Heartbreak again
Another dramatic comeback was on the card when super-sub, Cole Palmer equalised with a cool left-strike in the 73rd minute. But it was one comeback too many for England as Spain snatched the win with minutes to go in the final of Euro 2024 in Berlin, Germany. No empty beer cups were thrown this time from the English fans —perhaps they have got used to being labelled near men once again. Samu Railoa Nadi
Congratulations Spain
Spain won a record fourth European Championship title by inflicting another painful loss on England, and while Spain was crowned the king of European soccer for a record fourth time, for England it was another agonising near-miss in the team’s decades-long tale of underachievement. Completing the Euro 2024 tournament, Spain dominated from start to finish to beat England 2-1. Mikel Oyarzabal struck the winning goal in the 86th minute. For me and many other England fans, it was another day of pain and misery to be content with, as England, the birthplace of soccer, is still without a major title in the men’s game since winning the 1966 World Cup. Add the 2024 to the titles won in 1964, 2008 and 2012, Spain has become the first country to win four Euro titles. Furthermore, Spain won all seven games — an unprecedented feat, and broke the record for scoring 15 goals in a single tournament. There were joyous scenes after the final whistle for Spanish fans. England has now lost back-to-back finals — it was defeated in penalties by Italy on home soil, and this is another painful loss for a team that will have gone six decades without a major title by the next WC. Congratulations to the young Spanish team. England must now look to the next WC! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Simply superb
Euro Final: Spain 2 v England 1. The better team won playing the beautiful game beautifully. Spain had cool, calm, composed clinical control throughout. England had its brief moments of brilliance and hope for its fans. But it just wasn’t enough. You got a feeling that England was only postponing the inevitable Spain goal which came in the 86th minute. Spain deserved the win. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Price increase
Whenever there is an increase in import duty, freight charges or VAT the price of goods go up. Because they are passed on to the consumers. Only in the case of fuel products the retail price is reviewed on a monthly basis. That is acceptable. So why the hue and cry when the minimum wage is increased. Often the closing down of business and laying off workers is used as a veiled threat against the wage increase. Except for goods subject to price control there is no monitoring of profit margin. So if the duty is reduced or freight charges normalise is that passed back to the consumer? Doesn’t that provide sufficient room for absorbing the wage increase? SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Wait for justice
If people like Christopher Pryde and Sharvada Sharma have to wait ages for justice, imagine the situation for ordinary Fijians. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
VAT issue
Our Minister of Finance is crying that if he decreases vat to 9 per cent the government will lose $600million in income. Mr Minister you have increased the departure tax. Can you reveal how much the Government is collecting there? I am not an economist like you but I do run my business well. You can press the neck of those who invest and those that are the backbone of running the economy. But if you press it harder, we will choke and in return you will choke too. Go easy mate. If you really want to smile, I advise you to increase the VAT to 50 per cent. End of story! Only you win! I invite you to come down to ground zero and see the reality. Don’t only empower the workers, empower employers too. I understand they are voters. We are the ones driving the economy bro! A. Shariff Shah Savusavu
Drug disease
Climate change in addition to escalating drug problems are alarming. Such news on awareness is always reported in The Fiji Times for urgent attention. As we urgently look for help from New Zealand and other neighbouring countries, this global concern is growing like a major outbreak. I believe parents of child offenders should be held accountable when children commit crimes related to drug abuse. Prevention is always the key, cheaper, before we rehabilitate the affected victims. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
That word
My friend Nishant Singh (FT 13/07) with his comments on the frequently used “eh” used at the end of many sentences has stirred the dragon in me. The use of the interrogative “eh” has been known to drive me bonkers. Only last week, the morning announcer on Bula FM finally drove me to tune in to Fiji 1 radio seeking perhaps better music and grammar but to no avail and don’t even mention our talatala using this device to keep me awake during lotu. That implied question mark looking for a response gets through to my slumbering mind every time. Terry Hulme Russell St, Eastwood, NSW, Australia
FNPF withdrawals
