a temporary respite, the reality is David and Michelle Paul’s two-year-old son, Ayden, might “have to go to two different places to...
Parliament civic education team visits Rabi schools
A TEAM from the Civic Education Team of Parliament visited students and teachers of Buakonikai Primary School in Rabi this week. According to a Government statement, the students said they felt privileged about this visit because it offered a great opportunity for students to hear first-hand information about Parliament. School headteacher Alita Tawita said for...
Fiji appointed VP of the platform for disaster displacement
FIJI’S recognition at the United Nations as the first Pacific Island country represented at the United Nations Human Rights Council and its vice presidency at the UNHRC has been elevated to a new leadership role that Fiji resumed last week. This follows Fiji’s appointment as the vice president of the Platform for Disaster Displacement (PDD)...
Ro Teimumu clears air about her absence from party AGM
OPPOSITION Member of Parliament Ro Teimumu Kepa has cleared the air about her absence from the Social Democratic Liberal Party annual general meeting that was held in Savusavu yesterday. She clarified that the Rewa Day event in which she officiated as the chief guest on Friday at Syria Park in Nausori was a pre-planned event...
SODELPA’s traditional apology for former leader did not eventuate
THE Social Democratic Liberal Party’s (SODELPA) traditional apology or “matanigasau” scheduled for the Marama Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa yesterday, did not eventuate because she didn’t turn up to the annual general meeting. In opening the party’s annual meeting at Yaroi Village in Savusavu, the Tui Cakau and former SODELPA president, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu...
Ro Filipe elected new SODELPA party president
SODELPA supporters have chosen Ro Filipe Tuisawau as their new party president. In an election held at the Annual General meeting in Yaroi Village, Savusavu, today, Ro Filipe won 367 votes while Anare Jale grabbed 157 votes. Before the elections, Ro Filipe and Mr Jale were given opportunities to speak to the supporters and introduce...
Media personnel asked to move out of SODELPA AGM venue
MEDIA personnel was asked to move out from the venue of the SODELPA Party’s Annual General Meeting at Yaroi village in Savusavu where it is presently underway. After the address of welcome and affirmation to the party by the Turaga na Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, acting party president Anare Jale asked the media to...
Savusavu site identified for water and wastewater project
A SITE has been identified in Savusavu for the $1.02 million water and wastewater project. This project, likely to be in the Nukubalavu area, has been discussed for a few years with stakeholders but has not been established. In response to questions from this newspaper, WAF revealed the project was being funded through the “Kuwait...
Ministry’s transport team yet to meet on eTransport student card issue
EDUCATION Minister Rosy Akbar is yet to meet the ministry’s transport team to decide on the 4.30pm deadline of eTransport cards use by students under the State’s bus fare subsidy scheme. This follows the announcement by Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum during 2019/2020 National Budget announcement that the subsidised bus cards for school children had...
DPP sanctions charge against trade unionist
THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Christopher Pryde, has sanctioned a charge against National Workers Union general secretary Felix Anthony for breaching Section 15 of the Public Order Act 1969. “The charge relates to false statements made by Felix Anthony on 26th April 2019 to a reporter from the Fiji Times in relation to the expiry of...
Invitation three years late – NFP
NATIONAL Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad said Government had, unfortunately, brought upon itself the International Labour Organization’s decision to put Fiji on notice. Prof Biman said since reaching a tripartite agreement in January 2016 that averted a Commission of Inquiry, Government had agreed that ILO experts would be invited to review the list of...
Maternity ward in need of a major upgrade: Tabuya
OPPOSITION whip Lynda Tabuya told Parliament last week that the CWM Hospital’s Maternity Ward was in need of a major upgrade. She said she had firsthand experience of the overcrowding at the ward. “There were actually five of us in the same room delivering and also they were lying in the passage, on both sides...
