Air traffic controllers’ protest continues
By Samisoni Pareti THREE days after many of the country’s air traffic control officers walked off their jobs, there is still no sign that the impasse is going to be resolved any time soon. Officers we spoke to are
Tourism Fiji postpones Bulanaires in New Zealand
By Samantha Magick Tourism Fiji says it is postponing the implementation of its Bulanaires campaign in New Zealand. “Tourism Fiji sends our deepest condolences and sympathies to everyone in New Zealand impacted by the
Hospital closes heart and CT services
INDIAN doctors have been sent home and a number of specialist services – including the removal of blockages to the heart – have been suspended at Fiji’s major private hospital. MIOT Pacific Hospitals, Pramesh
Fiji Airport traffic controllers walk out
By Samisoni Pareti Islands Business can now confirm that majority of the country’s air traffic controllers in both of Fiji’s international airports have not been reporting to work since 6am on Monday this week.
Australia proposes kava import hike
Australia is proposing an increase in the amount of kava that can be brought into Australia for personal use by incoming passengers, from two to four kilograms per person. The review is part of a commitment
Fiji Bans Pork Imports
Fiji has banned the personal importation of pork and pork related products from Australia and New Zealand This is due to the spread of the African Swine Flu that kills pigs. Fiji is currently free of the disease. A
Fiji Airways grounds its MAX planes
By Samisoni Pareti Fiji Airways has bowed to international pressure by grounding its two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft effective immediately. “In line with the stance taken by aviation regulators in our region, and an
No grounding of MAX8, says Fiji Airways
Fiji Airways in response to Islands Business enquiries says it has full confidence in the airworthiness of its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8. “We have reviewed all the information currently available and have determined
Suva High Court rules out DNA evidence
In a first for Fiji, the Suva High Court has ruled that it can’t use DNA results as evidence in a rape trial because the Fiji Police Force did not use the correct procedures in obtaining the DNA tests from the
$4m payout to Qorvis
By Samisoni Pareti American public relations company Qorvis was reportedly paid FJ$4.6 million for communication work it did for the COP23 Presidency of Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama. This is on top of the FJ$1
Fiji’s human rights scrutiny
By Anish Chand The United Nations Human Rights Council will scrutinise Fiji’s human rights records in November under the UN mandatory periodic review of members. Fiji was last examined in October 2014 and was
LTA boss on $0.5million salary
BY Netani Rika DOCUMENTS released today show that the head of Fiji’s Land Transport Authority is being paid over half a million dollars annually. Samuel Simpson was hired last year from the United Kingdom where he
Low balances worry FNPF
By Dionisia Tabureguci “Plan your retirement,” said Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) CEO Jaoji Koroi during the fund’s meeting with the media in Suva today. Statistics it released on the state of the
Solomons bishop fights election
BY Netani Rika THE head of the Anglican Church in the Solomon Islands will contest the general elections. Archbishop George Takeli stood down on Friday. Takeli will from Friday 22 February to contest the upcoming
Top Sugar Man Quits
By Anish Chand Fiji Sugar Corporation’s (FSC) Chief Operations Officer Navin Chandra has resigned. FSC employees have been notified of the resignation via a circular today. Chief Executive Officer Graham Clark
Teacher shortage to continue in Fiji schools
+The Fiji Ministry of Education has informed schools that no teachers are available for placements at the moment. It asks school heads to lead classes and teachers to look after two classes where necessary
New UN Treaty Poses Significant Challenge for Pacific Island States
By James T Movick Remarks made by the Pacific Forum’s secretary general Dame Meg Taylor at a recent conference on high seas biodiversity are perfectly timed and signal a considerable challenge for small island
Education Minister Concedes
All future principals and headteachers at a school run by a faith based organisation will have a clause in their job description which declares that “the head of school uphold and foster the ethos of the school and
Fijian Holdings in record share trading
Amid criticism from indigenous Fijians on the handling by the Frank Bainimarama Government of Fijian Holdings Ltd (FHL), an investment company established by a previous government for the sole benefit of the indigenous
Be wary about Fiji travel, UK warns
By Anish Chand British nationals in Fiji or intending to visit Fiji have been warned of a leptospirosis outbreak in Fiji. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued a travel advisory last night alerting their
Fijian sailor was murdered – report
By Anish Chand An investigation by Human Rights at Sea has found that a Fijian may have murdered another Fijian ship-worker in Panama in July 2017. Human Rights at Sea has published a redacted report that included
Bainimarama relinquishes foreign affairs
By Anish Chand Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is no longer the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Fiji. He has relinquished the Ministerial post as of 23rd January 2019. In a legal notice, the Prime Minister has
Police to question Rabuka
By Netani Rika FIJIAN Opposition Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, will front police tomorrow (Sunday) to answer questions related to alleged incitement charges. Rabuka was called to Criminal Investigations Department
