Author: TMC Palau
[Photo: FILE] Rising fiscal pressure is pushing Fiji toward a possible mini-budget in July. The move comes as the government weighs election costs, social spending and global price shocks. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the country remains financially stable for now. But he warns that conditions are tightening. He states that the current budget cycle will be completed. However, funds will need to be reallocated to keep services running.Article continues after advertisement “So what we will do is to consider the expenses or expenditure involved in these ones as we come to consider the budget after the 31 July end…
source: reuters Iran said on Thursday it was reviewing Washington’s latest position on ending the war after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested he was prepared to wait a few days to “get the right answers” from Tehran but warned of renewed attacks if it did not agree to a deal. “We have received U.S. views and are reviewing them,” Iranian state-run agency Nour News quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei as saying. Pakistan, which hosted peace talks last month and is acting as the conduit for messages between the two sides, continues to mediate between Tehran and Washington, he added,…
Chinese embassy staff in Nauru with government officials hosted a New Year Candy Parade on 2 January 2026. Photo: Facebook / China in Nauru Nauru’s government has issued a directive to all public servants and employees of state-owned enterprises in-country and abroad to adhere to the One-China Principle. The Cabinet directive comes as the Micronesian island nation marks its 58th constitution Day this week. In January 2024, Nauru became the first nation to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China just two days after Lai Ching-te was elected president. Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry at the time accused China of “offering…
source: reuters After a year of smaller bars, extra wafers and chocolate alternatives, at least one major chocolate maker is putting the cocoa back in — and others may follow suit — as a slump in bean prices since 2024 makes the traditional treat more profitable. The shift — driven by a near 70% slide in cocoa futures from late-2024 records — promises lower shelf prices for consumers, a demand recovery for cocoa farmers, and a partial reversal away from chocolate alternatives made with too little cocoa to qualify as chocolate. U.S.-based confectionery maker Hershey (HSY.N), opens new tab has…
[Source: File] McDonald’s Fijian Drua Women manager Eleina McDonald says the squad is determined to reclaim the Super W title and create history by securing its first-ever Super Rugby Aupiki victory. After winning the Super W competition in its first two seasons before missing out in the last two campaigns, the Drua Women are entering the new season with renewed hunger and belief. McDonald described the current group as a highly motivated squad eager to return to the top. “This is a very high-energy squad… this is a team that is gunning for winning this title.”Article continues after advertisement The…
[Photo: FCCC/ FACEBOOK] The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission has completed its review of applications relating to Energy Fiji Limited’s fuel surcharge and bus fare adjustments, confirming interim increases linked to continued volatility in global fuel prices. The FCCC says the review was undertaken in response to sustained fluctuations in fuel costs since March 2026, which have significantly increased operational expenses for essential service providers. In terms of the electricity fuel surcharge introduced, effective from 26 May 2026, an interim electricity fuel surcharge of 5.91 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) will be applied to existing tariffs. This brings the revised interim…
French Parliament Photo: AFP The French National Assembly on Wednesday voted to allow “native” voters to take part in local provincial elections scheduled for next month. However, the French parliament’s Lower House also refused to include their “spouses”, just like the Senate did two days earlier. Amid debates in Paris on Wednesday evening (Thursday NZT), the vote to include people who were born in New Caledonia since 1998 came at an absolute majority of 386 in favour and 127 against. But the vote on this “organic bill”, only weeks ahead of crucial elections to be held on in the French…
[Source: Fiji Rugby / Facebook] The return of Peceli Yato to the FIJI Water Flying Fijians is more than just a squad selection for the upcoming Nations Championship. It is the comeback of one of Fiji’s most destructive forwards, a player whose journey through setbacks, sacrifice and self-reflection has brought him back to the white jersey with renewed purpose. For Yato, the call-up to rejoin the national side ahead of the 2026 campaign stirred emotions that never faded despite time away from camp. “I was happy. Like any other Fijian rugby player, it’s a privilege to wear the white jersey,”Article…
source: reuters Parisian fashion house Chanel has drawn in shoppers who had never bought the brand before, as creative director Matthieu Blazy’s reinvented versions of classic bags, shoes and jackets drove demand that outstripped supply and a return to growth. The privately-owned company on Tuesday reported a 2% rise in revenue in 2025 in currency-adjusted terms to $19.3 billion. Chanel’s revenue had declined 4.3% in 2024 when even the most high-end fashion labels reached the limits of demand after making big price hikes in a post-pandemic luxury boom. Blazy, who took over from Virginie Viard last year and presented his…
BarcelonaThe arrest of Jonathan Andic, son of Mango founder Isak Andic, introduces a new variable into the equation that was the death of the historic Catalan fashion businessman. Andic’s passing in December 2024, long treated as a tragic accident, forced a reorganization of the ownership and businesses of the Principality’s fashion giant. As early as January 2025, the three children divided the executive positions of Punta Na Holding, the company that holds 95% of Mango’s ownership through Mango MNG Holding; as well as the family’s patrimonial company, which also operates under the same umbrella. The eldest son, Jonathan, took over…