Saneem worries over voter turnout
By Netani Rika RAIN has led to a poor turnout of voters across Viti Levu, raising concerns for Elections Supervisor Mohammed Saneem. At noon today a number of polling stations had recorded less than 50 per cent turnout.
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
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
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
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
Maohi support for Kanak independence struggle
By Nic Maclellan in Ponerihouen, New Caledonia In a show of support for the Kanak independence movement, Maohi leader Oscar Manutahi Temaru has joined the campaign trail in New Caledonia, urging voters to support a Yes
Local media to be kept away from Royals
BY Lice Movono WHEN the British royals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit Fiji beginning Tuesday October 23, local journalists will reportedly be barred from covering the historic event up close, Islands
Ouvea – looking back, looking forward
By Nic Maclellan in Fayaoue, Ouvea, New Caledonia My legs haven’t seen much sun after a long Melbourne winter. So it’s always dangerous to end up on an atoll like Iaai (Ouvea), one of four making up New
Billboard attacked again
BY Netani Rika TWO weeks into the election period and despite police investigations, vandals continue to attack billboards bearing the image of Fiji’s Prime Minister, Rear-Admiral Frank Bainimarama. On Monday
Tachiiri heads ADB in Fiji
BY ADB MEDIA The Asian Development Bank has appointed its new Regional Director for the Pacific Subregional Office in Suva, Fiji. Masayuki Tachiiri will serve as theADB’s focal point for
Marching and singing for independence
By Nic Maclellan in Noumea, New Caledonia A small but vibrant group of women marched through the streets of downtown Noumea on Saturday, calling for a ‘Yes’ vote in New Caledonia’s referendum on
