PINA

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) will start accepting applications in July from companies that want to mine the ocean's floor, a decision that came after the UN body spent the past two weeks debating standards for the new and controversial practice. Deep-sea mining would extract cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese - key battery materials - from potato-sized rocks called “polymetallic...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has justified the Government’s use of Standing Order 51 to fast-track the repeal of the Media Industry Development (Repeal) Bill of 2023 and the i-Taukei Land Trust (Amendment) Bill of 2023. Speaking to FijiLive, Rabuka said that the two motions do not need to go to any of the Standing Committee and the two Bills...

China will deepen the strategic alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s Connect PNG Programme, welcome PNG to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). China continue to provide economic and technical assistance to PNG without political conditions attached, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang when meeting with PNG Minister of...

The global transition to renewable energy will require greater investment in integrated weather and climate services, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said on Monday. This investment is critical, including to ensure that energy infrastructure is resilient to climate-related shocks, and to harness the power of energy generated from sources such as the sun and wind, the UN agency said. In this...

Disaster relief workers in Papua New Guinea were assessing the extent of damage in a remote region Monday following a powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake. Some buildings and homes were destroyed near the quake's epicenter in the northern part of the Pacific nation, said Mathew Moihoi, the acting assistant director of the Port Moresby Geophysical Observatory. He said disaster relief workers...

The UK’s membership of a Pacific trade agreement will result in more deforestation overseas, endanger animal welfare and “make a mockery” of the government’s environmental commitments, campaigners have said. Ministers signed an agreement late last week for the UK to become a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a trading bloc of 11 nations including...

Following their goal of a double win in front of their home crowd, Fijian Drua coach believes this is a “learn as we go” journey. Mick Byrne is pleased with the performance of the players, who, despite being under pressure, came out on top in their Super Rugby clash against the Rebels on Saturday. He said hey will need to do...

Fiji's Attorney General Siromi Turaga has tabled the bill to repeal the Media Industry Development Act 2010. While tabling the bill, Turaga said there is a need to repeal the Act as certain contents are controversial and undemocratic as it breaches the right to freedom and expression. He said this does not mean the media can now report on anything and...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has described the late former prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu as a great statesman. “Papua New Guinea has lost a great statesman who served as the fourth Prime Minister from 1988 to 1992, and as leader of the Pangu Pati,” he said. “He had a distinguished career in the public service, in academia, politics...

The security pact Solomon Islands and China signed following the 2021 November riot in Honiara is now a non-issue, according to Albert Kabui, the Special Secretary to Prime Minister (SSPM). The United States, Australia and other Western allies say the pact allows China to build naval bases in Solomon Islands and are demanding a full disclosure from Prime Minister Manasseh...