Sports
-
Vilnius Flights Halted Over Balloons Linked to Smuggling Allegations Against Lukashenko
Flights at Vilnius Airport are paused again as suspected balloons drift into restricted airspace, with officials pointing to a looming smuggling scheme tied to Belarus. A tense backdrop of regional security and cross-border intrigue unfolds.
-
Etzebeth handed 12-week ban for eye-area contact in Cardiff clash
South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth faces a 12-week ban after a Cardiff incident that has sparked debate over intent and discipline. With the Springboks adjusting their lineup, the Nations Series now takes on a new urgency as the team moves forward without one of their key forwards. Plenty of questions remain about the fallout for…
-
Lyon left out of Brisbane Ashes Test as Australia shuns spin for pace
Nathan Lyon is left out of a home Ashes Test, turning heads as selectors opt for an all-pace plan for the pink-ball duel. The veteran spinner calls the decision “gutting,” with more talk with the coaching staff looming over his Ashes future. The series is just getting underway in Brisbane.
-
Mark Evans Reflects on a Transformative Three-Year Tenure with the Fijian Drua as He Bids Farewell
Mark Evans looks back on a three-year voyage with the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua—moments shaped by roaring home crowds, milestone nights against rugby’s giants, and a bold push to secure Fiji’s rugby future through youth programs and the Drua Foundation.
-
UK Expands Fiji Sugar Quota, Extends Eight-Year Duty-Free Access
An important trade milestone for Fiji’s sugar sector: a larger export quota and years of duty-free access to the UK under a new Pacific partnership. A signal of stronger ties and brighter prospects for Fiji’s economic future.
-
Erasmus Warns Home Advantage Could Shake Up 2027 Rugby World Cup Pool A
Rassie Erasmus warns that home-ground advantage can tilt even the mightiest sides. The Pool A showdown between New Zealand and Australia could hinge on travel, jet lag, and the pressure of knockout rugby, turning a headline matchup into a season-defining moment.
-
Return of Thai Worker’s Remains Could Pivot Gaza Ceasefire Talks
Eight weeks into a fragile Gaza ceasefire, the return of a worker’s remains shifts the momentum of ongoing talks. As discussions hinge on disarmament and an international governance framework, the path ahead for the truce remains uncertain for millions affected by the conflict.
-
Lawmakers Clash Over Caribbean Drug-Boat Strike, Questioning Legality and Transparency
After a Caribbean strike left 11 suspected drug traffickers dead, U.S. lawmakers are split on ethics, legality, and the decisions behind the operation. As testimony and footage fuel questions about military transparency and high-level decision-making, this debate spotlights the tension between national security and lawful engagement at sea.
-
Pregnant, Far From Home: A PALM Migrant’s Australian Struggle
From the Solomon Islands to a small Australian town, a mother-to-be joined a program meant to build a brighter future. Years later, with a baby in her arms and a job lost, she faces a new reality in Leeton—testing the resilience of a family chasing a dream.
-
Etzebeth handed 12-week ban for eye-gouge in Wales clash
South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth faces a 12-week ban after an eye-gouging incident against Wales, sidelining him from club action through early 2026. The ruling underscores the strict penalties around eye-contact fouls and adds to concerns over discipline among SA forwards this autumn.
-
Manchester United Frustration Deepens After West Ham Draw Ahead of Wolves Clash
Frustration ran high after a 1-1 draw, leaving Manchester United facing questions about form and balance. With critics weighing in and a crucial fixture looming, the mood around the club is far from settled.
-
Fiji U17 Women Ready for Oceania Cup in Samoa
Fresh off a standout season, Fiji’s U17 women’s basketball team arrives in Samoa with confidence, a dynamic roster, and rising star Makaefa Savu ready to lead. As the Oceania Cup in Apia approaches, momentum and leadership hint at a bold new chapter for Fiji on the international stage.
-
Ian Thorpe Joins LawConnect Ahead of Sydney-Hobart Race
Five-time Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe swaps the pool for the cockpit, joining LawConnect as they chase a third straight Sydney-Hobart win. At 43, he begins his racing debut in a key lead-up race, stepping into a 630-nautical-mile test that promises a whole new kind of challenge. A fresh chapter in Australia’s storied maritime saga…
-
Katonibau Lauds Kolinisau’s Fiji 7s Turnaround Ahead of Cape Town 7s
Isake Katonibau praises Osea Kolinisau’s leadership, calling his work with Fiji 7s a real upgrade. With sharper defense and a more potent attack, the team heads toward Cape Town and the coveted cup as they build for the road ahead.
-
Pickleball Goes AI: Owl’s Line-Calling Tech Aims to Change the Game
Major League Pickleball is exploring a software-based line-calling upgrade that could bring real-time, objective calls to the court. Owl AI promises cost-efficient, data-driven officiating using 4K video from phones and broadcasts. Could this tech spark a broader shift in how fast-growing sports manage fair play?
-
Les Kiss Named Wallabies Coach for 2026 Tests
Les Kiss takes the reins of the Wallabies, kicking off a bold new era with a blockbuster opener against Eddie Jones’s Japan, followed by high-stakes clashes with Ireland and France on the road to a home 2027 Rugby World Cup.
