Latest news with #FederalGovernment
Washington Post
34 minutes ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
Turmoil, worry swirl over cuts to key federal agencies as hurricane season begins
WASHINGTON — With predictions for a busy hurricane season beginning Sunday, experts in storms and disasters are worried about something potentially as chaotic as the swirling winds: Massive cuts to the federal system that forecasts, tracks and responds to hurricanes. Experts are alarmed over the large-scale staff reductions , travel and training restrictions and grant cut-offs since President Donald Trump took office at both the Federal Emergency Management Agency , which prepares for and responds to hurricanes, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , which tracks and forecasts them.
The Star
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
PM: No prosecution without proof
KOTA KINABALU: Stating that he is not a dictator, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said while he has a duty to maintain peace and uphold law, it is not to the extent of prosecuting without proof and going through the proper procedures. 'I want to be straightforward: What's the use of saying nice things that sound good? 'What I want to say here is (about) those videos that were circulated, I did not want to get involved. 'But when things heated up, of course I will ask the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) about it,' the Prime Minister said, assuring that thorough investigations are ongoing in this case. He was commenting on videos implicating state ministers and assemblymen, accusing them of allegedly receiving bribes in the controversial mining prospecting scandal in Sabah. Anwar said people had started to question why he did not intervene and made it sound as if he was trying to help cover up the alleged corruption. 'But I am not a dictator. We are not a country of perception. These things cannot be handled based on perception, accusation and slander,' Anwar said when opening the Kaamatan Festival, held at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association yesterday. The Prime Minister also said that when fighting for state rights or asking for allocations, those who choose to work closely with the Federal Government can achieve more. 'For example in the PETRONAS and Petros Sarawak issue, we discussed properly with Abang Jo (Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg) and came to a solution,' he said. Anwar said the Federal Govern-ment has no intention of stopping anyone or any state from being independent, and he has no issue giving Sabah and Sarawak more in terms of its revenue, including its oil and gas. 'However, we discuss and have close working relations rather than winning an argument by shouting and cursing,' he said. Anwar said the government would always listen to views and requests from Sabah be it for infrastructure, social or economic developments. He said the Federal Government has done much to bring peace, prosperity and development to Sabah and its people, adding that it was good working relations with the state that had brought about this success. 'This is not about (the upcoming state) election but about our responsibility and protecting our harmony. 'The state-federal relations must be maintained well,' said Anwar. He said for the 13th Malaysia Plan, the inclusion of Sabah and other states into development plans and initiatives were part of the main agenda.
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Danielle Smith hosts annual premier's dinner in Calgary
Danielle Smith spoke to supporters at the Telus Convention Centre in Calgary on May 30, 2025. Nearly 2,000 supporters attended Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's annual United Conservative Party fundraising dinner at the Telus Convention Centre in Calgary on Thursday. The sold-out event provided Smith with an opportunity to share her thoughts about Alberta's energy sector – including strategies about how best to get the province's natural resources to market. She also said Alberta's fight with Ottawa is not over. 'As most Albertans already know, I have repeatedly stated that I support a strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada and I personally have such high hopes that there is a path forward for that with Ottawa,' she said. 'I am going to do everything in my power to negotiate a fair deal for Alberta with the new prime minister.' Also during her speech, Smith called out the federal government for not backing down on its zero emission caps or Bill C-69.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
$21.5bln loan request is Nigeria's external borrowing plan for 2024–2026, FG clarifies
The Federal Government has clarified that Tuesday's $21.5 billion communication by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly was a formal request for consideration and approval of the 2024–2026 External Borrowing Rolling Plan, which includes the State Governments. It explained that a borrowing plan does not amount to taking a $21.5 billion loan but only shows a plan of what can be borrowed and where the loans will come from for specific projects that are important to the Federal and State governments, including what will be borrowed by the Federal Government in 2025. Additionally, the Federal Government noted that the proposed Borrowing Rolling Plan is an essential component of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), in accordance with both the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Debt Management Office (DMO) Act 2003. According to Government, the Plan outlines the external borrowing framework for both the federal and sub-national governments over a three-year period, accompanied by five detailed appendices on the projects, terms and conditions, implementation period, etc. In a statement on Wednesday, Mohammed Manga, Director, Information and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Finance, said by adopting a structured, forward-looking approach, the plan facilitates comprehensive financial planning and avoids the inefficiencies of ad hoc or reactive borrowing practices. 