Today, King Charles formally opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. It occurs as Pacific countries ramp up pressure on Australia, Canada, and the UK over climate change action.

Today, King Charles III formally opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. It occurs as several Pacific countries ramp up pressure on Australia, Canada, and the UK over climate change action.

Fugalei Market in Apia is the city's biggest market thriving with fruits, vegetables, and crafts for sale. UN officials have been working with vendors to help them to digitise as part of its Market for Change program. 

The relevance of the Commonwealth, given its colonial legacy, is a question that hangs over every Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Despite the criticisms, the organisation's membership continues to grow.

King Charles III has arrived in Samoa for the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Governments meeting. Welcoming him on the tarmac at Fale Olo International Airport was Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa along with crowds of people.

An armed ambush on a passenger bus last week which left at least seven people dead in Enga province, has prompted moves to introduce a new domestic terrorism laws in Papua New Guinea. Police say the perpetrators of the attack were involved in an local tribal conflict, and had opened fire on the bus travelling from Wabag to Porgera.

For the many Pacific Islanders who come to Australia to pick fruit, one of the hardest things, besides being away from their family is missing out on their local church services. 

King Charles III has arrived in Samoa for the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Governments meeting. Welcoming him on the tarmac at Fale Olo International Airport was Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa along with crowds of people.

There are reports of a shooting on a public bus in the country's highlands. The Post Courier has reported multiple deaths. 

The flags are up in Apia as Samoa prepares to welcome the arrival of King Charles tonight. It's the first time for the British King to visit the country, as he overlooks CHOGM as the head of the commonwealth.

An industrial action and strike by staff of the University of the South Pacific (USP) is disrupting classes, causing concern for students as the prepare for the final examinations of the year.

There are reports of a shooting on a public bus in the country's highlands. The Post Courier has reported multiple deaths. 

Food security is one agenda of CHOGM discussions that deeply concerns many in Samoa with thousands of small-scale farmers facing challenges caused by increasingly volatile climate events like cyclones, drought, and rising sea levels.

Logging is a huge earner for many Pacific economies, but it also poses an ever present risk towards the environment. Nowhere is that more obvious than Solomon Islands, where logging has long been the economy's biggest export. Logging is the country's biggest export and a source of income for thousands.

Two shocking murders in recent months involving illegal firearms have thrown the issue of gun violence back into the spotlight in Samoa

The world's eyes are on Samoa as it begins hosting the historic Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM). Commonwealth leaders, along with thousands of delegates and King Charles will gather in the capital Apia to discuss issues such as the climate crisis, environmental and security challenges. 

The world's eyes are on Samoa as it begins hosting the historic Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM). Commonwealth leaders, along with thousands of delegates and King Charles will gather in the capital Apia to discuss issues such as the climate crisis, environmental and security challenges. 

Seventeen-year-old Heamasi Makasini has just signed a one-million-dollar contract with NRL club the West Tigers. 

Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland says CHOGM will focus on a variety priorities affecting member states, but anticipates the Climate Crisis will be the focal point of small island developing states.

The world's eyes are on Samoa as it begins hosting the historic Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM). Commonwealth leaders, along with thousands of delegates and King Charles will gather in the capital Apia to discuss issues such as the climate crisis, environmental and security challenges. 

World Rugby's plan to trial a 20 minute red card, allowing a dismissed player to be replaced has been rolled out in the southern hemisphere without drama, but the French are not keen to follow suit.  

While the World Cup pay row involving the Flying Fijians has been playing out in public, former player and coach Ilie Tabua has been working behind the scenes to put together a new association that will be an independent voice for the players.    

Toa Samoa are off to England to play two test matches, so the Pacific Rugby League Championships will have to manage without them, but Fiji and PNG will have their eyes on promotion and a chance to mix it with the top teams next time around.   

They've waited a long time, but AFL Vanuatu has its own home ground at last, and PacificAus Sports has stepped in to provide the funds for a new talent academy that is expected to drive up participation numbers.

Miller Pata says it was hard to walk away from the beach volleyball court, but the player turned coach has a new goal now, to lead the cream of Vanuatu's talent to more championship medals. 

Vanuatu Rugby League founding director Ben Howard says developing countries need to have a much bigger say when key decisions are made about the international calendar.  

Kiribati went to the polls in late August and in nine days, the final part of the electoral process will be completed with the president's election.

Residents near the shipwreck of a New Zealand Navy vessel in Samoa say they have lost income from fishing and tourism — and want compensation from Wellington.

Australia’s Modern Slavery Committee has commenced an inquiry into the modern slavery risks faced by temporary migrant workers in rural and regional New South Wales. 

President of New Caledonia's Congress has revoked a controversial agreement with Azerbaijan, an agreement the French government is blaming for violent protests in May.

The president of New Caledonia's congress has revoked a controversial agreement with Azerbaijan, an agreement the French government blamed for violent protests in May.  

Next week, leaders from 56 nations, will gather in Apia for the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting. 

Tune in each morning and afternoon to keep-up-to-date on the happenings in the Pacific.

One of the major themes at the Commonwealth Heads of Government's Meeting this year is the ocean, it's threats and solutions, and in particular the global goal to protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030.

Fiji's Attorney-General says Pacific nations can use the International Court of Justice to keep states accountable and fight climate change. 

Samoa’s Government is trying to reduce a feral pig population which is affecting agriculture and food security.

In Papua New Guinea, negotiations are underway between landowners and government officials to reopen the Kokoda trek. 

As the home of Broadway, New York City is a mecca of arts and culture, and this week, Tales from the Pacific will light up Manhattan at the annual Pacific Island Film Festival. 

Fiji Military Forces Lieutenant Colonel Eroni Duaibe has confirmed the country has one officer serving as a peacekeeper in Lebanon, amidst the violence between Israel and Hezbollah. He says the female officer is performing administrative duties and is in safe hands.

In Fiji, reports of sexual violence are on the rise, with 180 cases of rape reported between January and August last year. 

Fiji's military forces says its sole peacekeeper in Lebanon is safe after five United Nations peacekeepers were wounded when Israeli forces breached a UN compound.

The Marshall Islands has been elected to sit on the United Nations Human Rights Committee, and its president says the prestigious seating is an opportunity to put forward issues concerning all Pacific nations.

Save the Children Vanuatu's NexGEn Youth Ambassador, Malietasi Bulu, says her goal as youth champion is to focus attention on the problem of climate change. 

The area around the wreck of a New Zealand navy ship which sank a week ago has been closed off as authorities continue to monitor for potential chemical leaks. Locals in the coastal village of Tafitoala, say their livelihoods have been destroyed and that they deserve compensation.

There are calls for an investigation into the Audit report on the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) released by the Solomon Islands Office of the Auditor General.

It was a festival of rugby league in Port Moresby yesterday as PNG's men and women's representative sides faced off against Australia in the annual Prime Minister's XIII.

Papua New Guinea and the Australian government are closing in on a $600m deal to grant PNG an NRL team. Both sides say a deal would be mutually beneficial but the ABC understands negotiations include military assurances would be part of any agreement.

The area around the wreck of a New Zealand navy ship which sank a week ago has been closed off as authorities continue to monitor for potential chemical leaks, and locals are arguing they deserve compensation.

As senior players head to Australia to play club cricket, back in Port Moresby PNG coach Taitenda Taibu intends to raise the standards of younger players in the Barramundis squad 

10 man Fiji secure important World Cup win over Solomon Islands,  New Caledonia see off struggling PNG and Samoa keen to make their mark against Vanuatu.

New Orchids coach Tahnee Norris believes her players will be in better shape to take on the Australian PM's XIII after completing the first season of PNG's national women's rugby league competition.    

New coach Jason Demetriou relying on PNG Hunters players to get the job done against Australia in the annual PM's XIIIs clash in Port Moresby

VASANOC President Antoine Boudier says he urged the Vanuatu government to pull out of the race to host the 2031 Pacific Games a month before the vote in Palau, but the Council of Ministers left their decision to the very last minute.  

She's about to turn 37, but Manusina's captain Sui Pauaraisa continues to lead her team towards a dream come true - a place at the Rugby World Cup in 2025  

A New Caledonia delegation has travelled to New York to attend the United Nation's fourth committee on decolonisation, with both pro and anti-independence petitioners making their case.

Timor-Leste's president has sharply criticised exploitation in Australia's Pacific labour scheme, warning that unscrupulous employers are soaking workers from his country by over-charging them for accommodation and transport.

Timor Leste's President Jose Ramos Horta has slammed Australia's Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme calling it "exploitative' telling journalists too many employers are gouging workers from Timor Leste with high accommodation and transport costs.

The Pacific's cyclone season begins in two weeks, with forecasters predicting a milder season despite ocean temperatures remaining warm.

There are concerns in Guam over a plan by Japan to set up a military base to set up a military base as a deterrent against future conflict in the region. But Japan's World War Two legacy in Guam is proving to be a sticking point for locals. 

Japan's new prime minister Shigeru Ishiba has called for the establishment of a Japanese military presence on the strategically important Pacific island of Guam — a move locals say could "tear open wounds" from World War II.

A new three-year research project, will work with communities, local and state governments in the Pacific to identify where to relocate coastal villages sustainably.

Indonesia's government has ambitious plans to reach national food security but there are questions about the impact it will have on the ecosystem.

Fiji social workers say there are concerns about a spike in reported cases of suicide and self-harm among men between the ages of 18-25.

The Samoan government says only small leakages of oil have been detected following the sinking of a New Zealand navy ship.

Communities on the south coast of Samoa's Upolu island are worried about the threat to the environment posed by the wreck of the New Zealand navy ship which ran aground and sank over the weekend.

People living along the south coast of Samoa's Upolu island are worried about the environmental damage caused by a New Zealand navy ship that sank just off the coast over the weekend.

Tonga has succeeded in its bid to host the 2031 Pacific Games, winning over three-time previous hosts Fiji.

Seventy-five crew members of the New Zealand Navy Ship, the HMNZS Manawanui were rescued after it ran aground and sank off the coast of Samoa's main island of Upolu over the weekend. 

Tune in each morning and afternoon to keep-up-to-date on the happenings in the Pacific.

For five years, the result of Bougainville's independence referendum has been stalled, awaiting ratification from Papua New Guinea's parliament. Now, the arrival of a moderator appointed to guide talks on the 2019 results could unlock Bougainville's path towards independence.

The fallout from last month's dramatic arrest of the head of Fiji's corruption watchdog by her own staff is continuing. 

Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers go head to head in Sunday's NRL Grand Final,  and the winners will be out on their own as the competition's most successful club.   

The PNG Barramundis have put past batting woes behind them for now, after chasing down nearly 300 to beat Qatar and go into their crucial match against Kuwait in WCCL A, confident of another win.

Manusina Samoa and Fijiana are set to inspire more women and girls to take up rugby, as the region's leading teams prepare for a vital contest at the WXV3 tournament in Dubai.

Under 85kg rugby is on the rise in New Zealand, and former Tonga skipper and Super Rugby player, Inoke Afeaki, believes the light-weight version of the game could take over in the not too distant future.    

Desperately short of cash, but no shortage of passion and commitment, as former Ikale Tahi player, Josh Taumalolo, sets out to nurture Tonga's rugby stars of the future.

In Papua New Guinea, betting on the NRL is growing in popularity and it's happening with little to no regulatory oversight sparking concerns over its impact on the vulnerable.

The cause of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption in 2022 remains unclear, but new research from the Australian National University suggests gas could have been the main trigger.

Self-censorship, political pressure and fear of reprisals were among the key challenges faced by journalists according to a new Pacific Media Forum Index.

Self-censorship, political pressure and fear of reprisals were among the key challenges faced by journalists according to a new Pacific Media Forum Index. 

