Latest News Archive March 2019
64 articles
PC Varley Condemns Threats and Intimidation to Voters
Just days out from the election in Solomon Islands Police Commissioner Matthew Varley has condemned candidates' supporters who have reportedly been inciting people to vote using threats of intimidation and violence.
Tourism Solomons Welcomes New Brisbane-Munda Direct Service
Tourism Solomons has applauded Solomon Airlines’ decision to commence a direct same-day Brisbane-Munda-Brisbane service on Saturday, 30 March describing the move as, potentially, a major catalyst for increased international visitation to the destination.
Malaysia Mission to Close
The Solomon Islands Government is closing down the country’s High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, just five years after it opened the mission in 2013.
BBNJ Treaty Negotiations Open in New York
Any new treaty to improve governance of the high seas must ensure healthy resilient Oceans and seas, promote greater coherence, and complement the relevant existing instruments, frameworks and sectoral bodies.
UNICEF Addresses Open Defecation
UNICEF is working to increase the use of toilets in Solomon Islands and educate community leaders about the importance of sanitation.
Tri Marine Certified by Fair Trade USA
Tuna giant Tri Marine International announced the Solomon Islands yellowfin and skipjack fishery has been certified by Fair Trade USA.
Pushing for Equal Representation
The list of things women shouldn’t do according to Solomon Islands’ culture is long: no wearing shorts, no lingering eye contact with men, no sitting near your brothers and no speaking up, among them.
Pacific Forum Sends Team to Observe Elections
A team of electoral observers representing the Pacific Islands Forum is to observe the Solomons election next week.
Government Policies Sets Positive Tone for PNG Manufacturers
The Chief Executive of the Manufacturers Council of Papua New Guinea, Chey Scovell, has given an upbeat assessment of the prospects for the manufacturing sector. He tells Business Advantage PNG that the mood, while cautious, is becoming more optimistic.
Chinese Deal With Former MPs to Switch Recognition After Elections Exposed
The Island Sun has reported that a major political party is negotiating secretly with China to switch recognition from Taiwan following the elections in April in return for money in the pockets of candidates.
Rising Above a Male Dominated Industry
Tanny Saepio was the first female captain in Solomon Islands, and now works as a manager for National Fisheries Development Ltd (NFD).
Man Arrested for Threatening Villagers
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Taro, Choiseul Province have arrested a 34-year-old male person on allegations of arson and other related allegations at Molevanga Village, South Choiseul, Choiseul Province on 24 March 2019.
Concerns Over Issuance of Mining License
Transparency Solomon Islands says it's concerned about new mining licences to a company at the center of an environmental disaster.
PC Varley Calls For Surrendering of Illegal Arms
Police Commissioner Mathew Varley has called on communities in Solomon Islands to surrender illegal arms as election looms.
A Story of Dignity and Courage
Sixteen-year-old Peter goes to a boarding school in the Solomon Islands which has experienced water shortages for 60 years.
Solomon Islands Beats Taiwan in International Friendly
Taiwan's national football team lost to the visiting Solomon Islands 1-0 in an international friendly Sunday in the first match played by the two teams.
Extra Resources Poured into Election Safety and Monitoring
The local Police will assist Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMSA) to monitor boats and vessels for over loading as voters travel to provinces to cast their ballots in the National General Election (NGE) on 3 April 2019.
Chand is SINU Vice Chancellor
Dr. Ganeshwar Chand is the new Vice Chancellor for the Solomon Islands National University.
Young Solomon Islander Recognized by Commonwealth
A young Solomon Islander is among winners of the Commonwealth Youth Awards.
2,700 Year Old Tattooing Kit Found in Tonga
The world's oldest-known tattoo kit has been discovered and it includes tools made from human bones, scientists have confirmed.
Mobile App Developed by Solomon Islanders Gets International Recognition
The Malaita Youth in Business Association (MYIBA), was one of the recipients of three awards during the Pacific Agrihack Lab competition in Tonga last year December 2018.
Taiwan Ties Maybe Uncertain
As politicians hit the hustings across the Solomon Islands two weeks out from a general election in the South Pacific archipelago, the loyalty of one of Taiwan's few remaining allies is in the balance.
First Pre-Poll Voting Successful
The Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO) has successfully executed the first ever pre-poll voting – trialing it out with police officers and Election workers.
Uneven Playing Field for Women in Politics
Women make up fewer than ten percent of candidates standing for election this year in Solomon Islands.
Police Warns Public Over Bad Weather
The Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIPF) is calling on all residents living near the Mataniko River in Honiara and other streams to keep well away following flooding after heavy rain in the capital city yesterday afternoon.
Police Continues Elections Awareness
The Maoa and Bina Harbour communities in West Kwaio, Malaita Province have assured the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) that they will work together with police during the upcoming National General Election (NGE) to prevent crime in their communities.
Gender Journey in Business
After years of struggling to find a job or start a small business in the Solomon Islands, she felt poultry farming would be a profitable venture.
Could There Be A Diplomatic Switch?
The forthcoming national elections in Solomon Islands in April have once again raised the issue of diplomatic relations between the Republic of China (hereafter “Taiwan”) and Solomon Islands.
Government House Clarifies Reference to Kemakeza
Former Solomon Islands Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza has already lost the knighthood title he was awarded in 2001 and should not be referred to as “Sir Allan” again.
Bougainville Independence Delayed but Looming
The referendum for Papua New Guinea’s eastern region is now set for October but how its outcome will be handled remains unclear.
Death Toll Rises Following Mosque Attack
The staggering death toll from the mass shootings at two Christchurch mosques has climbed to 50, New Zealand police confirmed Sunday, as the country continued to grapple with the emotional fallout from the atrocity.
