Fiji

Tropical Cyclone Yasa is a Category 1 storm, which is expected to strengthen to a Category 3 within the next two days.

The system is moving in a south-westerly direction before it is expected to turn towards the northwest and by Thursday to be back to today's position.

At this stage, there is no forecast of where the system might be making a landfall.

Meanwhile, a tropical low north of Tonga's Vava'u islands is forecast to intensify and turn into a cyclone by tonight.

A boy discovered the body in the Wainibuka River near Bucalevu Village and alerted villagers yesterday (Saturday).  

The Fiji Times reports the man’s body has been taken to the Rakiraki Hospital.

The deceased who is reported to be from Tanna in Vanuatu was living in a nearby village.

Fijian police are yet to comment on the matter.

Photo file/Facebook Caption: Rakiraki Hospital in Fiji 

Fiji's Health Ministry said the MV Island Chief arrived in the country from Tonga on 2 December to unload cargo in Lautoka and headed to Suva.

Health Minister Ifereimi Waqainabete said prior to that the vessel was in New Zealand and the crew underwent Covid-19 tests there.

"They were tested before they left Néw Zealand," he said.

"So far they have been tested in Fiji and they have been found not to have Covid-19 and they are currently at the quarantine area of the Suva bay and are undergoing the normal processes of quarantine.

This was confirmed by the President of the Vanuatu Students Association, Glen Bule.

Bule said they are grateful that the students will get to spend this festive season with their families in Vanuatu.

The Student President also wished all families and friends of Vanuatu students studying in USP and in Fiji a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year 2021.

Close to 230 Vanuatu citizens have been part of the government’s repatriation flights from Fiji in the first and second repatriation flights for 2020.

Former flights attendants Justin Ho and Frederick Epeli walked out of the High Court in Lautoka after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions filed to discontinue proceedings today.

Both Mr Epeli and Mr Ho, a former national squash champion, were charged with one count of attempted unlawful exportation of illicit drugs.

It was alleged that on 23 December 2018 both men tried to export 2015.7 grams of cocaine to Sydney.

The appointment follows the resignation of former leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), Sitiveni Rabuka, from Parliament.

But despite the MP Viliame Gavoka being appointed late last month to replace Rabuka as SODELPA leader, today's vote by the party's members of parliament resulted in Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu being appointed Opposition Leader.

The passengers include students of the University of the South Pacific, Fiji National University, Fulton Adventist University College, Uni Fiji as well as some Vanuatu citizens.

According to VBTC, the students are happy to be returning home after completing their studies despite Covid-19.

The repatriation flight is the second one organized by the Government.

The first flight was on 30 November, which took home 230 passengers.

Other students will remain and celebrate Christmas and New Year in Fiji as borders are still closed.

The Health Ministry said the vessel arrived in Lautoka on 2 December to deliver cargo and then proceeded to Suva.

Health Secretary Dr James Fong said the two sailors were under strict quarantine measures.

Twenty-five locals including the local agents of the vessel, staff from Biosecurity Authority, the Ports Authority and Customs were also all in quarantine.

The two sailors had not been classified as Covid-19 border cases yet "because officials are awaiting information on whether they had tested positive for the virus in another country", Fong said.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum gave a statement to police on Monday.

Police confirmed the Attorney General visited its Criminal Investigation Department in Suva to give his statement.

When approached by the media, Sayed-Khaiyum said everyone should let due process take its course.

He accused the media of interfering with the process.

Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro, said investigators would compile a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Fiji, Samoa and Tonga combined team will play the Māori All Blacks in Hamilton next month.

Moana Pasifika is one of the preferred partners to join Super Rugby in 2022.

The inaugural squad includes nine players with Test experience and another three who have played international sevens.

One-test All Black Josh Ioane will lead the backline that also includes Super Rugby players Leicester Fainga'anuku from Tasman and the Hurricanes winger Salesi Rayasi, who has been one oif the star players for Auckland this season.