The author of a book about a deported former Solomon Islands attorney general Julian Moti says Australia's apology to him was weak; Papua New Guinea's police commissioner has defended his decision to engage with an American security firm and consider their services to train local police and other security forces in preparation for PNG hosting the APEC summit next year; Questions have been raised over the quiet closure of Fiji's defacto embassy in Taiwan; A Manus Island refugee has warned that closing the detention centre will leave men destitute in PNG; Remote and uninhabited south Pacific island, Henderson island, revealed as having the highest density of plastic rubbish in the world; Tonga Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva made the shock announcement this week that his government was planning to withdraw the country from hosting the 2019 Pacific Games; Transparency International Papua New Guinea says authorities need to rethink the way correctional services in the country are run; The Fiji government has announced a cyclone bailout package for sugar cane growers while taking a swipe at the media and politicians for politicising the industry.

Global media body worried about Tongan democracy; Solomons police rearmed for the first time in 14 years; While unease over mining deepens in its Temotu province;Council battles to erase stigma surrounding disabled people in Fiji; Samoan Imam hopes translated Quran will dispel misconceptions of Islam; Papuan independence leader pushes cause abroad; Niue museum to restore island's treasures for future generations; And "World Class" Tahiti inspire at Beach Soccer World Cup.

Tonga's government changes the leadership of the state broadcaster over supposed unfair reporting; Pacific territories prepare for French presidential vote; Tuvalu says it would be disastrous if the US leaves the Paris climate agreement; Fiji government disputes a bill will gag criticism of MPs; Bougainville opens the doors for more mining; Democracy in the Pacific not one-size-fits-all; New approach in Niue village health outreach; Tonga tops global stats in Mormon membership; We look at a deep sea exploration misson off the Cook Islands.

Niue is getting ready for next week's election, a strange ad and rapidly rising property prices in Palau, PNG police prepared for Highlands elections risk, Changed political landscape ahead of Fiji polls, Manus MP still standing despite Dutton broadside, New Zealand gets a new foreign minister, A new history book looks at Samoa's German era, research into Maori and Pacific youth mental health in New Zealand, American celebrities give Tahiti free publicity.

The latest attack at Manus Island reveals more strains on Australia's resettlement programme; A prominent member of the Bainimarama government defects to the opposition; Two senior Vanuatu politicians released from prison; PACER Plus about development as much as trade; Report now being drafted by Ministry of Revenue for cabinet on taxing church pastors; We ask what the French election means for France's Pacific territories; Niue's 5th Arts and Cultural Festival attracted many tourists, but there is disappointment in the number of overseas Niueans who attended; Marshalls remain hampered and co-opted by US, says Pilger; Pacific athletes among thousands competing at the Masters Games in Auckland.

A chorus of voices on Guam is questioning the governor's decision to withdraw his support for the military build-up; While mulitiple inquiries are still underway into Tokelau's controversial helicopter purchases it has been revealed the aircraft were cleared to land at American Samoa's Swains Island; A controversial visit by Australia's prime minister to Papua New Guinea has shed little light on how the hundreds of refugees stuck on Manus island will be resettled; There's hope the tide is turning on the flow of people leaving Niue for brighter lights, jobs and other opportunities offshore; Reports a gay man in Fiji was told he could not donate blood has sparked debate over whether it's Health Ministry's policies are discriminatory; The International Labour Organisation says entrepreneurship is the solution to the Pacific's youth unemployment crisis; Niuean leaders are calling for locals and Niueans living abroad to fight for the preservation of Niuean language.

Claims of human rights abuses during a police operation near a PNG goldmine are raising questions about whether its owners are doing enough to combat the violence that's plagued the mine for decades;Missionary escapes after pirate attack in PNG waters;Amnesty International issues stark warning to Nauru camp companies;Tighter NZ immigration policies lead to big fall in Pacific migration;The Pacific's non-communicable disease epidemic is not due to poor lifestyle choices according to the Pacific Community;School leavers are helping take classes in Vanuatu due to a lack of funding to pay for enough trained teachers;Samoa's first ever Olympic medallist has finally received her silver from the 2008 Beijing Games.

Drastic action may be needed to save a sick Cook Islands lagoon; Call for a Fiji media sedition charge to be dropped; Lack of funding means there's a teacher shortage in Vanuatu; Claims that Penang close down death knell for Fiji's Rakiraki; Tonga using fish and chicks to promote the consumption of lean meats; Kermadecs remain important NZ scientific outpost; Fiji kava exporter calls for price regulation; Samoa says transgender weightlifters competing against women is unfair.

New Zealand government urged to take a strong stand on human rights abuses in West Papua; Bougainville/PNG sign MOU on handing down powers; Pacific countries to close gaps in coastal fisheries management; Tokelauans furious over mystery helicopter purchase; A renown Pasifika academic, writer and activist mourned widely; Niue's leader receives a knighthood; Science Professor says Marshallese wave navigation still has relevance

Tonga PM threatens state broadcaster with closure; HIV problem creeps up on PNG; Fiji Media Association calls on public to respect journalists; Call for coronial inquiry into disappearance of woman off Cooks; US court ruling on Guam described as frustrating; PNG locals pray for ombudsman to monitor Canadian miners; Fears denial of temporary worker visas could cripple Guam economy; And Sending troubled young men back to Samoa doing more damage than good.