News
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FDA Declines COVID Vaccine Black Box Warning, Sparking Safety Debate
An ongoing FDA safety debate on COVID vaccines is unfolding, focusing on warnings, dosing schedules, and the balance between risk and protection for different age groups. As regulators weigh rare but serious side effects against broader access, the conversation keeps evolving with new policy moves and fresh data from manufacturers.
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Ellington Wharf Reopens to Link Rakiraki and Nabouwalu, Boosting Ra Region’s Economy
Ellington Wharf reopens, signaling a fresh boost to transport links and local trade in Ra. The upgraded facility aims to deliver safer, more reliable journeys for passengers and freight, with accompanying road improvements set to spur regional growth and community development.
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Trump Considers Billion-Dollar Lawsuit Against BBC Over 2021 Speech Edit
Former President Donald Trump is weighing a multibillion-dollar lawsuit over a documentary he says edited his 2021 speech to mislead viewers. The looming dispute highlights questions about media fairness and how pivotal moments are portrayed.
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Fiji Local Elections: Will the Next Leaders Put Community First?
Local elections are approaching, with leaders urged to put community welfare above all. Expect a focus on real-world improvements—cleaner towns, better lighting, and responsive services—driven by vigilant voters. A nationwide push for civic education aims to empower citizens to make informed choices when the time comes.
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Fiji advances Police Act overhaul to restore public trust and uphold human rights
Fiji’s Police Act is entering a pivotal rewrite, with a Suva validation workshop shaping a modern, rights-based framework. As policing adapts to tech-enabled challenges, the focus turns to lawful, proportionate use of force and greater accountability—backed by international partners guiding the reform.
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Fiji Tightens Visa Rules and Publishes Overstayer Names to Protect Foreign Workers
Fiji’s Immigration Ministry is tightening safeguards for foreign workers and stepping up action against visa overstays, backed by international cooperation. The move highlights a strong welfare focus, accountability, and a growing role for Fiji as a safe, collaborative hub for film production.
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JetBlue Near-Miss with Military Jet Sparks ADS-B Safety Push
An alarming near-miss over the Caribbean had a commercial flight taking evasive action to avoid a military jet, sparking a heated debate among lawmakers about airspace safety and the tech that keeps civilian and military traffic apart.
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28 FRCS Staff Complete Pacific Leadership Programme
Twenty-eight staff members from Fiji’s Revenue and Customs Service are unlocking a new era of public service leadership after completing a Pacific Leadership Programme. The journey blended purpose-driven leadership with teamwork across Customs, Tax, and Corporate Services, culminating in a reflective Talanoa session with regional leaders. Their insights point to stronger collaboration, integrity, and service…
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Fiji Chief Ro Veidovi’s Remains Return Home After 186 Years
Ro Veidovi, a Fiji chief, returns home in a long-awaited moment that echoes across generations. A tale of memory, heritage, and the complex threads that bind a nation to its past.
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Hidden Counterfeits in Fiji Markets: Shoppers Urged to Speak Up
Counterfeit goods are infiltrating Fiji’s markets—from electronics to everyday fashion and cosmetics—putting shoppers at risk of substandard purchases. A leading consumer watchdog says many buyers can’t reliably tell the real from the fake, even at low prices. With a push for greater vigilance, the path to safer, smarter shopping could reshape the market.
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Fiji’s Ellington Wharf Reopens After Upgrade, Boosting Island Connectivity
Rakiraki’s Ellington Wharf reopens after a comprehensive upgrade, signaling safer, more reliable journeys between Fiji’s islands. The enhancements aim to boost local business and connectivity, hinting at a brighter future for travel and trade across the region.
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Trump Designates Fentanyl a Weapon of Mass Destruction, Expanding Military Tools Against Drug Trafficking
A dramatic shift reframes fentanyl from a public health crisis into a national security concern. The move signals a tougher, broader approach with new powers on the table—sparking questions about legality, strategy, and the road ahead. What comes next in this high-stakes showdown could redefine how the opioid epidemic is fought.
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Bondi Beach tragedy sparks Australia’s mental-health wake-up call
Bondi Beach’s tragedy has left a nation grappling with shock and grief. Mental health experts urge families to talk openly, shield children from distressing imagery, and lean on support networks as communities begin to heal.
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Fiji Pledges Support for Banaban Community as Rabi Marks 80-Year Milestone
On Rabi Island, the Banaban community marks 80 years since arrival as Fiji reaffirms its steadfast support. The moment highlights talks of governance reforms, electoral transparency, naturalization plans for Banabans and Kioans, and new infrastructure that could shape the community’s future.
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Oil Slick in Suva Harbour Raises Alarm for Coral Reefs
An early-morning fuel spill in Suva Harbour has raised alarms for marine life and nearby reefs. Eyewitness footage shows a spreading slick extending toward Nawanada Reef, as officials search for the source and the potential damage grows. The incident underscores the fragility of coastal ecosystems and the urgent questions it raises.
