The Fiji Times

Reopening of schools – Guidelines set requirement for fully vaxxed students in class

While Education Minister Premila Kumar says there is no “no jab, no school” policy, the Safe School Reopening Guidelines require anyone above 15 years to be fully vaccinated before entering a school premises. And secondary schools have been told to ensure only fully vaxxed children were allowed in when Year 12 and Year 13 students...

Ratu Wiliame appointed as Fiji’s President elect

The Fijian Parliament has elected Ratu Wiliame Katonivere as the country’s next president. As per Fiji’s constitution, the prime minister and leader of the opposition each submit a presidential candidate to the speaker of parliament, who then announces the nominees to MPs before parliament decides on the next president with a majority vote. In the...

NZ gives voting booths

“The importance of the secret ballot to all democracies cannot be overstated.” This was the comment made by the New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Curr during the handing over of 2000 boxes of cardboard voting booths from the NZ government and the NZ Electoral Commission to the Electoral Commission of Fiji yesterday. “We are very...

‘Maritime travel to open once 80pc fully vaxxed’

Travel to maritime islands will open once the second dose vaccination coverage on these islands reaches 80 per cent. Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MOHMS) permanent secretary Dr James Fong said only fully vaccinated people would be allowed to travel to maritime islands, with a 72-hour pre-departure test and seven-day quarantine on the island....

WHO issues plan to prevent sexual abuse after Congo scandal

GENEVA, Oct 21 (Reuters) – The World Health Organization issued its plan on Thursday to prevent any further misconduct by aid workers deployed in its field operations after WHO staff took part in a major sexual abuse scandal in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some 83 aid workers, a quarter of them employed by the...

Airline borrowings – Motion to increase State’s guarantee from $191m to $241m

Parliament will today debate a motion by Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum for the House to approve the increase of a Government guarantee for Fiji Airways borrowings from $191.1 million to $241.1m. The motion also calls for an increase in offshore borrowings from $US117.1m ($F242.2m) to $US142.1m ($F293.9m) — with the total guarantee ceiling increasing from $455m...

Ratu Wiliame is the ocean’s most ferocious protector, says PM

Fiji will know today whether Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere will be the nation’s new President. In a post on his official Facebook page, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said he would move to nominate the chief from Vanua Levu when Parliament meets today. He said Ratu Wiliame was one of our fiercest defenders of the...

FICAC application to expedite hearing

An application by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) to expedite hearing involving six SODELPA parliamentarians and a former government member of Parliament will be called at the Suva Magistrates Court this morning. Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, Salote Radrodro, Simione Rasova, Nikolau Nawaikula, Peceli Vosanibola, Adi Litia Qionibaravi and former MP, Vijendra Prakash are alleged...

Former EFL employee fronts court on corruption related charges

A former employee of the Energy Fiji Limited who is facing corruption related charges appeared at the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday. Ravind Narayan is charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with one count of abuse of office and one count of causing A Loss. It is alleged that between February 1, 2018...

Panama, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic ask for U.S. help on migration

PANAMA CITY, Oct 20 (Reuters) – The presidents of Panama, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic on Wednesday asked for U.S. assistance in stemming the flow of thousands of migrants crossing the dangerous jungles that divide Panama and Colombia as they make their way to the United States. Panama’s President Laurentino Cortizo hosted a meeting...

Konrote launches Organic Rotuma Accreditation and Rotuman book

President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote launched the Organic Rotuma Accreditation and the Publication of the Rotuman Book “Rak La Faeag Rotuḁm” at the Holiday In yesterday. President Konrote while launching the new book that teaches the Rotuman language titled “Rak La Faeag Rotuḁm” said that in 2012 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural...

China updates official news sources list, excludes high-profile Caixin

China’s cyberspace regulator published an updated list on Wednesday of internet news providers from which other sites can reprint content, omitting Caixin, one of the country’s best-known business publications. The list of 1,358 news sites arrives amid a regulatory crackdown on a range of industries, including the media sector, which has been subject to increasingly...

New Zealand, Fiji continues longstanding partnership

The Electoral Commission wants the 2022 General Election to be a platform for Fijians to express their will with confidence, security and freedom. Chairperson of the Fijian Electoral Commission, Suresh Chand said this during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the New Zealand Electoral Commission and the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) and handing over...

Melbourne readies to exit world’s longest COVID-19 lockdown

Millions in Melbourne are readying to come out of the world’s longest COVID-19 lockdown later on Thursday even as cases hover near record levels, with pubs, restaurants and cafes rushing to restock supplies before opening their doors. Since early August, residents in Australia’s second-largest city have been in lockdown – their sixth during the pandemic...

