Fiji

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has criticised Sitiveni Rabuka's administration, saying it is putting its political survival ahead of the people's needs.

Women's rights advocates say introducing special measures is neither discriminatory nor a breach of the 2013 Constitution, but the country's prime minister disagrees.

The impact of the diplomatic tussle between Washington and Beijing is being felt in Fiji as the two countries' ambassadors take shots at each other.

This comes after a social media user shared a clip of the incident, which showed at least five masked men attacking the crew with spades, brooms, and frozen fish.

"I do not travel to take advantage of taxpayers. I travel because my job demands it," Pio Tikoduaduako says.

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says they are stepping up their cooperation with Fiji to address growing regional challenges.

In the latest update from Fiji's Metservice, issued overnight, the cyclone was moving south-southeast at about 20 knots.

The country's tourism minister says key tourism areas are not affected, as local authorities try to tackle a dengue outbreak.

New Asian destinations, where the New Zealand dollar is strong, have increased in popularity.

The Health Ministry has reported a total of 1090 confirmed cases of dengue fever from 1 January to 23 March this year.

One of Fiji's largest kava farmers to export to the US says the Trump administration's tariffs means "Americans are going to end up paying the additional cost".

The Fijian Prime Minister says his government "did not see it coming", but the country "will have to weather the storm and roll with the punches".

"We will not be affiliated under the leadership of RubyAnn Sorovaki-Bainimarama and the executives," says Suva Netball Association president Alumeci Vosararawa-Sachs.

Villagers from Navunikabi in Namosi Province were joined by the head of Fiji's Catholic Church on Friday to deliver a petition to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.