A new Human Rights Watch report says that the Indonesian government is silencing environmental activists in Papua region, known internationally as West Papua.

The Nauruan government says the decision not to pursue a referendum was made "after thoughtful deliberation that Naoero is not a new name seeking acceptance by the people".

It comes after the Samoan government announced on Wednesday it was withdrawing support of Lakapi Samoa due to "unresolved internal issues and division" at the national rugby union.

Initial reports indicate that the DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft encountered strong crosswinds during its final approach and landing on Wednesday morning, Samoa Airways said in a statement.

18-year-old Samoan weightlifter Seine Stowers has won the women's 77kg category at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Eileen Cikamatana has won her third weightlifting gold medal.

Emoni Narawa and Timoci Tavatavanawai, both former pupils of Queen Victoria School in Fiji, have been named in Dave Rennie's 44-member squad for the tour.

The rift between the Samoan prime minister and Lakapi Samoa took a turn for the worse on Wednesday, after the Samoan government announced it was withdrawing its support of the national rugby union.

A Pacific geopolitical expert says there is a risk that Pacific Islands' priorities and security concerns are being sidelined by increased geopolitical competition and tensions in the region.

The government is promising stronger and clearer accommodation standards for Recognised Seasonal Employment workers, as a landmark court case remains undecided.

Two Torres Strait community leaders have returned to Australia's federal court this week to appeal the decision of a landmark climate case against the Australian government.

A pair of rare conjoined twins in Fiji - who were born ten months ago as part of a set of triplets - are about to have separation surgery in Saudi Arabia.

Parliament is hosting a wānanga for 29 women MPs from across the Pacific, a group still underrepresented in legislatures across the region.

Pacific Island athletes faced mixed fortunes elsewhere as competition Day wrapped up early Wednesday morning (NZ time).

Authorities in several Papua New Guinea maritime provinces are searching for people missing at sea in separate boating incidents.