Fiji

The village is the home of the sevens Rookie of the Year, Ratu Meli Derenalagi.

Nawaka has produced sensational rugby players over the years such as former Fiji reps- the “Man Mountain” Semisi Naevo and his brother Apisai Naevo.

Apisai Naevo says the celebration is not only for the village but also for the ‘Vanua (Land) of Nawaka’

“It’s been after ten years then another son of Nawaka has don the national jersey and made the country proud.”

The couple presented with an illness while holidaying in the Western Division.

They were provided with medical treatment but their illnesses progressively worsened and despite best efforts, they died within a few days of each other.

At this stage the Ministry is conducting investigations into the possible causes and has also put in place necessary public health measures.

A US media report said the couple's family believe they might have contracted a virus.

The couple, who have a young son, were understood to be in the middle of round the world trip.

 Gocmenoglu lifted a weight of 132kg in the “snatch” category and 150kg in the “Clean and Jack” category. His total weight lifted is 282kg.

In second place is HUANG Yudi of China. Huang lifted a weight of 122kg in the “snatch” category and 155kg in the “Clean and Jack” category. His total weight lifted is 277kg.

Third place is KIMURI Yuki (10.03.1999) of Japan. Kimuri lifted a weight of 122kg in the “snatch” category and 146kg in the “Clean and Jack” category. His total weight lifted is 628kg.

Mr Guterres will receive a traditional welcome Wednesday morning in Suva before meeting the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum Baron Waqa and Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor.

The UN chief will meet Fiji's president and hold bilateral talks with the Fijian prime minister Frank Bainimarama on Thursday before addressing parliament.

Mr Guterres has been invited to lay a wreath at the national war memorial in Veiuto and sail around Suva harbour on a traditional sailing canoe.

He leaves on Saturday for Tuvalu and ends his Pacific island tour in Vanuatu.

A protest march had also been planned in Nadi on Saturday, but the Fiji Transport Authority refused to issue a permit, saying it would impede the safe movement of traffic.

Several union leaders who were arrested on Wednesday were released from police custody late on Thursday, but the secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, Felix Anthony, and about two dozen of his colleagues were still being held, the congress said. No charges have been laid.

The arrests came ahead of a planned nationwide protest on Friday over labour issues, and amid protests by hundreds of workers who had been laid-off by the Water Authority of Fiji.

Many of those arrested were workers who were locked out by the government agency, after their temporary contracts were cut short, the government said.

The total number of people detained and whether they have been charged is not known, but the government-owned broadcaster, the FBC, said over 20 "troublemakers" had been arrested.

Fiji's Environment Department has reportedly revoked Freesoul Real Estate's Environment Impact Assessment approval, following substantial environmental damage to the island.

The headman at Solevu Village on Malolo, Orisi Vuninavanua, said more than 20 tourism operations were on Malolo.

There was not enough space for more development, Mr Vuninavanua said.

The alleged damage caused by the firm to beaches, mangroves and reefs had left landowners angry and they would seek compensation from the company, he said.

Over the course of three scintillating days of action, Gareth Baber's side enthralled the crowd as they achieved something that no other side has ever been able to do. 

In the Cup final, Jerry Tuwai, who is the only current player to have played in all four of the finals, pulled the strings majestically while Aminiasi Tuimaba scored a brace and Vilimoni Botitu also crossed for a try. 

After their silver medal in Vancouver, France were playing in their second consecutive Cup final in a season which is something that they hadn't achieved before.

The Fiji Sun reports that Mr Bainimarama also invited the secretary-general's special envoy, Luis Alfonso de Alba, to visit Fiji.     

The ballot, open to citizens of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati and Tuvalu takes place between 1 and 30 April.

Each year up to 1100 Samoan citizens, 250 Tongan and Fijian citizens and 75 Kiribati and Tuvaluan citizens are selected by ballot to be considered for residence in New Zealand.

Eligible citizens of these five countries need to be aged between 18 and 45.

After selection, the registrants will then have eight months to lodge their resident visa applications.

They must also be able to indicate they have an acceptable job offer from a New Zealand employer.