Fiji freedoms curtailed

Commodore Frank Bainimarama, the leader of Fiji since a 2006 military coup, has imposed a state of emergency in that country.

Following a court ruling on April 9 that his government is illegal, Bainimarama fired the judges, abolished the constitution and removed foreign journalists and is now censoring domestic news. He says elections will be held in 2014 after the constitution is rewritten. The State Department advises visitors that although the country is calm on the surface, the situation could deteriorate rapidly, especially in the capital, Suva. Visitors are cautioned to avoid demonstrations.

To boost tourism and exports, the Reserve Bank of Fiji devalued the Fijian dollar by 20%.