News
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Fiji Walk and Wheel Fundraiser Boosts Western Disability Centre
An upbeat four-kilometre Walk and Wheel rally united members, volunteers, and local partners to support a Western disability centre. With new leadership and a push for community collaboration, the event highlights resilience, inclusion, and ongoing funding challenges.
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Teen Grandson’s Christmas Gift to His Visually Impaired Grandfather Shines at Suva Senior Citizens Day
During a Senior Citizens Day celebration, a 13-year-old chose a different kind of holiday gift—guiding his visually impaired grandfather through a crowded event. A touching moment of patience, respect, and family love that lingers long after the lights fade.
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Global Health in Balance: Tradition, Equity and Science
With medical breakthroughs advancing faster than balance itself, global health is at a pivotal crossroads. Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala lays out a bold, inclusive path—where traditional wisdom meets modern science and equity—to reimagine healing for people and the planet.
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First Payout Boosts Barotu Mangrove Nursery in Fiji
Barotu village in Fiji is turning mangroves into momentum. The first payout from a community nursery marks a new chapter in local development, coastal protection, and empowerment that’s already reaching neighboring communities.
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Fiji Airways apologizes for Auckland flight disruption during peak holiday travel
Fiji Airways faces the fallout from a peak-season disruption that left passengers waiting and frustrated. The airline apologized, cited safety constraints, and pledged improvements in real-time updates, staff training, and systems—along with goodwill discounts for affected travelers.
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Vanuatu court ruling tees up no-confidence showdown against PM
A court ruling sets the stage for a high-stakes week in Vanuatu’s Parliament. With a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister looming and the Speaker’s role in focus, opposition voices signal momentum as lawmakers prepare for a pivotal session. Tensions rise as the next moves could redefine leadership in the Pacific nation.
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Lautoka businessman faces fresh charges in 39kg cocaine export plot to Australia
A Lautoka businessman faces fresh charges in a 2019 cocaine export case as investigators renew their bid to dismantle a cross-border drug operation. With international help and a second suspect still sought, the case heads toward a court appearance and further legal action.
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Fiji Airways Auckland flight canceled after delays leaves passengers stranded
Travel chaos at Nadi International as a Fiji Airways flight to Auckland is delayed multiple times and eventually cancelled, leaving stranded passengers with limited relief. The airline cites safety constraints on its busiest day ever and promises improvements, including real-time updates and a goodwill discount for future travel.
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Fiji Named Pacific Disaster Risk Financing Hub as PCRIC Expands Reach
Fiji steps into a pivotal role as the Pacific’s disaster-financing hub, signing a landmark agreement with the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company. The move promises quicker, pre-approved relief and innovative funding tools as climate risks intensify across island nations. What this means for resilience and regional cooperation is shaping up fast.
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New Culvert in Dakuniba Village Eases Floods, Improves School Access
Heavy rains used to cut Dakuniba off at the village entrance, disrupting travel and schooling. A newly inaugurated culvert crossing aims to change that, offering safer, year-round access for students and families. Backed by government and the Fiji Roads Authority, this rural infrastructure marks a notable win for the community.
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Fiji EC Signals Open Door for Independent MPs to Launch New Parties
New clarifications from a national electoral watchdog hint at a more flexible political landscape. Officials say current laws do not explicitly block MPs from aligning with or forming new parties, with provisions for independents to stay in Parliament or switch sides if a party is deregistered. Former party members can help establish a new party,…
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Fiji’s TISI Sangam 100th Anniversary: Honoring Founder Sadhu Kuppuswamy
With Sangam Fiji approaching its centennial, the enduring legacy of founder Sadhu Kuppuswamy continues to illuminate the South Indian community in Fiji. Through memories shared by elders and devotees, the journey—rooted in education, unity, and service—still shapes Fiji’s multicultural fabric today.
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Six Lakeba Marijuana Case: Pleas Heard as One Defendant Missing
Six men accused of illegal marijuana possession in Lakeba faced court, with pleas ranging from not guilty to guilty. A missing defendant prompted a bench warrant, and the case was adjourned to January for the next steps in the process.
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Parliament Stays at 55 MPs as Constitutional Review Keeps Seats Unchanged
Parliament will still have 55 MPs in the upcoming General Election, following a review that weighed census data against voter registration figures. Rooted in constitutional guidelines, the decision signals stability even as questions about representation linger.
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Shelf vs Checkout: Fiji Shoppers Face Price Discrepancies This Holiday Season
Shoppers are spotting a puzzling gap between shelf prices and checkout totals, especially on near-expiry items and holiday promos. Advocates warn that missing receipt checks could erase advertised savings, urging retailers to keep pricing transparent during peak shopping times.
