Fiji

While addressing the media on Bau Island, Rabuka said Ratu Wiliame and Rev. Vunisuwai have both highlighted the real heart of re-establishing the GCC.

Rabuka added that the GCC is to look into the welfare of the people.

“What is it that the people of Fiji expect? They expect from the Bose Levu Vaka Turaga (GCC) wisdom and compassion, for it to be the source of all those things that we now have with the position of President. He is the fount of honor, the fount of mercy, and the fount of authority.”

The Great Council of Chiefs which was disbanded by the former Fiji First led government is meeting after 16 years.

The traditional opening ceremony of the Great Council of Chiefs has begun in Fiji, today.

The chief guest of today’s meeting is the Turaga na Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere who is also Fiji’s President.

While opening the traditional welcoming ceremony with a devotion, Methodist Church President Reverend Ili Vunisuwai said it’s crucial for the chiefs that will be part of the meeting to always know the sole purpose of the GCC meeting.

The warnings were issued just after 3pm by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre

The National Emergency Management Agency is currently assessing whether a large earthquake in the Pacific is a tsunami threat to New Zealand.

The earthquake was nearly 38 kilometres deep.

RNZ Pacific senior reporter Walter Zweifel said the warning broadcast for New Caledonia on RRB, a commercial radio station, applied to all islands, with people being asked to evacuate coastal areas for higher ground.

The team includes players like center Jordie Barrett, one of the best openside flankers in world rugby Ardie Savea, his brother Julian, former All Blacks prop Owen Franks, Fiji-born Kini Naholo and Salesi Rayasi and Isaia Walker-Leawere who have links to Fiji.

Some players that are not part of the team to play the Drua, include All Black halfback TJ Perenara, hooker Dane Coles and big lock, Dominic Bird.

The Hurrcanes take on the Drua on Saturday at 2.05pm (Fiji Time) in Suva.

Photo Credit: FBC News 

He has been released on $10,000 non-cash bail with two sureties.

Sayed-Khaiyum, who is charged with one count of abuse of office, appeared in court yesterday.

The charge relates to a report lodged by the Acting Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa.

Mataiciwa had lodged the report with Police in February.

It is alleged that Sayed-Khaiyum last year on June 30th and July 12th, while being the Acting Prime Minister, signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government and the then Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem.

The crown princess was received yesterday by Fiji’s Minister for Rural and Maritime Development Sakiasi Ditoka at the Nadi International Airport and Nausori International Airport respectively.

The Princess is accompanied by Denmark’s Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy Dan Jørgensen.

This historic royal visit to Fiji demonstrates the friendship between the two nations and it will further strengthen Fiji and Denmark’s cooperation in key development priorities such as climate change, women and girl empowerment, health, and awareness.

Head of delegation VCS director Johnny Marango said they were on a fact finding mission to observe the Yellow Ribbon Program, the business units and how FCS ran its rehabilitation and reintegration processes for inmates.

“In fact, we have been planning this trip for a few years and we are very glad it is now a reality,” Mr Marango said.

“It has been overwhelming for us to see how well the FCS has tailor-made its programs to suit the culture and Fijian society as a whole.

Sepuloni, who is also the Associate Foreign Affairs Minister for the Pacific, left for Solomon Islands, Fiji and Tonga on Sunday.

It would be an invaluable opportunity to strengthen New Zealand’s relationships and reaffirm the commitment to working alongside Pacific whānau to respond to challenges, Sepuloni said.

The region was the government’s “foreign policy priority”, Sepuloni said.

“We proudly take a Pacific-led approach to solving the issues facing the region, not least to mention, climate change.

Ratu Kaliova Dau and Mohammed Ramzan scored for Fiji while Kemly Lehi scored both the goals for Vanuatu.

In other matches today, New Caledonia will be facing the Solomon Islands at 7pm (Fiji Time) while Vanuatu will face the Solomon Islands at 4pm (Fiji Time) followed by the game between Fiji and New Caledonia also at 7pm (Fiji Time).

New Caledonia will face Vanuatu at 4pm (Fiji Time) on Friday followed by Fiji taking on the Solomon Islands at 7pm (Fiji Time) reportts FijiVillage.

Reports of a hike violence and criminal activities around popular nightlife areas have raised alarms bells for local authorities.

The move by the government comes following the death of a 26-year-old man died outside a nightclub in Suva last month.

RNZ Pacific reports Police confirmed the man died after sustaining injuries during an assault and two men have been charged with murder.