The Fiji TimesNews Archives

Aunty Va calls it a day – Counselling for the past 28 years

She has decided to call it a day after being a counsellor for almost three decades. Originally from Serua Island, Vasemaca Naverebalavu Natoga has been counselling people with different issues for the past 28 years. Being the second eldest in a family of three boys and three girls, she had a very strict upbringing with...

Incentive to employ local artists

A higher amount of claims through the tax incentives supporting local artists in the tourism industry is expected, due to the increase of the tax deduction from 150 per cent to 300 per cent last year. As a result of some artists and hotel owners still harbouring some uncertainty about whether they qualify for the...

Platform for learning and networking

Desgined and hosted by women for women, the 2nd Women Invigorating the Nation (WIN) Convention is scheduled to be held on March 24 and 25 this year. The WIN Convention will be hosted by the Women Entrepreneur Business Council (WEBC), a council under the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF). WEBC chairperson Eseta Nadakuitavuki said...

Education permanent secretary resigns

Ministry of Education permanent secretary Dr Anjeela Jokhan has resigned from her post effective from today. This, according to Public Service Commission (PSC) chairman Luke Rokovada. Deputy Secretary for Education Timoci Bure has been appointed to act as permanent secretary effective from January 23, 2023 when Dr Jokhan commenced her leave.

A ray of hope – An inclusive, collaborative approach to tourism and tourism policy planning

The new coalition government offers a ray of hope for a more inclusive and collaborative approach to tourism and tourism policy planning. An opinion expressed by renowned academic Dr Apisalome Movono who has been part of multiple published works about tourism policies in the age of COVID-19 and the current recovery phase. Dr Movono spoke...

Sacked FBC boss was receiving approximately $32k per month: Amrit

Sacked Fiji Broadcasting Corporation CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was receiving approximately $32,000 per month and $25,000 in bonus per annum. This, according to FBC Chairman, Ajay Amrit. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s employment has been terminated and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Vimlesh Sagar will act in this position. Mr Amrit had said Mr Sayed-Khaiyum was earning more than Government...

Youths turn up for model audition

More than 100 youths took part in the Fiji Fashion Week (FJFW) final model audition at the Vodafone Arena on Saturday. Fashion designer and judge for the auditions Temesia Tuicamia said the biggest challenge faced by models was their lack of confidence. “Self confidence is a challenge for any Pacific Islander, especially when we’re coming...

Company marks new year

Staff members of Vinod Patel Centrepoint acknowledged the Chinese community by celebrating Chinese New Year on Saturday. Vinod Patel CEO Neelesh Pal Singh said China played an important role in the business and a celebration as such was to acknowledge and celebrate diversity. “We started it as an acknowledgement, as an appreciation for the Chinese...

Cessation of Sami’s contract; Raikaci takes over

The contract for the Fiji Police Chief of Intelligence and Investigations Surend Sami has ceased. This was confirmed by Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew. Mr Chew said Senior Superintendent of Police Sakeo Raikaci has been appointed as the Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police and would take over from the outgoing ACP Sami.

Turkey’s Erdogan signals Finland’s NATO bid may be considered over Sweden

ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan signalled on Sunday that Ankara may agree to Finland joining NATO ahead of Sweden, amid growing tensions with Stockholm. “We may deliver Finland a different message (on their NATO application) and Sweden would be shocked when they see our message. But Finland should not make the same mistake...

Market for local product

Fijian products have a lot of potential in the global market and this has been proved by countless products with the most recent being Island Style Peanut Butter. According to Investment Fiji, the local business recently featured on Investment Fiji’s trade products list which led them to secure an international trade deal. Island Style Peanut...

Israel appears to have been behind drone strike on Iranian factory -US official

DUBAI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Israel appears to have been behind an overnight drone attack on a military factory in Iran, a U.S. official said on Sunday. Iran claimed to have intercepted drones that struck a military industry target near the central city of Isfahan, and said there were no casualties or serious damage. The extent of damage...

Court acquits Mara

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) cannot compel someone to give access privileges or passwords to them. This was the ruling of Suva Magistrate Jeremiah Savou when he acquitted Pacific Islands Development Forum secretary general Solo Mara of FICAC charges of disobeying a lawful order and giving false information. The court heard that on...

$52m worth of UN support

The United Nations support to Fiji amounted to about $F52.5million last year. This assistance extended across various sectors, including equitable basic services, adaptation and mitigation of climate change-related disasters, disaster resilience and environmental protection, governance and community engagement, gender equality, and economic empowerment and human rights. This was shared by the UN Resident Coordinator to...

Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was earning more than Ministers and even the PM – Amrit

Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was earning considerably more than Government Ministers and even the Prime Minister, says FBC chairman Ajay Bhai Amrit. Mr Ajay said this came as a shock to the new FBC board members and to most of the citizens of this country. He said there were discussions with Prime...

‘A left hook could have prevented a $250k heist’

A straight right or a left hook could have prevented nearly $250,000 from being stolen outside the Home Finance Company (HFC) Bank in Nakasi in August 2021, High Court judge Justice Salesi Temo told a witness last week. Justice Temo was speaking during the trial of Maikeli Manuwave and Raymond Johnson at the High Court...

Adani’s $2.5 billion share sale faces crucial day after Indian rout

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Gautam Adani faces a critical day on Monday with his flagship company’s $2.5 billion share sale’s second day of bidding overshadowed by a $48 billion rout in the Indian billionaire’s stocks which was sparked by a U.S. short seller’s report. Seven listed companies belonging to the Adani conglomerate, which is led by...

Magnitude 5.8 earthquake strikes Southern Xinjiang, China – EMSC

(Reuters) – An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 struck Southern Xinjiang in China on Monday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. The quake was at a depth of 33 km (20.51 miles), EMSC said.

Man, 26, latest drowning victim

A 26-year-old man is believed to be the latest drowning victim. According to police, the farm supervisor allegedly drowned while swimming in a creek near the Wainivesi Farm in Korovou, Tailevu, yesterday morning. Police have confirmed the victim’s body was being kept at the Korovou Hospital and they were in the process of awaiting results...

Naseakula four charged with murder

Four men from Naseakula have been charged with murder for their alleged involvement in an aggravated robbery case in Delailabasa which led to the death of a 60-year-old victim. According to Police the first of the accused, a 28-year-old farmer has been charged with one count of murder, one count of aggravated robbery, one count...

New Zealand’s Auckland expected to receive further rains as flooding remains

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – Flood ravaged Auckland is expected to receive further heavy rain over the coming days, according to the city’s council, even as people start to count the cost of the flash floods that have hit New Zealand’s largest city since Friday. Four people have now lost their lives in the flash floods that...

ABF personnels to tighten border

Two new Australian Border Force (ABF) personnel will be posted in Nadi and Suva by the first part of the year, says Australian High Commission Chargé d’affaires John Williams. He said this was part of greater cooperation between Fiji and Australia under the Vuvale partnership. “I’m absolutely delighted the ABF is heavily invested in building...

Call for investigation into $93 million spending

Fijian Broadcasting Corporation chairman Ajay Amrit has called for an investigation into the spending of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) fee or grant from government by FBC over which has totaled up to $93 million over the past 14 years. Mr Amrit said since the current CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum took over in 2008, the total spending...

Road death shocks family

The family of Arthur Simpson, the 23-year-old who died after he was allegedly hit by a car along the Queen’s Rd in Navua on Saturday, described him as a “quiet and unassuming” young man. As news of his sudden and unexpected passing spread, his grief-stricken family started gathering at his mother, Joan Wise’s home in...

FBC CEO terminated

Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s employment has been terminated. This was confirmed in a statement by FBC chairperson, Ajay Bhal Amrit. Mr Amrit said Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Vimlesh Sagar will act in this position until the Board can confidently appoint a person with the appropriate commercial competency and...

Singh: FNPF not a bank

The Fiji National Provident Fund is not a bank, says chief operations officer Pravinesh Singh. While speaking in Lautoka recently, he said the fund worked to ensure that members had enough money to enjoy their retirement. “We used to have withdrawals and members used to take out money from FNPF to cater for their weddings,...

Environmentalists protest airport project near Albanian bird sanctuary

VJOSE-NARTE, Albania (Reuters) – Environmentalists protested over the weekend at the building site of a new airport in Albania’s south meant to boost tourism but which they say will endanger sanctuaries for some 200 bird species including flamingos and pelicans. The picturesque Vjose-Narte lagoon close to Albania’s Adriatic seaside is a crucial stop for flocks...

Pensioners rate to remain

The annual rate for pensioners will not be reviewed upwards, says Fiji National Provident Fund chief operations officer Pravinesh Singh. Speaking in Lautoka recently, Mr Singh explained that the current rates for members under the Retirement Income Fund would have to remain due to the fact that the Fund had enough to cater for current...

PSC sets timeframe for permanent secretaries selection

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has set a timeframe of six months to advertise and select the best individuals for various permanent secretary positions. This was confirmed by PSC chair Luke Rokovada. Speaking to this newspaper, he said they had not yet fixed a date to send out the advertisements. This news comes as the...

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Back in history: Ratu Finau good as new