Fiji

Fiji's Police Commissioner Ben Groenewald has resigned and been replaced by Fiji's land force commander Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho as Acting Police Commissioner.

Groenewald told the ABC he was not happy with the way the Fiji military was interfering with policing.

The South African took up the job in May last year.

His departure was indirectly due to a standoff with the military over policing matters, he said.

Groenewald, who described himself as a true-blooded policeman, said he was not satisfied with the way they interfered.

Digicel is once again bringing families and the Pacific’s greatest musical talent together with an upbeat new version of their hit song ‘We Are Family’. This new rendition is a cheerful Pacific Christmas music collaboration, available to all Digicel customers across the company’s six Pacific countries. 

PIPA has today announced the finalists in the much-anticipated 2015 PIPA Player of The Year competition. They include the talented Nemani Nadolo, Paul Perez, Siale Piutau, Leone Nakarawa, Telusa Veainu and Tim Nainai Williams.        

During the Rugby World Cup (RWC) players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga voted for the ‘Player’s Player of the Year’ from their respective nations as well as their overall selection for the ‘PIPA Pacific Island Player’s Player of the Year’ award.

With Employment Minister Jioji Konrote’s resignation from government due to his nomination for Presidency, Naupoto is the next person in line to take up the now empty parliament seat.

However, Naupoto told FBC News, he will not leave the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF).

He has had discussions with the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama over the issue and says, the PM agrees with his decision.

As per requirement under the 2013 constitution, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has nominated former military officer and current cabinet minister Jioji Konrote for the position, where as the opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa has nominated Taveuni chief and former military commander Ratu Epeli Ganilau.

The constitution requires the President has had a distinguished career in any aspect of national or international life, whether in the public or private sector.

Parliament will hold a special sitting on Monday to elect the new president.

The opposition's leader Ro Teimumu Kepa says it has tried to follow a process to depoliticise the nomination.

Ro Teimumu says her SODELPA Party chose him after discussions with chiefs as opposed to a process of numbers and voting by politicians.

Ratu Epeli was the defence minister in the post-coup regime of Frank Bainimarama following an unsuccessful bid as leader of the National Alliance to win a seat in the 2006 election.

Oceania Football President David Chung says Patel has taken Fiji football to new heights during his first term and he now has the opportunity to build on that success.

During Patel's four-year term Fiji qualfied for the 2015 Under 20 World Cup in New Zealand, where they created history by beating Honduras.

The Fiji Under 23 team also won the Oceania Olympic qualifying tournament in July and will represent the region in Rio next year.

Patel claimed 37 votes, well clear of his only challenger, former Lautoka president Shalendra Prasad, who picked up 16.

Major General Ben Groenewald has confirmed he is attending a United Nations anti-brutality convention in Costa Rica and says he hopes a result on a police brutality investigation will be completed before he leaves.

A video of security personnel violently beating prison escapees was leaked online two and a half years ago, prompting international condemnation.

Ben Groenewald says the case had been shelved but he reopened it after taking up his job.

He says he hopes the DPP will comment soon.

The European Union has welcomed Fiji’s decision to abolish the death penalty through the RFMF Amendment Act of 2015.

EU Ambassador to the Pacific, Andrew Jacobs, says this is a big step forward for the nation as Fiji prepare to commemorate World Day against the Death Penalty on Saturday.

He adds that it’s important to continue to push for the abolishment of death penalty worldwide- as it represents an inhumane, degrading treatment.

Nemia Kenatale and Leone Nakarawa, plus two penalty tries, helped the Pacific Islanders lead 26-10 at half-time, earning a bonus point before the break.

Uruguay had not scored a World Cup try since 2003, but Carlos Arboleya and Agustin Ormaechea crossed in each half.

Fiji eased away in the final quarter with three more tries, as Uruguay were reduced to 14 men as Ormaechea saw red.

Uruguay now travel to Manchester for their final pool match on Saturday against hosts England, who have also already been eliminated from the tournament.