Author: ngewakl

National Secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, Felix Anthony. [Photo: FILE] Submission has been made to the Constitution Review Commission calling for greater authority to be given to the Public Service Commission. National Secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, Felix Anthony, raised concerns over Section 127 of the Constitution, particularly the powers granted to Permanent Secretaries in managing public service employment matters. He argued that these powers should instead fall under the Public Service Commission to ensure greater accountability and consistency in public service appointments and management. Giving the power of recruitment and promotion to PSC will ensure…

[Photo: FILE] Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has reaffirmed the government’s support for the proposed waste-to-energy project in Viseisei, Vuda. Speaking on the Radio Fiji One programme Voqa ni Davui, he said the government remains committed to progressing the project. However, Rabuka stressed that proper processes will be followed, including a thorough review of concerns raised during public consultations. The proposed development has attracted mixed reactions, with more than 1,000 petition signatures and over 3,000 written and online submissions, as the government continues to pursue its implementation.Article continues after advertisement “There has been a delay in discussions, but as a government,…

NASINU, FIJI — The Fiji National University (FNU) will now lead the Pacific Women’s Leadership and Climate Change Resilience Training Programme. This marks a significant step forward in strengthening regional capacity for inclusive and climate-responsive leadership. This development follows the successful completion of the recent Asian Development Bank (ADB)-supported Women’s Leadership and Climate Change Resilience Training, in which FNU representatives participated together with other regional stakeholders to build skills in leadership, governance, and climate resilience. The programme will be implemented under the umbrella of the University’s Center for Leadership, Governance and Security framework under its Leadership Pillar. This will complement ongoing…

THE Government of Tonga has decided to remain at Level One (Green) under the Tonga Fuel Controls Framework following a recommendation from the Inter-Cluster Coordinating Committee, officials said. This indicates early signs of fuel supply risk, but authorities say overall supply remains stable. The government urged households and businesses to adopt fuel-saving practices amid rising global tensions that continue to push up fuel prices. Officials said a Pacific Energy shipment was due to arrive in Tonga this weekend, followed by a TotalEnergies supply during the week. The Prime Minister’s Office will host a press conference to provide further updates on…

WE have been writing about the growing number of Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme workers since 2022, with the most recent update in 2024. Now we have some good news: while asylum seeking among PALM workers is still a serious problem, the number has fallen substantially over the last couple of years. Over the decade prior to the pandemic, there was an escalation in the number of visitors to Australia (from all around the world, not just the Pacific) lodging bogus claims for protection in order to gain unrestricted work rights and access to Medicare for several years while…

THE Fijian Drua threatened the Waikato Chiefs with an explosive start when tight head prop Mesake Doge scored a try just three minutes into the match. Rattled, the Chiefs but soon regained their composure and started to dictate the pace. They dominated at scrum time and were rewarded with penalties. Kicking for touch, they were clinical in the lineouts before driving hard in the rolling maul. Hard running number eight, Wallace Sititi, was the enforcer for the Chiefs forwards. The Drua had to really neutralize him. Quinn Tupaea was at his usual best midfield making solid runs to really test…

SAMOA’S Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt remains hospitalised in Auckland after being admitted to Middlemore Hospital shortly after arriving in the country last week. He was taken to the hospital’s Coronary Care Unit (CCU), with concerns relating to his heart and lungs, according to earlier comments by Acting Prime Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo. Local media have withheld specific medical details, citing privacy and ethical considerations. The prime minister was medically evacuated from Apia and arrived via Auckland International Airport, disembarking at a private facility. Prior to his departure, he told the public in a Facebook livestream that he was travelling…

THE Fiji Government says fuel supply remains stable despite global price spikes, as Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka urged calm and outlined a $FJD 56 million package to ease cost pressures on households and key services. “Fuel is available. Government is acting. And Fiji is prepared,” Rabuka said, as he sought to reassure the public that supplies are adequate and that mitigation measures are being rolled out in response to rising international fuel costs. In a national address, Rabuka said Fiji had around 45 million litres of fuel in onshore storage as of 19 April 2026, with a further 22 million…

CYBER threats during natural disasters are a growing concern that can worsen humanitarian crises and cyberattacks on critical infrastructure during natural disasters pose the biggest emerging risk. “GPS interference can misdirect relief efforts, delaying aid delivery,” said Dr Carlo Masala, Professor from the University of Munich, Federal Republic of Germany. “Power outages caused by cyberattacks can endanger lives in hospitals and emergency services, and these attacks require specialised cyber defences aligned with disaster response plans. “The interconnectedness of digital systems increases vulnerability to such attacks.” He said small Pacific nations must prioritise cyber resilience as part of disaster preparedness. “Cyber vulnerabilities can amplify…

HYBRID threats are deliberate campaigns aimed at weakening governments through misinformation, cyberattacks, and disruptions to critical infrastructure. It is a standalone national security risks that use disinformation and cyberattacks to undermine government trust and operations. “These campaigns spread false information rapidly through social media and digital platforms. Unlikne Cold War disinformation, current campaigns unfold globally within seconds,” said Professor Dr Carlo Masala, Conference Chair, Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies (CISS), Bundeswehr at the University of Munich, Federal Republic of Germany. “Hybrid threats operate independently and are not just preludes to military actions, and Governments must treat them as seriously as…