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More than 23,500 people affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela will receive humanitarian assistance from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Church has launched a humanitarian response that includes the distribution of about 5,000 relief kits<\/span> to support people in the affected communities.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> It says the response is being coordinated with humanitarian organisations and government authorities to assess the most urgent needs and ensure assistance reaches those who need it as quickly as possible.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The relief kits contain food, drinking water, hygiene items and other essential supplies.<\/span><\/p>\n Families staying in temporary shelters are also receiving mattresses, blankets and pillows as part of the initial phase of assistance.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The Church says the aid is available to anyone in need, regardless of their background or faith.<\/p>\n It is also preparing additional recovery projects to help families who have lost their belongings in the earthquakes.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The Church says it remains committed to supporting affected communities throughout their recovery.<\/p> Source: Church Newsroom� <\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Meta has restored a video message by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after saying it was removed from Facebook in error, amid concerns raised by the Indian government.<\/p> India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology summoned Meta's Global Head of Public Policy following the removal of the video, which was shared by Modi last week.<\/p> In the video, the Prime Minister addressed young people about the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged leaks in India's National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)<\/span> examinations.<\/p> Modi acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, saying the paper leak had caused immense distress to hundreds of thousands of students and their families.<\/p> He also announced that the Indian government would introduce tougher legislation to combat examination fraud, including the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026.<\/span><\/p> The proposed law includes prison terms of up to 10 years, higher fines for offenders, and the establishment of Special Fast-Track Courts to deal with offences under the Act.<\/span><\/p> The Prime Minister said the government had already taken action against those responsible for the paper leaks over the past two and a half months.<\/span><\/p> Meta has not provided any further details on how the video was mistakenly removed.<\/span><\/p> Source: Hindustan Times<\/p>","stitle2":"no","ssubtitle":"no","tagicons":"","url":"https:\/\/www.fijivillage.com\/news\/meta-restores-indian-pm-s-video-after-removing-it-in-error-790752\/","ntype":"WorldNews","dt":"29\/07\/2026","byline":"Priya Nand<\/a>","ntags":"India<\/a> World-News<\/a>"},"42":{"id":317788,"pic":"20260815100638_media_6a7f7033e21763_70966660.jpg","picdesc":"","title":"India marks 80th Independence Day","title2":"","subtitle":"","body":" India is celebrating its 80th Independence Day today, marking 79 years since the country gained independence from British rule on 15th August 1947.<\/span><\/p> Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the celebrations at the Red Fort Complex in Delhi amid patriotic fervour and multi-layer security.<\/span><\/p> For the first time, the National Song, 'Vande Mataram', will be rendered during the Independence Day celebrations.<\/span><\/span> Ceremonial events are scheduled to be held at state capitals and other cities and towns across the country, which will include flag-hoisting followed by cultural performances.<\/span><\/span><\/p> The day honours the sacrifices of those who fought for India’s freedom and celebrates the country’s journey since independence.<\/span><\/p> I<\/span>ndependence Day is marked with the raising of the Indian national flag, cultural programmes and celebrations across India and by Indian communities around the world.<\/span><\/p> Source: NDTV<\/span><\/p>","stitle2":"no","ssubtitle":"no","tagicons":"","url":"https:\/\/www.fijivillage.com\/news\/india-marks-80th-independence-day-0a5a93\/","ntype":"WorldNews","dt":"15\/08\/2026","byline":"Mansi Chand<\/a>","ntags":"India<\/a> World-News<\/a>"},"41":{"id":311746,"pic":"20260610155937_media_696077d69b4d80_12658639.jpg","picdesc":"Shein had its first physical pop-up shop in Madrid in 2022","title":"Shein picks France to open its first permanent outlets","title2":"","subtitle":"","body":" Asian fast-fashion giant Shein has chosen France as the location to open its first permanent physical outlets.<\/p>\n\n It will occupy concessions in department stores first in Paris, followed by five others in the cities of Dijon, Reims, Grenoble, Angers and Limoges.