Seaman search
POLICE have urged mariners and people in coastal areas to keep a lookout for a 48-year old man on board a boat named Gonewai.
Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said the man left Lakeba in the Lau Group and failed to reach Kabara later that evening.
Ms Naisoro added that the Fiji navy was conducting a search.
Syria mission
EIGHT senior military officers will be deployed to Syria to serve among 100 international observers throughout flashpoint cities, which include Damascus, Idlib, Homs, Hama, and Daraa.
The Prime Minister said Fiji was proud to support the cause of peace in the world. The UN has requested the army's support for mission in Syria.
Flood aid
THE Vishva Hindu Parishad (Fiji) received $7025 in assistance aid for flood victims from the Auckland-based Shree Sanatan Dharm Auckland Sabha.
VHP president Jay Dayal said the assistance was timely for children in need. President Sunil Sharma said he was pleased with the efforts of VHP and identified the group as proactive.
Food rations
THE government has completed distributing food packs and groceries to 37 villages and 22 settlements in the highlands of Navosa.
An official said the military and government officials visited the highland to assist families. The villagers thanked the government for the assistance made as most farms were destroyed by flood.
Pay rise plea
THE Fijian Teachers Association is seeking a pay increase. President Merewarita Moci said the three per cent awarded in January was not enough.
"There has not been a Cost of Living Adjustment since 2006 and the inflation rate has compounded the problem," she said.
There's been no response to the FTA call made at its AGM last week.
Drainage plan
DAKU Village in Tailevu will undertake change adaptation measures for drainage improvement and salt water intrusion protection works because of its high vulnerability to climate change.
The Department of Agriculture said Daku was chosen because of its location, a low-lying and flood-prone area surrounded by tidal creeks and a mangrove forest.
Women meet
FIJI will host the 2013 Pan Pacific South East Asia Women's Association international conference in August. The PPSEAWA has been in existence in Fiji for over 50 years and this is the first time Fiji will host the event.
The conference bears the theme of managing the environment for sustainable and peaceful world.
Red Cross aid
THE Nadi branch of the Red Cross has spent more than $0.5million on flood-affected residents. President Doctor Mohammed Yunus said the funds were directed to more than 2000 families in the district while another 600 have yet to be assisted.
He said 40 volunteers were deployed for the distribution in its effort to assist flood-affected residents.