The Solomon Islands government says it's prioritising emergency humanitarian assistance and relief for cyclone-hit communities.

Mahendra Chaudhry says calls by the country's high chiefs to reserve the term "Fijian" for only the indigenous population is "a political manoeuvre".

Dr Billy Joseph has stepped aside to allow investigations into allegations he interferred with army recruitment.

Damage from Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila has affected areas of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

Both teams have debutants in their match-day 23 for their Super Rugby Pacific round nine matches against the Chiefs and Western Force.

The US Department of War has acknowledged mounting economic pressure in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Sébastien Lecornu has held two separate talks with New Caledonia's politicians due to opposing parties' differences.

Reports from West Papua say several people were shot dead in Dogiyai regency in an apparent retaliatory attack after a policeman was killed.

Interim Flying Fijians head coach Senirusi Seruvakula will be given all the support he needs to assist him and his coaching team to prepare for the inaugural 2026 Nations Championship.

Autism Cook Islands says a lack of inclusive programmes leaves local families believing their children with autism cannot play sports, but the organisation is working to break barriers.

The threat of load shedding is back on the table in the Northern Mariana Islands as surging fuel prices drive up costs for the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation by about US$140,000 per day.

A Fiji Airways flight carrying dozens of passengers from Sydney has had to divert after bad weather from a tropical cyclone thwarted three attempted landings at the Fijian tourism hub of Nadi.

The New Zealand Foreign Minister has extended an invitation to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to attend the Pacific Islands Forum next year, which New Zealand is hosting.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila has been upgraded to a Category 5 system, with sustained winds near the centre of 215 kilometres per hour and wind gusts of up to 295km/h.

The Category 3 system battered Fiji with heavy rain and winds, causing widespread flooding that forced almost 300 people into evacuation centres.

Fourteen members of French Polynesia's ruling party Tavini Huiraatira have walked out.

A contingency fund of more than NZ$1.5 million for Fiji citizens stuck in the the Middle East has been approved.