<\/p>\n\n Shein told the BBC on Thursday that France's \"influential global fashion market\" was a \"natural choice\" as the firm's testbed for physical stores.<\/p>\n\n The fashion brand has become best known for its discounted and trendy clothes, but has drawn criticism over its environmental impact and working conditions.<\/p>\n\n The company has previously opened temporary pop-up stores in cities such as Madrid and Paris, but has never operated a permanent physical shop.<\/p>\n\n The new outlets are being opened through a partnership with retail property group Societe des Grands Magasins (SGM). The French company runs the BHV Marais and Galeries Lafayette department stores that will house what Shein calls \"shop-in-shop\" outlets.<\/p>\n\n The outlets will create an estimated 200 jobs in France, Shein said in a statement, adding that the collaboration aimed to revitalise city centres and department stores in the country.<\/p>\n\n \"By choosing France as the place to trial physical retail, Shein aims to benefit French customers and the wider retail sector,\" the firm said.<\/p>\n\n This comes after the French Senate adopted a bill in June to regulate the fast-fashion industry by sanctioning companies, such as Shein and rival Temu, and banning their adverts.<\/p>\n\n Shein, which ships to more than 150 countries, has primarily operated online through its website and app.<\/p>\n\n Founded in China in 2008 and headquartered in Singapore, Shein has come under scrutiny over its production of fast-fashion goods. The business model rapidly produces low-cost clothes based on the latest styles, but has drawn criticism for its environmental impact.<\/p>\n\n Concerns have also been raised about the working conditions within Shein's supply chain.<\/p>\n\n An investigation published in 2024 by Swiss advocacy group Public Eye found that workers in some suppliers at one point worked for 75 hours a week, despite Shein promising to improve conditions.<\/p> [Source: BBC]<\/p>","stitle2":"no","ssubtitle":"no","tagicons":"","url":"https:\/\/www.fijivillage.com\/news\/shein-picks-france-to-open-its-first-permanent-outlets-1b2358\/","ntype":"Fashion","dt":"10\/06\/2026","byline":"fijivillage<\/a>","ntags":"Fashion<\/a>"},"40":{"id":315699,"pic":"20260604114940_media_6a1b46f597adf4_62111768.jpg","picdesc":"","title":"Best Male Model award opens new doors for Marist student","title2":"","subtitle":"","body":" Winning the Best Male Model award at the Fiji Fashion Week Student Designer Show came as a surprise to Marist Brothers High School student Samuela Waqaniburotukula, who says the opportunity has opened new doors for him.<\/p> Waqaniburotukula, who hails from Matuku in Lau, modelled for St Joseph Secondary School and credited the student designers for giving him the opportunity to take part in the competition.<\/p> The award-winning outfit was designed by Year 12 students Sina Tonu and Ilisapeci Bulilevukala.<\/p> The young designers say their collection, Serene, was inspired by peace and calmness, featuring shades of blue and white to reflect the beauty and purity of the ocean.<\/p> They say one of the standout pieces in the collection was a modern version of the traditional sulu vakataga, featuring buckles and fringe details.<\/p> The students say they faced challenges during the design process, including difficulties communicating and coordinating during the school holidays, but remained determined to complete the collection.<\/p> Tonu is encouraging young people interested in fashion to step out of their comfort zones and make the most of opportunities, saying success can come from trying something new.<\/p> Balancing a career in dentistry with the demands of the fashion industry has paid off for Anushka Chand, who was named Female Model of the Year at the Vodafone Fiji Fashion Week awards on Saturday night.<\/p> The 23-year-old model received the prestigious accolade at Vodafone Arena, capping off a journey that she says has helped her grow both personally and professionally.<\/p> Speaking to fijivillage News, Chand reflected on the valuable lessons she has gained through modelling and encouraged others to give it a try.<\/p> She says modelling had pushed her beyond her comfort zone and helped her develop confidence while introducing her to people from all walks of life.<\/p> Insert: Anushka - throws you into the deep end June 01<\/span><\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fijivillage.com\/news_images\/20260701090633_media_6a432917d1b7e4_43909945.jpg\")
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","url":"https:\/\/www.fijivillage.com\/news\/best-male-model-award-opens-new-doors-for-marist-student-4d1277\/","ntype":"Fashion","dt":"04\/06\/2026","byline":"Antornette Vuniuca<\/a>","ntags":"Fashion<\/a> FJFW<\/a> <\/a>"},"39":{"id":315757,"pic":"20260604115040_media_6a1e28eab71bf6_51698026.jpg","picdesc":"","title":"From dentistry to the runway: Anushka Chand named Female Model of the Year at FJFW","title2":"","subtitle":"","body":"