A research project set to commence this month across three Pacific islands will use black soldier flies to help farmers turn food waste into nutrient-rich animal feed and fertiliser.

A former Solomon Islands journalist has gone back to his home in Malaita, helping to kick-start a grassroots agriculture initiative and reviving local culture and language.

Today, Tuvalu – a nation of eight islands and over 10,000 people is celebrating 46 years of independence. 

Vanuatu's government is looking to increase the period of land-hold leases from 75 years to 99 years. 

The country is one of the smallest nations in the world, but over the years, it has garnered attention for being at the forefront of battling rising sea levels.

From gangland assassinations, stabbing to domestic violence, members of the Pacific community have been implicated in recent high-profile crimes in Australia. It highlights the over-representation of Pacific Islanders in Australian crime statistics.

Vanuatu chiefs are pushing to re-introduce traditional arranged weddings, believing it will strengthen marriages and prevent the breakdown of relationships affecting seasonal workers.

The coach of Samoa’s national rugby team, Mase Mahonri Schwalger, was arrested on sexual assault charges last week. He has since been released on bail.

The coach of Samoa’s national rugby team, Mase Mahonri Schwalger has been arrested on sexual assault charges just four months after he was appointed to the top job.

A number of world leaders are demanding answers from China following the test-fire of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific ocean last week. 

The Katherine region in Australia's Northern Territory has just started picking its first mangoes of the season. 

Leading Pacific Islands academic Sala Dr George Carter has been appointed to the COP29 Presidency Scientific Council.

NRL's top managers air their curious view of the PNG competition licence bid on commercial TV in Australia, saying the government in Canberra has ticked all the financial boxes, but there is still a long way to go.  

Three players from the same village in Malaita have boosted hopes of a women's XV-a-side rugby competition in Solomon Islands after winning premiership medals in Australia, on what was meant to be no more than a mission to gain experience.  

She's played soccer since the age of three in Hawaii, but now after Samoa's talent scouts came calling, she's in line to play in the 2025 FIFA Under 17 Women's World Cup in Morocco.

Manusina Samoa's coach Ramsey Tomokino says they won't be taking the Netherlands lightly in the opening game of their WXV campaign in Dubai, as they target a place at the Rugby World Cup next year. 

As more World Cup players come forward to ask the Fiji Rugby Union what happened to their money, it has emerged that a promised bonus payment from World Rugby for reaching the last eight never actually existed.

As players from Fiji's 2023 Rugby World Cup squad queue up to ask the FRU about missing payments, it has emerged that a big bonus from World Rugby for reaching the quarter-finals never existed.

Samoa Police are recommending the closure of St Joseph College after a mass brawl this week left one student severely injured in hospital.

Anasina Gray-Barberio has become the first-ever Samoan/Pasifika woman MP to be sworn into the Victorian Parliament. 

Former Fijian prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry says failed coup leader George Speight, should have been release after a truth commission had been established. 

The release of failed coup leader George Speight has raised questions about forgiveness and reconciliation. It's been a matter of public discourse, but what about those held hostage? 

Over half of Solomon Islands development budget is funded by donor partners. It’s a common theme across the Pacific, where donors play a big role in propping up the budget of many regional nations.

Former Fijian prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry says failed coup leader George Speight, should have been release after a truth commission had been established. Speight had been serving a life sentence for leading an attempted coup in 2000.

The United Nations General Assembly is underway in New York, with leaders and representatives from nations around the world in attendance.

Pacific Island climate advocacy group 6PAC+ alliance,will be representing the Pacific and Caribbean States when meetings organised by the International Maritime Organisation commence this week in London. 

A Vanuatu climate delegate, Ralph Regenvanu says trillions of dollars are needed to finance climate resilience in the Pacific. 

A Vanuatu climate delegate, Ralph Regenvanu says trillions of dollars are needed to finance climate resilience in the Pacific. Climate financing and levies are set to be discussed in meetings organised in London by the International Maritime Organisation.

Fiji's Council of Social Services says the trauma of those who suffered from George Speight's violent coup in 2000 must first be accepted before forgiveness and reconciliation can take place

When it comes to innovative solutions for the Pacific, expertise is often found from outside the region, but a family owned enterprise in Samoa are leading the way with the use of technology to solve some of the pressing issues the region faces.

Papua New Guinea's independent power producers chairman David Burbridge, has slammed the country's energy body PNG Power Ltd. Mr Burbridge says no one would invest in the country's energy sector if PNG Power Ltd was still in energy production.

In Fiji, the family of the George Speight says he has no plans to make a public statement anytime soon after his release from prison last week. Speight led a failed attempt at a coup back in 2000 during which he and his followers held the then prime minister Mahendra Chaudry and his government hostage for 56 days. Since his release, there have been public calls for Speight to come clean on who his supporters were back in 2000.

Fiji's government has released the country's first ever foreign policy white paper which says managing the strategic competition between the United States and China is the Pacific region's highest priority.

George Speight's family says he has no plans to make a public statement anytime soon after his release from prison last week.

The release of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mertens is being lauded by humanitarian groups. Mertens release occurs over a year and a half since his kidnapping by a faction of the West Papua Liberation army, led by Egnias Kogoya.

After serving more two decades in prison, failed coup leader George Speight is now a free man. He succeeded in securing a presidential pardon after his application was received by a mercy commission last year.

Reggae, pop and country music are the most popular genres in local music scenes across all regions of the Pacific, but there's an alternative taste developing. From Papua New Guinea to Samoa, heavy metal music appears to be growing in popularity. 

Efforts to rebuild New Caledonia following violent riots earlier this year will commence this week, with a bipartisan delegation from the French territory set to travel to Paris. 

As leaders from across the Pacific Islands convene in New York ahead of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele will not be in attendance.

Vanuatu's government is looking to increase the period of land hold leases from 75 years to 99 years. The new push comes as urban land leases with a 50-year clause are due to end in 2030, raising concerns among investors in the country who want more surety on their investments, but not everyone is convinced.

Worldwide, bees are dying at higher rates by the year, In Niue, an initiative to conserve and foster a bee population is underway, with a Pacific Bee Sanctuary to be established.

After serving more two decades in prison, Fiji's failed coup leader George Speight is now a free man. He succeeded in securing a presidential pardon after his application was received by a mercy commission last year.

The FRU is calling on former Flying Fijians, captain, Waisea Nayacalevu, to back his corruption claims with evidence, after he confirmed the team was on the brink of strike action at the World Cup last year. 

Could 3x3 basketball be the next team sport to lead Pacific island countries to Olympic success? 

Ten of the players in the under-16 women's squad who have lifted Samoa to the unprecedented heights of World Cup qualification are the products of a global search for young talent who are keen to represent their country of heritage.

Apia will be the new base for the Oceania Weightlifting Centre, which closed the doors at its previous location in Noumea as a result of travel restrictions imposed during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Apia is to be the new home for the Oceania Weightlifting Centre, four years after its predecessor in Noumea was forced to shut up shop in the face of the pandemic.  

Fiji's coach Wise Kativerata says he has had no conversations with Jarryd Hayne over a shock recall to the international stage after his release from jail, but he says the former NRL star is welcome to assist in the Bati's camp., 

In Pacific culture, death is a unifying occasion that brings families together to mourn and to reflect. In Papua New Guinea however, the rising cost of living is robbing families of the opportunity to pay respects to their loved ones.  

A number of high-level Australian leaders are in the Pacific this week, with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles travelling to Vanuatu and Pat Conroy the International Development and Pacific Minister in Solomon Islands. 

After four weeks of industrial action, Vanuatu's government has approved a payout of 4 billion vatu, or $40 million, to striking teachers. 

The sportswomen of Samoa continue to make history for their country, with their Under 16 soccer team beating New Caledonia 2-0 in the semi-finals of the OFC Championship to guarantee themselves a place at the FIFA Under 17 World Cup in Morocco next year.

Tongan police are hopeful they've seen the last of the notorious motorcycle gang the Comancheros in the kingdom following the recent arrest of two of the gang's alleged senior figures.

In Papua New Guinea, a Kokoda trekking company says sudden track-closures may affect one of its busiest periods.

The Vanuatu government has publicly taken a stance against the promotion and advocacy of LGBTQI plus rights. Following a Council of Ministers decision back in April not to support LGBTQI plus activities, the government is now looking to prepare a national policy on the matter.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has rejected calls to cut the government's overseas travel after calls from the opposition to reduce expenses by cutting travel and balancing the national budget.

The US territory of Guam will this week hold a commemoration service in honour of the nearly three thousand victims who perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Among those who will attend is former U.S Army Lieutenant Colonel David Okada, who survived the air attack on the Pentagon which killed 184 people.

In Papua New Guinea, Police and military reinforcements will arrive in Porgera today to help restore law and order. More than two dozen people have been killed in fighting between illegal miners and landowners in the Porgera Valley.

In Papua New Guinea, Police and military reinforcements will arrive in Porgera today to help restore law and order. More than two dozen people have been killed in fighting between illegal miners and landowners in the Porgera Valley.

A new study has found that training influencers in Fiji to promote vaccines could be key to eradicating preventable diseases. The report comes off the back of The Vaccine Champions program, a collaboration between the Fijian government and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.

The Governor of Papua New Guinea's Enga Province is calling for a state of emergency to be implemented after dozens of people were killed in tribal fighting. Human rights activist Cressida Kuala a human rights activist says police need to extend their protection beyond the mine site and into villages.

The Governor of Enga Province is calling for a state of emergency to be implemented after dozens of people were killed in deadly tribal fighting near Papua New Guinea’s main gold mine. 

For centuries the Guam Kingfisher also known as the Sihek flourished in Guam until the introduction of the Brown Tree Snake, which completely wiped them out.

It was on this day in 1975 that the Australian flag was lowered at Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby marking the end of 70 years of colonial rule by Australia, and a new day of independence for Papua New Guinea.

A new documentary "Alofa" spotlights the journey of a Samoan ex-Pastor and human rights advocate amid unresolved community tensions.

It was on this day in 1975 that the Australian flag was lowered at Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby marking the end of 70 years of colonial rule by Australia, and a new day of independence for the people of Papua New Guinea.

It's been three weeks since Pacific leaders met in Tonga for the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Summit. 

Mass evictions are uprooting entire communities in Vanuatu and leaving many in search of new homes. 

Head Coach Ramsey Tomokino is hopeful that funding from Australia will open more doors for the Manusina to play more games on home soil in Apia.

Women's rugby league comp in PNG likely to grow, as Dabaris and Lahanis prepare for inaugural Grand Final

He's promising to write a book, but American Samoa's legendary goalkeeper Nicky Salapu still has unfinished business on the field to attend to.

Samoa and Ikale Tahi slipping further behind Fiji, as World Rugby fails again to come up with the right answers.  

This weekend, ABC’s The Pacific will be airing ‘Canvass of Oceans’ – a feature documentary about the 2024 Festival of Arts in Hawaii (FestPac 2024). It follows the journey of 'The Pacific' co-hosts Johnson Raela and Alice Lolohea, as they explore the festival and its over 3000 participants.

Coach Tatenda Taibu has made changes, as PNG head to Kenya for World Cup Challenge, but he says those missing out are still in the mix.  

Rookie coach Paul Aiton proud of his efforts, and proud of his team, as they stand on the brink of a Q-Cup Grand Final place for the first time since 2017.  

Samoa is just one month away from hosting the biggest event in its history, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and its health ministry is on high alert.

Those were the sounds of the Fa'ataupati (Samoan Slap dance) from just some of the performances at the recent 4Cs celebration of culture. For many living in the diaspora - we often hear stories of disconnection to language and culture but thanks to organisations like 4Cs, students like Andrew Samu have reaped the benefits of embracing his Samoan culture.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape has survived a vote of no confidence, with 75 members of parliament backing him, overwhelmingly ahead of the 32 who voted to oust him.

