The Great Council of Chiefs is calling for immediate constitutional reform to remove barriers preventing more women from entering Parliament, saying Fiji can no longer delay action on gender equality. In a statement, GCC Chairman Ratu Viliame Seruvakula highlighted that the time for discussions, studies, and promises has passed, and the government must now legislate measures that guarantee greater representation for women in national leadership. He stated that relying on political parties to decide how many women they endorse has failed to deliver meaningful change, with women continuing to be significantly underrepresented despite years of national dialogue. Ratu Viliame believes…
Author: admin_fijitimes
Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers have been urged to keep the region united and ensure Pacific priorities remain at the centre of international engagement as growing global interest in the region intensifies. Opening the 2026 Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Suva today, Chair and Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Rick Houenipwela told ministers there has “never been a more important time” for Pacific nations to stand together and speak with one voice. He stressed that while partnerships with global powers remain important, the Pacific’s agenda must continue to be shaped “by the Pacific, for the Pacific.” Houenipwela says the region…
REVIEW: Grange has established itself as Australia’s most recognisable and famous wine.
Fiji has recorded its highest-ever annual tax and customs revenue collection, with the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) collecting a net $3.51 billion in the financial year ending July 31, 2026, signalling continued resilience in business activity despite mounting global economic pressures. The record collection exceeded the Government’s annual revenue forecast of $3.374 billion by $136.2 million, while also surpassing last year’s collection of $3.485 billion by $25.8 million. FRCS Chief Executive Officer Udit Singh says the result reflects the strength of Fiji’s business sector and labour market at a time when economies around the world continue to grapple…
Three new age categories has been introduced into the Junior Category for this year’s Vodafone Suva Open Launch. The pilot program which was launched last year as part of an effort to encourage and introduce children to competitive tennis at a young age and foster a love for the sport has included the Unders 7, Unders 8 and the Unders 10. Three schools from last year’s pilot program will make their competitive debut at the 2026 Vodafone Suva Open, marking another milestone in Fiji Tennis’ grassroots development drive. Gospel Primary School, Holy Trinity Primary School, and St Anne’s Primary School…
The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection is urging parents and guardians to be more vigilant following the tragic death of a 12-year-old boy whose body was found in Wailoku after he was reported missing. While police investigations continue, the Ministry says the incident is a reminder that protecting children is a shared responsibility. It is calling on parents to know their children’s whereabouts, maintain open communication and ensure children are properly supervised. The Ministry also urged communities to remain alert and report concerns to authorities, stressing that safeguarding children requires the collective efforts of families, caregivers and the…
Four suspended police officers have been remanded in custody after the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon denied their bail application in connection with an alleged assault that reportedly took place in August 2024. Sevanaia Sedra, Ponipate Domolailai, Kurt Yee and Jonathan Whippy appeared before Senior Magistrate Sufia Hamza. The officers are jointly charged with one count of acts intended to cause grievous harm, while Sedra faces an additional charge of theft. It is alleged that the officers questioned Joeli Ledua for allegedly causing trouble at a barbecue stall on the morning of 25 August 2024, after which the alleged assault…
Aged care and disability support provider Brightwater Care Group has received a Lotterywest grant of almost $1 million for two WA-first projects to improve the lives of those experiencing dementia.
The battle for the 2026 Extra Fiji Secondary Schools Football Championship Open Girls title is set to intensify after the official pool draw was confirmed. Twenty qualifying teams have been placed into five pools ahead of the national championship, which will be held at Subrail Park in Labasa from August 19 to 22. Pool A features Central College, Rampur College, Waiqele College and All Saints Secondary School. Pool B includes Tavua College, MGM High School, Korovuto College and Dreketi Central College. In Pool C, Bucalevu Secondary School, Labasa College, Suva Muslim College and Nakasi High School will battle for a…
Hundreds of Fijians living with amputations are expected to regain their mobility later this year through a free artificial limb programme supported by the Government of India. The Indian High Commission has confirmed that the Jaipur Foot Camp will begin in October, providing artificial limbs to around 650 people in Suva, Nadi and Labasa. The initiative is aimed at helping people return to their daily lives by restoring their independence and mobility. “We are now going to hold a camp for providing artificial limbs to around 650 people in Fiji who have suffered amputations”. Every day 15 people or 20…