Droughts or above average rainfall are likely for much of the South Pacific in coming months.

On the third of April Solomon Islanders will go to the polls to elect their representatives for the country's 11th parliament.

Sport: Solomon Islands Football forfeits U17 World Cup spot; Chimbu election recount to get underway in Goroka today; efforts made to boost anti-corruption reporting; there are hopes the creation of an anti-corruption regional committee will strengthen checks and balances around good governance in the Pacific; the World Bank's vice president for East Asia and the Pacific says there is enough room for China and the western countries in the Pacific; two officials in Vanuatu's government are pushing for criminal charges against people accused of defaming them online.

Solomon Islands have forfeited their spot at the Under 17 Men's Football World Cup after fielding an overage player during the Oceania qualifying tournament.

A recount of votes for the Chimbu Regional seat in Papua New Guinea is expected to get underway today in Goroka.

There are hopes the creation of an anti-corruption regional committee will strengthen checks and balances around good governance in the Pacific; the World Bank's vice president for East Asia and the Pacific says there is enough room for China and the western countries in the Pacific; two officials in Vanuatu's government are pushing for criminal charges against people accused of defaming them online; the Autonomous Bougainville Government's recently announced plan its to amend local mining laws, has been described as reckless land grab by NGO Jubilee Australia, and; police from New Zealand and Australia will increase their presence in the Pacific as part of a new agreement to tackle transnational crime.

There are hopes the creation of an anti- corruption regional committee will strengthen checks and balances around good governance in the Pacific.

The World Bank's vice president for East Asia and the Pacific says there is enough room for China and the western countries in the Pacific.

Two officials in Vanuatu's government are pushing for criminal charges against people accused of defaming them online.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government's recently announced plan it's to amend local mining laws, has been described as a reckless land grab by NGO Jubilee Australia.