It's pageant season in the Pacific, and no pageant is complete without a little bit of controversy. In Fiji, a scandal over the winner of Miss Universe Fiji has tainted the event and made international headlines.

So, what does it take to build a brand, new country?  That was the question Bougainvilleans in Australia were asked during consultations on a draft constitution. 

More than 600,000 people in Timor Leste — nearly half the country's population — have turned out for an outdoor mass by Pope Francis. 

Australians of Pacific heritage are under-represented in the journalism industry. In an attempt to help encourage young Pasifika in Australia to take up the profession, ABC has implemented an internship programme, giving high school students of Pacific heritage a tour of ABC newsrooms across the country.

A preliminary report into a fatal plane crash in Vanuatu in July has confirmed reports the plane came down after running out of fuel. 

More than 600,000 people in Timor Leste — nearly half the country's population — have turned out for an outdoor mass by Pope Francis. It's one of the biggest ever crowds to have attended a papal event.

Save The Children is launching its "Library for All" project, aiming to publish 8,000 books to give to remote schools across the country. All books will be written by local authors in the local language.

World Bank president Ajay Banga has been travelling through the Pacific, promising to ramp up investment in the region and make it easier for island nations to access climate financing.

Pope Francis has been welcomed by ecstatic crowds of tens of thousands in Timor-Leste's capital, Dili. It's the first visit by the Pontiff in 35 years. 

Islands drive language change and generate language diversity in similar ways to how they drive species diversity, according to new research from the Australian National University.

Across the Pacific, nations are looking to grow their share of China's lucrative market of international tourists as they return to the skies following COVID shutdowns. It's predicted international trips from China will double, but observers say a tit-for-tat between Palau and China over a drop in visitors numbers shows even tourism is at risk of falling victim to politics. 

Pope Francis has been welcomed by tens of thousands in the capital Dili. It's the first visit by the Pontiff in 35 years. Timor Leste may be the world's youngest Catholic country. but it has the largest catholic proportion of any population outside the Vatican.

A former New Zealand Governor General, diplomat and former soldier has been appointed as a mediator for talks between Papua New Guinea and Bougainville. 

Pope Francis celebrated mass with more than 35thousand Papua New Guineans over the weekend. While in PNG the Pontiff called for a peaceful resolution to Bougainville's bid for independence, better use of natural resources and an end to tribal violence.

To some Solomon Islanders, the saltwater crocodile is a sacred animal and such is its cultural significance that it adorns the national coat of arms. But there has been a rapid increase in the number of crocodile attacks over the last decade.

Pope Francis celebrated mass with more than 35thousand Papua New Guineans, as he spent the weekend in the Pacific's largest and most populated nation. While in PNG the Pontiff called for a peaceful resolution to Bougainville's bid for independence, better use of natural resources and an end to tribal violence. He now makes his way to Timor-Leste and is expected to touch down in the capital Dili later this afternoon. 

There are hopes that a new road around the site of the deadly Enga landslide will restore some normalcy to the affected communities.  

Over the weekend, the country mourned the passing of late Maori King Tuheitia. Thousands gathered for his funeral at the Turangawaewae Marae in the Wakaito town of Ngāruawāhia. 

Assistant Coach Nili Latu says it will take time to rebuild an aging Ikale Tahi squad as they build towards the next Rugby World Cup in 2027.

Felipe Vega Arango led Solomon Islands to Pacific Games silver, and a number one seeding ahead of World Cup qualifying, and now PNG have asked him to revive their flagging fortunes.  

Solomon Islands' new Australian coach, Josh Smith, wants his team to step up in World Cup qualifying and look to "pinch" a game off New Zealand.

Excitement is building in Vanimo in PNG's North West with final preparations being made ahead of what will probably be the small town's most high profile visitor ever, Pope Francis. The Pontiff will only be on the ground for a few hours but people from surrounding areas, and even West Papua are expected to travel to Vanimo to see him and receive his blessing.

What do you do if you find yourself pregnant in a new country, with little insurance far from home? This is one of the many complex sexual health issues workers in the Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme face. 

A number of members of Tonga's law society have launched a petition calling for the removal of the country's new chief justice over his sexual orientation.

The Pope's arrival in Papua New Guinea tomorrow will mark a break from political contest as the country's Opposition and government prepare for next week's vote of no confidence.

School holidays in Vanuatu come to an end next week, but it's uncertain if classrooms will be reopening as a disagreement between teachers and the government continues.

Excitement is building in Vanimo in PNG's North West with final preparations being made ahead of what will probably be the small town's most high profile visitor ever, Pope Francis. 

Prisoners in Tonga have provided a rare insight into the strategies used by criminal networks to bring drugs into the Pacific and then onto Australia and New Zealand. 

Consultations among the Bougainvillean diaspora in Australia for a draft constitution for what's anticipated to be the Pacific's next independent nation were held in Brisbane over the weekend.

Changes in the political landscape have been taking place in New Caledonia with major shifts within the powerbase of the pro-independence movement. The Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front has appointed jailed activist Christian Tein as their leader, but this appears to have met with a disagreement between pro-independence factions.

The township of Mendi in Papua New Guinea's Southern Highlands has been hit with flash floods, catching many off guard. In a social media video that's gone viral, a mother and a child can be seen clinging for a life to a tree, as flood waters rush by.

A group of kava producers and scientists say a legal case in Germany could soon bring an end to the more-than two decade ban on kava being sold in the country. 

Next in his 12-day itinerary is Papua New Guinea, where more than 40,000 people are expected to take part in Sunday mass in a stadium in the capital, Port Moresby.

Changes in the political landscape have been taking place in New Caledonia, with major shifts within the power base of the pro-independence movement. 

There has been a spate of party-hopping in Papua New Guinea's parliament ahead of its resumption later today. Two MPs have left the government, while another has returned to the government side after defecting to the opposition a few months ago.

There has been a spate of party hopping in Papua New Guinea’s parliament ahead of its resumption later today. Two MPs have left the government, while another has returned to the government side after defecting to the opposition a few months ago.

The Australian Federal Police has embarked on a new partnership with Papua New Guinea with the opening of two offices in Kokopo and Mt Hagen.

New Zealand is in mourning following the passing of the Maori King Tuheitia last Friday. Tens of thousands are expected to visit the Turangawaewae Marae in Waikato, where the late Kiingi Tuheitia lies in state. 

Papua New Guinea lies in the coral triangle, one of the most biologically diverse places in our ocean. It is home to more than 2,000 species of fish, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth. 

The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit in Tonga has wrapped up with the meeting ending in controversy after the publication of what appears to be a wrong paragraph in the official communique. 

The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit in Tonga has wrapped up with the meeting ending in controversy after the publication of what appears to be a wrong paragraph in the official communique. 

A range of civil society groups attended the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Tonga, where they met with leaders to discuss their concerns.  Among them was the Pacific Network on Globalisation, a human rights watchdog advocating the right to self-determination for nations such as New Caledonia.

Fiji is grappling with a serious drug issue, caused by rampant trafficking through the region. Mexican cartels and outlaw motorcycle gangs are using the islands as transit points for methamphetamine and cocaine, leading to increased local drug use. With very little resources to restrict the drugs coming in, large shipments are easily entering the Pacific.

Young Catholics in Papua New Guinea say the upcoming visit by Pope Francis could not have come at a better time for the country. 

Australia's Minister for the Pacific wishes Oceania's para-athletes "bon chance" in Paris, where they'll compete in field events and taekwando  

Football Australia is expected to send more age group teams to the Pacific in future years, and matches involving the Socceroos and the Matildas against teams from Oceania are under consideration.   

Replica shirts are on sale, and the Nauru Soccer Federation is preparing to send out an international team for the first time ever in December, with Kiribati set to be their opponents in Tarawa.   

Paralympic sport is on the rise in Oceania, with 13 athletes from half a dozen countries competing at the Paralympics in France. 

Australia's U23s set to play two matches against Vanuatu in Port Vila after New Caledonia pulled out of what was due to be a tri-nations tournament.

The climate crisis has been the biggest talking point so far at the Pacific Island Leaders Forum in Tonga, and throughout the meeting, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres reiterated calls for developed nations and major fossil fuel producers to live up to climate action pledges.

In Tonga, at least two accommodation providers have complained that block bookings made by the Tourism Ministry were cancelled at the last moment, leaving them without any paying guests and out of pocket.

Climate action and a major new policing arrangement have been the main agendas, of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

Well before the regional policing agreement, navy heads and admirals from a dozen countries were in Tonga to discuss maritime security. The annual South West Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces serves as an opportunity for the Pacific Island nations to present their challenges and action plans.

The Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting is entering its final days, with climate action and a major new policing arrangement having been the main agendas.

The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting is approaching its final stages with the leaders retreat to be held over the weekend. 

One of the biggest announcements to come from the sidelines of this year's Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting is an alarming United Nations Climate report. The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says the Pacific could see at least a 15cm rise in sea level by mid century if global carbon emissions are unchecked.

There are concerns about media freedom in Papua New Guinea after a prominent journalist was blocked from attending a press conference between Prime Minister James Marape and Indonesia's president-elect Prabowo Subianto.

For PIF hosts Tonga, it has been a massive logistical effort by the government to get the capital Nuku'alofa ready for the week-long event, but for Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku, it's the discussions on climate financing, policing and decolonisation that now take centre stage.

Climate change and climate financing have been the main topics of discussion at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting so far in Tonga. There have been calls for developed countries to help Pacific Islands combat the effects of fossil fuel emissions such as sea level rise, which is devastating local communities.

Climate change and climate financing have been the main topics of discussion at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting so far in Tonga. There have been calls for developed countries to help Pacific Islands combat the effects of fossil fuel emissions such as sea level rise, which is devastating local communities.

Next week Pope Francis begins a short tour of the Asia-Pacific region, stopping in Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. In Timor-Leste, as many as seven-hundred thousand people are expected to descend on the capital Dili for an outdoor mass, but with the huge numbers expected, authorities say they have a space problem, and so they've begun bulldozing squatter homes.

There is a surge of cases of MonkeyPox or MPox popping up in the Indo-Pacific region. It’s causing concern to those in the Pacific after the World Health Organisation declared the infectious disease as a global health emergency. One pacific nation which knows all too well the devastation an outbreak can bring is Samoa.

Today is expected to be the busiest of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga, with a meeting scheduled between UN Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez and Pacific Island leaders.

There there are calls for Australia to back a trillion dollar climate financing goal. The new target is highlighted in a report, released this morning by a coalition of NGOs who are urging Australia’s Government to lead the way in ramping up support for climate financing.   

The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum enters its second day in Tonga today following a shaky start yesterday with a magnitude 6.9 earthquake causing a scare. Tonga''s Acting Director for Communications, Stan Ahio, says the country's domestic cable to the islands of Vava'u and Ha'apai has been cut, likely as a result of the earthquake.

One of the key issues leaders are expected to discuss at the Pacific Islands Forum this week is the unrest in New Caledonia. 

A major exercise is underway in the Solomon Islands to map the locations of unexploded ordnances from World War II.  

Tonga is the only Pacific nation with legislation barring women from owning land, and there is growing domestic and foreign pressure for the government to change the 1875 law.

Australia is the largest development partner in the Pacific, providing support across climate change, infrastructure, and agriculture, but industry leaders in the region don't believe research and funding are being implemented as effectively as possible.

Numerous agendas are to be discussed at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting from the climate crisis to the economic development.

