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7th February
Singh’s claim ‘grossly overstated’
Former Fiji Sugar Corporation executive chairman and CEO Abdul Khan says Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh’s claim that he was paid a salary of $802,800 per annum was “grossly overstated”. He said Mr Singh “should...
U.S. working to recover suspected Chinese spy balloon
(Reuters) – The United States is working to recover a suspected Chinese spy balloon that was shot down off the coast of South Carolina, according to a statement released by the Pentagon on Sunday. “Our U.S. Navy component is currently conducting recovery operations, with the U.S. Coast Guard assisting in securing the area and maintaining...
Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s pay package – Amrit: We have proof
Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) board chairman Ajay Bhai Amrit says he has receipts to prove former FBC chief executive officer Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum received an annual package of $387,790.08 inclusive of benefits and entitlements. He said this worked out to $32,315.84 per month Mr Amrit also said they had evidence in the form of payslips and...
Turkey earthquake of magnitude 7.9 shakes central region, Syria
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – A strong earthquake of magnitude 7.9 struck southern Turkey early on Monday and was felt in Cyprus, Lebanon and Syria, collapsing buildings and sending residents into the snowy streets, witnesses and broadcasters said. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said the quake struck at a depth of 10 km (6...
Chinese community commended for contributions to the nation
The Chinese community in Fiji was commended for its numerous contributions and achievements and have been encouraged to continue to grow and to contribute to the developments that will bring hope and common good for everyone. President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere said this while officiating at the Chinese New Year -Lantern Festival Gala held at the...
Landmark Hong Kong national security trial starts 2 years after arrests
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Sixteen Hong Kong pro-democracy figures face trial on Monday, more than two years after their arrest, in what some observers say is a landmark case for the city’s judicial independence under a national security law imposed by Beijing. The defendants are those who pleaded not guilty out of 47 arrested in...
Australia PM pushes for bipartisan support on Indigenous referendum
SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will push for bipartisan support on a referendum that aims to set up an Indigenous consultative committee in parliament, when it meets on Monday for the first time this year. The landmark referendum, to be held later this year, will establish an Indigenous “Voice”, that can make representations...
Ministry a proud partner of UNFPA
The Ministry of Women of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is a proud partner of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in targeting the most vulnerable of our women and children. Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Lynda Tabuya highlighted this to the delegation from UNFPA that paid her courtesy call yesterday. Ms Tabuya...
Asia shares skid, dollar gains as yields spike
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Asian shares slipped on Monday after a run of upbeat economic data from the United States and globally lessened the risk of recession, but also suggested interest rates would have to rise further and stay up for longer. Bond markets took a beating in the wake of stunning reports on jobs and...
Batch 56 march into training
Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew yesterday reminded 185 Police recruits including officers from Nauru and Tuvalu who are part of the Basics Recruits Course training for Batch 56 that the policing profession was one that required empathy, patience, loyalty, dedication, honesty and adaptability. While opening the three-month training at the Fiji Police Academy...
What’s happening today!
Bula vinaka everyone. Here is another edition of some basic information you may need to know for today. First, here is your weather forecast for today: Weather A trough of low pressure lies just south of Fiji and is expected to gradually drift north over the group today. Associated cloud and showers are anticipated to...
From the Editor-in-Chief’s desk: Your February 7 briefing
Bula The big one on the front page of The Fiji Times for Tuesday, February 7 is about the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation saga. Board chairman Ajay Bhai Amrit says he has receipts to prove what he said about the former CEO. Read about that in The Fiji Times. REGULAR SECTIONS Check out the regular sections...
Dollar on the front foot after robust U.S. jobs data, yen falters
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – The dollar extended its rally on Monday after a strong U.S. jobs report suggested the Federal Reserve could stay hawkish for longer, while the yen was hit by news the Bank of Japan’s Deputy Governor Masayoshi Amamiya was being sounded out to be the next governor. The Nikkei newspaper reported, citing anonymous...
Australia’s biggest state unveils plan for cashless poker machines
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The leader of Australia’s most populous state on Monday unveiled a plan to make all poker machines cashless within five years to fight money laundering and problem gambling, setting up a political battle ahead of a state election next month. New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said his government would make every...
At least 24 dead in Chile as wildfires spread, driving many to flee for safety
SANTIAGO (Reuters) -Firefighters battled dozens of raging wildfires in Chile on Sunday, seeking to gain control of one of the country’s worst natural disasters in years as the death toll rose to at least 24 with nearly 1,000 more injured. International help began arriving on Sunday from a handful of countries that have pledged resources,...
