Pacific Beat

A major cyclone heads for northern Queensland. A Fijian national among five people arrested in Australia over an attempt to import more than 100 million dollars worth of the drug ice. Concerns about the lasting impact of riots in Port Moresby.

In a move to reduce the number of crashes in Port Moresby, the PNG Road Safety Authority calls on drivers in the national capital to follow the road rules. And, a Fiji govt plan to part-privatise the electricity industry wins support from the opposition.

Concerns that Papua New Guinea's Health Department is trying to control media coverage on the country's health sector. Transparency International calls into question Port Moresby's decision to invest more than 300 million kina in a luxury complex.

The first admission that New Zealand special forces killed civilians during a botched raid in Afghanistan seven years ago and after a woman is stabbed to death by her partner in Fiji, the Women's Crisis Centre questions why witnesses chose to video the assault on their phones, rather than doing anything to help the victim.

On World Water Day, we look at new statistics that show Papua New Guinea is one of the worst-performing countries in the world for a safe water supply and the premier of Malaita leads his province in praying for improved leadership and better development.

A brutal stabbing murder in Fiji prompts an appeal for public action. Young Samoan offenders struggle to adjust to a new life after repatriation from New Zealand.

A call for Papua New Guinea's government to honour its promise to fully fund Tuition Fee Free education. And, physical and verbal abuse in Tongan schools - why corporal punishment is back in the headlines.

Firefighters in PNG attacked by the people they're trying to help. Some teachers in Tonga still use corporal punishment on children despite the practice being officially banned in 2014.

Two former Vanuatu prime ministers jailed for corruption two years ago are due to apply for parole next month. And, Papua New Guinea launches a vaccination program to prevent cervical cancer, targeting schoolgirls in the National Capital District.

Physical and verbal abuse in Tongan schools - why corporal punishment is back in the headlines. Fears for walkers on the Kokoda Track if repair work isn't done soon.