Messi announces retirement
ARGENTINA’S wonder boy Lionel Messi shared these words with BBC after announcing his retirement from international football: “Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given it my all, I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some really great young players coming through behind me who deserve their chance. Thank you for all the love over the past 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, always cheering and supporting from the sidelines. I’m leaving with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my team-mates, moments we’d only dreamed of. It was incredible to have experienced this with you all. I love you!” His fans were emotional as the news reached them. The 39-year-old, who has eight Ballon d’Or titles and captained Argentina to victory in the 2022 WC in Qatar, has scored 125 goals in 207 appearances. He is Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. Down memory lane, Messi made his debut in 2005 and starred for Argentina, becoming a great legend, winning the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles. Messi trails Kylian Mbappe of France by a goal who has 22 goals to his name. There will never be another Messi. Argentina’s ‘little master’ will be remembered by the football fraternity in the many years to come. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Tomorrow will be too late
TUESDAY, September 01, 2026, is reportedly Senior Citizens Day. It is just another day in exacerbated pain and suffering. Fourteen long years since some of us, betrayed senior pensioners, received our last pension dollar. We are now on a perfect road to self destruction. There is no relief in sight. All words for almost 2.5 painful years. There is no lifeline yet. FNPF today remains defiantly and cruelly indifferent to the prolonged incessant suffering inflicted to the betrayed surviving senior pensioners. Tomorrow will be too late for one of us. Life is so cruel. Our cries for help are not being heard. RONNIE CHANG Martintar Nadi
Does AI know the truth?
IT seems that more and more job applications are done online and then AI decides who it likes the most. It might be best to make sure you include that you are a regular AI user. Soon it will get to the stage where AI might make the final decision on who is best to fill the position and then decide that AI itself can do the job well. Many, if not all, people ‘enhance’ their resume with achievements that will get them noticed. Conversational languages skills becomes fluency, knowing what a spreadsheet is becomes an Excel expert. There should be a requirement for the truth and only the truth. If your resume isn’t getting you that job put in something that will be noticed. A friend included his ‘U13 Sports Most Improved Player’ award, probably not a useful skill in most offices but people noticed it. AI might consider it as very few applicants will mention that. Good luck with the search or the search engine. DENNIS FITZGERALD Landale St, Box Hill, Vic, Australia
Secular State
PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has urged Fijians to remain calm following the presentation of the Constitutional Review Commission’s report and recommendations, particularly over its recommendation concerning Fiji’s status as a secular state ( FT 1/9/26). The constitution is not written in stone. It can be changed with changing times. The constitution belongs to the people. The people have the right to call for changes — to add to it or to remove something they regard obsolete. But the proposed changes must be rational. So I am left wondering who are the atavistic people who have recommended the removal of Fiji as a secular state in the new constitution in this day of the age of enlightenment? If we do not have a secular state then what do we have – our own version of the Taliban state? (All Fijians who subscribe to democracy and the secular state as an intrinsic part of it must maintain the rage against the irrational recommendation to end Fiji’s status as a secular state. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney,NSW, Australia
Safety in the parking lot
I WITNESSED a driver trying to exit a parking space who nearly crashed into a vehicle parked beside it. The driver had left the front wheels turned sharply instead of straight. In a crowded parking area, this can be a serious hazard. The moment the vehicle moves forward, the turned wheels can send the front of the car directly towards the vehicle parked next to it. It may seem like a small thing, but careless parking can easily result in damaged vehicles, arguments and unnecessary expenses. Drivers should straighten their wheels before leaving their vehicles parked. It takes only a few seconds and shows consideration for other motorists. We often talk about road safety, but safety also starts in the parking lot. SHAMAL CHAND Kuku Village, Nausori
Rugby rivalry
