- Paul Flanagan analyses the confronting figures from PNG's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, with the budget deficit for 2015 estimated to reach a record high of 9.4% of GDP.
- As Fiji's outgoing military chief Brigadier General Mosese Tikoitoga takes up a position in the Foreign Service, new chief Commodore Viliame Naupoto says depoliticising the military is still a focus.
- A fishing boat intercepted off the coast of PNG crewed by trafficked Myanmar and Cambodian indentured labourers is thought to be one of 33 vessels in the area controlled by a Thai crime syndicate and crewed by slave labour. Greenpeace's International Executive Director Kumi Naidoo stresses the high levels of exploitation found in the fishing industry across the board, comparing tuna fishing vessels to 'floating sweatshops'.
- Nauru President Baron Waqa defends his Government's recent actions in an article for the Daily Telegraph.
- Australian-made film Tanna, set on the Vanuatu island of the same name, is set to make its debut at the Venice Film Festival. The film tells the controversial love story of two young Yakel tribe members, a Pacific 'Romeo and Juliet'.
- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key says a Cook Islands UN seat would be confusing and inappropriate. Tagata Pasifika looks back at Cook Islands history and its relationship with New Zealand as Cook Islanders celebrate 50 years of self-governance.
Pacific Island links: PNG budget, new Fiji military chief, human trafficking and more
Published 5 Aug 2015
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