State Funeral

Warne, 52, was holidaying with friends in Thailand when he was found unresponsive in his villa on Friday and could not be revived.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said on Twitter that he had spoken with Warne's family on Sunday and that they agreed to the service.

Andrews said the state funeral would be an opportunity for Victorians to pay tribute to Warne's contribution to cricket, the state and the country.

He said details would be finalised in the coming days.

The plans include two days of lying in state before an official state funeral on 1 January in Cape Town.

Tributes have been pouring in from leaders around the world, including Pope Francis, US President Joe Biden and the UK's Queen Elizabeth II.

Tutu was one of the country's best known figures at home and abroad.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that Tutu had helped bring about "a liberated South Africa".

The East Sepik capital yesterday hosted the burial service for the four-time PNG prime minister, which followed a state funeral held last Friday in Port Moresby.

There's been widespread mourning in PNG and across the Pacific for the loss of Sir Michael who died in late February of pancreatic cancer aged 84.

PNG organised a series of haus krais, or mourning events, over two weeks in Port Moresby for representatives of all the country's provinces to progressively come and pay respects to Sir Michael.

The late diplomat and long-time civil servant was described as a role model civil servant who always placed Vanuatu’s development at heart.

A State Funeral for Mr Naviti was held at the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs in Port Vila today.

Mr Naviti passed away in Wellington where he was based at the Vanuatu High Commission.

The families of the Shepherds Islands where Mr Naviti hails from were acknowledged for raising and supporting such a leader like him.

Thousands of people have been paying their respects to Father Lonsdale who died after a suspected heart attack at the weekend.

Father Lonsdale's body was moved from State House early this morning for the funeral at parliament buildings in the capital Port Vila.

The day has been declared a public holiday and shops will close as the cortege makes its way to the airport where the Vanuatu mobile force will fire a salute.

RNZ International correspondent Len Garae is at the airport in the capital.