April 29, 1987
Page 1: BAJPAI BLASTS "SLOGANS"
The Indian Alliance yesterday warned it would not support any changes to the Constitution that would affect the rights of Indians in the country. In a statement issued afterwards, its president Mr Ishwari Bajpai said: "I have consulted and met with my executive members and categorically state that we will not support any change to the Constitution which will be detrimental to the rights and security of the Indians in Fiji...It is wrong and offensive to describe us today as vulagis when most of us are third or fourth generation Fiji Indians." He said the Indians had always regarded Fiji as their country - they had no other country.
Page 2: FBC WORKERS GIVE 28-DAY STRIKE NOTICE
The Fiji Broadcasting Commission (FBC) branch of the Telecommunications Employees' Association (TEA) yesterday gave a 28-day strike notice over the dismissal of a worker last year. Forty-seven of the 58 branch members voted for the strike in a bid to reinstate Mrs Shobna Bali, a Hindi producer/presenter with the FBC. The mandate for strike notice was passed at 1pm and forwarded to the TEA general secretary Mr Atma Ram. The strike notice expired on May 31.
April 29, 1991
Page1: ADI KUINI'S WEDDING
Outgoing Coalition leader Adi Kuini Vuikaba and Canberra businessman Clive Speed walk down the aisle at the Church of St Andrew after their marriage in Canberra on Saturday. The wedding was attended by about 300 guests, including the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Gareth Evans, Fiji ambassador to Australia, Dr Mesake Biumaiwai, former South Australian Premier, Don Dunstan, and deposed Coalition MP, Dr Satendra Nandan. Adi Kuini was dressed in a simple suit of cream organdie for the wedding which signalled the end of the Bavadra in Fiji.
Page 3: BOY, 9, DROWNS IN NORTH RIVER
A swimming spree for seven schoolboys turned into tragedy after one died in a heroic attempt to save his nine-year old brother from drowning in the Labasa River on Saturday. Aisea Rayawa, head boy of Holy Family Junior Secondary School, is believed to have suffered leg cramps as he went to the aid of his helpless brother Apisalome Vuatalevu. Another was rushed to the hospital unconscious after he was cut by a submerged peice of bamboo as he tried to rescue Rayawa. Rayawa's body was recovered from the river bed late in the night by a team of divers and police.
Page 3: FTUC TO BOYCOTT NATIONAL SUMMIT
The Fiji Trades Union Congress will boycott the two-day National Economic Summit beginning in Suva on Thursday. The FTUC executive council made the decision at a five-hour meeting attended by more than 60 delegates at the Nadi Sangam School on Saturday. The FTUC boycotted last year's summit at the Tradewinds Centre in Lami. Congress president Michael Columbus said the FTUC viewed the summit as a futile exercise by government.
Page 4 World: 8 KILLED IN SOUTH AFRICA UNREST
Johannesburg (April 27), Reuter - Eight Black people were shot or hacked to death in factional fighting in Johannesburg's Alexandra township today, South African police said. Six Blacks were killed in political unrest elsewhere overnight. A police spokeswoman said one man was shot and seven other people were hacked to death in clashes between unidentified groups in Alexandra, a Black shantytown bordering affluent White suburbs. Twenty-four people were wounded. Meanwhile, Winnie Mandela, wife of African National Congress leader, Nelson Mandela, arrives at Rand Supreme Court, Friday, where she faces charges of kidnap and assault.
Page 40 Sport: TUINACEVA VOTED OUT IN FRFU POLL
Setareki Tuinaceva was ousted as Fiji Rugby Football Union secretary on Saturday after over 20 years in that post. And top rugby men are putting this down to another example of bad politicking that is gnawing into the union administration and affecting the game. Tuinaceva lost by about 14 votes to Suva rugby secretary Isaia Vakabua who polled 33. The other candidate Jo Sawailau had nine votes.
Page 22 Sport: SAUNAKA CONQUER BEST IN NADRO 7S
One quick try and a late penalty saw Nadi club Saunaka win the first Fijian Hotel Sevens Rugby tournament at the Na Kalevu ground in Nadroga on Saturday. The side, led by former national rep Ilaitia Ravouvou, easily beat home team Senibiau 9-0 in an exciting twilight match.
Page 38 World Sport:
MARADONA ARRESTED!
Buenos Aires, (April 26), Reuter - Diego Maradona, who rose from a shantytown to become one of the world's best known and highest paid soccer stars, has been arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs, police said. National television showed Maradona, the hero of Argentina's 1986 World Cup winning team, leaning on two other men and his head lolling as police hustled him out of an apartment block in a Buenos Aires suburb and into a car. His arrest shocked his home country. Two other men were arrested with Maradona. The judge in charge of the case denied a report by the official news agency Telam which quoted unidentified sources as saying about half a kilogram of cocaine had been found in the apartment.