Fiji

2 deaths, 19 new Covid cases in Fiji

The Ministry of Health says the first Covid-19 death is a 64-year- old man from Suva.

He was presented at a health centre on 23 December with pre-existing medical conditions and later tested positive for Covid-19.

FijiVillage reports the Ministry also says he later passed away on the same day.

He was vaccinated with 2 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The Ministry says the second death reported was of a 34-year-old female Tuvaluan citizen living in Fiji since 2018.

She was admitted at the CWM Hospital in Suva with diabetes complications on 6 December.

Fiji’s new PM addresses nation

Rabuka, who has assumed the role of head of government for the second time in his political career delivered his inaugural statement to the people of Fiji via the state's social media.

Fijian voters voted out Frank Bainimarama's FijiFirst government's stronghold on the nation's governance after two terms in power, signalling their appetite for change.

Rabuka's message to his fellow citizens was one promising a better and united Fiji for all.

"Our country is experiencing a great and joyful awakening," he said.

Fijis New for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua asks Police Commissioner to resign

Pio Tikoduadua says the commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho has however asked that they follow the process of the Constitutional Offices Commission.

Minister Tikoduadua said he respects his decision, and we will let the law take its course.

The Minister added he has no issue with the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

A border alert has been issued by Fiji's Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for Opposition MP and former Attorney General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Fiji tourism smashes 2022 targets

One of the hallmarks of Fiji's tourism industry is the world-class hospitality of the Fijian people.

Thanks to this kind of dedication from Fijian hospitality staff like Asenaca Nitayaqa - who you will meet properly a little later - the industry is on track to smash all its expectations for a recovery in 2022.

Fiji Tourism chief executive Brent Hill said at the start of the year they had set a goal to try and achieve visitor numbers of around 400,000.

They are now on track to almost doubling that number.

Sitiveni Rabuka is Fiji's new prime minister

Rabuka was elected with 28 votes to 27.

"It was a very close margin," Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa) youth forum president Ben Daveta said.

From the polls to parliament, every decision was balanced on a knife's edge.

First, no party gained an outright majority to rule.

Then it took the king-makers Sodelpa two split-votes to choose a coalition partner -- and even in the final secret ballot to elect a prime minister, someone in the opposition ranks voted for the other side.

It has been a frantic time, Daveta said.

New chapter for Fiji - Rabuka to lead coalition

There were jubilant scenes in Suva overnight as the kingmaker in Fiji's general election, the Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa) declared it was partnering with the People's Alliance (PA) and the National Federation Party (NFP) to form a new coalition government to end FijiFirst's eight-year reign.

The decision was made in a secret ballot by Sodelpa's 30-member management board - 16 voted in favour of the PA-NFP alliance and 14 for FijiFirst - after three days of intense negotiations.

Pacific travel gathering steam for summer as Kiwis look to reconnect and relax

After more than two years of the Covid-19 pandemic and border closures, the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai volcano eruption and tsunami, this trip was going to be special.

He was taking a big group of 15, including his mother, son, his two sisters and their children.

“It’s Christmas, and it’s a time for family – we’re all just looking forward to being back home together,” he said.

“Mum is really looking forward to seeing her sister who is old now, so we just want to spend as much time with her as we can.

 

Fiji Elections Office gives time frame of results

With Election Day on Wednesday, the FEO said there will be provisional results rolled out all night until 7am Thursday.

All the results will be loaded and the outcome will be released at least four days after poll day.

Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem said this all depends on what happens with the provisional results.

“This is not predictable unless, of course, it’s a major difference in votes. But if it is not conclusive by 7am like the US election, you will have to wait until we finish data entry of all the results in four days.”

Fiji, Samoa face tough groups in sevens

In the men's, Fiji is in pool A with hosts South Africa, France and Canada.

Samoa is in pool B, with Ireland, Uruguay and Japan.

On the women's side, Fiji will play New Zealand, Great Britain and Brazil in pool play.

The tournament - leg three of 10 tournaments - consists of 16 men's and 12 women's teams.

     

Local Fijian fashion designer determined to showcase his talent on world stage

The Guardian reports the 25-year-old recently landed a job as a junior garment technician at Zimmermann, one of Australia’s most successful fashion labels.

His most recent collection of sensuous women’s wear with traditional Fijian designs landed him on the pages of the fashion magazine, Vogue Australia.

The Kadavu native says the journey has not been easy.

The Fiji fashion community raised money for his fees which enabled him to complete his training at the Fashion Design Studio at Tafe New South Wales.