Francaise

Only days after announcing his intentions to set up diplomatic ties with Russia, Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs minister, Peter Shanel was last night sacked by Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.

A campaign has been launched in Papua New Guinea to remove control of the small business sector from foreign nationals and migrants - and return it to the indigenous people.

Cyclone Jasmine has left Vanuatu waters and is heading south into the open ocean, after leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.