Latest News Archive April 2012
61 articlesFestival Committee Confident of Security Arrangements
The National Festival Arts Committee says it remains positive about Honiara's security situation for the upcoming festival despite increased rates of violent thefts in Honiara this month.
Reconciliation Seeks to End Violence
Families of four victims attacked in Point Cruz this month met with representatives of the perpetrators in a reconciliation ceremony to stop further retaliations in Honiara.
Western Pacific Closes in on its Measles Elimination Target
MANILA, 23 APRIL 2012 - The World Health Organization is closing in on its goal of eliminating measles in the Western Pacific Region by the end of this year.
RIPEL Threatens to Sue
The Russell Islands Plantation Estate Limited are now threatening to sue the Solomon Islands Government for 324 million Solomon dollars or around 44 million US dollars in compensation.
RAMSI Exit a Priority Discussion
Australia's Defence Minister Stephen Smith says an exit plan is being developed for the defence contingent of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.
More Opportunities for Youths
The Papua New Guinea High Commission in Solomon Islands has launched its first ever Employment Training Program in Honiara yesterday.
Coral Triangle Still Needs Protection
Objectives on biodiversity, fisheries and climate change outcomes should be integrated when designating Marine Protected Areas (MPA) for the so-called Coral Triangle, according to a report by a consortium studying methods to protect the region.
Regional Consultation of REDD+ Policy Framework Begins
About 30 people, representing 10 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and regional organisations, are currently attending a meeting to discuss a Pacific Regional Policy Framework that will facilitate PICs' access to support under REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) funding possibilities.
Police Lay Charge over Fatal Stabbing
The Royal Solomon Islands Police have formally charged a 22-year old man following the fatal stabbing last Saturday.
Gladstone Welcomes Soldiers
Today the little city of Gladstone officially welcomes its four soldiers who have returned after deployment in the Solomon Islands.
Strengthening the Capacities of Pacific Islands Countries in Mainstreaming Gender
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is pleased to share the findings of a gender stocktake conducted in six Pacific Islands countries in 2009-2010.
Exporters Defy Laws: Sikua
Opposition Leader Dr Derek Sikua has questioned why relevant authorities are not taking appropriate actions against the two Asian business associates for continuing to export seaweed despite the cancellation of their work and residential permits.
Rural Development Clarifies Claims
The Ministry of Rural Development has clarified that Taiwanese Embassy never paid 5.5 million dollars to the Solomon Islands Government for outstanding projects as claimed.
Opposition Calls on Government to Ensure Safety
Solomon Islands Opposition Leader Dr Derek Sikua has condemned what he terms as the brutal murder of a young Solomon Islands Government diplomat and the injury of four others in Honiara last Saturday.
Sustainable Tuna Expected from New Agreement
Pacifical is a global company jointly set up by the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) countries in 2011 of which Solomon Islands is a member.
Speaking out on Climate Change
In the male-dominated society like that of Solomon Islands, men make the decisions and women tend to the children and prepare food.
New Correctional Centre Under Contruction
Construction of the new Gizo Correctional Centre and staff housing has officially commenced with a ceremony on the site last Friday.
PFF Condemns Police Bashing of PNG Journalist
PFF Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS- The Pacific Freedom Forum condemns the brutal attack by uniformed Police officers on Papua New Guinea journalist Mark Kayok on the evening of Saturday 21 April, in Port Moresby.
Archbishop Calls on Authorities to Assure Safety
Solomon Islands Archbishop of the Church of Melanesia, David Vunagi, has said the safety of the general public in Honiara is no longer guaranteed.
Grassroots Development in Focus
The development of future local footballers is the focus of a week-long FIFA and OFC grassroots course taking place in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara last week.
Tafoa Made Debut Over Weekend
Politics and controversy aside, Chris Tafoa has a lot in common with athlete Zola Budd.
Fatal Stabbing Cause Fear Over Weekend
A Foreign Affairs official has died after a fatal stabbing incident in the early hours of Saturday morning in front of the Honiara Central Market.
More Graduate from APTC
Fifty five Solomon Islands students graduated from courses in hospitality, tourism, hairdressing and children services from the Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC) at a special ceremony in Honiara on Friday.
Palau: Journo Jobs, Media Freedoms Face the Axe Under New Bill
PFF Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS--Independent journalism and jobs for journalists in Palau face the axe if a proposed telecommunications bill before the country's senate becomes law, says regional media monitoring network the Pacific Freedom Forum.
Academic Critical of Aid Assistance
An Australian academic has criticized Australia and New Zealand aid programmes in the Pacific, saying they are chiefly responsible for appalling social outcomes, particularly in Melanesia.
Solomons Names Soccer Squad
A 31-man training squad for the OFC Nations Cup has been revealed by hosts the Solomon Islands and there is no shortage of well-known names amongst the line-up.
Pacific Open Learning Health Net Progresses in Vanuatu
VANUATU, 17 April 2012 - The World Health Organization and the Vanuatu Ministry of Health recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the development of the Pacific Open Learning Health Net (POLHN) in the country.
Police Investigate Mysterious Death
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man found just outside the Metal Sheet Products Limited gate in the Ranadi Industrial area.
Caribbean Pacific Collaboration on Crop Diversity
Imagine a coconut tree surviving in a bottle small enough to hide in the palm of your hand. Amazing, isn't it? Yet this is not Aladdin's cave and no genie's magic but an advancement of science that has made possible the preservation and maintenance of clean, pure varieties of our traditional staple food crops.
Opposition Baffled at Immigration Slip Up
The Opposition group says they are puzzled at the explanation given by the Minister for Commerce and Immigration, Elijah Doromuala, when pressed to explain how Mr. Zhang reentered the country after he was allegedly deported.
