Author: TMC Palau
LTA has identified standby transport providers. [PHOTO:PECELI NAVITICOKO] Students affected by Taveuni transport disruptions will be considered under the Education Ministry’s Assessment Policy if they miss the Literacy and Numeracy Assessment due to verified transport issues. Permanent Secretary for Education Navin Raj said arrangements may be made for affected students to sit the assessment on another approved date to ensure they are not disadvantaged. The assurance comes as Taveuni bus operators push for higher fares, raising concerns over possible disruptions to school transport. The Ministry is working with the Land Transport Authority, Fiji Police Force, Commissioner Northern’s Office, schools and…
[Source: Reuters] The U.S. said it had completed an eighth straight night of attacks against Iran after earlier announcing that at least two U.S. military personnel were killed in Jordan, while U.S. allies in the region reported more Iranian attacks on Sunday. The U.S. military also confirmed a third death in recent days, saying a service member was killed on Saturday in northern Iraq, where the U.S. has military bases, during a controlled detonation of what Central Command called unexploded ordnance on a downed Iranian attack drone. The U.S. and Iran have intensified attacks as an interim ceasefire agreement signed…
[Pic by Praneeta Prakash More than $1.3 million has been lost to scam-related offences reported across Fiji since 2017, with the majority of cases still under investigation. Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu revealed this during the launch of the third annual national scams awareness week. Commissioner Tudravu says 1,672 scam cases have been reported at 21 police stations nationwide over the past seven years. He says of those cases, 338 have reached the prosecution stage, while 1,334 remain under active investigation.Article continues after advertisement The Commissioner says the Western Division recorded the highest number of scam reports, followed by the Southern,…
The 2026–27 Budget tabled in Fiji’s Parliament last month projects total government expenditure of $4.9 billion against revenues of $3.8 billion, leaving a net deficit of approximately $1 billion (all dollar figures in this article are Fijian dollars; AUD1 is approximately FJD1.55). Including debt repayments pushes the overall financing gap to around $1.5 billion. This shortfall is expected to be financed through domestic borrowing of $854 million and foreign borrowing of $628 million. By this time next year, public debt is projected to exceed $12 billion — three times its level a decade ago — and debt-servicing costs alone will…
[Photo: FILE] People living in rural communities can soon expect better access to clean drinking water, following a $10 million allocation by the Ministry of Public Works announced in Parliament. The allocation comes as part of the government’s commitment to enhance clean water accessibility for isolated communities. The project will utilize a new comprehensive survey to ensure works are executed without extra costs. Public Works Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau says the allocation will greatly benefit rural communities without proper access to clean water.Article continues after advertisement Additionally, Minister for Lands Filimoni Vosarogo says the announced collaboration comes with a guaranteed…
[Photo: PECELI NAVITICOKO] Residents in Southern Taveuni are calling for government services to be brought closer to rural communities, citing high travel costs and disruptions caused by system outages at service centres. Vuna District Representative Laisiasa Tuimouta highlighted that travelling long distances to Waiyevo and Naqara only to find services unavailable leaves many families out of pocket. Communities are now advocating for regular outreach visits by government agencies to the south of the island. Tuimouta says that years of lobbying by community leaders, supported by 21 village headmen from Taveuni and Qamea, had already successfully brought several agencies to the…
[Photo: FILE] A total of 2,760 authenticated traditional knowledge and cultural expression records from Serua and Namosi have now been entered into Fiji’s Traditional Knowledge and Expression of Culture database. Assistant Minister for iTaukei Affairs Isikeli Tuwailevu says the Ministry used the two provinces to pilot its data input procedures to ensure accuracy and efficiency before expanding the project nationwide. He says the database now contains 1,596 authenticated records from Namosi and 1,164 from Serua, while data entry for Lomaiviti has also begun this year. Tuwailevu says the Institute has successfully digitised cultural mapping data for 10 provinces, with Kadavu,…
[Source/ File] The quarter-final matchups for the Vodafone Vanua Championship and Royal Tea Ranadi Cup have been confirmed following the completion of the pool stages. In the Vanua Championship Under-20 division, Macuata will face Vatukoula, Tavua meets Cakaudrove, Northland takes on Ovalau, while Namosi clashes with Coastland. The Vanua Championship senior quarter-finals will see Macuata square off against Vatukoula, Tavua battle Cakaudrove, Northland meet Namosi and Ovalau take on Ra. Meanwhile, in the Royal Tea Ranadi Cup, Cakaudrove will face Tavua, Yasawa takes on Taveuni, Northern Bulls meets Serua and Navosa battles Northland for a place in the semi-finals.Article continues…
[Source: Fiji Rugby] Fiji Water Flying Fijians captain Tevita Ikanivere was left frustrated after Fiji’s strong first-half display failed to translate into a victory against Scotland in their final Nations Championship match. Fiji led 17-7 at halftime and appeared on course for a positive finish to the tournament before Scotland stormed back to claim a 33-17 victory. Ikanivere acknowledged the effort shown by his teammates but admitted the side was unable to maintain control when it mattered most. “We came out here today trying to get the win. I think a lot of people did so much work to be…
[Photo: FILE] Parliament has passed a series of budget amendment bills aimed at strengthening Fiji’s financial regulatory framework while implementing key budget measures for the 2026–2027 financial year. The legislation includes amendments to the Fiji National Provident Fund Act, the Reserve Bank of Fiji Act, and the Exchange Control Act. Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel says the Fiji National Provident Fund Budget Amendment Act 2026 introduces changes to the Fiji National Provident Fund Act 2011 as part of the government’s budget policy. The amendment, which comes into force on 1 August 2026, temporarily reduces the total mandatory contributions made by…