Solomon Islands

The earthquake hit less than 30 kilometers off the island of Makira -- and 70 kilometers southwest of the island's city of Kirakira -- about 4:38 a.m. local time Friday (12:38 p.m. ET Thursday), the US Geological Survey said.

A number of tsunami warnings issued not long after the quake have been canceled, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

The largest observed wave, according to sea level gauges, was only 0.12 meters near Honiara on the island of Guadalcanal, some 200 kilometers northwest of the epicenter

 MS Bishop is accompanied by Labor Senators, Hon Penny Wong and Claire Moore on the trip.

The visit to Solomon Island, Vanuatu and Samoa is aimed at meeting with the Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers of each country on a range of issues including regional stability, development challenges and emergency responses.

Ms Bishop said the visit to Solomon Islands will reiterate Australia's continuing commitment to peace and stability after the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) withdraws in June 2017.

RNZ reports a tropical low is about 600 kilometres west-southwest of Rennell, and is moving southeast.

A heavy rain warning is in force for all provinces.

The meteorological service says people in low lying areas by rivers and streams should prepare for possible flooding and landslides.

Disaster officials say there are no confirmed fatalities after landslides in the capital, Honiara.

Photo by Solomon Islands Met  

The pageant week begins with a church service and over the course of the week will assess each contestants through various activities planned.

Contestants representing eight Pacific Islands - American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Tonga have all gathered in Apia, Samoa.

Contestants and their teams started arriving in Samoa last week for the 30^th anniversary of the Miss Pacific Islands.

Manasseh Sogavare's office has confirmed receiving a letter from the United Democratic Party president revoking his membership.

An article in relation to the incident, posted on the Forum Solomon Islands International Facebook page, is attributed to local journalist and former MP, Alfred Sasako.

According to the report, the UDP President Tommy Chan made his decision after receiving formal complaints from coalition partners about Mr Sogavare's leadership style and performance since taking office two years ago.

Fiji's Defence Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has invited his Indonesian counterpart General Ryamizard Ryacudu to an official visit to Fiji.

This follows a meeting between the two in Jakarta on Saturday when their two governments reaffirmed development ties and discussed defence co-operation.

The Fiji Times reports that areas of strategic interest, including peacekeeping and counter terrorism, were discussed.

In a meeting with prime minister Manasseh Sogavare on Friday, premiers of the nine provinces and the mayor of the capital Honiara signed an agreement to pursue the introduction of a federal system of government.

The idea for a federal constitution and a new system of government has been supported by successive Solomon Islands governments for almost a decade now.

But Mr Sogavare's administration is the first to make its adoption a priority.

Vanuatu were down 8-0 at half time.

They ran in 5 tries to 2 to end the game on a high.

The game was a welcome return to the international arena for Vanuatu after a scheduled match last year was cancelled following the devastating effects of Cyclone Pam.

Coach Lionel Harbin earlier told RNZ a lot of his players have not played a game of rugby league since last year and can't wait to run out onto the field.

It's a welcome return to the international arena for Vanuatu after a scheduled match last year was cancelled following the devastating effects of Cyclone Pam.

The Parliamentary Entitlements Committee, which has MPs sitting on it, voted last year to make MPs' salaries tax free.