In this edition:

As PNG's Prime Minister talks of cracking down on further discussion about independence, one provincial governor says James Marape has nothing to fear. Another defeat for the pro-independence lobby in New Caledonia, but the gap is narrowing ahead of a third referendum. All smiles in Fiji as the country celebrates 50 years of independence, but what lies beneath? And Super Rugby or bust...the FRU's new chairman determined to find a home for the Fijian Drua, be it New Zealand or Australia.

In this edition:

UN rapporteurs claim that plans for a massive gold and copper mine in Papua New Guinea threaten the human rights of the local community. One year on - reflections on the measles epidemic that left many Samoan families in mourning. Already a staple in the Pacific, could breadfruit be the world's next super food? And still going strong, PNG's Dika Toua, the very first woman to compete in an Olympic weight-lifting event, in Sydney 20 years ago.

In this edition: From feared guerrilla fighter to peace maker to president-elect, Ishmael Toroama to be sworn in as president of Bougainville as the region works to gain independence from Papua New Guinea. The police in Solomon Islands continue to investigate the deaths of Australian, Trent Lee and British man Luke Atkinson who were killed when a bomb exploded in their office and residence, in an upmarket part of the Solomons' capital, Honiara on Sunday night. The future of rugby union in Tonga is teetering on the brink, with the battle for control of the sport in the islands still unresolved. And a village on Vanuatu's Tanna island uses its traditional kastom beliefs to develop a song about COVID-19 but health officials raise concerns that these performances can spread misinformation.

In this edition:

The details of several Papua New Guinean politicians and their family members, as well as bureaucrats and church leaders, have been circulated by a global Chinese database, which one PNG leader describes as frightening; After resigning as Samoa's Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa tells Pacific Beat she fears her country is "sliding away from the rule of law"; Papua New Guinea celebrates 45 years of independence despite the global pandemic and, whilst mourning the death of one of the country's veteran politicians, Nahau Rooney, who died on Independence Day eve; After 17-year-old Samoan/Cook Islander Jawsh 685's song Laxed (Siren Beat) went viral on TikTok, he's had to balance his final year of school with a fight with the music industry to get credit and recognition for his beat that was picked up by megastar Jason Derulo.

In this edition:

Vanuatu becomes one of the few countries in the world to offer citizenship for sale to stateless people.

More secure than Facebook or Tik Tok, that's the claim made by one IT specialist about Fiji's COVID-19 tracing app.

Has a political shift begun in Samoa, that could see Prime Minister Tuilaepa lose power at the the next election after 22 years?

And coronavirus regardless, both Fiji and Samoa's rugby sevens programmes power on towards the Tokyo Olympics.

In this edition:

We look at why the Solomon Islands province of Malaita is pushing for a vote on independence.

More than a year after the death of former Nauru president Sprent Dabwido, friends and family are still demanding to know who in government withheld his passport for five months when he needed urgent medical treatment.

An attack on a referee during an under 19s rugby match in Fiji has divided followers of the game in terms of what should happen to the perpetrator.

And we meet Dr Tania Areori, who has just achieved a first for her country by graduating in veterinary science.

After the Christchurch gunman who attacked mosques and killed 51 is jailed for life without parole, The President of the Fiji Muslim League, Hafizud Dean Khan, says it's justice, but it won't ease the pain for his followers

Fiji Airways has severe financial troubles, but just how deep do they go?

A coalition of the willing featuring leading MPs pledges to reverse the cycle of gender based violence in Papua New Guinea.

And we explore the lofty ambitions of the PNG Think Tank Group, which claims it can influence govt decision making.

The walk of controversy in Kiribati that has stirred up debate about China's influence in the Pacific.

The spotlight falls yet again on PNG's prison system and inmates on remand, as 11 are shot dead during a jailbreak in Lae.

We take a look at how impacts of COVID-19 will increase the burden on young islanders in the aftermath of the pandemic.

And if you have ever wondered which part of the world has the richest biodiversity, look no further than New Guinea island.

In this edition:

As the PNG government plans for mass burials, how might traditional mourning rituals be affected by the coronavirus pandemic?

COVID-19 cases on the rise in French Polynesia but borders are still open and tourists are welcome.

We look at the significance of the first ever International Day against Sorcery Accusation Related Violence.

And we meet the Pacific doctor, stranded in Ghana who just wants to go home.

In this edition:

Concern is growing in PNG's provinces over their ability to cope with any widespread COVID-19 outbreak.

Like everywhere else, Tik Tok is growing in popularity in the Pacific, but the app is under fire from the major powers because of its Chinese origins.

Street and place names in Honiara reflect a by-gone colonial era, which is why those names might not be there much longer.

And transforming the lives of promising young soccer players in the Solomons, as ex-pats look to fund and build an elite academy on home soil.