Author: TMC Palau
[Photo: File] A revised ballot paper is proposed to make it easier for voters to identify candidates and political parties. Cabinet has endorsed proposed changes to the Electoral Act 2014, including expanded postal voting and the removal of unnecessary requirements for eligible voters. The changes would also improve voting access for persons with disabilities. They would strengthen quality checks in the electoral process and provide clearer rules for elections and referendum campaigning.Article continues after advertisement The amendments would also include measures aimed at creating a more level playing field for political parties. Source link
[Photo: File] Parliament is being left in the dark on the Financial Intelligence Unit’s performance by weak reporting. Opposition MP Premilla Kumar delivered the blunt assessment during scrutiny of the FIU’s 2024 Annual Report before the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs. “Whatever system you have currently is not working.Whatever system you have currently is not working.That’s all I want to say in a very bold way. Looking at your report, it’s not working. You need to disrupt the system, find new ways and make sure that it works.” Kumar’s criticism centred on missing performance targets, limited feedback from law enforcement…
[Source: Reuters] The ongoing Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo concerns a previously unseen variant of the rare Bundibugyo species of the virus, indicating it stemmed from a new transmission from animals to humans rather than from variants linked to earlier outbreaks, a new study said. Researchers from Congo, Uganda, Belgium and other countries analysed the genetic make-up of virus samples from 22 patients in Congo and Uganda and found the outbreak strain was genetically distinct from previous Bundibugyo Ebola viruses seen in outbreaks in 2007 and 2012. The findings, published on Monday in the journal Nature Medicine, suggest…
Banned former Manu Samoa rugby captain Chris Vui is seeking Crowdfunder funding support to help complete the production of a documentary that will tell his story.Vui is hoping to tell his story and clear his name, after he was handed a four-year doping ban by World Rugby from the game he loves in 2023.The funding appeal is backed by the Creative Scotland Crowd-match Fund and funds raised will help complete SPIKED, Vui’s story on what happened and how that affected him and his family.The documentary is beign produced by Tusitala Films and is described as “a documentary about the disastrous…
[Photo: FILE] Police investigators were shut out of direct access to key financial intelligence until 2024. The gap limited how quickly police could trace money linked to crime. This was revealed when police appeared before the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs to discuss the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit’s 2024 Annual Report. Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Loraini Seru explained that police had a liaison officer based at the FIU, but this did not give investigators and forensic accountants access to the FIU’s TREG system.Article continues after advertisement She said 2024 was the first year forensic accountants were given passwords to…
[Supplied: Adi Maopa students arrive in Suva] Excitement builds toward the Kula Awards 2026, with Adi Maopa Secondary School arriving in Suva from Vanuabalavu, Lau ahead of the highly anticipated awards celebration. The team of students and teachers carry with them the pride of their school, all the way from the maritime region. Adi Maopa Secondary School’s participation highlights the growing reach of the Kula Awards, providing opportunities for students from urban and remote island communities to showcase their creativity, culture, and storytelling abilities on a national stage. School representatives expressed immense pride in representing Vanuabalavu and the wider Lau…
[Source: Reuters] New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to face National Party lawmakers in Wellington after he called a meeting he said was to address increased speculation about his leadership months away from a general election. Luxon, who survived a leadership confidence vote in April, has seen support for National remain weak in opinion polls due to sluggish economic growth, and his personal popularity has declined after a series of missteps. “It is clear from various media reports and conversations there is increased speculation about my leadership,” Luxon said in a post on X on Tuesday, adding he…
Tributes have flowed in for the renowned Solomon Islands journalist, George Atkin, who has died.He was the first President of the Media Association of Solomon Islands, serving from 1985 to 1989 and was a respected member of the country’s media fraternity.The veteran journalist worked for numerous mainstream media outlets such as the Solomon Star newspaper, Island Sun newspaper and the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation.A prominent Solomon islands media figure, Robert Iroga, said Atkin was an editor, journalist, storyteller and mentor who understood the power of the pen.”He understood that journalism was not simply about filling pages or broadcasting news. He…
[Photo: FILE] The dairy industry is facing a range of challenges, including declining cattle numbers, rising production costs, climate change and difficulties in rebuilding herds following major disease outbreaks. Fiji Dairy Cooperative Limited Chief Executive Vimal Chand says the biggest challenge facing the industry is the ability of farmers to rebuild their cattle numbers. He says disease outbreaks, including brucellosis and tuberculosis, resulted in the mass slaughter of cattle in 2009, significantly reducing Fiji’s dairy herd and milk production. Chand says national milk production fell from about 10 million litres to around three million litres before gradually recovering to approximately…
[Photo: SAINIANI BOILA] The late Vuda Paramount Chief, Tui Vuda Ratu Eparama Kitione Tavaiqia, was a chief of the people. This was the tribute from an emotional Tui Nawaka, Ratu Joeli Bulu Derenalagi Naevo, as he delivered the eulogy during the funeral service of the late Tui Vuda. Tui Nawaka described Ratu Eparama as a man of his word, saying he resolved many issues during his tenure as Chairman of the Ba Provincial Council. He said the late Tui Vuda served his people until the very end, and under his leadership, the vanua of Vuda continued to thrive.Article continues after…