THE great Test rivalry between the All Blacks and Srpingboks has now levelled after the second Test last Saturday (29/8/26). It was the usual start up for the Boks as it aggressively and physically bombarded the All Blacks’ 22 metre line with a 24-14 lead at the break. Surprisingly, the Boks didn’t score a try in the second half, whereas the All Blacks registered two tries. What happened to the Springboks? Only the three 2nd half penalties won them the game. Was the AB’s defence secure? Even the Pumas did the same defensively, before losing by 7 points. However, I am certain All Black’s momentum is picking up and the remaining games should be very interesting. SAMU SILATOLU Nakasi
Fuel prices
NOW with the fuel prices fluctuating every month I just have to get it off me chest. Fluctu-very much. MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Ave, lautoka
Fiji’s best leader
WITH the Constitutional Review Commission report now being completed, the PM has already started some fires which he will now be busy putting out. I am certain the PM was unaware of what was going to be in the report. Given all this, that would make the PM the best and the most suitable person to lead the country into the future – according to Fijians. JAN NISSAR Sydney, NSW, Australia
Acting school heads
THE Ministry of Education has taken the right decision with regards to the acting position of school heads. Acting means acting, it’s not a permanent position and eventually it has to be reversed. However, throwing this on the spot suddenly without proper discussions will obviously receive reactions specifically for those who have been holding the position for long. So once again the Minister for Education wakes up to a sudden announcement of revoking the acting position. While I support this move, proper process and discussions should have been in place to keep the school heads in acting positions in the loop. KIRTI PATEL Lautoka
Deafening destruction
ON August 26, 2026 the world was suddenly taken aback with the news that a devastating flash flood had occurred in Nepal and shook the kingdom with seismic event 5.2 on the Richter scale! Tibet is located in the upper reaches of the Himalayan mountain ranges which are active fold mountains constantly under ice cover. Massive glaciers are formed here and seven major rivers of South East Asia originate in Tibet. A massive ice rock avalanche broke from Langtang Lirung range and with a deafening roar engulfed the Trishuli River valley, Lhende and Drlotikos river system. Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts of Nepal & Gyrong county of Tibet were directly hit. Massive amounts of debris and avalanches swept into the valley and caught people unawares. The water level rose suddenly by 7 meters and buried thousands in the mud, silt and debris. One thousand are reported dead in Nepal and 4247 are reported missing. 592 foreigners are involved. Some were pilgrims to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar. Tibet suffered 16 deaths and 546 missing. What a human tragedy! The avalanche unleashed colossal energy which devastated 19 bridges, 40km roads, villages, houses, and hydro-power tunnels. Thus trapping thousands of workers underground. International aid is pouring in. India was first to respond followed by China. Others have also joined in to help the rescue work carried out by the Nepalese army and police force. Relief camps have been established in Nuwakot and Rasua. There is imminent danger of a second flash flood sweeping into the valley and adding to the chaos and disaster which already exists. The cause of this human tragedy will be debated for a long time to establish whether it was the climate factor or man-made disaster due to dam construction in the region. The blame game will continue, but the urgency is to help Nepal come out of this humongous tragedy. May the souls of those who perished rest in peace! DEWAN CHAND Namadi Heights, Suva
Airline joins cancer fight
THE month of September brought good news as our national airline (Fiji Airways) shared that it would provide air travel support for cancer patients travelling overseas for treatment. The airline signed a new partnership with the Fiji Cancer Society, in Nadi, and I salute Fiji Airways managing director and CEO Paul Scurrah. This reflects the airline’s commitment to supporting the wellbeing of communities. I thank Fiji Airways for partnering with the Fiji Cancer Society to support the vulnerable through their most difficult journey by helping improve access to care, treatment and specialist support. Apart from our national airline, the people’s newspaper stands tall for advocating the fight against cancer. Kudos to The Fiji Times and all other organisations like Motibhai who step forward to assist the Fiji Cancer Society and WOWS Kids Fiji! These two organisations are doing great and support from the loving and caring public assists them in looking after patients who are battling the deadly cancer! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
