News
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USP expands hardship fund to FJD 1 million to help students cope with rising living costs
Facing rising transport, food and energy costs, The University of the South Pacific is boosting its hardship and bursary support to help students stay on track. The plan broadens eligibility while preserving teaching quality and services, signaling a proactive cushion for cost-of-living pressures across its regional campuses.
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Northern Vanua Levu Community Tourism Grants Rollout Faces Slow Start Despite Local Optimism
Community grants and a newly completed airport are heightening expectations for northern Fiji’s tourism, but operators say visible progress is still elusive. As plans advance, the real test will be clearer funding, stronger partnerships, and targeted training that can turn promise into sustainable, quality-focused growth.
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Northern Fiji Pursues Growth With More Flights, Improved Roads and Cruise Ship Controls to Draw Australian and New Zealand Visitors
Northern Fiji brims with reefs, villages and authentic experiences, yet stubborn access and infrastructure hurdles keep its tourism from flourishing. With talks on more flights, better roads, and cruise-ship policy shaping the plan, the region stands at a decisive crossroads for growth.
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Port Vila government fleet: only 20% pass roadworthiness inspections, underscoring a persistent compliance gap
Port Vila’s government fleet is facing a serious roadworthiness gap, with a large share of vehicles not meeting standards. Even enforcement vehicles are among those flagged, underscoring safety and readiness concerns as inspections continue.
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Solomon Airlines adds second weekly Brisbane–Espiritu Santo flight, boosting Vanuatu’s northern island tourism
Solomon Airlines expands its Brisbane to Espiritu Santo link with a second weekly direct flight, boosting access to Vanuatu’s northern islands. The move signals growing demand as the tourism sector rebuilds, offering a timely lift for Santo’s communities and travelers seeking smoother island connections.
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In Fiji, crushed red pepper flakes offer only a short-term pest deterrent, experts warn
Crushed red pepper flakes might seem like a quick pest fix for the garden, but new guidance says their effect is inconsistent and short-lived outdoors. Treat them as a minor deterrent within a broader IPM plan—stronger, longer-lasting protection may be needed for persistent pests.
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Fiji Chiefs Present i-reguregu for Ratu Epeli Nailatikau Ahead of Funeral
Traditional rites intensify in Fiji as the nation prepares to bid farewell to former president Ratu Epeli Nailatikau. Delegations from Kubuna and Tailevu, along with international observers, gather in solemn tribute ahead of the funeral.
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Narube Pushes Fiji to Keep Proportional System for 2026, Urges Public Education Before Any Electoral Reforms
With the 2026 vote looming, Unity Fiji’s Savenaca Narube is urging caution on electoral reform. He argues for keeping the current proportional system for the next election and stresses thorough voter education and broad public consultation before any big changes, warning that rushing to reform could strain finances and logistics.
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Fiji MP Biman Prasad Urges National Unity as Rabuka Cuts Ministers’ Pay to Ease Fuel Crisis
Amid Fiji’s fuel crisis, a prominent MP calls for unity over partisan politics, praising early relief measures and a ministerial pay cut as acts of sacrifice. He urges cooperation to stabilise supplies and shield households, signaling a push for coordinated leadership as the relief effort unfolds.
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Fiji PM Rabuka Defends Time Off in Lieu as Overtime Payouts End, Union Warns Frontline Workers Could Lose Income
Public servants face a shift from overtime pay to time off in lieu as cost-cutting measures take hold. As Prime Minister Rabuka defends the plan, unions warn the move could hit lower- and middle-income workers hardest by reducing earnings and increasing workloads.