News
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Ministry of Health and Medical Services pays $5.9M in overtime to frontline workers amid staffing shortages
Significant overtime payouts spotlight ongoing support for frontline health workers amid staffing shortages. With claims under review and a timeline for future settlements in view, this update hints at what’s ahead for those awaiting entitlements.
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Fiji Police: Senior Officer Placed on Administrative Leave Amid Corruption Probe
An administrative leave has been issued for a senior police officer as investigators probe alleged misconduct within the force. The case, linked to a 2024 incident, unfolds amid a broader push for accountability and transparency as authorities seek clarity and integrity.
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Northern Police Promote Community Policing to Rebuild Trust
Policing takes on a more community-focused role, urging professionalism paired with proactive engagement. The emphasis on guidance, reassurance, and addressing root causes aims to rebuild trust and strengthen teamwork for safer, brighter neighborhoods.
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Fiji and UN Forge Climate Partnership Ahead of COP31
Fiji forges a deeper climate partnership with the United Nations, aiming to turn global commitments into local action. With sea-level rise and urban environmental challenges on the radar, regional plans and upcoming climate forums signal a new push for resilient communities.
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Fiji FY13CE Results: Pass Rate Soars as 50 Schools Reach 100%
Provisional FY13CE results are in, marking a milestone year for Fiji’s students as pass rates rise and more schools post perfect marks. Celebrations ripple from classrooms to districts, with recount options opening for eligible students.
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Three Juveniles Receive Suspended Sentences in Lautoka School Burglary Case
Three youths avoid prison after a school burglary as the court hands down suspended sentences and probation, stressing rehabilitation and family support over punishment. The ruling highlights accountability with a focus on reform for the juveniles.
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NFU Pushes End to Rarawai Season as Stand-Over Cane Compensation Demanded
With a fire-damaged mill and relentless wet weather choking harvests, Fiji’s sugar farmers are facing a tough season. The NFU is pushing for compensation for stand-over cane and other relief measures as the industry braces for continued losses and disruption.
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Six Families Receive Seed Funding to Launch Small Businesses Under Welfare Graduation Program
Six families are taking a crucial step toward self-reliance with seed funding under a welfare graduation program. About $11,000 is enabling them to launch or expand small ventures—from canteens to jewelry and farming—while focusing on sustainable livelihoods and sound business practices.
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Fiji Targets Online Abuse Against Human Rights Defenders
Online abuse against human rights defenders in Fiji is on the rise, threatening both freedom of expression and personal safety. A call for greater respect, accountability, and a culture of tolerance urges a safer space—online and offline—where every voice can help shape the nation’s future.
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Fiji approves 24.2% electricity tariff with new tiered pricing
Fiji’s energy regulator approves a revised electricity tariff, trimming the initial surge and steering toward tiered pricing that matches usage. Households will move into three consumption brackets, while commercial customers face four tiers—aiming to balance affordability with reliability and a sustainable power future. The change signals a new approach to how power costs are set.
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Navua Hospital Shuts Inpatient Unit Over Structural Issues; Maternity Care Reorganized
Structural safety concerns trigger a temporary shutdown of Navua Hospital’s inpatient and birthing unit. Maternity services are relocated within the outpatient block as engineers assess repairs and ongoing care is coordinated with nearby facilities.
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Fiji Bus Veers Off Vatukedrakedra Bridge; No Injuries Reported, Sparking Road Safety Review
A bus veered off a northern Fiji bridge, but no injuries were reported—yet the incident raises questions about road safety in challenging terrain and the upkeep of critical bridges.
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Ask Before You Buy: A Fiji Shopper’s Plea for Safer, Informed Choices
Ask first, know more, protect your family. A seasoned local shopper from Davuilevu emphasizes that curious questions at the store can lead to safer, smarter choices. Her message is simple: curiosity is a powerful shopping tool.
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Fiji Christmas Price Watch: Consumer Council Cracks Down on Retailers
With Christmas around the corner, shoppers are noticing rising prices and questions about product quality. The Consumer Council is stepping up inspections to enforce fair pricing and safety, hinting at what to watch for in stores this festive season.
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Fiji’s CWM Hospital to Become Regional Medical Training Hub
Fiji’s CWM Hospital is gearing up for a dramatic upgrade that could reshape healthcare across the Pacific, turning it into a premier training and treatment hub. Backed by international lenders, the plan promises to elevate medical education, expand services, and create thousands of new jobs across the region.
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Home for the Holidays: A Family Christmas and Fiji’s Festive Safety Reminder
As Christmas approaches, a Khalsa family savors the simple joy of togetherness—shared meals, storytelling, and laughter that bind them. Their celebrations meet a practical reminder to stay safe and mindful this season, from securing homes to responsible gatherings, proving that the true magic lies in caring for one another.
