Fiji

Charlotte Robin defended her title after winning the Open Water Swimming competition today.  
New Caledonia took the silver medal after Miana Flament came in second.
Fiji’s Matelita Buadromo settled for a bronze, which is Fiji’s first medal at the Games.

Today is the first day of competition following a spectacular opening ceremony in Apia, Sunday evening.

David Paul and Michelle Calanog Paul from Fort Worth in Texas arrived in Fiji for a holiday on 22 May and reportedly died within days of each other.

The Ministry said it had advised the couple's family of their findings after an extensive investigation with help from the US Centre for Disease Control, the World Health Organisation and a medical forensics unit in Australia.

The Ministry said there was no risk to the public and the five people in contact with the deceased couple were under observation, but they are all in good health and have returned to work.

RLIF CEO Nigel Wood confirmed on the eve of Saturday’s opening round of Oceania Cup matches between New Zealand and Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium and Samoa and Papua New Guinea at Leichhardt Oval that the international body wanted to play games in the Pacific islands.

An RLIF meeting in Singapore earlier this month agreed that the Oceania Cup would be staged mid-year and at the end of the season on an annual basis, except in 2021 and 2025 when the World Cup is held.

In a statement issued late morning Fiji's health ministry said influenza had been ruled out and at this stage they did not believe there was any risk to the public.

The authorities said it would be premature to speculate further on the cause of death until the investigation is complete.

David Paul and Michelle Calanog Paul from Fort Worth in Texas arrived in Fiji for a holiday on 22 May and reportedly died within days of each other.

They were aged in their thirties and described by relatives as very fit and healthy.

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.