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Water Leak at Colonial War Memorial Hospital Antenatal Clinic Triggers Health Ministry Probe and Renovation Pause
An unexpected water leak at a hospital’s antenatal clinic has prompted swift action from health authorities. With repairs completed and safety checks in place, a broader investigation is now underway to guide long-term improvements and protect patient care.
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New Tractor Fuels Vunivutu Village Co-op’s Push Toward Semi-Commercial Farming
Motorized momentum for a village farm: a new tractor arrives in Vunivutu, promising to cut labor costs and unlock new, semi-commercial farming opportunities. The Mataqali Walana Cooperative plans to transform idle land into rice—then pineapples and root crops—through shared machinery and a community-driven push toward bigger yields.
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Fiji Opposition Demands Deeper Probe into Coup Era
Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu questions the Prime Minister’s Commission testimony, urging tougher questions and a deeper look at Fiji’s coup-era history. As calls for transparency grow, the debate hints at uncomfortable truths and a path toward accountability and national healing.
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Fiji Lawyer Joins Unity Fiji, Urges National Unity and Reform
Renowned lawyer and community leader Dorsami Naidu joins Unity Fiji, opting for unity over launching a new party. His move emphasizes transparent reforms, a commitment to law and order, and tackling Fiji’s pressing health and economic challenges—all with a vision for a more united nation.
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Fiji Urges Collective Action to End Violence Against Women and Girls
Grief grips the nation as violence against women and girls sparks a call for urgent, collective action. With the festive season approaching, a minister highlights safety, intervention, and vital support lines—1560, 1325, and 5626—to help those in need.
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Solicitor-General Urges Reform to Untangle Decades-Old Laws
Ropate Green warns that laws from the 1960s still steer today’s decisions, even as government needs evolve. The Solicitor-General calls for prompt reform to harmonize statutes with modern governance, urging ministries and drafters to identify obsolete Acts and rethink how new legislation is scoped and drafted.
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Fiji to Naturalise Banabans and Kioans, Boosting Belonging
Fiji moves toward naturalisation for the Banabans and Kioans, framing belonging and recognition as a cornerstone of national unity. With ongoing reforms and a milestone anniversary on Rabi Island, the journey toward fuller inclusion promises to reshape the nation’s future.
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Fiji Faces Urgent Call to Action as Violence Against Women Surges
– Four women, including a teenage girl, have died in Fiji in the past two weeks, underscoring the urgent need for safer homes and stronger community support. – A troubling surge in violence against women in Fiji is prompting leaders to call for decisive action to protect families and empower communities. – This tragedy casts…
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Fiji Sugarcane Sector Bets on $35M Funding and Unified Strategy
A bold shift is underway for Fiji’s sugarcane farmers as the Sugarcane Growers Fund refines its strategy with stronger planning, monitoring, and accountability. A refreshed framework and new funding plans hint at better support for sustainable returns and farmer protection, all while urging broader industry collaboration. The move promises to shape a more resilient future…
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Fiji Announces Bold Border Shake-Up to Tackle Trafficking
A new government push tightens border controls and escalates the fight against trafficking, backed by funding and modern data systems. An inter-ministerial drive promises tougher prosecutions and stronger victim support, aiming for a safer, more secure future.
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Fiji Boosts Anti-Trafficking Drive with Border Security Upgrades and Inter-Agency Reforms
New government steps aim to tighten border control and intensify the fight against human trafficking. A half-million-dollar investment and modern data systems sit at the center of a coordinated cross-ministry effort, backed by reforms to strengthen prosecutions and safeguard vulnerable communities.
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Fiji Bus Operators Push for National Transport Commission to Transform Public Transit
Fiji’s bus operators are pushing for a National Transport Commission to shape a National Public Transport Plan with industry voices at the table. With decades of service and millions of trips behind them, they say policy decisions must be guided by real‑world experience—spotlighting road conditions, fares, and permit concerns as urgent callouts.
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Banaban 80th Anniversary on Rabi Island Prompts Fiji Governance Reforms and Development Plans
On the 80th anniversary of the Banaban arrival on Rabi Island, Fiji renews its pledge to honor heritage while building a more inclusive future. From governance reforms to vital infrastructure, the milestone signals resilience, collaboration, and new opportunities for the Banaban community and the nation.
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Tonga Names 40-Year-Old Noble as Prime Minister, Marking a New Era
Lord Fakafanua, a 40-year-old noble, has been elected Tonga’s prime minister in a landmark vote—the first Noble Representative to hold the post in over a decade. The outcome ushers in a new era for Parliament and signals evolving leadership for the kingdom.
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Bondi Beach Shooting Stuns Sydney During Hanukkah Celebration
Tragedy struck Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration, leaving the community reeling. As investigators search for answers, leaders and neighbors rally together in a quiet plea for unity and healing.