The Solomon Island's police minister is pushing for his country to create its own defence force. Its received some support from parliamentarians but there's mixed public reaction.

Excitement is building in Papua New Guinea ahead of the canonisation of the country's first Catholic Saint, Peter ToRot. Also, the Australian government has backflipped on a decision guaranteeing weekly hours for workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. 

Today marks the 50-year anniversary of the 'Balibo Five' - five journalists who were killed working in East Timor by Indonesian forces. Also, in Samoa, former Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa sues the man who beat her at the last election.

The doctor who helped to deliver conjoined twin baby boys in a rural hospital in Papua New Guinea says he didn't think the newborns would survive. 

Tonga's national election is a month away, but it's not all smiles on the campaign trail, with one candidate allegedly caught up in a scuffle at a press event. Also, Cook Islands makes history, becoming the first Pacific nation to lock in all its maritime boundaries under international law.

Dozens of candidates register for Tonga's national election as the kingdom contends with a meth epidemic, an under-resourced civil service and struggling healthcare system. Also, an extensive marine survey in Fiji finds coastal areas and coral reefs are in decline.

Solomon Islands police are investigating the discovery of a third narco sub — a vessel used by drug cartels to smuggle drugs. 

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister defends the signing a new defence treaty with Australia, saying his country can opt to sit out in the event of a conflict between China and Australia. Also, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele is confident he can stave off any possible no confidence vote after appointing a new finance minister.

In Samoa, parliament will convene without newly-elected prime minister Laauli-ale-malie-toa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, who is in New Zealand receiving urgent medical treatment. Also, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape arrives in Australia for the signing of the Pukpuk Treaty.

A landmark defence treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea has been approved, with PNG's Prime Minister James Marape saying it will elevate the two countries' security relationship to its highest level in history. Also, Australia's Minister for Climate Change hosts Niue's Prime Minister and ministers from seven Pacific countries in Sydney.

The Fiji Labour Party accuses PM Sitiveni Rabuka of lying about meeting US president Donald Trump after posting a photo with a wax model version of him on Facebook. Also, we look at what it would mean for Pacific people to have COP 31 hosted in their own backyard.

A motion of no confidence is being planned against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele as tensions flare over sufferance wharves. Also, leaders in the Federated States of Micronesia fear a toxic oil leak from a World War Two shipwreck may just be the tip of the ice berg of what is to come.

Business leaders praise counter terrorism operations in PNG's highlands to confiscate all guns and sentence gun owners to long periods in jail. Also, a PNG court throws out a compensation case against mining giant Rio Tinto for human rights violation and environmental damage.

Ishmael Toroama will return as President of Bougainville following a landslide victory which saw him secure close to 70 per cent of votes. Also, Four Fijian men are jailed in Australia over a failed attempt to smuggle more than two tonnes of cocaine in 2022.

Palau's president Surangel Whipps Junior says he was disappointed by Donald Trump's UN speech, which labelled climate change a scam and rubbished efforts to reduce emissions. He says all developed countries need to take responsibility for climate change.

The impacts of climate change are undermined by the world's most powerful man, U-S President Donald Trump, who called it a great big hoax. Also, Solomon Islands Prime Minister and Pacific Islands Forum chair Jeremiah Manele calls on development partners to contribute to the Pacific Resillience Facility.

Vanuatu declares it will sign a new policing agreement with China as the landmark Nakamal pact between Australia and the Pacific Island nation hangs in the balance.

The trial of prominent China critic and former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani has started in the Solomons' capital, Honiara, with prosecutors accusing the politician of planning and backing a 2021 riot.

As world leaders gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, Pacific activists have staged climate action events across the region.

Papua New Guineans reflect on the country's 50th Independence Day celebrations and question whether the three days of public holidays have united the thousands of tribes. Also, Australia unveils new climate targets, pledging to cut emissions by 62 to 70 per cent by 2035.