Rain closes polling stations
By Lice Movono TWENTY polling stations outside the capital Suva have been shut down due to inclement weather, the Supervisor of Elections announced this hour. Invoking section 47 of the Electoral Act, Mohammed Saneem
Lice Movono
Bainimarama confident of victory
By Lice Movono TWELVE years after taking power in a military coup, Fiji First Party Leader Voreqe Bainimarama is confident his party will win enough seats to form the next government. When asked if he personally would
Voters brave the rain
By Lice Movono POLLING started late at one of the biggest polling stations just outside the city, International Secondary School which registered 2225 voters in the last elections. Despite that hundreds of voters turned
Investigations into blackout breach
By Lice Movono NO MEDIA organisation breached campaign blackout restrictions but the Media Industry Development Authority says it will investigate individuals who broke the law on social media. MIDA chair Ashwin Raj
Charges against Rabuka were defective – Chief Justice Gates
By Samisoni Pareti A defective charge was the main reason Fiji’s main anti-corruption body lost its appeal against a lower court’s decision a fortnight ago to acquit Opposition party leader Sitiveni Rabuka, says
Rabuka wins appeal
By Samisoni Pareti The FICAC appeal against the case of SODELPA leader has been rejected by Chief Justice Gates. The decision handed down this afternoon means Rabuka can contest Wednesday’s general elections. FICAC
Police questioned Rabuka
By Netani Rika DETECTIVES questioned SODELPA Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, in Suva today over comments he made on a talk back show last week. It is unclear what particular comments led to the police action. A heated debate
New Caledonians decide to stay with France – for now
By Nic Maclellan in Noumea, New Caledonia Voters in New Caledonia have voted against independence in Sunday’s referendum on self-determination. Turning out in unprecedented numbers, a majority of voters decided to
Blockchain finds a home in the Pacific
The blockchain conversation has finally touched down in the Pacific. Not only is it a major buzz in tech circles here, Papua New Guinea (PNG) is about to take a technological leap in becoming the first country in
France prepares for New Caledonia referendum
A month before New Caledonia’s referendum on self-determination, local mayors from around the country gathered on 4 October at the French High Commission in the capital Noumea. Hosted by French High
I survived the PX073 crash
Once aboard, my seat, 24F on the right side of the rear of the plane was comfortable and the flight attendants were courteous and pleasant. The safety briefing was pretty much like every safety briefing I’ve ever
PNG breaks away from Pacifical
ONE of the pioneers behind the establishment of a commercial partnership between the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and the Dutch tuna marketing company Pacifical is suggesting that PNA divorce itself from
Give the Pacific a ‘fair go’
THE recent disparaging remarks made by Australia’s Environment Minister, Melissa Price, to former Kiribati President Anote Tong is a reminder of all that is bad about Australia and its views of the
Report of hope for Pacific
As we are faced with darkness there is hope. The special report from the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius has been released. The messages within
Chief speaks out on Royal visit debacle
By NETANI RIKA FIJI’S prime minister ordered the removal of the country’s senior-most indigenous leaders from ceremonies accorded to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex last week. Opposition Leader, Ro Teimumu
Sendai is disaster-ready
By Anish Chand SENDAI, Japan — At any time of the year, at any time of day or night, an emergency can force people to flee their homes. Especially after an earthquake has struck, or a tsunami warning has been
Islands Business October 2018 edition
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Wise elders call for peaceful referendum
By Nic Maclellan in Noumea, New Caledonia Jean Leques, the former President of New Caledonia and mayor of Noumea, wants everyone to calm down. “The French Prime Minister asked that the referendum campaign proceed in a
War hero Labalaba honoured
By Lice Movono at Nadi International Airport Nadi, Fiji – AFTER PAYING tribute to war hero, Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba, a Fijian soldier who served in the British Army’s elite Special Air
Duchess market visit cut short
By Netani Rika SECURITY officers bundled the Duchess of Sussex out of a Fijian market today after concerns for her safety. Six minutes into the tour of the Suva Municipal Market, Royal Protection Officers moved
Major breach of Fijian protocol in welcome ceremony
By Netani Rika IN a major departure from iTaukei protocol, the names of Fiji’s three confederacies and the titles of their chiefs were dropped in welcome ceremonies for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Kaibu Island for Harry and Meghan
Exclusive By Netani Rika A PATROL boat will travel to the exclusive Kaibu Resort overnight to provide security for Fiji’s royal guests. The RFNS Kikau will carry a team of navy divers and
Japan May Consider Visa Waiver for Pacific Island Nations
By Anish Chand TOKYO – Japan may eventually consider a visa waiver for all Pacific Island countries as part of its recent Pacific Island Leaders Meeting (PALM) commitments. However, this will take time as Japan is