Solomon Islands - plastic
The Solomon Islands government has approved a proposal to ban single use plastic in the country.
Regulations will now be drafted with dates of implementation to be confirmed.
The proposal made by the environment ministry calls for a smooth transition, with regulations enforced in phases.
It is to be spearheaded by a public awareness campaign to faciliate the regulations via media, community outreach and billboards.
Fiji - politics
Fiji's former attorney general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has criticised the handling of the suspension of the country's public prosecutor Christopher Pryde last week.
A tribunal is being appointed to investigate allegations of misconduct against Pryde, after he was seen conversing with Sayed-Khaiyum - who is being investigated for corruption by his office - in public.
Speaking to local media in Suva after emerging from a police interview on Wednesday, Sayed-Khaiyum said the manner in which Pryde was "summoned" by the current attorney-general Siromi Turaga was inappropriate as the Office of the Director of Public Prosections is an indepdent body.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum Photo: Facebook / FijiFirst
Sayed-Khaiyum, who is the general secretary for the opposition FijiFirst Party, said Pryde is just the latest in a long list of public servants who have fallen victim to the coalition government's political "witch-hunt".
Pacific - climate
The UN's highest court confirmed on Wednesday the General Assembly has asked for it to issue an advisory opinion on "the obligations of States in respect of climate change."
UN nations adopted a historic resolution late last month, calling for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to lay out the legal framework of obligations countries have to curb warming and protect communities from climate disaster.
AP reported that under the court's rules, after receiving the request for an advisory opinion, its registrar informs all countries entitled to appear before the court and gives them an opportunity to submit written statements.
International organisations which are "likely to be able to furnish information" are also allowed to make written submissions.
The court will hold public hearings where nations and organisations can make statements before the 15 ICJ judges deliberate and issue a non-binding opinion at another public hearing.
The entire process is likely to take years.
Pacific - forum
Pacific Islands forum chair Mark Brown has been invited to attend the G7 summit in Hiroshima next month.
Brown was given the invitation after what he called a productive meeting with Japan's Foreign Minister.
The G7 is an intergovernmental political forum made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Cook Islands News reported Brown, who is also the Cook Islands Prime Minister, will attend some of the meetings at the summit.
Brown said he wants G7 countries to follow through on their climate commitments.
He told the newspaper he believes he was invited because the countries have an interest in making a difference to the Pacific.
Papua New Guinea - robbery
Two men are dead following an armed robbery on Manus, Papua New Guinea.
Manus police commander chief Inspector Kiweri Kesambi said nine men armed with homemade guns and bush knives allegedly robbed a shop in Lorengau town.
The National reported Kesambi saying the robbers allegedly took a substantial amount of money, cigarettes, flex cards, and other goods before fleeing.
The police chief said police officers chased one of the suspects, who attempted to shoot with his homemade gun and police, in defence, shot the suspect dead.
He said another suspect who was injured during the robbery died at the Lorengau General Hospital.
Kesambi said both were allegedly involved in a string of crimes and had court cases pending.
He added an operation has been launched to apprehend the other suspects.
Vanuatu - mayor
Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila, could have a new mayor today as a no confidence motion in the current mayor, Steve Kiel, is planned.
The Daily Post newspaper reported most councillors have questioned the leadership of Kiel and ten of the 17 have signed a motion of no confidence against him.
The motion claims Kiel has failed to honour the spirit of a memorandum of understanding signed between the four major political parties on the council.
The Port Vila City Council is due to meet Thursday and the motion is on the agenda.
Kiel had previously been elected unanimously.
Britain/West Papua
The British government has come under fire in the House of Lords, with three members demanding greater pressure be exerted on Indonesia to allow human rights observers into West Papua.
Baron Richard Harries asked government representative Tariq Ahmad to clarify British foreign policy efforts.
Ahmad told the Lords that government supported current engagements between the UN and Indonesia.
One Lord, Baron Lexden vented frustration with Ahmad's response.
"Is it now clear that this small country is suffering greviously under a colonial opressor - Indonesia - which is busily exploiting its rich minerals, resources and forests in its own interests. Will government do all in its power to act and act decisively," he asked.
Samoa - ambulance
The northwest coast of Savai'i in Samoa now has an ambulance service, with the expansion of the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority station at Asau.
The service will cover the districts of Gagaemauga and Gagaifomauga to the east of Asau and Vaisigano, Falealupo and the Salega districts to the west.
The Samoa Observer reported the Minister for Police and Fire and Emergency Services Faualo Harry Schuster saying the expansion will provide employment opportunities for unemployed residents in the community.
He said an initiative has been proposed to train the youth from that side of Savai'i to work in the station and roll out the new service.
According to the minister, it has been challenging for the government to try and expand ambulance services to Savai'i for this project due to a lack of resources.