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Fiji Birth Registration Delays Spotlight Equity Gaps Across Islands
New findings reveal persistent delays and bureaucratic hurdles in Fiji’s birth registrations, especially for families in remote communities. The report points to systemic barriers that keep children from obtaining a legal identity and accessing essential services, urging targeted reforms to speed up and simplify the process.
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Fiji Women Farmers Drive Food Security with Climate-Smart Agriculture
Women farmers in Navakuru are turning crops into security and opportunity—growing sustenance for their families while adding value to harvests for local markets. Their climate-smart approach and growing collaborations are strengthening households and building resilience across the community.
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Minister Praises 10-Km Natalacake Drainage as Model for Flood-Resilient Communities
A recent field visit spotlights a standout 10-km drainage project and a broader push for proactive flood-control maintenance. Emphasis on regular monitoring, clear channels, and community collaboration shows how resilient waterways can protect farms, homes, and livelihoods when heavy rains come.
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Bondi Beach Mass Shooting Prompts Australia’s National Day of Reflection
Australians pause to reflect after a devastating event, honoring those affected and redoubling efforts to stand united against hate. In a moment of shared sorrow, flags are lowered and a collective resolve begins to shape the days ahead.
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Fiji Methodist Leader Calls for Unity and Love in Christmas Message
As Christmas nears, a message from Fiji’s Methodist leadership invites reflection on the season’s deeper meaning. It centers on God’s inclusive love, the presence of Christ among us, and a renewed call to care for one another and our world. A hopeful nudge toward unity and compassion this holiday.
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Fiji Launches Rice-Fish Farming to Slash Imports and Boost Food Security
Rice is being positioned as a keystone of Fiji’s future food security, with the agriculture minister outlining a plan to cut imports amid rising costs and climate pressures. A new rice–fish symbiotic farming system, developed with Chinese experts, promises to boost productivity and resilience for local farmers across Vanua Levu and beyond.
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Festive Traffic Alert: Fiji Urges Pedestrians to Stay Visible as Fatalities Rise
Festive-season travel is heating up, and road safety officials warn that pedestrians and every road user face higher risks. Poor visibility, rain, and night-time hours can turn a routine trip dangerous—small steps like using crossings, wearing bright clothing, and carrying a light can make a big difference.
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Fiji birth registrations lag as stigma deters young and unwed mothers
Stigma and cultural expectations are delaying birth registrations for teenage and single mothers, leaving many children unrecorded. A targeted outreach approach is bringing essential services directly to communities and threading birth registration into broader civil registration efforts—hinting at a more inclusive path forward.
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Christmas Cheer for Fiji’s Informal Recycling Families
More than 700 children connected to Fiji’s informal recycling networks woke up to gifts and school supplies this Christmas. The Pacific Recycling Foundation’s fourth annual drive shines a light on these families, the essential workers behind Fiji’s waste management, and the power of community to bring dignity and joy to the holidays.
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Fiji Year 13 Pass Rate Climbs to 95% as 50 Schools Reach 100%
Fiji’s Year 13 results show a strong uptick in pass rates and more schools achieving perfect scores. A 30-day window to request a recount adds an important note for students.
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Navua Hospital Closure: Maternity Unit Relocated as Repairs Begin
Staff first flagged structural concerns at Navua Hospital in May, and the inpatient and birthing unit is now closed while engineers assess repairs. Maternity services have moved to the outpatient block, with inpatient and specialist obstetric care coordinated through nearby facilities as needed. Despite the disruption, essential health services continue, including primary care, emergency, maternal…
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Voices From Fiji’s Divisions Shape the Path to Peace
Grassroots voices across Fiji converge for a National Dialogue on Pathways to Peace, aiming to turn local insights into a practical framework for social cohesion. The event is complemented by a Women’s Lololo Market that highlights women-led enterprises and culturally rich crafts.
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Jittu Vuvale Fun Day Sparks Christmas Community Spirit in Jittu Estate
Christmas spirit lights up Jittu Estate as residents gather around a brand-new multipurpose court for a day of fun, unity, and youth energy. From a bouncy castle to family games and a lively volleyball tournament, the event showcased the power of coming together.
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Pacific Islands Move Forward on 2050 Strategy as Resilience Facility Nears Establishment
The Pacific Islands Forum is moving from planning to action on its 2050 Strategy, unveiling a new regional resilience facility and bold funding targets. With eight nations edging toward ratification, a Tonga-based facility could take shape next year, signaling a major push for climate resilience across the islands.
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149 New Fiji Police Recruits Sworn In: Can They Live Up to Public Trust?
149 new Fiji Police recruits graduate after a three-month course, stepping into active service as integrity and public welfare take center stage. The ceremony also highlights family support and ongoing training as cornerstones for a new era in policing.