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.