Pacific Beat

There is a shortage of drinking water on Ambae Island in Vanuatu following increased volcanic activity, and ash fall which has polluted water sources on the island.

The Solomon Islands' Opposition has accused Australia of interfering in domestic politics, after a text message detailing treaty negotiations was leaked.

A key report recommending changes to Fiji's constitution will be handed to Cabinet this week. Not yet public, the report has already raised questions over a Fijian Christian state and the role of chiefs in politics.

Pacific leaders have backed a communique criticising China's recent intercontinental ballistic missile test at their most significant regional meeting.

A major police investigation is underway in Papua New Guinea's capital after a group of armed men held up private security vehicles carrying gold bullion and cash.

The Pacific region has been slightly sidelined in first few days of the Pacific Islands Forum have as tensions bubble between external partners, but priorities are turning back to the region focusing on drug smuggling, international crime and climate change.

Speaking from the PIF Leaders summit in Palau, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters says he's sceptical about President Taneti Maamau of Kiribati's no show.

Just hours after landing in Palau for this week's Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting, Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Matthew Wale was called back due to a no-confidence motion filed against him.

Papua New Guinea’s government has tabled the results of Bougainville’s 2019 independence referendum. It's the beginning of a parliamentary process that will lead to a historic vote on whether or not independence will be officially granted.

A key milestone in Bougainville's path towards independence will be reached today when Papua New Guinea's parliament decides on whether to ratify an independence referendum.

The International Federation of Journalists are calling for defamation charges against a veteran Samoan journalist to be dropped immediately.

The Tongan government is investigating what happened after a boat carrying more than a dozen whale watchers capsized in rough seas.

The Australian judge who oversaw a controversial commission of inquiry in Fiji says he has no regrets about how he conducted himself despite being heavily criticised by the country's High Court.

Airlines flying out of Fiji have been told to bring in their own fuel for the rest of the month, after a batch of aviation fuel stored at Nadi International Airport failed to meet the standard required for use.

Social Media is contributing rise in the number of sorcery accusation related attacks in PNG according to a recent survey.

The US government is moving forward with plans to sell deep-sea mining leases covering about 67 million acres of seabed around the Northern Mariana Islands.

Vanuatu's Prime Minister says his government will set up an advisory committee for the president on his constitutional power of mercy after inmates convicted of sexually abusing children received presidential pardons.

Tonga's Prime Minister celebrates the injection of fresh blood into his cabinet after Sivoki Lavemaau has been appointed Finance Minister, making her one of the youngest ministers in the Kingdom's history.

Vanuatu's president is refusing to bow to public pressure and revoke the pardons he granted to two men convicted of sexually abusing children.

A prolonged drought in Papua New Guinea's Highlands is destroying crops, drying up wells and forcing some schools to close early.