The United Nations Security Council meets at the UN headquarters in New York on March 25, 2024. Photo: AFP / ANGELA WEISS
Fiji - UN
Fiji's president has called for a more inclusive and a more representative UN Security Council which reflects the voices of developing countries.
Ratu Wiliame Katonivere was speaking in the margins of the UN General Assembly.
He said there is great need for increased cooperation between the UN, regional bodies and member states, in fields including early warning, prevention, and peacekeeping.
He said the blue Pacific recognises the value of peace, having lived through the horrors of its absence during two World Wars.
Katonivere said Fiji has been part of the collective effort to maintain peace and security since 1978, through its contributions to UN Peacekeeping operations in conflict-affected regions.
Samoa - health
The transition to a new laboratory at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Moto'otua has led to significant delays in routine blood tests for dialysis patients.
National Kidney Foundation General Manager Mulipola Roger Hazelman told the Samoa Observer this has necessitated the costly step of sending tests overseas.
The issue gained attention after a senior medical practitioner expressed concerns on Facebook regarding the laboratory's inability to perform basic tests.
Mulipola acknowledged that blood tests are indeed being sent overseas, a practice he noted is financially burdensome.
But he said he is hopeful that once the new laboratory becomes fully operational, delays will cease.
Fiji - housing
Low income earners in Fiji have expressed their concerns regarding housing affordability, accessibility and sustainability during the National Housing Policy consultation.
fijivillage.com reported some have raised that it's tough to secure an affordable home because of the rising cost of housing; while others highlighted the need for improved infrastructure and amenities in developments.
The Ministry of Housing said they will take their input into account as they try to understand the challenges and opportunities people face.
Vanuatu - politics
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai has removed former PM Bob Loughman from his position as Minister for Trades, Tourism, and Ni-Vanuatu Business.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reported the Prime Minister is allowed by law to appoint and remove cabinet members at any time.
The Public Relations Officer of the Prime Minister's Office, Hilaire Bule, confirmed the removal but did not know the reason behind it.
Charlot Salwai signed Loughman's removal order before departing for the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Papua New Guinea - journalist
Papua New Guineans have been marking the death of one of their oldest journalists, Barnabas "Barney" Orere.
Barney, who became a journalist before the country became independent 49 years ago, was a long-time staffer at the Post-Courier, until his retirement last May.
Prime Minister James Marape said his unparalleled dedication to the truth, his love for the country, and his passion for telling PNG's stories made him a voice that echoed through the decades.
Post-Courier managing director Kevin Smith called Barney a true legend.
The newspaper's editor Todagia Kelola said his death is a great loss to PNG journalism.
"His writing is mainly focused on the grassroots," he said.
"Because of his knowledge and experience within the government system, he writes about that; and he raises issues that he has gone through and he has experienced. So the readers like reading it because it's just so simple and straight to the point."