Career progression drives FNU graduate

For Farhana Nazneen Hakim, her student life at the Fiji National University (FNU) was the perfect balance of receiving relevant teaching and learning and a fun campus life experience that allowed her to expand her network and self-growth. Hakim graduated this year from the University’s College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS) with a...

N.Korea says U.S. overreacting to missile test

North Korea said on Thursday the United States was overreacting to its recent missile test and questioned the sincerity of Washington’s offers of talks, accusing it of operating “double standards” over weapons development. Pyongyang has said in recent weeks that its weapons tests are aimed at boosting its defence capabilities just as other countries do,...

What’s happening today!

Bula vinaka everyone. Here is another edition of some basic information you may need to know for today. First, here is your weather forecast for today: Weather Cloudy periods with brief showers over the eastern parts and interior of the larger islands (Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Kadavu), Lau and Lomaiviti group. Elsewhere, fine...

Qantas prepares planes for Sydney’s international reopening

SYDNEY, Oct 21 (Reuters) – Qantas Airways Ltd (QAN.AX) engineers are preparing for the airline’s fleet to ramp up international flying starting Nov. 1, when Sydney opens to fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents without quarantine. read more With the exception of its Airbus SE (AIR.PA) A380 super-jumbos, which remain stored in the Mojave Desert...

N.Korea confirms submarine launch

SEOUL, Oct 20 (Reuters) – North Korea test-fired a new, smaller ballistic missile from a submarine, state media confirmed on Wednesday, a move that analysts said could be aimed at more quickly fielding an operational missile submarine. The statement from state media came a day after South Korea’s military reported that it believed North Korea had fired...

Taliban get aid promise

MOSCOW, Oct 19 (Reuters) – Russia, China and Pakistan are willing to provide aid to Afghanistan, the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday, but Moscow said it was not yet ready to recognise the Taliban government. The promise of humanitarian aid and economic support came after talks between Russian, Chinese and Pakistani officials, who will...

From the Editor-in-Chief’s desk: Your October 22 briefing

Bula vinaka everyone It’s that time once again when we highlight some headlines that made The Fiji Times’ edition for Friday, October 22. It’s a bumper edition brimming with news, current affairs, sports and the special The Shopper. But before that, remember we are celebrating our 152nd year anniversary and you can get into the...

Protesters denounce Netflix over Chappelle transgender comments

About 100 people protested near Netflix Inc’s (NFLX.O) headquarters on Wednesday against the streaming pioneer’s decision to release comedian Dave Chappelle’s new special, which they say ridicules transgender people. Netflix staff members, transgender rights advocates and public officials gathered on a sidewalk outside a Netflix office blocks away from the company’s main 13-story Sunset Boulevard...

NATO to agree master plan to deter growing Russian threat, diplomats say

NATO defence ministers are set to agree a new master plan on Thursday to defend against any potential Russian attack on multiple fronts, reasserting a bid to deter Moscow despite the alliance’s new focus on China, diplomats and officials said. The strategy, which is confidential, goes beyond existing regional defence plans and aims to prepare...

U.S. FDA clears Moderna, J&J COVID-19 boosters, backs use of different vaccine for boost

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna Inc (MRNA.O) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N), and said Americans can choose a different shot from their original inoculation as a booster. That means all three vaccines authorized in the United States can also be given as boosters...

Shamim’s life on the road – Happy on the job amid COVID-19

Mohammed Shamim’s lack of an appropriate level of education does not discourage him from pursuing what he wants in life. In fact he enjoys sweating it out as a labourer and is content with his life! Shamim said the challenges of a killer virus had him worried about losing his employment as a labourer with...

Need to prioritise disaster risk reduction, says Seruiratu

Almost 30 per cent of Fiji’s population is at risk from multiple hazards occurring simultaneously. Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu revealed this during the launch of the National Disaster Awareness Week in Suva this week. “Historical analysis noted that Fiji, since 2000, have recorded over 60 people dying as...

Green Horizon Summit at COP26

This year the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will take place in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12, 2021. The focus: tackling the climate emergency, our planet’s biggest threat. The role of finance will be a central focus of discussion, with momentum building across green finance in recent years. Today,...

Feakes: Managing waste important

Young people are the most vocal demographic when it comes to protecting the environment. This, according to Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes. He made the comment while virtually launching the University of Fiji, Science Circus Pacific and Australian National University organised Secondary School Waste Management Campaign 2021. “This is an opportunity to help...

From funky bass lines to sign-writing – How a rising musician left the night gigs to raise a family

Jonetani Raivotu is well known in the bus industry as a sign-writer. From the mid ’70s to date, his works of art have emblazoned the sides of the many buses that zig zag across the Capital City. “If you come to Wailea, Vatuwaqa, or ask anybody in the bus business – they all know me...

News

22nd October

Ethiopia hits Tigray region in third day of air strikes – government