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Fiji Family’s Christmas Blessings: Land, a Car, and a Quiet Sacrifice
During a festive season of hope and sacrifice, a Fiji family marks two major blessings—new land and a car—that change their everyday lives. Yet behind the smiles lies a father’s quiet vow to put family first, a reminder of resilience, faith, and the true spirit of Christmas.
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First-Generation Nurse Graduates After Balancing Motherhood and Studies
Against the odds, a mother pursues a nursing degree, balancing care for her newborn with demanding clinical training. This is a story of unwavering resilience, family support, and breaking barriers to reach a lifelong dream.
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Fiji Sugar Industry at Risk as Cabinet Moves Sugar Portfolio Under Agriculture
Opposition leader Inia Seruiratu warns that moving the Sugar Ministry under Agriculture could weaken the sector, arguing sugar deserves dedicated leadership due to its crucial role in the economy. He says the shift may add pressure to an industry already battling rising costs, declining productivity, and stalled reforms. Yet farmers greet the new minister with…
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Are Mothers Shortchanged by FNPF Medical Withdrawals?
An urgent family medical dilemma casts doubt on a national fund’s withdrawal policy, with a father arguing it unfairly restricts access for women and new mothers. As he sought help for his wife’s emergency C-section, questions arise about coverage gaps and policy consistency across hospitals — a debate that could reshape how families finance crucial…
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Fiji Birth Certificate Delays: Lost Forms, Remote Travel, and Stigma
New findings reveal a tangled mix of lost birth forms, grueling journeys to registries, and social stigma slowing birth registrations in Fiji—putting many children at risk of lacking official identity and access to vital services.
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Fiji Birth Registration Delays Put Children at Risk of Missing Services
Thousands of Fiji children are facing significant delays in birth registration, far beyond the legal timeframe. A new analysis highlights regional gaps and a disproportionate impact on iTaukei families, with serious implications for access to education, healthcare, and social protection. The findings point to systemic inconsistencies and an urgent need for reforms to ensure every…
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Labasa Campus Delays: $12 Million Spent, Sparks Accountability Questions
Labasa Campus was meant to transform local higher education, but years have passed with little to show. The stalled project now raises questions about oversight, accountability, and what it will take to finally deliver on the promise of a northern campus.
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Fiji Truth Commission Seeks Bainimarama and Speight as Key Witnesses in Restorative Justice Push
Fiji’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission takes a bold step in its healing journey, inviting two high-profile figures to participate as key witnesses in a restorative, voluntary dialogue. No accusations, just perspectives on the nation’s turbulent past—and a possible path toward unity.
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Fiji Seismology Seeks Public Reports After 5.1 Quake Near Cikobia Island
An evening tremor rattled a remote island, prompting scientists to seek eyewitness reports to better understand how the shaking felt on the ground. While authorities note there’s no tsunami danger, your experiences—how long the shaking lasted, any sounds you heard, and whether objects moved or fell—could help researchers assess the quake’s impact.
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Fiji Military Seizes Phone Linked to Drug Syndicates, Vows Zero-Tolerance
A mobile phone suspected of leaking sensitive military information has been seized as part of an internal probe. The RFMF affirms zero tolerance for misconduct, pledging accountability to protect national security and uphold integrity within the ranks.
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Fiji Drug Crisis Poses Existential Threat, Military Chief Urges Action
Fiji’s drug crisis is being called an existential threat by a top military commander, with warnings that families are already feeling its impact. As officials push for urgent, practical steps across security and social fronts, the nation faces a challenge that demands unity and real solutions.
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Fiji FLP Questions Tariff Hike Approval Over Public Consultation Gaps
Questions are being raised over the FCCC’s approval of a new electricity tariff for Energy Fiji Limited, with the Fiji Labour Party arguing the process lacked adequate public input. The debate hints at potential ripple effects for households and businesses, spotlighting the tension between regulatory decisions and community involvement.
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Fiji Electricity Tariffs: Independent Regulator Keeps Bills Low
An independent tariff review reshapes Fiji’s electricity prices, balancing affordability with reliability and a greener future. With protections for vulnerable households and a focus on sustainable development, the plan hints at a careful path forward for the nation’s power supply.
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Labasa couple’s medical negligence suit dismissed by Fiji High Court
A Suva High Court ruling ends a protracted medical negligence case, finding no breach of duty of care by the hospitals involved. The decision highlights the tricky path to proving negligence when post-surgery infections can arise from many sources.