Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles travels to Papua New Guinea as the countries finalise a new bilateral defence treaty. Also, The Kingdom of Tonga signs a revised sponsorship agreement with Tonga Offshore Mining Limited.

New Caledonia's main independence coalition FLNKS holds extraordinary Congress meeting to debate the new agreement struck with France on the territory's political future. Also, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele defends move to block almost two dozen nations from a critical Pacific meeting in Honiara next month.

Tongans call for child protection reforms following the arrest of former missionary James Purdy charged with sexually abusing minors in the Kingdom. Also, Cricket PNG announce their line up for the next leg of the World Cricket League Challenge in Jersey.

An arm wrestle is underway over whether Taiwan will be able to participate at PIF, with Samoa's caretaker PM saying they could boycott the meeting if Solomon Islands stops Taiwan from attending. Also, fears the discovery of a so-called narco sub in Solomon Islands may be beyond capabilities of regional law enforcement agencies to deal with.

Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine has questioned whether the Micronesian Republic should remain inside the Pacific Islands Forum, as host nation Solomon Islands considers whether it will exclude non-members including Taiwan from the Forum's annual gathering in September. Also, The trial of Fiji's former prime minister Frank Bainimarama over allegations he used his position to get two policemen fired gets underway.

Solomon Islands could try to defuse a potentially explosive stoush over Taiwan's participation at the Pacific Islands Forum, by excluding China, the US and a host of other countries as well. Also, the death toll across the Pacific continues to grow amid the regions dengue fever outbreak.

New Caledonia's President Alcide Ponga says the French territory has a big job ahead of it to transform the Bougival Accord from a political agreement to a legal one. Also, a deep sea mining company's exploration work with two Pacific to be scrutinised by the United Nations.

A High Court judge in Fiji finds nine men guilty in the country's biggest drug bust, saying the case exposed serious vulnerabilities in Fiji's border control. Also, Health professionals call for greater support to deliver information and services to PALM scheme workers, as rates of sexually transmitted infections skyrocket.

Tsunami threats have been downgraded across the Pacific, but warnings remain in place for parts of French Polynesia after a massive earthquake struck Russia's far east coast yesterday. Also, the men allegedly involved in attempting to smuggle four tonnes of methamphetamine into Fiji to learn their fate.

Tuvalu's Prime Minister, who is in Australia on a week-long mission that includes top level talks, and the official opening of the country's high commission in Canberra. Also, Vanuatu marks 45 years since gaining independence from joint British and French colonial rule.