Fiji

The category five Cyclone Winston a year ago destroyed much of the country's kava crop, and farmers have struggled with regular flooding since.

The chair of the Fiji kava council, Rupeni Koro, said that had severely limited supplies of the popular root sedative, and the country was struggling to keep up with demand.

He said some markets have stopped selling kava, and where it was available, it now costs in excess of US$40 a kilogram - a 76 percent increase.

Fiji topped Pool D after defeating Australia 24-17 in their last pool match this morning.

It was the battle between the 2016 finalists as the Australians gave Fiji a run for their money to battle for top spot.

Fiji’s young forward and upcoming star Mesulame Kunavula was outstanding scoring two converted tries as they lead 14-12 in the first half.

Outpatient services at the Colonial War Memorial Hospial in Suva have also been diverted to nearby health centres.

The Ministry of Health says acinetobacter baumanii bacteria were found in six patients during routine testing last weekend.

The hospital's acting superintendent, James Fong, told the Fiji Times that preventive measures were activated as soon as the bacterium was discovered.

He says the paediatrics unit has been moved to a different part of the hospital, and the infected children are in a stable condition, isolated in the intensive care unit.

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.

Japan raced to 46 for 1 against Vanuatu before collapsing to be 79 all out in Bendigo.

The Melanesians lost both openers in the first three overs but recovered to reach their target with six wickets and more than 31 overs to spare.

But coach Shane Deitz said the scoreboard doesn't tell the full story.

"We bowled first and they got off to a little bit of a flyer and smacked out quicks around a little bit," he said.

"Then a couple of our first and second change bowlers came on and bowled a better line and length and tied it up a bit.

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.