PINA

In a large building overlooking the sea in Kingston, Jamaica, national members of a little-known international organisation are meeting for contentious talks that could open up the planet’s deep seabed to mining as soon as July 2023. The ocean floor is rich in mineral deposits, which could provide raw materials to manufacture batteries for electric cars, solar panels, and wind...

Last month’s riots has put the nation on a “development in reverse” trajectory, according to the Solomon Islands Central Bank (CBSI), which released an updated assessment on the cost of damage Friday, 03 December. “The extent of the adverse impact on the economy is extensive and estimated to have reached SB$534 million (US$66m), up from the SB$227 million (US$28m) initially...

The Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) says 58,712 of its members have zero balance in their accounts. This, according to the FNPF’s 2021 annual report tabled in Parliament last Thursday. The fund said 7196 members between the ages of 50-54 years had zero balance while 6905 between 45-49 had no money at FNPF. FNPF said 10,780 members between the ages of 35-44...

By Damian Mutton and Narelle Wilson Scenes of political unrest have become increasingly common in the Solomon Islands, however current reports of rioting, destruction, and hard-line response have come as a surprise to some commentators. In contrast, those familiar with the geo-politics of the region have been warning of this for some time, stating “when, not if.” It has been increasingly...

Prime Minister Mark Brown has announced that the Cook Islands has it’s first positive case of COVID-19. A passenger on Thursday repatriation flight who tested clear of the virus on 30 November (NZT), returned a weak positive when tested late yesterday evening (Day Zero Test). The case is a 10 year-old child travelling with his mother and two siblings. The mother...

The head of Angolan diplomacy, Téte António has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to host the 10th summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) in 2022. In a statement, Minister Téte António said that holding the summit in Luanda is one of the priorities of the presidency of the Council of...

  It will now be the third week of December at the earliest before Tongans find out who their new leader will be. Voters went to the polls on 18 November to elect 17 People's Representatives with the nobles choosing nine from their cohort. Ever since there has been a period of intense horse-trading, from which the caretaker prime minister, Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa,...

By Iliesa Tora The Pew Charitable Trusts has called for better management of the tuna fisheries of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. In a statement released to the 18th regular session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission(WCPFC), which is being held virtually from 29 November to 07 December, Pew called for improvements across the board in major areas...

New Zealand is sending another contingent of 50 military and police to Solomon Islands this weekend to help maintain the peace in the capital Honiara. The deployment announced earlier this week will join an initial group of 15 peacekeepers who have already arrived from New Zealand, and more than 150 others from Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Former New Zealand...

  Australia’s Foreign Minister Marisa Payne said her visit to Palau is to advance” an open, resilient and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.” Payne will be in Koror from 02 - 04 December 2021. In her speech, she said she will also formally open Australia’s Embassy in Palau. Minister Payne said her visit build upon her recent in-person visits to partners in the Indo-Pacific region...