The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting kicks off today in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, with the leaders of 18 nations in attendance. Among the high profile delegates in Tonga for the meeting is United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting kicks off today in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, with the leaders of 18 nations in attendance. Among the high profile delegates in attendance is United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

New Zealand's women are dominating at the inaugural OFC Futsal Nations Cup in Solomon Islands, but the Pacific nations are slowly gaining momentum.

Lakapi Samoa's CEO says former 7s coach Brian Lima has to provide evidence to back his claims that his role was sabotaged by someone in the union's hierarchy.

Samoa Cricket is the talk of the town after batter Darius Visser scored 39 runs off one over to set a new T20I world record — and now a place at the next World Cup is on their radar. 

ONOC President Dr Robin Mitchell says the furore over a marathon runner competing for Solomon Islands in the 100 metres at the Paris Olympics demonstrates a clear need for transparency and financial clarity from NOCs.

A nurse on Daru island in PNG's western province says there's a drastic need for specialist eye doctors in the area. Helen Gagole says around 10 to 20 people with vision problems are visiting the Daru hospital on a daily basis.

Recent news of deported Australian gang members importing methamphetamine into Tonga is highlighting the ethics of Australia's deportation policies.

A study by an Australian think tank has found Pacific Island countries, now more than ever, are leveraging major power competition to drive hard bargains and maximise development benefits.

New Zealand officially celebrates Uike Kātoanga'i 'o e lea faka-Tonga or Tonga Language Week. It’s an annual language preservation event and this year’s theme is 'E tu'uloa 'a e lea faka-Tongá 'o ka lea'aki 'i 'api, siasí,  mo e nofo-'a-kāingá - The Tongan Language will be sustainable when used at home, church and in the wider community.

A day after stopping off in Canberra to meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto touched down in Papua New Guinea for talks with Prime Minister James Marape. 

When Pacific leaders fly into Tonga for the Pacific Forum Leaders meeting next week, they'll be greeted by climate activists. Among them will be the crew of the Uto ni Yalo, a double-hull traditional outrigger canoe that began its journey to Tonga from Fiji more than a week ago.

Cancer of the head and neck, otherwise known as oral cancer is the most common in Papua New Guinea, and because of a chronic shortage of radiation treatment services in PNG, such a diagnosis is a death sentence for many patients.

Recent news of deported Australian gang members importing methamphetamine into Tonga is highlighting Australia's justice system. On expert says Australia needs to rethink its policy.

Kiribati’s president Taneti Maamau and his ruling party have performed well, a strong indication he will continue for a third term, as negotiations for a new government begin.

Tonga Police are taking aim at the Comancheros outlaw motorcycle gang following the arrest of two members in Nuku’alofa, who were charged with attempting to import methamphetamine. Police allege a deportee from Australia, is the central figure behind an attempt to set up a local branch of the gang..

Tonga Police are taking aim at the Comancheros outlaw motorcycle gang following the arrest of two members in Nuku’alofa who were charged with attempting to import methamphetamine. 

Community workers on the Papua New Guinea Island of Daru say the growing number of unemployed youths is having a negative impact on life in the island. Lack of jobs and income is being blamed for pushing up criminal activities and violence.

Members of the Fijian government will visit Australia in October to investigate claims of racism, bullying, unsafe practices, and exploitation in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. 

The Australian Government and Football Australia are extending their partnership designed to support the development of elite football throughout the Pacific. The four-year investment will facilitate regular international fixtures between Australian and Pacific island national teams.

The planned Pacific Islands Forum mission to New Caledonia appears to have broken down in acrimony, just days after it was given the green light from France.

There are concerns around the Rabi Banaban community in Fiji as it continues to face exclusion from Kiribati elections, despite the Kiribati constitution explicitly giving them the right to citizenship. 

Stray dogs are a common sight in Tonga but soon authorities hope that'll be a thing of the past. The animals are being removed from the streets ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting later this month. 

The Pacific Engagement Visa is a permanent residence visa for participating countries across the Pacific and Timor-Leste with up to three thousand visas available annually. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade however, is facing accusations of lacking transparency and poor information sharing by visa applicants.

The Papua New Guinea government's commitment to a moratorium on deep sea mining is being questioned, as sea bed mining exploration n the country resumes.

By this time next week, Pacific leaders will be in Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa for the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Summit. Among them will be a very small sub section of women leaders from the region, namely Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine.

In December 2022 over 190 countries adopted a global biodiversity framework - an international policy document to better protect our planet. One target within this was the protection of 30 percent of the worlds land and water surfaces, which has given rise to the creation of marine protection areas.

A group of Australian researchers have discovered a new species of bat in Papua New Guinea, a finding that they say shows more research collaboration is needed between the two countries.

The Papua New Guinea government's commitment to a moratorium on deep sea mining is being questioned, as sea bed mining exploration in the Bismark sea resumes. Opponents of the  Solwara 1 project say the prime minister's commitment to halt seabed mining which was made alongside other Melanesian leaders last year is a sham.

Police in Marshall Islands say they are preparing to file criminal charges against members of an alleged illegal drug ring found operating in the country's national jail.

More than half a million people are expected to descend on Timor-Leste's capital Dili for mass with Pope Francis next month as he tours the country. In Dili, the mass will be held in the village area of Tasi Tolu, but with the huge numbers expected, authorities have begun evicting people living in the area.

When Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka came into power, one of his election promises was changing the controversial 2013 constitution. 

According to researchers from the Academy of Christian Humanism University in Chile, starch grains analysed from stone tools gathered from the site of an early settlement on the remote island are derived from foods indigenous to South America. 

More than half a million people are expected to descend on Timor-leste's capital Dili for mass with Pope Francis next month as he tours the country. In Dili, the mass will be held in the village area of Tasi Tolu, but with the huge numbers expected, authorities have begun evicting people living in the area.

A representative for New Caledonia's government is hoping an upcoming visit by a Pacific Islands Forum delegation will help convince France to revisit the disputed third independence referendum.

A political scientist says Fiji's planned constitutional reforms are likely to change the balance of power between the military and the government.

The ringleader of a notorious gang accused of murdering at least 26 people in Papua New Guinea has turned himself in to police. Detectives say it's a major breakthrough in their investigation into the massacre in a remote village last month. Another prime suspect and more than 20 henchmen are still believed to be in hiding.

Tonga’s government is well into its final preparations for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit which will be held in the capital Nuku'alofa later this month. On the agenda will be an update on New Caledonia's political situation and a policing initiative that's likely to be opposed by some Forum member countries.

Pope Francis's visit to Papua New Guinea next month is expecting to see more than 20,000 attending mass in Port Moresby. Archbishop of Port Moresby, Cardinal Sir John Ribat says the visit offers an opportunity for spiritual healing.

In Vanuatu, the public is coming to terms with a major government reshuffle. The changes made by Prime Minister Charlot Salwai are aimed at fending off a challenge by the opposition. 

The ringleader of a notorious gang accused of murdering at least 26 people in Papua New Guinea has turned himself in to police.

There were over 3,500 dancers representing 55 countries in Phoenix, Arizona, competing for the 2024 World Hip Hop Dance Championship title. In an exhilarating turn of events, the "Wan Squad" hip-hop dance team from Papua New Guinea made history by winning the 2024 National Championships hip-hop dance competition in the USA.

Samoans on the minimum wage have received a pay rise after the government announced a one Samoan tala increase to the minimum rate, bringing it to four tala per hour.

I-Kiribati citizens will head to the polls tomorrow to decide their next president. Wrapping up their election campaigns are 114 candidates contesting the national election. 

A high chief in the Northern province of Vanuatu is calling for the removal of a sacred head-dress displayed in the country's National Museum. Chief Bretin Abraham says the display degrades the value of cultural practices around the head-dress.

In Tonga, complaints about the lack of restrictions on whale-watching operators continue to persist. A petition has been launched that calls on Tonga's government to do more about alleged unscrupulous entrepreneurs setting up whale-watching operations.

A sudden reshuffle in Vanuatu’s Government has caught many by surprise. It follows the departure of the Union of Moderates Political Party from government. Among the casualties are high profile Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu who loses his seat.

A sudden reshuffle in Vanuatu's government has caught many by surprise, following the departure of the Union of Moderates Political Party. 

Fiji is the only Pacific Island nation to have won a medal at the 2024 Olympics, thanks to its Mens 7s team who hatched silver. 

Police are still hunting for the culprits of a brutal massacre in Papua New Guinea's East Sepik province. It's alleged 24 people – including 11 children – were murdered in an early morning raid on a village in the Angoram district late last month.

Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is heading off on a state visit to China. It’s his first trip to Beijing since coming into office in late 2022, and marks the start of a diplomatic whirlwind tour which will see him travelling from China to New Caledonia as a member of a high-level Pacific envoy before heading to Tonga for the Pacific Leaders meeting.

Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is heading off on a state visit to China. It’s his first trip to Beijing since coming into office in late 2022, and marks the start of a diplomatic whirlwind tour which will see him travelling from China to New Caledonia as a member of a high-level Pacific envoy before heading to Tonga for the Pacific Leaders meeting.  

Art is a powerful way to communicate messages that go beyond words. All too often, local culture is neglected in favour of western ideas. One person looking to change that through an Ethno Arts Course is Dreamcast Theatre's Creative Director, Neil Nuia.

Australian researchers are working with the Pacific Regional Infectious Disease Association to implement a tube-feeding project in Solomon Islands, to help resource-limited hospitals.

Tomorrow, the people of Hawaii will mark the one-year anniversary of the Maui wildfires which destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, killing 97 people and leaving over 7 thousand homeless. 

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape is expected to travel to East Sepik province, after a surge of violence in recent weeks. First, there was the massacre of more than 20 people in remote villages in Angoram district last month. Then this week more than a hundred people were arrested following a violent riot in Maprik.

A Pacific Island partnership with the Victorian Bar Association looks to upskill lawyers and barristers in the pacific.

Tomorrow, the people of Hawaii will mark the one-year anniversary of the Maui wildfires which destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, killing 97 people and leaving over 7 thousand homeless. A 'paddle out' in Maui will honour the victims who perished in the tragedy.

Papua New Guinea law enforcement say they've arrested more than 180 men in relation to a riot that occurred in the district of Maprik in East Sepik Province. Police say the situation is now under control.

The Samoan government has introduced a two-month gun amnesty in an attempt to collect illegal firearms circulating in the country.

Papua New Guinea's government has been commended for granting citizenship to 143 West Papuans who've resided in the country for decades, but critics say it's taken too long.

A lawsuit against the Hawaiian state government and other agencies by thousands of survivors of the Lahaina wildfire has been settled for $US4 billion. 

The young men responsible for the barbaric killings in PNG's East Sepik province last month are being told to hand themselves or face a "harsh" police response. Around 40 members of the self-named "I Don't Care" gang are believed to have killed 26 people, most of them children in three remote villages in Angoram district.

We're all familiar with maternity leave but paternity leave is not a well know concept in the Pacific.  This is when fathers legally can apply for leave around the birth of their child. In Pohnpei, a paternity leave law is in place after almost a year of debate, making it the only of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia to have this law. 

As more Pacific islanders move overseas to work, governments are concerned about their ability to send their hard-earned dollars home, as withdrawal of international banks edge away from the Pacific. A meeting of Pacific finance ministers has discussed an Australian plan to try and prevent that from happening.

When it comes to women's leadership - the business sector in the Pacific is punching well above its weight. That's according to the latest Leadership Matters report from the Asian Development Bank's Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative.

India's President Droupadi Murmu is in Fiji today, marking the first-ever visit by a head of state from her country. She'll be addressing Fiji's Parliament and meet with the large Indian diaspora there. It marks New Dehli's latest foray into the region.

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industries is the country's peak organisation for the private sector. It speaks for the business community and works with the government through dialogue and collaboration.