'This strategic method enhances Nigeria's ability to implement effective fiscal policies and mobilize development resources. The borrowing plan does not equate to actual borrowing for the period. The actual borrowing for each year is contained in the annual budget. 'In 2025, the external borrowing component is US $1.23 billion, and it has not yet been drawn. This is planned for H2 2025. 'Also, the plan is for both Federal and several State governments across numerous geopolitical zones including Abia, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Lagos, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Yobe States. 'Importantly, it should be noted that the Borrowing Rolling Plan does not equate to an automatic increase in the nation's debt burden. The nature of the rolling plan means that borrowings are split over the period of the projects. 'For example, a large proportion of projects in the 2024–2026 rolling plan have multi-year drawdowns of between 5 to 7 years, which are project-tied loans. These projects cut across critical sectors of the economy, including power grids and transmission lines, irrigation for improving food security, fibre optics network across the country, fighter jets for security, and rail and road infrastructure,' Manga stated. He informed that the majority of the proposed borrowing will be sourced from Nigeria's development partners, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, French Development Agency, European Investment Bank, JICA, China EximBank, and the Islamic Development Bank, as these institutions offer concessional financing with favourable terms and long repayment periods, thereby supporting Nigeria's development objectives sustainably. The government reiterated that the debt service-to-revenue ratio has started decreasing from its peak of over 90 percent in 2023, and it has ended the distortionary and inflationary ways and means. It highlighted that there are significant revenue expectations from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and technology-enabled monitoring and collection of surpluses from Government Owned Enterprises (GOE) and revenue-generating ministries, departments, and agencies, including legacy outstanding dues. 'Having achieved a fair degree of macroeconomic stabilization, the overarching goal of the Federal Government is to pivot the economy onto a path of rapid, sustained, and inclusive economic growth. 'Achieving this vision requires substantial investment in critical sectors such as transportation, energy, infrastructure, and agriculture. These investments will lay the groundwork for long-term economic diversification and encourage private sector participation. 'Our debt strategy is therefore guided not solely by the size of our obligations, but by the utility, sustainability, and economic returns of the borrowing. Ensuring that all borrowed funds are efficiently utilized and directed toward growth-enhancing projects remains a top priority,' the Government further explained. Manga underlined that the government remains committed to keeping borrowing within manageable and sustainable limits in accordance with the DMO Debt Sustainability Framework.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Solar streetlights for all Sabah villages
Anwar speaking to Pairin (right) while Hajiji (left) looks on at the Hongkod Koisaan KDCA Hall.-Information Department photo KOTA KINABALU (May 30): Solar-powered streetlights will be installed in nearly all villages and rural areas in Sabah starting this year. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as part of the federal government's immediate efforts to expand basic amenities for rural communities. He stated that this measure was implemented after discovering that previous proposals involved excessively high costs. Now, the government has successfully formulated a more practical and feasible plan to be carried out in phases using solar technology. 'We are starting in Sabah. Almost all villages will have solar-powered streetlights this year. They are affordable yet bright, and I have approved the necessary allocation,' he said during his speech at the official opening of the 2025 Sabah State-Level Kaamatan Festival Celebration at the Hongkod Koisaan Hall (KDCA) on Friday. In his address, Anwar emphasized the importance of close cooperation between the state and federal governments, stating that Sabah's demands are now being heard directly in national development meetings such as the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan. This new approach reflects a major shift in development policy formulation, which is no longer entirely decided at the federal ministry level without direct consideration of state needs. 'That is why, if we want Sabah to progress, there must be a spirit to build Sabah's strength and do this together with a sense of unity within one nation,' he said. He also assured that the Federal Government is ready to discuss revenue-sharing matters with the Sabah State Government, as previously agreed with Sarawak, including oil and gas issues. 'I have no problem prioritizing revenue for Sabah, but let the negotiations be conducted harmoniously, not through shouting and cursing. I suggest working together with the State Government and cooperating with the Federal Government so that the benefits reach the people,' he added. Anwar also praised the spirit of unity among Sabah's diverse ethnic groups and the role of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) in preserving the heritage and noble values of the local community. Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam and Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya and KDCA President Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
