Fiji

Climate action needs to be accelerated - Pacific leaders

And that would be one of the critical issues that the Pacific would push for through Fiji's presidency of COP23 in Bonn, Germany in November.

The Fiji Times said the agreement was reached by leaders at the end of the two-day Climate Action Pacific Partnership conference in Suva yesterday.

The draft action document that would shape the global action at COP23 was not released at the close of the conference on Tuesday as it needed to be sent back to all stakeholders for their feedback in the next 14 days.

Vijay Singh back for Fiji International

The Lautoka-born major winner says playing in the Fiji International each year is important to him and he always works his schedule to ensure he can return home.

"I really enjoy playing in front of a home crowd, which is something I did not have the opportunity to do before the Fiji International," he said.

"Everyone welcomes me so warmly and shows me so much support yet is respectful of my preparations, Fijian fans are great."

The 54-year-old Singh has been working on the redevelopment of the Natadola Bay course since the day after the 2016 tournament ended.

Fiji education minister charged with bribery

Mahendra Reddy is charged with one count each of bribery and using undue influence.

The charges were brought by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

In a statement, it alleged Dr Reddy offered a steady water source to a high school in exchange for a school manager's vote.

It said he interfered with the free exercise or performance of the manager, Waisea Lelobo's political rights.

Dr Reddy has pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

His conditions included paying $500 bond and having to report to a police station once a week.

Tonga keep their cool ahead of home ground match against Fiji

It will be their second home test since 2009 following upgrades to the drainage and facilities at Teufaiva Stadium.

Some of the big names who will be playing for Tonga include Racing 92 and former Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna, fullback David Halaifonua, flanker Nili Latu, halfback Sonatane Takulua, centre Siale Piutau and Highlanders prop Siua Hala-nuko-nuka.

Fiji Village reports Tonga were beaten in Samoa and Fiji last year and need to beat Fiji to have a chance of securing automatic World Cup qualification for Japan 2019.

'Ikale Tahi hold on for famous win at Teufaiva

The 'Ikale Tahi triumphed 30-26 in Nuku'alofa, in front of ten thousand fervent supporters in the first test match at Teufaiva Stadium for eight years.

RNZI reports the home side raced out to a 14-3 lead in the opening 20 minutes but Manu Samoa closed the gap to one point at half-time, courtesy of a Faifili Levave try and two more penalties from Tusi Pisi.

With the match in the balance at 20-19, halfback Sonatone Takulua completed a breakaway Tongan try from inside their own half and added the extras to make it 30-19 with half an hour to play.

Amnesty calls for release of Fijian protestor

Jope Koroisavou walked through downtown Suva yesterday carrying banners with the name of six victims tortured by the country's security forces.

Mr Koroisavou spent the night in police custody and he is due to be questioned again this morning according to his lawyer Aman Ravindra-Singh.

Mr Ravindra-Singh says Mr Koroisavou has yet to be formally charged but questioning indicates he is likely to be charged with sedition.

Amnesty's regional director James Gomez said instead of cracking down on peaceful protest the Fijian authorities should be cracking down on torture.

Fiji says no to hosting 2019 Pacific Games

Tonga were awarded hosting rights in 2012 but last month the Prime Minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva, pulled the government's support, initially citing financial reasons but then saying his government had other priorities.

The President of the Fiji Olympic Committee, Joe Rodan Senior, said the FANSAOC Board discussed a possible bid before deciding against it.

"For two years (until the Games begin) it's too short a time for us to really prepare our organising committee or organising officials to host the Games," he said.

Pacific squads confirmed for OFC U-19s Women’s Championship

Kicking off just over a year after the 2016 OFC U-17 Championship – and only a few months after the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea – there are many familiar faces coming to Auckland this July.

Defending champions New Zealand have recruited an army of international experience for their attempt at a sixth-consecutive title including Malia Steinmetz, Grace Jale, and goalkeeper Anna Leat – who will offer senior international football experience to Gareth Turnball’s squad having already been in the mix for the New Zealand national women’s team.

Fiji fight back to catch New Caledonia

Mone Wamowe was behind a pair of impressive strikes to give New Caledonia the lead, receiving a cross then calmly placing the ball in the net in the 13thminute of the game, then timing a diving header perfectly to score at the front post only 11 minutes later.

The two goals put pressure on the young Fijian squad, however, they managed it well and began to play a calmer and more structured game in the latter minutes of the second half.

Fiji cultural gifts to be returned by NZ

The teeth, known in Fiji as tabua, are highly regarded cultural gifts and had been seized at New Zealand's border over the last 15 years under The Trade in Endangered Species Act.

More than 90 percent of specimens seized at New Zealand's border under the Convention of International Trade and Endangered Species, or CITES, are destroyed.

But since the early 1990s, after a request from Fiji authorities, all tabua has instead been collected and stored by DOC.

Wendy Jackson, the head of CITES New Zealand, said the repatriation was the first of its kind for DOC.