U.S. military says it is searching for remnants of Chinese spy balloon
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. military said on Sunday it is searching for remnants of the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon it shot down the previous day, in a dramatic spy saga that has further strained American-Chinese relations. The U.S. Navy is working to recover the balloon and its payload and the Coast Guard is providing...
Oil prices edge higher as IEA’s Birol talks up China demand outlook
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Oil prices inched up in early trade on Monday after falling around 8% last week to more than three-week lows as jitters over major economies outweighed signs of a demand recovery in China, the world’s top oil importer. Brent crude futures crawled up 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $80.10 a barrel at...
6th February
Renault, Nissan to fill in the blanks on their rejiggered alliance
LONDON (Reuters) – Nissan and Renault on Monday are set to unveil details of their redesigned alliance and answer questions about Renault’s electric vehicle (EV) business and how it will sell off most of its stake in the Japanese carmaker. The two companies announced a sweeping remake of their two-decade-old automaking alliance last month, which...
Japanese artist turns heads with freaky flesh-like accessories
(Reuters) – A Japanese DJ has found a new calling making freaky flesh-like accessories such as severed finger ink stamps, pendants with blinking eyes and purses with gaping mouths and stubble, inspired by horror movie special effects. After his first artwork in 2017 was pictured on the cover of his debut album – a music...
Actor Viola Davis achieves elite EGOT status with Grammy win
(Reuters) – Actor Viola Davis on Sunday won a Grammy for her audio recording of her memoir “Finding Me,” granting her entry into the elite ranks of EGOT winners with an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony award. Davis is the third Black woman to earn this title, and the 18th person in...
Mala in a man’s world
In a sea of tough looking customs agents, Raveena Mala stands out from the crowd. The reason for this is she is not only short and lean but because she works in a predominantly male field. The Vunika, Labasa, native has been a customs agent for 12 years. And she says the journey is far...
At Sunday’s Grammys, will Beyonce finally win top honor of best album?
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Pop superstar Beyonce, winner of more Grammy awards than any other female artist, has never taken home the coveted album of the year trophy at the music industry’s highest honors. That could change on Sunday, according to industry experts and awards pundits, although it is not a sure thing in a...
Hair salon stands the test of time
Vijay’s Hair Salon has stood the test of time for more than three decades. Vijay Chinnaiya, the man who established the hair salon way back in 1991, was the late Tui Vuda and former president Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda preferred hair dresser right until his demise. Mr Chinnaiya, 70, better known in the Sugar City...
Back in history: The fishing base
About 59 years ago, a Japanese government minister for Agriculture came to Fiji looking for a suitable fishing base. His choice was Levuka on Ovalau because of the abundance of fresh water which was vital for freezing works. That’s how the Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO) was established there. It was registered in 1963 as a...
Pakistan’s former President Musharraf, key U.S. ally against al Qaeda, is dead
ISLAMABAD/DUBAI (Reuters) – Pakistan’s former President Pervez Musharraf, a key U.S. ally in the campaign against al Qaeda following the militant group’s Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, died in Dubai on Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was 79. Musharraf, a former four-star general who seized power after a 1999 military coup, died in hospital in...
Chris Hipkins to look into Pacific overstayer petition
New Zealand’s new Prime Minister has agreed to look at an overstayer petition that was launched by Pacific community leaders almost three years ago. The petition calls for pathways to residency to be established for Pasifika overstayers under compassion grounds. The petition has 11,119 signatures. The Petitions Committee recommended that Parliament take note of it....
Samsung to help digitise school system
One of the world’s popular android mobile producers, Samsung has been roped in by the Ministry of Education to improve the country’s school system’s digital learning tools. A workshop held in Nadi between Samsung New Zealand and the Ministry of Education focused on the digitisation of Fiji’s school system using the global brand. While closing...
Achari takes up new role
The Marriott Group has appointed a Fijian woman as their new cluster sales manager for the New Zealand market. In a statement, the hotel chain announced University of the South Pacific graduate Lavon Achari had taken the regional post from January 23. Ms Archari has extensive experience in the tourism industry having worked at Novotel...
Tourists conscious of environment – Hill
Tourists are now demanding a level of sustainability in terms of protecting the environment, says Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill. He said they needed to step up to these demands. “What I am very conscious of – looking at around the world – you see social media images of other tourism destinations like Fiji where...
Checks, balances – PM: Coalition Government to ensure consistency, transparency
The decision-making machinery to be adopted by the coalition Government will put in place checks and balances and ensure inclusiveness, coordination, consistency, transparency and accountability in decision making. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka highlighted this in a news conference yesterday. He said Cabinet has reviewed the decision-making machinery of Government with the objective to improve co-ordination...