More Papua New Guineans are buying local artwork, and artists say it’s the result of growing appreciation and national awareness of domestic art. PNG artist, Albert Joseph says cultural pride is attracting buyers, 

Brazilian oceanographer Leticia Carvalho has been named the next secretary-general of the International Seabed Authority. The election has come at a turning point for the International Seabed Authority as it gears up to receive the first applications for licences to mine the seabed of valuable metals used in batteries later this year.

A decade ago, Papua New Guinea's Airforce was almost completely inactive due to maintenance issues. But now, it's been revived., and has been active, playing a crucial role in delivering humanitarian aid to remote communities affected by recent natural disasters such as the Enga landslide.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Fiji this week marks the first-ever visit by an Indian head of state to Fiji. 

Papua New Guinea's soccer governing body, the PNGFA, has parted ways with national men's coach Warren Moon, only 12 months after being appointed.

The PNG Hunters will be back this weekend in what's shaping up as the biggest game of their season.

It's week two of the Paris Olympics and all eyes are on three weightlifters as the Pacific's top medal chances.

PNG has strengthened its rugby league pathway by naming its first ever national schools squads.

Papua New Guinea’s soccer governing body, the PNGFA, parts ways with national coach Warren Moon. Also, all eyes turn to Pacific weightlifters in hopes of a medal at Paris.

Diplomacy and geopolitics often dominates the media coverage of the Pacific region, but what impact is the geopolitical competition between China, the US, Australia and others having on the media itself? Veteran media academic Dr Shailendra Singh says that like Pacific governments, regional news outlets are also grappling with increased aid and attention.

A storm is brewing under the surface of the UN affiliated International Seabed Authority. The election of its Secretary-General is set to take place at the end of this week in Jamaica where the authority is based. 

It was a night of beauty, talent and culture at this year's Miss Samoa New South Wales pageant 2024. Present at the pageant to hand over her NSW crown was current Miss Samoa and Miss Pacific Islands Moemoana Safa'ato'a Schwenke.

Tonga is hastily preparing to host the Pacific Forum Leaders Meeting, with hundreds of visitors expected to attend.

A storm is brewing under the surface of the UN affiliated International Seabed Authority. The election of its Secretary-General is set to take place at the end of this week in Jamaica where the authority is based. Proceedings however, have been marred with controversy at a time where the outcome will decide the future of deep-sea mining, and in-turn, the future of international waters.

Across the Pacific, there is a slow but steady increase in the number of women standing for national elections. That trend, however, is not occurring in Fiji. 

A delegation of Australian leaders is in Vanuatu this week to get an on-the-ground understanding of the challenges faced by their Pacific neighbour, in particular the impacts of the climate crisis. 

Over the last two years, forty-thousand more Fijians have departed the country than returned. It's forced the Fijian government to raise the retirement age for some civil servants, in order to address the exodus of labour to Australia and New Zealand.

Vanuatu celebrates 44 years of independence from joint colonial rule by France and Britain. A colourful parade was held in Port Vila to mark the occasion, with thousands dressed in national colours and carrying flags,

Vanuatu has celebrated its 44th year as an independent state.Celebrations began last week with a Victory Parade held in Port Vila. It ended yesterday with a commemoration service. Vanuatu became an independent nation on 30 July 1980, marking the end of French and British colonial rule.

A labour agreement between the Solomon Islands and Niue is expected to see Solomon Islanders travel to fill employment gaps.

In Papua New Guinea, an MP is blaming the country's mining regulator for a violent confrontation at a remote alluvial mine site that's left one person dead and two others in hospital.

Rabaul was once known as the Pearl of the Pacific, until 30 years ago when two volcanoes near the town erupted, forcing residents to flee.

The Australian government is increasingly confident that its bid to host the world's most important climate change negotiations in 2026 will be successful. 

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced the setting up of a new 18 million dollar Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre that's aimed at ensuring under sea cables in the Pacific and Asia are resilient and safe.

There is dismay in Fiji over the performance of the Fijiana 7s team, who have been knocked out of the competition. 

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced the setting up of a new 18 million dollar Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre that's aimed at ensuring under sea cables in the Pacific and Asia are resilient and safe.

Air Vanuatu is set to resume its domestic service, more than 3-months after the airline grounded its planes. 

There is disappointment in Fiji over the failure of its mens 7s team to win gold, along with a shock exit of the women's team. 

Imagine being forced to walk one hour just to get drinking water. It's a reality that thousands of Timorese people face every day, and has prompted Government and NGOs to take steps in resolving the problem.

Fiji's mens team have picked up silver in the Olympic rugby sevens competition. The reigning Olympic champions went down 28 - 7 to a dominant French team in front of 70,000 spectators in Paris.

A mental health expert in Papua New Guinea says counselling and psychiatric help is needed for communities affected by a vicious gang attack in East Sepik.

Leaders, development partners, and industry officials have gathered at Majuro, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands for the 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women.

Tongan boxer Fe'ofa'aki 'Epenisa will make her Olympic debut this weekend when she squares off in the 62kg weight category.

Tune in eaFiji holds on to beat Ireland by four points to advance to the semi-final in the Rugby Sevens at the Paris Olympics. Also, Fe'ofa'aki 'Epenisa becomes the first female boxer to represent Tonga at the Olympics.ch morning and afternoon to keep-up-to-date on the happenings in the Pacific.

George Smith has made a long-awaited homecoming to Tonga, ahead of a historic double-header between the Queensland Reds and the Tongan men and women's national teams.

The world's number 1 flanker, Ardie Savea, has signed up to play for Moana Pasifika in the Super Rugby Championship.

It is well documented throughout history that Pacific people are natural navigators of the moana, and Samoan sailor Vaimo'oi'a Astrid Ripley is one of them.

Fiji has beaten Ireland 19-14 and will now face Australia for the right to play-off for the gold medal.

A Samoan mono-lingual dictionary has been published to help preserve the language and promote its use among the diaspora.

Twenty-five people have reportedly been killed in Angoram district of Papua New Guinea's East Sepik province. Governor Allan Bird has has called for an immediate increase in police numbers to deal with the outbreak of violence, reported to have been sparked by a land dispute.

The Cook Islands is set to host it's biggest national event, the Te Maeva Nui festival. 

Twenty-five people have reportedly been killed in Angoram district of Papua New Guinea's East Sepik province. 

Fiji is currently the biggest supplier of workers to the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. There are 6,379 Fijian PALM workers in Australia as of June 2024. It's a huge jump from 2019 when there were only 226, and correlates with big changes to the scheme over the past five years.

Samoa's police force is mourning the death of Detective Sergeant Peniamina Perite, who was allegedly shot and killed on Monday while attempting to arrest a murder suspect. 

Investigations into the grounding of a Fiji Navy vessel gifted by Australia could take years before any disciplinary action. The Puamau, a Guardian-class patrol boat worth $18m AUD, ran aground on June 11 on Fulaga Island in the Southeast of Fiji. A military inquiry found critical deficiencies in procedures and standards within the Navy.

A master Tongan tapa mat maker, Tui Emma Gillies, is concerned with the common trend of traditional Tongan tapa mat makers using plastic in making ngatu (Tongan tapa mat).

Fiji is currently the biggest supplier of workers to the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. There are 6,379 Fijian PALM workers in Australia, a huge jump from 2019 when there were only 226. It correlates with big changes to the scheme over the past five years.

On July 17, 1988, a 10-meter-high tsunami struck PNG's North West Coast, killing two-thousand people. One survivor, Alice Possani Ossii was only 7-years old when the tsunami struck. She is still coping with psychological trauma caused by the event.

A small fern found in New Caledonia and Vanuatu has been found by researchers to have the largest genome of any living organism.

Fashion and prison are not two things you'd expect to go together, but a program in a Papua New Guinea prison is bringing hope to women inmates by equipping them with fashion skills, they could use to start a new life.

Tourism numbers are down in Vanuatu during what should be the peak holiday season. Businesses and communities reliant on tourist dollars say it's a catastrophe, and are blaming the recent liquidation of Air Vanuatu. 

Two Catholic churches in the New Caledonia were torched last week and a Kanak monument desecrated over the weekend. The attacks have heightened tension in the territory, just three weeks after New Caledonia took part in the French national elections.

The bowing out of US President Joe Biden from this years presidential race for the white house, appears to have the full backing of the ruling democratic party. The US Pacific state of Hawaii is one electorate in that presidential race. Former state senator from Hawaii, Will Espero, gives his perspective.

Tourism numbers are down in Vanuatu during what should be the peak holiday season. Businesses and communities reliant on tourist dollars say it's a catastrophe, and are blaming the recent liquidation of Air Vanuatu. There are hopes the government can deliver on a plan to get the national carrier flying again.

The prow from an ancient Samoan war canoe taken during the Samoan Civil War in 1888 and stored in a German museum, has finally been returned to its homeland. 

It's estimated Elon Musk's Starlink now has more than 6,000 satellites beaming internet around the globe, and while supporters of the technology say it will have clear benefits for the Pacific Islands, many governments are yet to grant it a license. 

Over the weekend, the Flying Fijians, took on the mighty All Blacks in San Diego. The match saw a good turnout of both Fijian and New Zealand rugby fans.

It's estimated Elon Musk's Starlink now has more than 6,000 satellites beaming internet around the globe, and while supporters of the technology say it will have clear benefits for the Pacific Islands, many governments are yet to grant it a license.

Guam celebrated Liberation day on July 21, marking eighty years since the US territory was liberated from Imperial Japan in the Second World War.

Some say Samoa has the most beautiful villages in the Pacific, and many Samoans attribute this pride in appearance to an annual beautification competition.

New Zealand beat New Caledonia 4-0 in the OFC U-19 Men's Championship, but both teams had already claimed the real prize.

Tonga Rugby Union has appointed Aisea 'Aholelei as its long-term CEO after serving as the interim chief for several months.

Three Papua New Guinea Taekwondo Olympic athletes are looking to punch above expectations in Paris.

Some fifteen hundred athletes made it to the Micronesian Games, but the Chairman of the Organising Committee says it could have been more.

Close to 35,000 are expected to turn-up to watch the Flying Fijians take on the New Zealand All Blacks on Saturday.

Papua New Guinea's junior NRL academies will face off in a nationally televised tournament to determine which region holds the most talent.

The third and final game of the state of origin series was watched across Papua New Guinea. ABC correspondent Belinda Koro took to the streets of Goroko to talk to passionate fans who followed the game.

'Lai Tei Dalo Ko Tamaqu' is a 150-year-old Fijian nursery rhyme that's steeped in history. It's the inspiration for 'Butakoci', a Fijian dance production that looks at the history of blackbirding, when people from neighbouring Pacific islands were kidnapped or coerced into working on plantations in Fiji.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape stopped over in Indonesia while on he was on his way to Tokyo for the Pacific Island Leaders Meeting. He met and signed a number of trade agreements with President Joko Widodo. It's the latest of a number of meetings between Marape and the Government of Indonesia over the last three years, reflecting a growing relationship.

The leader of independent MPs in Solomon Islands is demanding the country's prime minister provide more information about a budget rescue package from China.

Member nations of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, are calling on the French government to allow an joint UN mission to visit New Caledonia and assess the political and socio-economic situation.

Things are going from bad to worse for Vanuatu's tourism industry which is supposed to be enjoying its busiest period of the year. First Air Vanuatu was placed into liquidation in May, now one of the three domestic charter operators, Air Taxi, has had its operator’s licence suspended following a crash of one of its planes.

Member nations of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, are calling on the French government to allow a joint UN mission to visit New Caledonia and assess the political and socio-economic situation.

Vanuatu's Civil Aviation Authority says it's awaiting an independent investigation to examine the plane crash that resulted in the death of a passenger on Monday.

