In today’s The Fiji Times – Friday, February 26, 2021

In The Fiji Times edition of Friday, February 25, 2021, we bring you developments to most of the stories that we have been covering for the past week or so, and more happenings from around the major divisions of the country.

So in today’s The Fiji Times – Friday, February 26, 2021, here are some of the stories that you will get to read more about.

Fijian currency.
Picture: www.pinterest.com

National budget

The European Union ambassador to Fiji says money must be spent to safeguard the Fijian people from COVID-19 because of the impact the pandemic has had on jobs and the 40 per cent dent it has placed on Government revenue.

The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF). Picture: JOVESA NAISUA/FT FILE

Contraction

The head of Fiji’s central bank has now said the economy of this island nation could further contract if borders do not open this year. And government support is also essential.

Priority expenditure

The health sector has to be the sector that gets the priority expenditure of the 2021-2022 national budget – according to European Union Ambassador to Fiji and Pacific Sujiro Seam.

Medical examination

Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services has encouraged members of the public to get medically examined if they feel that they are developing any symptoms of pain or fever.

State resources

The country’s Electoral Commission says the use of State resources should be prohibited during campaigns.

Voting paper

Two of Fiji’s major political parties have expressed their view that the voting paper must carry the party symbols during the 2022 general election.

Nauru President and USP chancellor Lionel Aingimea. Picture: SUPPLIED.

USP dismissal

The council of the controversial University of the South Pacific Council has not made a decision to dismiss vice-chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia, according to the university’s chancellor and Nauru President Lionel Aingimea.

RFMF soldiers

A total of 139 military officers who are preparing for a tour of duty to the Golan Heights have been advised to stay faithful to their partners.

Nakasi market

The land selected for the development of the Nakasi market has not been acquired by the Ministry of Local Gocernment yet, says the line Minister,

Fiji’s rich history

The Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator is embarking on an initiative that will see the publishing of a book and the production of a film documenting stories about Fiji’s rich history in peacekeeping and the lives of Fiji’s heroes and heroines who worked as peacekeepers in war-torn countries.

GDP

An executive director of a civil society organisation says it is now time to start talking about Gross Domestic Product(GDP) because many people do not know about it.

Permanent Secretary for Environment Joshua Wycliffe speaks during the launch of the Incentive Scheme for the National Air-Conditioning Assistance Program (Montreal Protocol) in Nadi. Picture: REINAL CHAND/FT FILE

Don’t burn it down

The permanent secretary of Fiji’s Environment Ministry permanent Joshua Wycliffe has advised a Lautoka man who had issues with his logging licence against burning down his $8 million sawmill and poultry farm.

Regulations

Stakeholders involved in logging, milling and sand extraction were urged to work with the Environment Ministry to avoid getting pulled up for failing to comply with Fiji’s stringent regulations.

FRA

A traffic impact assessment being carried by the Lautoka City Council will be supported by the Fiji Roads Authority.

Yasawa

Yasawa Secondary School Year 12 students recorded a 100 per cent pass in their Fiji School Leaving Certificate exams.

Murder case

Suva High Court judge Justice Vinsent Perera has told the State to look at other evidence to link a man to the murder of a 34-year-old security guard in February 2018.

MP Tikoca

The Civil High Court in Suva has ordered former parliamentarian  Ratu Isoa  Tikoca  to pay $80,000 to Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in a defamation case.

IN SPORT

Youngster Vuate Karawalevu continues to make waves and is now the latest who only recently crossed codes into the Kaiviti Silktails has already put ink to paper with one of the National Rugby League’s top clubs without even playing a game.

Kaiviti Silktails

People around Sydney’s Central Business District came to a halt at the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel on Wednesday, as members of the Kaiviti Silktails team serenaded openly to celebrate the end of their 14-day isolation period in quarantine.

Nawaka 7s

From the $1000 prize purse and three cartons of beer sponsorship back in 1987, the Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s has grown in proportions now with a prize purse of $40,000 and 50 cartons of beer on offer for the 34th edition of the tournament.

Swami Vivekananda College Swimmers train at the Fiji Airports Swimming Pool in Nadi. Picture: REINAL CHAND

Swim finals

With the National Schools Swimming Finals back on the calendar, defending boys high school champion Swami Vivekananda College is optimistic of retaining their title.

Macunaqio

Isoa Macunaqio has laid down a challenge to fellow 400 metres runners in Fiji after clocking 54.75s during the combined Nabua Secondary School and Suva Sangam College inter-house meet at the ANZ Stadium in Suva yesterday.

Athletics

Suva Sangam High School athlete Mosese Vakasisikakala is confident of winning a medal for his school despite the stiffness of competition.

Confidence

Suva Sangam School head of PEMAC Cecal Chandra said athletes of the school would take a lot of confidence out of yesterday’s combined inter-house meet alongside Nabua Secondary School at the ANZ Stadium.