Cook Islands is facing a teachers shortage. Photo: RNZ
Fiji - fire
A medical quarters belonging to Fiji's Ministry of Health was destroyed by fire over the weekend in Naroi, Moala.
FBC reported a nurse and a health inspector lived there.
They were not there at the time of the fire but their belongings have been destroyed.
Police on the island have yet to determine the cause of the fire.
Health Minister Atonio Lalabalavu said this incident marks a significant tragedy for the team at Moala Health Centre and the ministry as a whole.
Fiji - cancer
Fiji's Cancer Society says an alarming number of young girls are being diagnosed with cancer and seeking help when it is too late.
The society's spokesperson Alumita Bera, told fijivillage.com that teenagers with breast cancer are going undetected because symptoms, like lumps, are painless.
"We've had young girls who have just finished their form six exam last year, that came because they have breast lumps."
Bera said while breast and cervical cancers are most common, colorectal and oral cancers are on the rise.
The society has registered 46 cases of cancer this year, but Bera said this reflects only a portion of actual cases.
Cook Islands - education
There are growing concerns for the state of Cook Islands education system after 29 teachers left the country last year.
Minister for Education Vaine Mokoroa said the ministry is now facing a teachers shortage.
Mokoroa said some have retired while others have relocated overseas.
He said that despite the declining number of teachers, the government is striving to look for avenues to improve standards for the children.
He said the Cook Islands Teacher Development Centre has been reopened in response.
Fiji - drugs
The Fiji Corrections Service commissioner says there is an alarming link between drug use in prisons and the rise in HIV cases.
Jalesi Nakarawa said Fiji's drug issue comes with several other problems including the sharing of needles and sexual offences.
FBC News reported Fiji's correctional system lacks rehabilitation programs for drug users.
Nakarawa said he was concerned by the lack of awareness regarding the number of HIV-positive inmates, pointing out even correctional officers are not fully informed about the extent of the problem.
Meanwhile the Fiji Government is collaborating with all mainstream media outlets to fight the illicit drug crisis in the country.
Assistant Minister for Information Aliki Bia said the government has held consultations with the media to explore collaboration between government agencies and the media in combating the spread of illicit drugs.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea's Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina has met with Indonesian oil and gas officials to advance the sector in PNG.
Maladina is leading a high-level PNG delegation to Indonesia to assess the broader production sharing contract (PSC) frameworks and related investment arrangements.
The National reported discussions focused on regulatory models, infrastructure ownership and investment security, to ensure PNG's petroleum sector remains competitive and beneficial to the nation.
The meetings mark a significant milestone in PNG's ongoing efforts to refine its petroleum sector policies and frameworks.
Nauru
Australia is injecting AU$5 million into Nauru's state-owned enterprises services, infrastructure, energy security and transportation.
Last month, Nauru's President David Adeang and Australian High Commissioner Matthew Barclay signed a direct funding arrangement to kickstart the first tranche of budgetary support allocated to Nauru under the Nauru/Australia Treaty.
This includes support for the Nauru Utilities Corporation in its efforts to incorporate a solar farm; assist Nauru Airlines to ensure the efficient movement of passengers and vital supplies to Nauru and its neighbouring nations; and renovations to the tank farm storage facility to ensure a dependable fuel supply.
Papua New Guinea - barracks
The head of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force says the two army barracks located in Port Moresby are to be relocated so they don't become threats to the public.
Rear Admiral Philip Polewara said it will be costly moving Murray and Taurama Barracks but worth the effort because quarters can't be in densely populated areas.
He told the National the barracks could become a target and that could impact on the surrounding area, while there have also been issues with the conduct of soldiers.