The deadline for the repayment of a $119 million US-dollar loan from China is nearing. It's been on the Tonga government's books for almost 15 years, 

It's been described as a millstone hanging around Tonga's neck. A $119 million U-S-dollar loan from China, that has been sitting on the Tongan government's books for almost 15 year years. 

Leaders from 18 Pacific Island countries are in Tokyo for the Pacific Leaders Meeting. The tri-annual event, which acts as a forum between the Japanese Government and its Pacific Island neighbours, is an opportunity for Japan to hold direct discussions with its donor recipients in the region.

Local media and social justice groups in Fiji are reporting increasing cases of meth, heroin and cocaine use, including among children. 

Residents of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea say their hopeful the government's lifting of a moratorium on development will re-invigorate the town and see former residents return. 

Fiji and Papua New Guinea are continuing calls for the United Nations to send a mission to New Caledonia to investigate the situation on the ground. 

The drama and controversy surrounding the US presidential election took a dark turn over the weekend with the attempted assassination of Republican party candidate Donald Trump.

Pacific leaders are in Japan this week for the 10th Pacific Island Leaders meeting. Among them are the prime ministers of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, who only completed state visits to China last week. 

As the US presidential election rage between Biden and Trump gains momentum, the suitability of either candidate continues to be a key concern among Americans. For a Pacific perspective of the U-S presidential race, we spoke Patrick Ti'a Reid Chairman of the American Samoa Democratic Party. 

Hidden beneath the waves of Micronesia's Chuuk Lagoon is an underwater realm like no other. Fifty-five WW2 shipwrecks lay amid beautiful and diverse coral reefs, making it a drawcard for scuba divers from all over the world. 

Pacific leaders are in Japan this week for the 10th Pacific Island Leaders meeting, which commenced today. The tri-annual event acts as a forum between the Japanese Government and it's Pacific Island neighbours. 

Vanuatu's government says Air Vanuatu will resume its domestic flights by the end of this month. Finance Minister John Salong says flights will start up again ahead of Independence Day on July 30, almost three months after the company went into voluntary liquidation. 

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele wrapped up his tour of China with a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. 

Like the rest of the world, the tourism industry in Cook Islands was hammered by the border closures of the COVID pandemic,

When two Samoan seasonal workers died recently in a road accident in Australia, their families back home found out through pictures and videos posted on social media.

When Tuvalu's only patrol boat was damaged in a cyclone last year, the Pacific nation's 900,000 square kilometre EEZ was left vulnerable to trespass and illegal fishing.

Marshall Islands are set to play their first competitive soccer match of any description when they take on FSM and Kiribati for the Outrigger Futsal Cup in Majuro.

Tonga Rugby's new head coach Tevita Tu'ifua is keen to develop the Ikale Tahi on home soil by drawing on players from the islands, and from Moana Pasifika.

Solomon Islands are one win away from securing a place at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup for the first time, with most likely Samoa or New Caledonia standing in their way. 

Vanuatu's Ajah Pritchard Lolo all set to add the Olympic Games to her resume, after securing a precious place in the weightlifting competition through the IOC's universality programme. 

She has the numbers - Oceania's Mr Weightlifting, Paul Coffa, believes his star pupil Eileen Cikamatana can get the job done and strike gold at the Paris Olympics.   

Tonga Rugby's new men's head coach wants to develop the team on home soil, but the door stays open for heritage players ready to make the switch to the Ikale Tahi.

The National University of Samoa are celebrating forty years of success with the signing of a five year partnership with the University of Auckland to ensure effective pathways for tertiary success for Sāmoan students.

French Polynesia's pro-Independence party, Tavini Huiraatira, lost two of its three MPs during France's recent snap election. Pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru says despite the loss, there remains international pressure for France to give up its colonies.

Three-thousand men, women and children living in a settlement outside Port Moresby, will soon be displaced after losing a long legal battle to stay on the land where they've built their homes. 

The Australian government is extending its snakebite partnership with Papua New Guinea. It will see global vaccine provider CSL Seqirus provide a yearly donation of 600 vials of Australian-made antivenom and training to PNG health staff. St John Ambulance will train healthcare workers and distribute anti-venoms to more than 65 healthcare clinics.

Kiribati's government is defending its support for the re-election campaign of the International Seabed Authority's Secretary-General, Michael Lodge, after reports his opponent was offered a job to drop out of the race. 

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape has appointed five new Cabinet Members replacing ministers who defected last month, during a failed attempt by the opposition to stage a no confidence motion.

Australia's treasurer, Jim Chalmers, told Pacific leaders at the inaugural Pacific Banking Forum in Brisbane yesterday, they can "bank on" his country to help prevent a reduction in banking services.

A community advocacy group in Papua New Guinea is calling for greater transparency on how government funds are being spent in the community. ACT Now says while funding for district development authorities has increased, the quality of services have not improved.

A group of village boys in the Guadalcanal, took part in a dramatic rescue after an open boat sank off shore.

Hawai'i has banned seabed mining after Governor Josh Green signed a landmark bill on Tuesday that he says will protect vulnerable ecosystems.

Australia's treasurer, Jim Chalmers, told Pacific leaders at the inaugural Pacific Banking Forum in Brisbane yesterday, they can "bank on" his country to help prevent a reduction in banking services.

Australia's Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says his country is at risk of being grey listed by the Financial Action Task Force, because it's failing to meet global standards in combating money laundering and terrorism finance.

Nine former FijiFirst MPs have pledged their allegiance to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, although they will remain in opposition as independent MPs.

After several weeks of violence and unrest sparked by proposed voting reforms, pro-independence leaders in New Caledonia are hoping to have a French government that’s more sympathetic to their cause. It's taken 38 years for a Kanak MP to be elected into the French National Assembly. While there’s optimism among pro-independence supporters about their MP Emmanuel Tjibaou, there’s also concern about how he will be welcomed by the various political factions in Paris. 

After several weeks of violence and unrest sparked by proposed voting reforms, pro-independence leaders in New Caledonia are hoping to have a French government that’s more sympathetic to their cause. 

For thousands of Pacific Islanders working in Australia, sending money home every pay day is a normal part of their routine, but it comes at a cost as remittance fees are charged with every transfer.

For the first time in 38 years, New Caledonia has elected a Kanak candidate into the French National Assembly. Emmanuel Tjibaou won one of two seats up for grabs in yesterday's election, with loyalist candidate Nicholas Medtzdorf winning the other.

Pacific Island workers in Australia earn thousands of dollars in superannuation — money they hope will help fund a better life for them and their families back home. But many face obstacles to claiming their superannuation, such as delays, language barriers and lack of internet access. It's causing frustration for many Pacific Island seasonal workers. 

Forty-six years since Solomon Islands became an independent nation, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says while the county has been confronted with challenges, it's also enjoyed successes like the hosting of last year's Pacific Games.

Dugongs were once a common sight around Vanuatu's Efate island. Now they are rarely seen, and conservationists are calling for a study to find out exactly how many still roam the waters of Vanuatu. 

For the first time in 38 years, New Caledonia has elected a Kanak candidate into the French National Assembly. Emmanuel Tjibaou won one of two seats up for grabs in yesterday's election, with loyalist candidate Nicholas Medtzdorf winning the other.

Weightlifter Eileen Cikamatana is keen to send her coach and mentor Paul Coffa off to a golden retirement by taking out the 81kg category at the Olympic Games.  

Manu Samoa's new coach Mahonri Schwalger faces a tough challenge the first time out against an Italian side fresh from their best-ever season in Europe's Six Nations Championship 

The secretary of the biggest of Fiji's domestic rugby unions, Suva, says he wants to see the national body put years of poor governance behind it, reclaim its seat on the World Rugby Council, and learn to stand on its own two financial feet.

Getting the squad you want where you want them - still the biggest task facing the coaches of the premier national rugby union teams in the Pacific. 

This week’s internet services to the Tongan islands of Va'vau and Ha'apai were severely disrupted forcing internet providers to switch over to satellite internet. 

Papua New Guinea has taken a historic step in appointing the first woman president of the country's Olympic Committee. Emma Waiwai has been involved in sports in PNG for 40 years starting off with playing basketball in her youth as well as being a sports administrator.

A new Presidential Palace and a gleaming new Ministry of Finance Building have become the latest additions to Port Vila's landscape. The buildings are gifts from the Chinese government and were handed over this week to the Vanuatu government. It’s sparked concerns over the maintenance of the building and weather there’s reciprocity attached.

Fiji's Law Society wants John Rabuku to resign following a decision by the country's Supreme Court, disqualifying his appointment in regards to professional misconduct. It says John Rabuku needs to resign to demonstrate that his office respects the laws of Fiji and the courts constituted under those laws.

In New Caledonia, all eyes will be on the ballot box this weekend, with the second round of the French national elections being held. Pro-independence advocates in New Caledonia have set their sights on getting not one but two representatives elected into the French National Assembly.

Fiji's Law Society has called for the resignation of the Acting Director of Public Prosecution to resign following a decision by the country's Supreme Court, disqualifying his appointment in regards to professional misconduct.

The fallout from the deregistration of the FijiFirst Party is being felt across the political arena, with the party now under the threat of total dissolution.

Organisers and participants of a shark calling festival in Papua New Guinea's New Ireland Province are hoping to spark interest among the younger generation. 

There are fresh warnings that more landslides could hit Enga Province. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people are running out of food and essential supplies in Porgera Valley with mountains of debris cutting off the main road into the area.

The Pacific representative on the Commonwealth Students Association says young people need help to overcome their cultural reluctance to speak out on issues affecting them.

Papua New Guinean film Black Python, which made its history-making premiere at the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Honolulu last month, has been touted as the country's first-ever locally-made action crime drama.

In Tuvalu, public consultations are underway to discuss the Falepili Union agreement with Australia. Under the arrangement, 300 Tuvaluans can permanently resettle in Australia every year, and in return, Australia has a say in the country's security agreements. 

There are fresh warnings that more landslides could hit Enga Province. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people are running out of food and essential supplies in Porgera Valley with mountains of debris cutting off the main road into the area.

Fiji’s largest political party has been de-registered. The jailing of its leader followed by an attempt by the party executive to sack 17 of its MPs, led to its eventual collapse.

New Caledonia is on track to having a pro-independence MP voted into the lower house of the French parliament following a massive voter turnout in the first week of the French snap election. Results show pro-independence candidate Emmanuel Tjibaou leading by 44% in the rural constituency, well ahead of pro-France candidate Alcide Ponga who claimed 36% of the vote. 

Last Friday, New Celebrated Matariki Day. It marks the Māori new year and was established as a holiday in 2022 after years of advocacy. 

Preparations for a major taro festival, held once every  two decades, is underway on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu.

Fiji's largest political party has been deregistered just weeks after it attempted to sack more than a dozen of its own MPs. 

The first round results of French Parliament elections show that pro-independence candidates could win both constituencies in New Caledonia. Meanwhile, there are reports that protesters blocked a polling station during voting in the capital Noumea.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has reiterated his country's ties with China on his return home from Australia.

Over 10,000 local fans turned up at Port Vila's Fresh Wota Stadium to see if Vanuatu  could make the most of  its home advantage in  the OFC's Nations Cup.

The Samoan community in the Australian state of Victoria are mourning the death of two seasonal workers in a mini-bus crash last week.

Tonga Netball's CEO Salote Sisifa says the Tala almost pulled out of the recent PacificAus Sports series because of clubs' refusal to release players.

Some say it's only a matter of time before PNG's bid to join the NRL gets the nod, but the CEO of the rival bid from Fiji says they have everything in place and don't need government money to get off the ground.   

