Solomon Islands police say they are investigating the discovery of a low-profile semi-submersible boat found abandoned in Malaita Province.

Papua New Guinea and Australia are on track to sign a historic security treaty next week.

Angaur, a tiny island at the southern end of Palau, spans just four square kilometres, but it's overrun by thousands of invasive macaque monkeys.

With only 114 locals left, the island's human population has been squeezed into a small corner, while the monkeys run rampant.

Originally introduced by German colonists over a century ago, the macaques have multiplied through a chain of events involving war, neglect and geopolitics.

Award-winning podcaster James Nokise boards an eight-seater plane to investigate this situation. 

What he finds is a tangled tale involving WWII-era unexploded bombs, US military interests in the Pacific and a perfect monkey storm of cultural and environmental disruption.

• Presented and produced by James Nokise

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.

Papua New Guinea was the focus of attention this week as the Pacific region's largest nation celebrated 50 years of independence. 

The Pacific's biggest political meeting has wrapped up in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara, where Australia has put up $100 million for the Pacific's new climate fund.

A roundup of major stories from across the region and the people involved and affected by them.

A roundup of major stories from across the region and the people involved and affected by them.

A roundup of major stories from across the region and the people involved and affected by them.

A roundup of major stories from across the region and the people involved and affected by them.