Fiji

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Health, the Western Division recorded the highest number of cases with 88 people tested positive for dengue fever.

The Northern Division has 30 cases and the Central/Eastern Division has 25 cases.

The ministry is expecting the numbers to increase if members of the public do not strongly adhere to warning and preventative measures put in place by the ministry.

It's a year ago today since the storm struck, affecting nearly two thirds of the country and causing nearly a billion US dollars in damage.

Employers had been asked to let as many workers as possible attend the ceremony which was led by the president Jioji Konrote.

Representatives of some of the worst affected communities were invited to attend the multi faith service at Suva's Albert Park.

The government said it was a moment to remember those who died and give thanks Winston spared much of the rest of Fiji.

Jelany Chilia was the pick of the bowlers, with 3 for 10, as Vanuatu dismissed Indonesia for 82 before the opening pair of Josh Rasu and Jonathon Dunn chased down their victory target in just 9.1 overs.

Samoa captain Ben Mailata starred with bat and ball in a seven wicket win over Japan.

The 32 year old claimed 5 for 27 as Japan were dismissed for 144 and then led the way with the bat, top-scoring with 58 not out from 52 balls, including five sixes, as the Polynesian side overhauled their target inside 26 overs.

The first anniversary will also commemorate the 44 people who died with a minute's silence.

Reports say people will be invited to share their stories of survival and resilience in the days following the disaster, seen as the worst in living memory.

The National Disaster Management Office says the focus will be on the strengths and lessons learnt.

The government would also give an update on recovery and rehabilitation from the Category 5 cyclone on Monday.

The items, all tabua- the polished tooth of a sperm whale - are highly regarded cultural gifts in Fiji, often passed down through generations.

But laws preventing the trade in endangered species mean that more than 100 tabua have been seized at New Zealand's border, and they are being stored by the department.

DOC's National Compliance Manager, Darryl Lew, said more than 90 per cent of the endangered specimens forfeited to the crown are destroyed, but not the tabua collection.

The orientation sessions at APTC campuses in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu on January 16 and 17, provided valuable information to new students on APTC facilities, student support services, regulations, and their responsibilities.

APTC is an innovative development program funded by the Australian Government, delivering internationally-recognised Australian skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers for skilled workers across the Pacific.

RNZ reports a flood alert is in force for Rakiraki town and downstream of Rakiraki station and flood alerts are in place for low lying areas near major rivers around the country.

The Fiji Met Service said the tropical disturbance bringing the rain remained slow moving.

The storm, known as TD09F, was about 290 kilometres south of Suva at midnight Fiji time.

More bad weather is approaching Fiji from the far west bringing more rain and thunderstorms for the country from Friday.

The Blitz Boks have won three of the four tournaments this season, opening up a 17 point lead over the English, who leapfrogged Fiji into second place in the overall standings

South Africa coach Neil Powell said it was especially satisfying after losing to England in pool play a day earlier.

"For the guys to come out and beating them in this way was great," he said.

Loghman Sawari, who is 21, fled to Fiji from Papua New Guinea's Manus Island.

He and his lawyer were on their way to meet with Immigration in Suva on Friday to seek asylum when he was stopped by police and put on a plane back to PNG.

Amnesty's Pacific Researcher, Kate Schuetze, said Fiji had failed an important test at a time when it's making a bid for a seat on the UN's Human Rights Council.

"The Fijian authorities gave assurances that he would not be arrested before he had that interview."

They avoided the waiting media for the last five hours after the Air Niugini aircraft he was on landed at 12:10pm.

Five hours later immigration and police officers whisked him out of the international terminal even before the waiting media could take pictures and do an interview.

The Land Cruiser registration number BEW 987 was believed to be from the Immigration Department.

The question which remains to be answered is why did Immigration officials whisk the refugee away without talking to the waiting media regarding this national issue.