Law Reform Necessary for Health Sector
The Solomon Islands government is moving to change its outdated health administration laws.
Police Welcomes Australian and New Zealand Support
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) welcomes the support from the Australian and New Zealand Governments to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and is ready for the National General Election (NGE) on 3 April 2019.
Israel Offers Support to Oil Spill
Israel is offering to send five experts to the Rennell Islands in Solomon Islands who are trained to respond to pollution at sea and shore.
USS Wasp Found After 77 years
The USS Wasp, an aircraft carrier that saw service during World War II from Iceland to Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands has been located lying 14,000 feet deep in the Coral Sea 77 years after its sinking.
Miss Pacific Islands is PNG's UNICEF Youth Ambassador
Miss PNG Leoshina Kariha, the current reigning Miss Pacific Islands, has been named the first Papua New Guinean Youth Advocate for UNICEF.
Tourists Encouraged to Keep Travel Plans
As efforts continue to stem oil flowing from a grounded bulk carrier on Rennell Island, Tourism Solomons has stressed the situation has not in any way impacted on the destination’s main tourism corridors or the country’ ability to manage its international visitors.
Chinese Investment Fueling Corruption in the Pacific
Chinese investment is fueling corruption and causing resentment among the local people, says the Vanuatu Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu. He said the local people were being sidelined by increasing amounts of imported workers.
Arrest Made Over Maleai Incident
An operation comprising officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in the Choiseul and Western provinces as well as the Police Response Team (PRT) have arrested an 18-year-old male suspect in the armed robbery incident at Maleai, in the Shortland Islands on 6 February 2019.
ANZ Supports Financial Literacy for Fiji Youths
Good news for youth leaders across Fiji as they will be part of a program that will help instill in them a culture of saving.
Stories Through Tattoos
Traditional tattoo designs are no longer preserved for our own people in the Solomon Islands.
Thinking Equal - An Insight with Atenasi
I am the CEO for the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry and I have been in the role for over 5 months.
MSG Observer Team Finalized
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)Secretariat has finalised its Observer Team to monitor the National General Elections in the Solomon Islands on 03 April 2019, following an invitation by the Solomon Islands Government.
Facing Gender Challenges Head On
Prudence Tekurade is 28-year-old mother of three who saved enough from her job at SolTuna, the Solomon Islands’ only tuna processing plant, to buy a plot of land.
Companies May Face Blacklisting Following Oil Spill
The Solomon Islands Government may blacklist companies involved in oil spill catastrophe following the Solomon Trader crash.
19 UN Staff Killed on Ethiopian Airlines Crash
World leaders and citizens from over 30 countries mourned the loss of those aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed on Sunday, including several aid workers from United Nations agencies and other humanitarian organizations.
New Zealand Faces Measles Outbreak
A measles outbreak in New Zealand has widened to 20 confirmed cases in the Canterbury district.
Slow Response Criticized
The Australian Government has criticized the slow response from firms linked to a grounded cargo ship in the Solomon Islands.
Oil Spills: When Do We Learn?
Welcome to the dirty, murky world of oil spills.
Saying Goodbye to Solomon Islands
When you go to a place to offer help it's easy to fall into the trap of looking for what needs to be done.
Solomon Trader Owner Apologizes
Solomon Trader leak on the doorstep of a world heritage site on Rennell Island in Solomon Islands could cost $5m to clean up.
Protecting Forests to Transform the Future
Had it not been for the women of the Roro tribe, things might look bleaker in their lush corner of Papua New Guinea.
Crocodile Related Attacks Increases
A new report has found that crocodile attacks on people in Solomon Islands have increased significantly over the past decade and will continue to rise if nothing is done to prevent them.
Locals Struggle with Oil Spill Effects
A massive oil spill next to the UNESCO World Heritage site in the Solomon Islands is straining the lives of local residents who say they have been forced to drink rainwater because fresh water has been contaminated.
Kiribati Suffers While World Talks Climate
As public discussion on climate change and ways to arrest its impact continue around the world, one of many low-lying atolls in the Pacific wrestles with the issue right now.
Calls for Constituency Office in Shortlands
Constituents of Shortland Islands in Western Province, Solomon Islands says the absence of a constituency office back at their island is costly for their people.
Government Terminates 179 Scholarships
The Solomon Islands government has axed the scholarships for 179 students studying in Fiji because of poor grades.
Police Continues Peaceful Election Awareness
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have emphasised during an awareness talk to members of the Christian Outreach Centre (C.O.C) congregation in Honiara that the country wants a peaceful and crime free National General Election on 3 April 2019.
Empowering Women's Financial Future
In Solomon Islands, access to formal banking services outside of provincial capitals is non-existent.
Containment of Oil Spill Continues
Spill could damage Rennell Island, the world’s largest raised coral atoll and home to many species found nowhere else.
Basketball Fiji Announce Training Pools for 2019 Pacific Games
Basketball Fiji have announced their training pools for the Pacific Games in Samoa in July.
Men's Basketball Given Wildcard Entry
The Solomon Islands have been awarded a wildcard entry for the basketball tournament at this year's Pacific Games in Samoa, it has been announced.
Growing Concerns Over Bulker Oil Spill
Australia is helping to pressure a Hong Kong shipping company and several other firms to take responsibility for cleaning up a major oil spill close to a World Heritage-listed coral reef off the Solomon Islands.
Sustainable Economic Activity a Need
The Solomon Islands People’s First Party West Guadalcanal candidate Ms. Selina Berah wants to know where the millions of dollars spent in the area have gone.