-
Fiji’s Top Clubs Vie for Playoff Spots as Dayal’s Sawmillers National Championship Begins
Fiji’s 2025 Dayal’s Sawmillers National Club Championship erupts across three zones, kicking off a season of suspense and rivalry. With a fresh sponsor and a lean path to the national playoff, early clashes hint at a memorable battle for the crown.
-
Fiji drawn into Pool C for the 2027 Rugby World Cup with Argentina, Canada and Spain
Fiji’s Flying Fijians now have a clear path to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, drawn into Pool C with Argentina, Canada and Spain. Coach Mick Byrne says the setup is an exciting, timely opportunity to gear up, with high-stakes tests on the horizon and a long-awaited clash against Argentina on the agenda.
-
Fiji Boxer Winston Hill Eyes Pan Pacific Welterweight Title
Fiji boxing stands at a defining moment as a rising fighter steps onto the world stage. With national pride on the line and a Pacific-title dream within reach, the night promises grit, resilience, and a chapter that could reshape boxing in Fiji.
-
Sigatoka’s Aflame Brothers chase Wairiki 7s glory in Taveuni
Momentum is building as the Axellerate Aflame Brothers turn from a hard-fought victory to a big target in Taveuni. Captain Apisai Naruma says the team is chasing one more win before the year ends—a gift the squad is determined to earn. With lessons learned and focus sharpened, December’s Wairiki 7s could be the spark they…
-
Pacific Islands Unveil Cofinancing Pact to Fast-Track Fiji Hospital and Tonga Lagoon Bridge
Two Pacific projects backed by a new cofinancing model aim to speed up progress in Fiji and Tonga. Fiji plans a regional hospital to tackle rising non-communicable diseases, while Tonga gears up for a major transport and water upgrade, including a lagoon bridge. The approach could reshape how lenders deliver rapid, large-scale development in vulnerable…
-
Fiji’s Island Acro GymFest Sparks Youth Confidence and Club Unity
A vibrant Fiji-wide gathering celebrates Gymnastics for All, spotlighting youth empowerment, teamwork, and fresh training pathways. From TeamGym and performance showcases to FreeG, Trampoline, and Tumbling workshops, the day marks a growing, united gymnastics community ready to inspire the next generation.
-
Bula FC Announces First Signing Gabiriele Matanisiga Ahead of OFC Pro League
Bula FC kicks off their OFC Pro League era with a landmark signing: Gabiriele Matanisiga, the 30-year-old Fiji international center-back from Rewa FC. A journey from cane fields to the international stage, his arrival signals a bold new chapter and big hopes for the fledgling club.
-
Fiji One Girls’ Hockey Sparks Optimism in Australian Junior Tournament Duel
Fiji One’s girls hockey team turned a tough start into a momentum-building 1-1 draw against a seasoned Australian side. Coach Augustine Shaw praised the players’ grit and teamwork, highlighting the valuable lessons that come from international competition. With many teammates new to the sport, the journey toward the tournament’s finale hints at bright potential for…
-
Sigatoka Rugby Qualifier Sparks High-Stakes Seven-Spot Battle Ahead of Coral Coast Fiji 7s
Excitement is building in Sigatoka as a high-stakes rugby weekend unfolds at Lawaqa Park. With 28 teams vying for seven coveted spots, the day promises fast-paced action, skillful runs, and hard-hitting moments that could redefine the path to January’s main event. Expect drama from dawn till knockout rounds as rivalries sharpen and new talents rise.
-
Sky Pacific Secures Exclusive 2026-2028 Super Rugby Pacific Rights for Fiji Fans
Sky Pacific has secured exclusive rights to every Super Rugby Pacific match through 2028, promising fans across Fiji and the Pacific complete live coverage. The renewal strengthens a long-standing partnership and hints at an action-packed season from the very first kickoff.
-
Fiji’s 2027 Rugby World Cup Squad: Europe-Based Talent Complicates Selections
Fiji’s hunt for a dream squad ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup is heating up as European club stars enter the selection frame. The head coach says success will hinge on more than try-scoring—form, conditioning and overall impact will be under the microscope. With a broad, evolving talent pool, the Flying Fijians are shaping…
-
Fiji Joins Wellington-Based Pacific Diplomatic Training to Boost Regional Ties
Fiji is taking part in a three-week Pacific Diplomatic Training programme in Wellington, designed to sharpen emerging diplomats and deepen regional ties. With the first week in the books, participants and partners are celebrating progress while looking ahead to applying new insights to strengthen Pacific diplomacy.
-
Fiji-Australia Strengthen Ties on Sugar, Digitalization and Communities
Fiji and Australia take another step in their Vuvale partnership, with talks that touch on modernizing the sugar industry, exploring new investments, and digitalizing key histories. The discussions hint at practical steps to boost livelihoods, empower farmers, and strengthen social cohesion across communities.
-
Fiji ties land rights to forest finance at COP30
Fiji stepped into the spotlight at COP30, linking forest protection to climate resilience and secure customary land rights. A new global roadmap aims to close the forest finance gap, with billions pledged for tropical forest conservation and stronger cooperation on fire management. The focus on Indigenous and community rights signals a path where people and…