Vanuatu's Jesta Toka still with eyes on a career in AFLW as she continues to impress in NSW 

Tonga Netball's CEO is calling for a rethink of the PacificAus Sports series after the Tala were almost forced to pull out because key players including their captain were denied the chance to represent their country.  

A new study has found the construction of a large archaeological site in Samoa began approximately 900 to 600 years ago and signified the rise of a hierarchical society.

In Vanuatu, there's a political buzz in the air, with MPs rushing to declare their political allegiance by September as the deadline looms for new, stricter political regulations.

The poultry industry in Papua New Guinea is urging the government and businesses involved in importing poultry to work together to stop Avian influenza, or bird flu, from entering the country.

Tune in each morning and afternoon to keep-up-to-date on the happenings in the Pacific.

There's been much debate over the years about how rugby's league state of origin came to be. But now, a new discovery has found the first ever series between NSW and Queensland might actually have taken place in Papua New Guinea at the end of the second world war.

The future of Julian Assange will be decided in the Northern Marianas when he appears before a court today in Saipan. 

Security, labour mobility and budget support will be on the table when the leaders of Solomon Islands and Australia meet today in Canberra. 

Tune in each morning and afternoon to keep-up-to-date on the happenings in the Pacific.

Books on Papua New Guinea's history rarely document the experiences of Papua New Guineans themselves before colonisation, but a new book by PNG writer Paul Puri Nii shares his family's history going back almost a hundred years.

The head of anti-corruption group, Transparency Solomon Islands, is urging Prime Minister Jeremiah Menele to put more money into fighting corruption.

Solomon Islands' new Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele is in Australia on his first state visit since taking office, with a meeting with his counterpart Anthony Albanese on the cards.

Violence has flared up in New Caledonia after pro-independence activists charged with organising last month's deadly protests were deported to France. 

Researchers in Papua New Guinea say the sharing of violent and gruesome images on social media is accelerating conflict and inciting violence.

Tune in each morning and afternoon to keep-up-to-date on the happenings in the Pacific.

A new study has found that sexually transmitted diseases (STD) is a common factor for low birth weight rates in Papua New Guinea.

Every year, close to one thousand students drop out of Vanuatu's school system. Overcrowding in classrooms and poor-quality teaching have been blamed for the high drop -out rate. 

A major salvage operation is underway in Fiji's Lau waters to recover the patrol boat Puamau, which remains stuck on a reef near the small island of Fulaga. 

The Micronesian Games kicked up a gear over the weekend with people in the Marshall Islands turning out in big numbers. 

It’s been years in the making: a new agreement that allows the people of eastern Solomon Islands free movement into Vanuatu's Torba Province.

The Pacific is home to enigmatic archaeological sites from the ancient city ruins of Nan Mandol on Pohnpei Island to the ancient Pyramids of Tonga, but only a handful have been recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Media headlines in Australia have been awash with coverage of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's plan to build seven nuclear reactors should his party win the next election. 

Tune in each morning and afternoon to keep-up-to-date on the happenings in the Pacific.

Host nation Marshall Islands are aiming for a big finish at the Micronesian Games as they look to close the gap on Nauru and CNMI at the top of medal table  

Ben Gollings has told Pacific Beat that his dismissal as head coach of the Fiji rugby sevens team was unjust. He says he had to contend with constant interference in his work and was not given the support he requested

English coach David Jones says he has opted out of leading American Samoa national men's team because there was no meeting of minds on the best strategy for their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.  

Fiji's Roy Krishna out to make history, as Papua New Guinea and Tahiti eye off the last remaining place in the OFC Nations Cup semi-finals.

Australian media hype suggesting PNG's push  to join the NRL is a done deal is wide of the mark,  but Andrew Hill, CEO of the PNG bid team says the go ahead may be only months away.

Convicted Australian entrepreneur, Andrew Spira, says he would gladly give up his Vanuatu passport, adding he doesn't plan to be in the country beyond the end of the year. It comes amidst backlash over why he has been granted citizenship.

Australia's opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has many in the Pacific concerned after pledging to replace Australia's renewable energy policy with nuclear power.

Kava is a major cash crop in Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu but in other parts of Melanesia where it is not traditionally consumed, the intoxicating crop is now rousing the interest of farmers looking to export it to overseas markets.

Vanuatu's Citizenship Commission says convicted Australian entrepreneur cleared the necessary checks before he was granted citizenship and given a Vanuatu passport.

On the streets of Nuku'alofa, the rush is on to complete two hundred container houses to  provide much needed accommodation for this year's Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting, to be held in August.

Japan worried pacific island leaders last year when it released treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. But now it's Australia's opposition leader, Peter Dutton, who is raising eyebrows in the Pacific after pledging to replace Australia's renewable energy policy with nuclear power.

The upcoming Olympic surfing event at the famous Tahitian surf spot Teahupo'o, will be one of the biggest events in the territory's history.

Fiji’s Rainbow community is celebrating Pride Month. Official celebrations launching Pride Month started last week and will continue well into July.

A new treatment soon to be rolled out in Papua New Guinea promises to be a game changer in dealing with drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Students in Vanuatu are now back in school after the Vanuatu Teacher’s Union called off a nationwide strike, after an agreement was reached with government. 

Anti-nuclear advocates in Guam say despite a recent setback in the US Senate, they'll be pushing for compensation for people who were exposed to deadly radiation during nuclear tests in the Pacific.

Tune in each morning and afternoon to keep-up-to-date on the happenings in the Pacific.

Eighteen-year-old Tongan athlete Jackson James Rice (JJ) passed away over the weekend following a diving accident in in Ha'apai.

Guamanian triathlete and Olympian-to-be, Manami Iijima, says she wants to inspire young athletes in Guam and the Pacific.

A well-known Samoan poet and novelist Sia Figiel (57) has aplogised in court over the death of academic Dr Caroline Sinavaiana Gabbard (78) - the aunt of US politician Tulsi Gabbard. 

The head of Fiji’s Military, Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, has announced an independent inquiry into the grounding of the patrol boat Puamau to identify the reasons behind the calamity. 

Lifting the tapu - or taboo - is the theme of a new Pacific art project in Mount Druitt in Western Sydney that references themes of mental health challenges and displacement.

An important meeting between pro-independence parties in New Caledonia has been postponed, prompting speculations of division within the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front movement (FLNKS). 

Tonga's government has announced a 575 million Australian dollar national budget over the next year, half of which is funded by foreign donors. 

An important meeting between pro-independence parties in New Caledonia has been postponed, prompting speculations of division within the independence movement.

FestPAC delegations in Hawaii are exhibiting their final performances as the event comes to a close. For the hosts, the festival has been an opportunity to display native Hawaiian culture and highlight efforts in cultural preservation.

All parents know the daily challenge of organising school lunches, which has become even more expensive in the face of inflation.

Diplomatic relations between Australia and China may be warming, but Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the contest for influence in the Pacific is far from over.

It's a unique mix of conventional and unconventional sports and a chance for the smallest nations and states in the Pacific to shine — the Micronesian Games 2024 hosted by Marshall Islands. 

Majuro set to welcome some two thousand athletes, as Marshall Islands takes on hosting duties for the Micronesian Games for the first time since the event began back in 1969.

Oceania Weightlifting's head coach Paul Coffa says there are still too many drug cheats in the sport. If they were gone, he says athletes from the Pacific could be world-beaters. 

Back for the first time since 2016, the OFC Nations Cup will kick off with a bang as Solomon Islands take on host nation Vanuatu in a match labelled by both coaches as a knock-out game. 

In Vanuatu, more than half of voters have endorsed a proposal to change the constitution and bring about political stability, but for many communities, there's uncertainty about what impact it will have on their lives.

The 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture concludes this week in Hawaii.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape last week survived yet another push to hold a no-confidence vote against him, with the process now in the hands of the country's supreme court.

The mammoth task of resettling thousands of people displaced by the Enga landslide is underway following a geological assessment of the disaster site.

In Vanuatu, more than half of voters have endorsed a proposal to change the constitution and bring about political stability. It’s the result of a historical referendum that was announced yesterday evening, but for many communities, there's uncertainty about what impact it will have on their lives.

It's been a tumultuous week in Fiji politics with the leaders of country's largest party, Fiji First, resigning from office. 

Boosting the economy is the focus of the Solomon Islands Government’s new 100 day strategy.

An Australian donated Fiji navy patrol boat, RFNS Puamau, has run aground while on its first mission. It's stranded on the small island of Fulaga in Fiji's remote Lau group of islands. 

An Australian made Fiji navy patrol boat, RFNS Puamau, has run aground while on its maiden journey. It's stranded on the small island of Fulaga in Fiji's remote Lau group of islands.

An advisor to the Vanuatu government says the European Commission is pushing through with a suspension of its visa-waiver program with the Pacific country despite concessions made by the government.

President Emmanuel Macron has called a snap election in France, but it's unclear what impact this will have on New Caledonia and proposed changes to the territory's electoral role.

Bougainville's president and senior leaders are in Solomon Islands as part of consultations on a draft constitution, and are speaking with the Bougainvillean community there.

A contemporary performance by Fijian dancers at the opening ceremony of FestPAC, has triggered critics, who say the performance was inappropriate.

Tonga’s 44-strong delegation to FestPAC, captivated audiences when they entered their stage with a 30-meter long tapa cloth.

Vanuatu's Electoral Commission has deferred its announcement of the results of the country's constitutional referendum because of what it calls "mismatches" in polling data.

Vanuatu's Electoral Commission has deferred its announcement of the results of the country's constitutional referendum because of what it calls "mismatches" in polling data. Voting started a fortnight ago with people choosing whether or not to support constitutional amendments aimed at improving political stability.

Delegates at the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Hawaii have put the spotlight on New Caledonia's Kanak people, in the wake of violent riots that rocked the French territory last month. 

Vanuatu's Deputy Prime Minister, Matai Seremaiah, says a deal inked with Air Nauru will help restore domestic and international flights to the country.

P&O Cruises Australia is the largest provider of cruises into the Pacific. But as of March next year, the company says it'll be folding its operation into Carnival Cruise Line.

Fiji's once-dominant political party FijiFirst looks to be on the verge of dissolving following the resignations of several key figures. 

Unknown areas of the Pacific Ocean may be uncovered as part of a new expedition to map unsurveyed sea floors.

More than a thousand school teachers have gone on strike in Vanuatu in protest of unpaid entitlements. Half of all public schools in the country have been closed since last Friday, and students have been told to stay at home. 

It's a pivotal day in Vanuatu's history with the results of a historical referendum to be announced later today. The referendum - which took place on May 29 – is aimed at getting public endorsement for changes to the constitution to bring about political stability. 

As Fiji's authorities battle a major drugs crisis, the government has announced a reset of its police force. The changes backed by Australia are aimed at rooting out corruption and restoring integrity in Fiji's law enforcement.

As the response to the Enga landslide in Papua New Guinea enters a third week, the humanitarian effort is turning its focus towards helping vulnerable people traumatised by the disaster. 

It's a pivotal day in Vanuatu's history with the results of a historical referendum to be announced later today. The referendum - which took place on May 29 - is aimed at getting public endorsement for changes to the constitution to bring about political stability. 

An artist is paying tribute to Nauru and other parts of the Pacific in a major exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney.

Eight Papua New Guinea cadets have been participating in a new training initiative with Townsville police in North Queensland. 

It's been a sea of colour at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts in Hawaii, with Pacific Island dance and culture on full display.

The Fijian Drua have won just once away from  home in their first three seasons, but older and wiser now, coach Mick Byrne believes they can find a way past the Blues in the last eight.

There may be lessons to be learned post-games, but first impressions of new look Oceania Athletics championships are good.