Why discriminate against those FNPF members who had to prematurely withdraw in full or even partially? They were also caught out by the Review. I’m sure they would not have done so, in the normal course of events. The Review forced their hands. As the saying goes, please “leave no one behind” (the affected) in the compensation proposal. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Assassination attempt
Many important figures in American politics and leadership have said quite categorically that violence of the kind in the shooting attack on Trump has no place in America’s democracy. Every right thinking person anywhere would agree. But with the kind of gun possession and access available to American citizens gun violence is to be expected. I believe at one level not too many Americans would be too surprised by what happened. It’s happened before with far worse outcome. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
The eh comment
My take on the ‘eh’ at the end of a statement or comment by people is that it is an essential characteristic of a Third World nation. And all those ministers and senior people in the civil service who use it are all third-rate people in a Third World country. Fiji would not be complete with this, eh? We need to teach our “churen” this tradition, eh? Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Nawaka road
If the pipeline was to be joined, I am sure it would go around the world a few times. It’s almost a year and potholes, FRA, at Nawaka, Nadi, have started echoing. Do we wait for a woman to give birth on the road because of many potholes? NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Trump issue
Gun violence will not help solve worldly problems. Better through the ballot box! Explore, dream, discover! Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Awkward situation
How do you handle awkward situations in which people around twenty years older address you as aunty or uncle? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Baba’s loss huge for Fiji!
The loss of Professor Tupeni Baba, who has been described as an intellectual and influential leader, is huge for Fiji. His contributions to education and politics have been immense. Prof Baba was kind and generous. He was a humanitarian- one who was loved by many. He had a soft heart and was full of humour. As a lecturer, he was loved and admired by his students and work colleagues. His strong views and opinions on education and social issues were widely admired. Prof Baba was a respected scholar. As far as politics is concerned, he was a brave, courageous and tough leader. He had a resilient and fighting character. He survived the 1987 and 2000 coups. In his political career, he held positions as deputy prime minister and minister of Education, earning respect from all communities in Fiji. His experience as a political figure was worthwhile to the organisations that he served. Prof Baba released numerous articles, books and volumes worth reading. Hence, the learned professor had become a key figure in Fiji’s academic community. His contributions will be cherished. I extend my sympathy and condolences to his wife, the Vice-Chancellor of the Fiji National University Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba and his family. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Tribute to Dr Baba
I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of Dr Tupeni Baba. I met Dr Baba in 1987 when he was my dad Navin Maharaj’s running mate in the 1987 General Election. Dr Baba was running for the Suva Fijian National seat against Ratu David Toganivalu, and my dad was running for the Suva Indian National seat against Irene Jai Narayan, both were on the NFP/Labour Coalition ticket. During the long 1987 election campaign, I remember I was then a student at USP accompanying him and my dad pounding the pavements of Suva, into the informal settlements attending pocket meetings day in and day out. His big smile and loud laughter were his trademark, a humble person who always brought people together. Dr Baba believed in the common good of everyone, always respectful, never took the limelight but always believed in building consensus and good governance. I fondly remember him always bringing for my mum fresh breadfruit (uto) from his breadfruit tree at his house at Richards Road in Suva. On our visits to Fiji, we always made sure that we caught up with Dr Baba for laughter and fun. He always used to tell me that my grandfather was the first Indian Member of the then Legislative council of Fiji and my dad was the first Indian Mayor of Suva, that I had to carry on the political tradition. His political career was cut short by the coups and Fiji was deprived of his talent in serving his country. He had a colourful and accomplished academic career. It’s hard to believe that such a genuine person is no more as Fiji bids farewell to a fine gentleman. May he rest in peace. Sanjay Maharaj Vancouver, Canada
Brave Americans
I think the video of an attempted assassination against Donald Trump proves that Americans have to be some of the bravest people on Earth. There was hardly any panic. The audience remained calm and immediately after the shots were fired, out came the smart phones to record history. And then the cheering started. Very brave people. Unlike how it happens in the movies. One gunshot and people take off like a helicopter. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
