- The longest serving Papua New Guinean MP and 'Father of Independence', Sir Michael Somare is retiring from politics after 49 years.
- Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is heading to PNG later this week in what will be his first visit since last year's Federal election. PNG’s former Prime Minister Mekere Morauta has criticised the timing of the trip, due to the proximity of PNG elections and the potential for the visit to be interpreted as endorsement of Peter O’Neill's government.
- In response to commitments made at the 25th Papua New Guinea-Australia Ministerial Forum to collaborate on the closure of the Manus Regional Processing Centre, Michelle Nayahamui Rooney has analysed the issue of security and gendered violence on Manus Island.
- Also off the back of the Ministerial Forum, Sam Koim has considered Australia’s options if it was to take up PNG’s request to transfer the aid program to direct budget support.
- Nick McKenzie’s article in Fairfax Media last week on a ni-Vanuatu worker exploitation case spurred this defence of the Seasonal Workers Program from Stephen Howes.
- Amnesty International has released a report titled 'Treasure I$land: How companies are profiting from Australia’s abuse of refugees on Nauru'.
- In a first for the Solomon Islands, two women have piloted a commercial flight. This comes after Air Vanuatu’s announcement of the first female international pilot in March.
- Samoan weightlifter Ele Opologe has received a silver Olympic medal almost nine years after she competed at the Beijing Olympics because of two disqualifications for doping, making her the first Samoan to ever win an Olympic medal.
- PNG’s Toea Wisil, the 'fastest woman in the Pacific', won gold in the 100 metres and 200 metres events at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney. But her win has caused some controversy after Matt Beckenham, coach of second place holder Melissa Breen, questioned the rules that allow international competitors to take home medals at Australian competitions.