BACK IN HISTORY | Ratu off to India

On July 12, 1998, The Fiji Times wrote about a young student who was awarded a scholarship to study at Pune in India. Evelina Ratu, a sixth former at Sigatoka Methodist, was awarded an Indian Government scholarship by the Fiji Girmit Council....

Arson attacks on cane farms strain mill, says Singh

There have been numerous arson incidents on sugar cane farms in the West, putting pressure on the Lautoka mill to process burnt cane as quickly as possible, says Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh. He assured...

Afghanistan’s cellphone, internet services down after Taliban ordered cut

[Source: Reuters] The Taliban have ordered internet and mobile phone data services to be cut across Afghanistan, diplomatic and industry sources said. As residents and monitoring services reported no connectivity and disruption to flights and...

Sink or swim: Can island states survive the climate crisis?

Small island nations across the world are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis, and their problems have been accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely affected their economies, and their capacity to protect themselves from...

Domestic Agrifood Systems review meeting underway

The 2nd Annual Review and Planning Meeting (ARPM) of the Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agrifood Systems (STODAS) project is underway in Honiara this week. Minister for Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Franklyn Derek Wasi, officially opened...

Drug testing for police officers

Compulsory drug testing for Fiji’s police force is on the table as Government cracks down on police involvement – while balancing officers’ human rights. “That’s a good question, and it’s a relevant question, and it’s something that we have been...

Real estate heavyweights back Villaraigosa’s 2026 bid for governor

It was the personal touch that won over Jay Luchs when Antonio Villaraigosa — a Democrat making his second run for California governor — called to talk about real estate. “I respect him for picking up the phone and calling me to talk business...

PEOPLE | Apisalome’s journey

After serving 24 years with the British Army, Apisalome Naqasima, a villager of Lawai in Nadroga, wants to return to Fiji and contribute to nation-building by participating in the next general elections. But before he steps into a role where he...

Nations openly violating global norms: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday stressed that India is standing ‘strong” in upholding international rules based order and flagged that some nations are “openly violating” the international rules, while many others are wanting to create...

300 to attend GIS conference

MORE than 300 delegates from the region and around the world will meet in Fiji in November for the annual Pacific Islands GIS and Remote Sensing (PG&RS) User Conference. Pacific GIS and Remote Sensing Council (PGRSC) board chairperson Bradley...

Ministry assesses restoration progress at Rarawai Mill

Source: Supplied The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Sugar Industry, Dr. Vinesh Kumar, visited the Rarawai Sugar Mill today to witness first-hand the damage caused by the recent fire and to review the progress of restoration works. This...

Cane growers to receive full final payment after waiver of deductions

Cane farmers will receive their full final payment for the 2024 season today following the Government’s decision to waive all statutory deductions and loan repayments, a move welcomed by the Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC) as a major relief for...

PNG represented on global stage at IAPH World Ports Conference in Japan

PNG Ports’ CCO Deborah Onga with other presenters from around the world at the 2025 World Ports Conference, Japan. Credit: PNG Ports PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNGPCL) proudly announces the participation of its Chief Commercial Officer, Ms....

Kelly Slater Heartbroken as Surfing Community Lost Popular Resort Owner

Jamie Isbell, the pioneer who gave vision to the surfing destination of Tavarua Island Resort, and helped surfers to explore the surf breaks like the ‘Cloudbreak’ and ‘Restaurants’ passed away in her sleep on October 13. She helped build a surf...

NZ fire assessor engaged to lead Rarawai Mill damage assessment

The independent fire assessor from New Zealand, has been engaged to provide a comprehensive assessment of the Rarawai Mill fire incident. Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Sugar Industry, Dr. Vinesh Kumar visited the Rarawai Mill to witness...

Vili’s Family Bakery appoints new CEO

The company was founded by the late Vili Milisits and wife Rosemary in 1967, and has been led by their daughter, Alison Milisits, and the family since 2021. Alison will transition into the role of managing director and onto the newly established...

Science The Independent World reaches first climate tipping point as scientists issue urgent warning

The planet has crossed its initial climate tipping point, with scientists warning that global warming is now causing widespread diebacks of warm-water coral reefs. A landmark report, published on Monday, reveals that escalating temperatures are...

RBF rolls out reforms to strengthen insurance sector

file photo The country’s insurance industry hit record levels last year, posting $476 million in gross premiums and growing assets to $2.9 billion. The Reserve Bank of Fiji released its 2024 Insurance Annual Report after it was tabled in...

How 1982 coup shattered retired teacher's dream of top government job

James Luvai at his home in Nabiswa Ward, Kiminini Sub-County, Trans Nzoia County [Nanjinia Wamuswa, Standard] James Luvai, a retired secondary school teacher, sat front row to Kenya’s history. Attending the Kapenguria Six trials and hosting the...

Under the blue helmet: India’s contribution to global peace

The Indian Army, among the world’s largest contributors of troops and observers to the United Nations (UN) for undertaking peacekeeping missions, is hosting United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ (UNTCC) Chiefs’ Conclave in New Delhi from...