Author: TMC Palau

[Photo: Water Authority of Fiji/FACEBOOK PAGE] Cabinet has endorsed a 10-year plan aimed at improving the management and protection of Fiji’s water resources. The Fiji Integrated Water Resources Management Plan will be led by the Department of Water and Sewerage, working alongside relevant government agencies. The plan focuses on strengthening water governance, improving water quality monitoring, preparing for floods and droughts, and protecting Fiji’s watersheds and ecosystems. The government says the initiative will support long-term water security, climate resilience, and sustainable development, ensuring water resources are managed for future generations.Article continues after advertisement Source link

[File Photo] The Finance Ministry says Fiji may need to fundamentally rethink government spending priorities, including the size and structure of the public sector, as operating costs continue to consume a significant share of the national budget. Permanent Secretary for Finance Shiri Goundar says the 2026–2027 Budget signals a move towards stronger fiscal discipline and increased investment in development projects. However, he warns deeper structural decisions may be needed if spending pressures continue. Speaking at a post-budget forum, Goundar says there is growing recognition that government expenditure has expanded significantly over the years, with operating costs now taking up a…

Political leaders and community advocates in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) have welcomed a US Supreme Court ruling reaffirming birthright citizenship.They say it strengthens constitutional protections for children born in America and has important implications for the US commonwealth.CNMI’s delegate to the US Congress Kimberlyn King-Hinds said she respected both the court’s decision and the constitutional process behind it.”Like many Americans, I’ve been following the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship case very closely. Now that the Court has spoken, I respect its decision and, just as importantly, I respect the constitutional process that got us here,” King-Hinds said.She…

The Rakiraki Town Council has raised concerns over a proposed provision in the Public Health Amendment Bill which will allow environmental health officers to enter private properties with only an identification card. The council told the Standing Committee on Social Affairs that the power could be misused and believes there should be additional safeguards, such as prior notice or a court order in some cases. Rakiraki Town Council Chief Executive, Sailosi Sawana says while public health enforcement is important, stronger safeguards are needed to protect both residents and officers. “On point seven, RTC do not agree with clause 14 that…

[Source: Reuters] Youri Tielemans struck a 125th-minute ​penalty as Belgium rallied from two goals down and defeated Senegal 3-2 after extra time in their World Cup last ‌32 clash in Seattle on Wednesday to keep alive their title hopes that had looked dead and buried. Senegal’s Lamine Camara slid in on Tielemans as the ball flashed across the face of goal and conceded the spot kick after a video assistant referee review, with the Belgian ​picking out the top corner to complete an extraordinary comeback. Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr had given Senegal a ​deserved 2-0 lead and they looked…

[Source:BBC Sport] The Wales rugby team is back on track for their Nations Championship clash against the Fiji Water Flying Fijians this weekend after their preparations had been disrupted by a dispute with the Welsh Rugby Union over match fees. Wales’s build-up was impacted by off-field issues that were resolved three days ago. According to the BBC, talks were held between Welsh rugby’s governing body and the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association (WRPA) over “employment terms,” and an agreement was reached this morning to ensure the Fiji game will go ahead. Wales were due to have a press conference today but…

Global aid forecasts have small island developing states “among the hardest hit individually” as aid spending reaches new lows.The OECD, which tracks their wealthy member states’ Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), is projecting a 6.9 percent drop this year. Last year, it was 23.3 percent.In a report, it noted this would make for the lowest global ODA level since 2014, with health spending down to pre-pandemic levels.”Most reductions come from a small number of the largest providers,” the report noted, referring to European countries, and the United States.”Many highly aid-dependent countries rely on a small number of providers, increasing vulnerability to…

PS Gounder at Dialogue Fiji event Fiji Airways investment in the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa and its flight routes and frequency are in the spotlight, says Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Shiri Gounder. Speaking at Dialogue Fiji’s National Budget Forum last night, he said Fiji Airways needs to look at ways it can reduce costs in light of the 5% tourism tax being introduced to support the airline and the $200 million loan guarantee by the State for the national carrier. Gounder was responding to questions asked by Dr Ahmed Shakeel Shariff from the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.…

[File Photo] ANZ Senior Pacific Economist, Dr Kishti Sen, says the 2026-27 National Budget assumed a worst-case set of economic assumptions to project revenue. Dr Sen says the forecasts assume real GDP growth of 1.5% in 2026 with nominal GDP rising of four percent versus baseline assumptions of three percent and 5.5% respectively. He states that the worst-case scenario assumes a “period of heightened external and domestic challenges, including weaker global growth, natural disasters and lower investor confidence.” However, Dr Sen forecasts real GDP growth will be stronger than the budget is forecasting.Article continues after advertisement He says that the…

We’ve just received the results back from our latest poll of Australians’ attitudes to aid. The results were simultaneously disappointing, all too predictable and surprising. Let’s start with disappointment. As the chart below shows, whereas last year I concluded that Australians’ views about aid had been shakily improving, in this year’s poll the share of people who think their country gives too much aid has risen considerably. Figure 1: Results of Development Policy Centre surveys on Australian attitudes to aid since 2015 Notes: The sample is nationally representative (n=1049). The question was: “Every year the Australian government gives aid money…