It's been a long wait, but for the first time in many years American Samoa is playing host to major regional tournament, in the form of Pacific Nations Cup tennis.   

Head Coach  Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork has worked out a careful strategy to take the best of Samoa's talented young weight-lifters all the way to the top. 

She's already made waves at junior level, and now Fiji's Nina Nakula is set for her senior international debut at the PacificAus Netball series, as the Pearls strive to topple Tonga Tala. 

The largest celebration of Indigenous Pacific Island culture commences today in Hawaii.

Australia's foreign affairs minister penny Wong is in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara today, visiting the country's newly-elected prime minister Jeremiah Manele.

Papua New Guinea opposition MPs are infuriated after their motion of no confidence against Prime Minister James Marape, was disallowed from progressing because of a "paper work error".

Papua New Guinea opposition MPs are infuriated after their motion of no confidence against Prime Minister James Marape, was disallowed from progressing because of a "paper work error".

Researchers say Tonga's massive Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption in January 2022 may be behind unusual weather patterns around the world.

Families across the Pacific huddled around televisions last night as game one of the 2024 men's rugby league state of origin kicked off in Sydney. 

The bold plan that saw Niue ban commercial fishing and place a protection on close to half of its ocean territory has been documented in a new film from National Geographic.

Nauru's former President Baron Waqa was welcomed this week as the new head of the Pacific Islands Forum. Waqa's appointment as Secretary General looks to heal a rift between Forum member nations and Micronesian countries who walked out of the body in 2021, following the appointment of Henry Puna. Waqa's appointment means an early exit for Puna who  misses a second term in office.

The Australian Defence Vessel, Reliant, visited Tonga this week, to support Tonga with it's disaster response preparations and relief needs.

Not seen or heard in their natural habitat for decades, Guam kingfisher birds will soon be released onto Palmyra Atoll, one of few areas in the world that are free of land predators.

Researchers say two populations in Papua New Guinea have genetically adapted to environments with low oxygen and high rates of malaria respectively.

Nauru's former President Baron Waqa was welcomed this week as the new head of the Pacific Islands Forum. 

This week, Samoa marks its 62nd anniversary as an independent state. Celebrations for this year's anniversary, however, have been scaled down following a decision by the government to only hold grand celebrations every five years.

The counting of votes has started for Vanuatu's first national referendum. It seeks to amend the constitution to bring about political stability by tying MPs down to political parties.

Richard Bong was known as the ace of aces and is considered by many to be America's greatest fighter pilot in WWII, but his plane crashed in PNG. Now, after 80 years, it has been found.

The fallout from the FijiFirst party's decision to terminate 17 of its MPs for backing a pay rise in parliament continues, but a number of the MPs have challenged the legality of the decision. 

This week Samoa marks 62 years of independence. Celebrations haven been scaled down from previous years, following a decision by Government to only hold grand celebrations every five years.

Every year, thousands of men and women from the Pacific region travel to Australia and New Zealand to work on farms, meat factories, and other industries.

With law and order being restored to Noumea, French security forces are under scrutiny for their treatment of Kanaks.

More than ten days after a deadly landslide hit Enga Province, sticks and shovels are still being used to dig up the bodies of loved ones buried under rubble.

There's resentment among many Pasifika politicians about the direction of their Government. New Zealand's ruling National Party has promised massive cuts to the public sector. 

One of the Australian government's biggest diplomatic efforts to develop closer relations with the Pacific starts today with the opening of the Pacific Engagement Visa. 

Australia's Pacific Engagement Visa commences today with the goal of offering visas to three thousand applicants from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Lest. The visa process which requires an employment offer, a medical assessment and proof the applicant can support themselves in Australia for a year.

Vanuatu's Finance Minister John Salong says the government will not be a major shareholder in any future airline. 

One of Australia's biggest diplomatic efforts to develop closer relations with the Pacific starts today with the opening of the Pacific Engagement Visa. It will allows 3,000 Pacific Islanders to permanently settle in Australia every year. 

Preserving the traditional stories and fables of First Nations people from around the globe is the focus of the First Nations Writers Festival in Townsville.

Manu Samoa will be among eight teams battling for just four available places in the World Rugby 7s Series for next season at the new look end of season tournament in Madrid.  

The Oceania Athletics championships in Fiji will be the biggest and most comprehensive the Pacific has ever seen, and they'll reach a bigger TV audience than ever before. 

Kaiviti Silktails to dangle the carrot of competing against the NRL's top young players, as a way to entice the cream of Fiji's young talent to take up rugby league.

Fijiana have a season of Super Rugby behind them, and two matches at the Oceania Championships compared to Manusina's one, but the Samoans believe the culture of their team will help them retain their crown. 

This week, Tonga's Parliament held its first national debate and consultation on whether the capital punishment should be imposed in order to address the Kingdom's drug crisis.

Many legal experts says introducing the death penalty for drug offences in Tonga would do little to dampen drug trafficking, which they say will require a regional effort.

Yesterday, the people of Vanuatu began voting in a National Referendum to amend the constitution and remove political instability. The referendum comes after multiple changes in Government from votes of no confidence. There were three vote of no confidences held in the space of two years.

There is public discontent in Fiji after the country’s parliament voted to approve the recommendations of a parliamentary sub-committee to significantly increase the pay of MPs and Government.

The number of dead and missing in last week’s devastating landslide, is still being established by authorities with estimates ranging from 162 to as high as 2,000. Relief efforts have been complicated by logistical challenges such as the remoteness of villages as well as by concerns of further landslides, with locals being encouraged to evacuate the area.

In an era where Pacific languages are endangered and cultural knowledge gaps are widening, social enterprises like Pacific Kids' Learning are attempting to revitalise and strengthen cultural knowledge and identity in young people.

Humanitarian aid has begun flowing into Enga province with a number of Australian and New Zealand aid teams set to arrive in the disaster zone today. Among the task force arriving are geological experts from Australia and New Zealand, who will conduct a study of the disaster zone. It comes as authorities raise questions over the death toll with local government officials disputing figures put out by the national government.

Humanitarian aid has begun flowing into Papua New Guinea's Enga province with a number of Australian and New Zealand aid teams set to arrive in the disaster zone today. Among the task force arriving are geological experts from Australia and New Zealand, who will conduct a study of the disaster zone.

Tune in each morning and afternoon to keep-up-to-date on the happenings in the Pacific.

Despite spending thousands of dollars to stop the spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle in Vanuatu, the government has confirmed the spread of the pest to the outer islands.

In Vanuatu, writers are being encouraged to describe how important the ocean is to people's lives in the Pacific through storytelling.

An exceptionally rare 19th-century Fijian "Bulibuli" war club has shown up in an auction club in the UK.

Sixteen MPs from the opposition Fiji First party are still in office despite supporting a government move to raise the salaries of parliamentarians. It’s a defiance of party orders to oppose the motion.

The pro-independence FLNKS party in New Caledonia says a referendum on electoral reforms proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron would further destabilise the territory.

Tonga's parliament is debating whether capital punishment should be imposed to curb the Kingdom's drug crisis.

Papua New Guinea’s government has warned the death toll from Friday's landslide in Enga province could rise dramatically.

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake that struck Tonga yesterday caused a lot of alarm but no damages or injury. The epicentre of the quake was located 70 kilometres off Tongatapu.

Tune in each morning and afternoon to keep-up-to-date on the happenings in the Pacific.

The mysterious uninhabited  island of Tetepare in the Solomon Islands is home to an undisturbed ecosystem of forests and wildlife. 

The UN's International Organisation for Migration says approximately 670 are presumed dead as a result of a landslide that devastated the village of Kaokalam in Enga Province. Authorities say landslides are still continuing in the area, as locals work around the clock to retrieve bodies buried beneath the debris.

A decision by Fiji's parliament to approve a 130 per cent salary increase for MPs has been met with public unease. Local media have reported a mostly negative reaction from members of the public. 

The UN's International Organisation for Migration says approximately 670 are presumed dead as a result of a landslide that devastated the village of Kaokalam in Enga Province. Authorities say landslides are still continuing in the area, as locals work around the clock to retrieve bodies buried beneath the debris.

As Marshall Islands plot a path to fielding a national soccer team for the first time, documentary cameras will be with them to capture every twist and turn along the way.

President Macron of France says there is no consensus on a political way forward in New Caledonia, and he's warning that dialogue can only resume when the road blocks in and around Noumea are taken down.  

With a side that's packed with Super Rugby experience, Fijiana are primed for a run at the Oceania Women's Rugby Championship and a world cup place next year. 

The feel-good sports story of the week has to be Samoa's under-19 women's cricket team, who have become the first side from their country at any age group, male or female, to qualify for a World Cup finals series.

Home town support could be the difference as Pirae go in search of a first OFC Champions League title against perennial winners Auckland City. 

The recent evacuation of 40 Ni-Vanuatu seasonal workers from a Tasmanian home is just the latest case of Pacific Labourers facing housing problems. 

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in New Caledonia this morning in a bid to restore peace to the territory.

French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in New Caledonia in a bid to restore peace to the territory.

Pacific environmental groups have praised an advisory opinion by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea that greenhouse gases are an ocean pollutant.

The discovery of ancient artefacts on Timor-Leste could change what scientists understand about the early migration routes of people to Australia.

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was in Solomon Islands yesterday, announcing $50 million in funding for a new border management system and urban health centre.

New Zealand's Fresh Movement Collective are bringing their dance theatre MĀUI to the Sydney Opera House for an Australian premiere tour this August.

After being stuck in Australia and New Zealand for more than a week, many seasonal workers from Vanuatu are on their way home following the collapse of their national airline, Air Vanuatu.

French President Emmanuel Macron and three ministers will visit New Caledonia after an outbreak of violence in the territory over proposed electoral reforms.

The Law of the Sea court in Hamburg, has stated that greenhouse gases can be considered to be marine pollution, and has handed it down an advisory opinion on the obligations of countries to combat climate change.

As the unrest in New Caledonia continues, Vanuatu's Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu has become the latest high-profile Pacific leader to raise concerns about the rights of the Kanak people.

French President Emmanuel Macron is travelling to New Caledonia a week after the French territory was gripped by violence. His visit comes as Australia and New Zealand conducted the first of several expected repatriation flights to evacuate tourists.

Fiji's Home Affairs Minister,  Pio Tikoduadua, says he's interested in re-establishing the country's own dedicated intelligence service to help fight trans-national criminal organisations.

Air Vanuatu's voluntary liquidation has left hundreds of seasonal workers across Australia and New Zealand stranded many waiting to fly home. 

As countries around the world celebrated World Bee Day this week, so too did Kelly Inae in Papua New Guinea.

Australia and New Zealand are making preparations to repatriate their citizens from New Caledonia. France's High Commission in New Caledonia says it's regained control of the main road leading to Noumea's international airport.

Australia and New Zealand are preparing to repatriate their citizens in New Caledonia after French authorities cleared a vital highway connecting the capital Noumea to the international airport.

The Pacific Conference of Churches is expressing its concern about the welfare of Kanaks as the French military conducts operations to restore order in New Caledonia.

As a security crackdown takes place in New Caledonia, Amnesty International is calling on the French government to respect the human rights of indigenous Kanaks.

In Tonga, tapa cloth is an integral part of the kingdom's culture. It's a lucrative product in Tonga, but many fear the market is being taken over by fake tapa imported from Indonesia.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat says it will meet with the World Intellectual Property Office in Geneva later this month in a bid to secure international legal protections for kava.

Pacific dances, songs and cultural understanding is what children learn at Busby public school in south-western Sydney.

As a security crackdown takes place in New Caledonia, Amnesty International is calling on the French government to respect the human rights of Kanaks. Up to a thousand French security personnel are in New Caledonia as authorities attempt to restore law and order.