Fiji

The European Union has welcomed Fiji’s decision to abolish the death penalty through the RFMF Amendment Act of 2015.

EU Ambassador to the Pacific, Andrew Jacobs, says this is a big step forward for the nation as Fiji prepare to commemorate World Day against the Death Penalty on Saturday.

He adds that it’s important to continue to push for the abolishment of death penalty worldwide- as it represents an inhumane, degrading treatment.

Nemia Kenatale and Leone Nakarawa, plus two penalty tries, helped the Pacific Islanders lead 26-10 at half-time, earning a bonus point before the break.

Uruguay had not scored a World Cup try since 2003, but Carlos Arboleya and Agustin Ormaechea crossed in each half.

Fiji eased away in the final quarter with three more tries, as Uruguay were reduced to 14 men as Ormaechea saw red.

Uruguay now travel to Manchester for their final pool match on Saturday against hosts England, who have also already been eliminated from the tournament.

A report has been lodged alleging the Commissioner of Police, Ben Groenewald had obstructed a police investigation involving a foreign diplomat.

ACP Brown said the investigators are continuing with their work and more details will be released at a later date.

Fijivillage has received confirmation that the report against the Police Commissioner was filed by a member of the public after the accident at Edinburgh Drive on Friday night.

The Finance Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says investigators from the country's Independent Commission Against Corruption or FICAC seized documents and computers from the agency on Friday after a complaint from the ministry.

FBC News reports Mr Sayed-Khaiyum has given a stern warning to business people and customs officers not to give or take bribes.

Fiji's prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, says Fiji will co-host the first of five triennial conferences in an attempt to help drive momentum to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goal on oceans.

The Fiji Times reports Mr Bainimarma saying the Pacific Islands were deeply concerned because they see the declining health of the ocean every day.

The Sustainable Development Goal for oceans prescribes different targets for reducing marine pollution, ending illegal and unregulated overfishing, and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems.

FBC News reports the men were apprehended in Vanua Levu, in the country's North, but did not say how many had been arrested.

The director of intelligence and investigations, Henry Brown, says the suspects fled to the North when police made a series of arrests in the Western Division.

He says the men have been returned to the West for questioning, and the main focus of investigations remains the Nadroga and Ra regions.

This comes after up to six months of well below normal rainfall had been received.

The forecast from New Zealand's NIWA and the Pacific Islands Meteorological Services says in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, after three months of very dry conditions, below normal rainfall can be expected through to the end of the year.

Having come into the game on the back of a five-day turnaround, coach Warren Gatland's side were given the fright of their lives by a Fiji side who threatened to damage Wales hopes of escaping the "pool of death".

Despite back-to-back defeats at the hands of England and Australia, the Pacific Islanders not only put in a Herculean effort, but deserved more from a game that was in the melting pot until the final throes.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre was telling anyone who wanted to listen at Stadium MK on Thursday that people regarded his decision to recall the mercurial fly-half as "crazy".

Not any more. Michalak (pictured) marked a man-of-the-match performance by becoming the highest points scorer in French World Cup history, overtaking Thierry Lacroix's tally of 124 points..