Fiji News & Sports

23/07/2025

23/07/2025

The excitement is building! 🔥

Only 1️⃣ month to go until the kicks off 🙌

To avoid missing out, use the link in our bio to get your tickets now! 🎟️

23/07/2025

FIJI AIRWAYS ✈️CANCELS MIDDAY NADI–AUCKLAND-NADI FLIGHT ✈️ SCHEDULED FOR TODAY

Fiji Airways has cancelled two scheduled flights for today, 24 July 2025 between Nadi and Auckland.

No reason has been given by the airline.

The affected flights are FJ 417 Nadi to Auckland that was supposed to depart at 12:10pm and the return FJ 418 Auckland to Nadi service.

The airline has rebooked all affected passengers on alternative flights and has directly contacted guests to confirm their updated travel arrangements.

“We sincerely Apologise for any disruption caused by these cancellations.

The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding during this time,” said Fiji Airways.

23/07/2025

SAMABULA TEMPLE SACRILEGE CASE ACCUSED HAD ESCAPED ST GILES, ARRESTED NEXT DAY

It has emerged the suspect arrested and remanded in a recent high profile criminal case of public interest had escaped from St Giles Hospital Fiji .

Samuela Tawase is alleged to have escaped on July 19, five days after he was sent there for a psychiatric evaluation,

Sources confirm he was arrested the next day in Valelevu.

Mr Tawase was charged in relation to an act of sacrilege at the Shiv Mandir in Suva.

He is remanded in custody and is due to appear in court on July 28.

Questions have been sent to Fiji Police Force.

23/07/2025

COURT ORDERS COMMUNITY-BASED SENTENCE FOR MOTHER CONVICTED OF INFANTICIDE

The Labasa High Court has ordered a one-year community-based corrections for a 27-year-old woman found guilty of infanticide.

The sentencing, delivered at the Labasa High Court, follows her acquittal on a murder charge for the death of her newborn son on March 14, 2023.

The court heard the woman gave birth unexpectedly in a small office.

In a disturbed mental state, she inflicted 61 wounds on her newborn using scissors, leading to his death from severe blood loss.

Colleagues found her in distress, and the infant, discovered crying in a sack, was rushed to Labasa Hospital but could not be saved.

The court found that her actions were influenced by a disturbed mental state, a key factor in the infanticide conviction.

“Having regard to all the circumstances of this case, I have decided that a noncustodial sentence will best meet the overriding objective of rehabilitation,” said Justice Lee Burney in his July 18 ruling.

“I hope that you have been able to understand why I have decided to deal with you by imposing a community-based corrections order.”

“The Order requires you to comply with all the conditions I have imposed for a period of 1 year, and during that time you must comply with every reasonable direction of the supervising officer.”

“If you are not able to comply with these conditions you may apply to court and the court may deal with you in a different way.”

23/07/2025

23/07/2025

STOCKOUTS OF MEDICATION AND SUPPLIES ARE A MAJOR CONCERN IN THE NORTH

Divisional Medical Officer Northern, Dr. Tiko Saumalua has confirmed that they are currently facing stockouts of medications, including those for high blood pressure at hospitals in the Northern Division.

While responding to concerns raised by Savusavu resident Graham Haynes during the Fijian Media Association’s Meet the Public and the Press session in Savusavu, Dr. Saumalua acknowledged that the shortages can last one to two months and affect a range of medications.

Haynes, who has been actively supporting local hospitals, says they recently brought in 36 beds for hospitals in Savusavu, Lau, and Tukavesi due to poor supply conditions.

He raised alarm over the lack of essential items like Ventolin inhalers and saline solution, saying the community has had to purchase and donate them, spending around $1,000 in some cases.

He says this should not be happening and asks what is wrong with the supply chain between Suva and our hospitals.

Dr. Saumalua explained that the Ministry uses an M-supply system to track stock levels across health facilities, allowing low-stock centres to request supplies either from nearby facilities or from the Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services (FPBS) in Suva.

However, he admitted that procurement delays at FPBS remain a challenge.

He says many of these supplies are imported, so it takes time to reach their stores.

He adds that when such stockouts occur, medical staff try to manage patients with alternative treatments.

On the issue of the x-ray machine at Savusavu Hospital, Dr. Saumalua says that while a replacement machine was temporarily installed, it too became non-functional, and they are now awaiting a new one.
Ministry of Health & Medical Services - Fiji

23/07/2025

DRIVER IN PM’S OFFICE UNDER PROBE

The driver for the Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Sakiusa Tubuna, is under investigation and may face disciplinary action.

This follows a fatal incident in which his 17-year-old son drove a government vehicle under his care without permission, and caused a crash that claimed the lives of two men on Bau Rd last month.

Mr Tubuna confirmed the driver’s employment is being reviewed by the Office of the Prime Minister, and it remains unclear whether he will continue in his role.

“Human Resources (unit), the PM’s Office, they are all looking into that,” he said, adding that he would not comment further as the case is under review.

The tragedy unfolded after the teenager allegedly took the vehicle keys while his father was asleep then drove the vehicle and hit two pedestrians.

The teenager has been charged with two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, one count of driving motor vehicle without a valid driving licence and one count of driving motor vehicle without owner’s consent. He is expected to appear in court in the coming days.

Mr Tubuna clarified that current protocols allow drivers to retain the vehicles after duty, but only under specific conditions.

“Drivers have regulations on where they can park vehicles, at the police stations, etc,” he said.

“So, there’s no problem with that. But where it was parked (in this case), that maybe the issue.”

23/07/2025

23/07/2025

23/07/2025

Kamil family extends its best wishes to our U19 Soccer Team as they face Ba Methodist High School in today’s Semi-Final clash! Play with heart, pride, and determination. The entire KMC family is behind you — bring it home, boys! 💪⚽🔥

We call on all parents, supporters, and ex-students to rally behind our U19 Soccer Team Let’s unite in spirit and pride — your support means everything!
Go KMC! 💙⚽🔥

KICK OFF: 2 PM
VENUE: Xavier College Grounds
DATE: 24 JULY 2025

23/07/2025