Telekom Rectifies Issue
Solomon Islands only Telecommunication Company "Our Telekom" has rectified the technical problems to its Fixed NGN network system.
Wantok Stori Begins Project
The Wantok Stori film project has announced the team that will begin work with them in the Solomon Islands this week.
New Fishing License a Bonus
The region's leading tuna management control authority in the Pacific believes the latest move by the Solomon Islands to give priority to fishing companies that invest in the country would influence investment and offer more employment for locals.
Plenty Challenges in the Lead up to Festival
After a month and a half in the Solomon Islands, I am starting to settle in. The greatest challenge has been the heat and getting used to moving around outside in such hot weather.
Anti-Litter Awareness Continues
The Honiara City Council Litter Campaign Team will continue another intense anti-litter campaign in Honiara.
Scholarship to Study in Australia to Close Soon
Solomon Islanders thinking of applying for a scholarship to study in Australia next year have only until the end of April to lodge their application form.
SPC to Continue Support to Melanesian Countries in Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation
Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Market Access Specialist Josua Wainiqolo made it clear that SPC will continue to provide assistance through its Land Resources Division to Melanesian countries in improving biosecurity issues and increasing trade in agricultural and forestry products.
Aviation Academy Graduates Students
For the first time Solomon Island students have graduated from the Airport Fiji Limited Aviation Academy in Nadi.
Guam Confirms Number of Participants to Festival
Solomon Islands will be receiving a 150 member delegation of Guam artists and performers to participate in the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts in Honiara, Solomon Islands this July 1 - 14.
Ongtong Java People Demand Temporary Lifting of Ban
The people of Ontong Java, Malaita Outer Islands, have handed a set of demands to the government on the bechedemer issue.
WHO Collaborating Centre for Tobacco Control Launches in Hong Kong
HONG KONG, 9 APRIL 2012 - A new WHO collaborating centre was named here today to help smokers quit and to reduce the heavy toll of tobacco-related deaths in the Western Pacific Region.
Rumors Not True, says Former Militants
Former Militants of the Isatabu Freedom Movement, IMF, say they are deeply disturbed by the circulation of false rumors of another "ethnic conflict."
Solomons Assures Relationship with Taiwan
Solomon Islands will continue to support Taiwan in its bid to become a recognized member of the international community.
Government Dishes Out on New Vehicles
The Solomon Islands government recently spent four million dollars to purchase 22 new vehicles from local suppliers in Honiara.
Just the Right Medicine
In 2003, Julie Zinihite was just beginning her pharmacy career and seven years later, in 2010, she became the first Solomon Islands female to be appointed Chief Pharmacist at the National Referral Hospital.
Fijian Flood Emergency: WHO Advice Public to Prevent Diseases
SUVA, 04 APRIL 2012 - As a joint coordinator for the health and nutrition cluster, WHO and UNICEF convened the first cluster meeting to identify the key health and nutrition priorities post-flooding and ensure the coherent and effective response of all agencies, organization and NGOs.
Documentary Gives More Voice to Women
A new documentary capturing the experiences of Solomon Islands women had premiered last Sunday on One Television.
Gary Barlow Tweets on Experience
Last week he was stranded on the Solomon Islands as a cyclone approached the region and on returning home safely Gary Barlow decided to tweet his holiday snaps from the trip.
Vanuatu Beats Solomons in Beach Soccer
Vanuatu has won the Asia Pacific beach soccer final defeating the Solomon Islands Bilikiki team in a nail biting finish.
Australian GG Shares Insight
Visiting Australian Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce, shares her remarks at a Women's Forum held at the National Parliament on Tuesday this week.
Kristina Gets Ready to Tackle Climate Change
Solomon Islands is vulnerable to impacts of climate change but if Kristina Fidali has her way, these challenges will be tackled head on.
Government Pledges $2M for Western Festival Preparations
The Solomon Islands National Government last Saturday has pledged a total of $2 million dollars to assist Western Province prepare a satellite venue in Gizo for the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts in July.
Australian GG Meets Rural Women Organisation
A rural-based volunteer women's organisation in Solomon Islands is leading the way for women to manage their finances, learn to budget for household items and save for their family's future.
Radike Samo for Solomon Islands
Qantas Wallabies, Will Genia, Radike Samo, Digby Ioane and Ben Tapuai have been selected as Ambassadors for the Pacific in Union program, a new tripartite initiative between Australian Rugby Union, the IRB and the Australian Government.
Fiji Begins Recovery Operations
Fiji is starting recovery preparations after the heavy flooding that hit the country in the last few days.
Opposition Queries Delay of Appointment of PC
The Opposition calls on the Government to explain the delay in bringing into the country the British national appointed as the new Police Commissioner of the Solomon Islands.
Weather Watch Cancelled
The weather office in Honiara has cancelled all warnings related to the low pressure system that had formed near Rennell Bellona Islands.
New Report Reveals High Prevalence of Betel, Tobacco Chewing in Western Pacific
MANILA, 23 MARCH 2012 - A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals a shockingly high prevalence of areca nut (also called betel) and tobacco chewing in the Western Pacific Region and urges governments and other stakeholders to make people aware of the dangers to health.
Quarantine and Public Health Issues for the Festival of Pacific Arts
Delegates attending the 24th Meeting of the Council of Pacific Arts and Culture currently being held in Honiara were informed of some crucial issues regarding preparations for the eagerly awaited Festival of Pacific Arts in July.
Secretary of US Navy Reiterates Strong Ties in Visit
Secretary of the US Navy Ray Mabus has reiterated the ongoing ties of friendship that bind the United States of America and Solomon Islands during a meeting with Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Rick Hou last week.
British Pop Star Visit Solomons
British pop star Gary Barlow, a member of the famous Take That pop group, is currently in Solomon Islands seeking inspiration for his collaboration with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
