No more Aiyaznomics , says Rabuka
By: Peni Komaisavai Fiji’s minister for economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will hand down the country’s national 2020 budget in parliament later today. National parliament is sitting this evening to hear
News
Fiji army ordered to compensate widow
By Anish Chand The Fiji Military Forces has been ordered to pay $113,922 (US$52,958) to the widow of an Abel Seaman who died while on duty at the Suva Naval Base. Salaseini Denarau legally challenged the FMF and
Australian study to scope more trade with Fiji
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will be at this year’s Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Tuvalu, and Foreign Minister Marise Payne says she is keen to get to Papua New Guinea soon “to visit our
MHCC BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ON HOLD
By: Peni KomaisavaiThe construction of the new section of the Morris Hedstrom City Central (MHCC) building in Suva has been stopped until further notice.Suva City Council (SCC) Chief Executive Officer Bijay Chand said
Vanuatu and Fiji call for kava quota hike
By: Anish Chand The Governments of Vanuatu and Fiji are asking that any foreign traveler to Australia be allowed to bring up to 10 kilograms of kava into the country with them. Australia currently permits 2kg per
USP investigation by August 16
The final report of an independent investigation into allegations of mismanagement and abuse of process at the University of the South Pacific (USP) is due by August 16. The terms of reference for the investigation have
Calls for urgent action on child sexual exploitation in Fiji
By Anish Chand A new report states that sexual exploitation of children is a serious problem in Fiji and its full extent isn’t known. The report reveals that changing social structures and
Calls for action against child exploitation
By Anish Chand A new report states that sexual exploitation of children is a serious problem in Fiji and its full extent isn’t known. The report reveals that changing social structures and
We demand doers, not preachers!
A cycle of fear is how Reporters Without Borders (RSF) headlined the release of its 2019 World Press Freedom Index. This tool RSF says, “shows how hatred of journalists has degenerated into
It’s James Marape
By Samisoni Pareti James Marape is the new Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. National parliament voted overwhelmingly for Marape when it took the vote for Prime Minister today. He won 101 votes to 8, beating the other
O’Neill quits as PNG Prime Minister
By Samisoni Pareti Papua New Guinea will have a new Prime Minister tomorrow. This follows the announcement by the incumbent Peter O’Neill that he has tendered his resignation during a visit to the nation’s governor
Chaotic scenes in PNG Parliament
By Samisoni Pareti The parliament of Papua New Guinea was in uproar today after the Speaker refused to entertain a motion against him. The motion was moved by the new leader of opposition, Patrick Pruaitch who is widely
Peter O’Neill is out
By Samantha Magick Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has stepped down. Local media outlet EMTV reports that O’Neill held a media conference today to announce that he has handed over the leadership
Fiji crash report is out
By: Peni Komaisavai A report into the crash of a plane in Vanua Levu in February last year has recommended that improved weather information be provided to pilots to mitigate against the risks posed by bad weather.
Low Liquidity Anxieties
By: Dionisia Tabureguci A state of low liquidity in Fiji’s banking system – which currently sits at around F$350million – has been linked to increased pressure on the country’s foreign exchange
US President focus on the Pacific Islands
By: Peni Komaisavai United States President Donald Trump is directing an unprecedented level of focus on the Pacific Islands. Earlier this week, Trump met with Palau’s President Thomas Remengesau Jr, Marshall Islands
28 Election Petitions Filed
By: Peni Komaisavai A history-making 28 election petition cases were filed at the Solomon Islands High Court earlier this week. This will see the election victories of 28 members of parliament challenged. A 29th
No international travel for town administrators
By: Anish Chand Fiji’s Ministry of Local Government has placed a ban on overseas travel by any city or town council CEO or Special Administrators. “No Special Administrator or Chief Executive are to travel
Fijian family loses EU climate change case
By: Anish Chand A Fijian family and nine others have lost a landmark climate change court case in European Union’s highest court. The European Court of Justice has ruled that individuals cannot sue the EU over
No international travel for town administrators
By Anish Chand Fiji’s Ministry of Local Government has placed a ban on overseas travel by any city or town council CEO or Special Administrators. “No Special Administrator or Chief Executive are to travel
PNG no-confidence motion withdrawn…for now
By: Peni Komaisavai Papua New Guinea’s Opposition has withdrawn its motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill after alternative PM candidate James Marape stepped down. This was announced during a
OPINION: Pacific defense pact renewal vital to the US amid rising tension with China
OPINION: Pacific defense pact renewal vital to the US amid rising tension with China By Tommy Remengesau Jr., Opinion Contributor — KOROR, 20 MAY 2019 — Talk of the trade conflict between the United States and
Fiji travelers may get visa-free travel to EU
By Anish Chand The European Union will consider Fiji to be included in the list of countries with visa-free access to the Schengen Area of the EU. This was one of the major undertakings by the EU at the
