Latest News Archive April 2022
53 articles
Omicron BA.2: Second Wave Variant Confirmed
Health Minister, Dr. Culwick Togamana, has confirmed that the second wave of COVID-19 in Honiara is being driven by a new variant, identified as Omicron BA.2.
USP Ranked Highly in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022
The University of the South Pacific (USP) has been ranked in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for 2022. This is an incredible result for the premier university of our region.
New Health Clinic Boosts Health Services in Avuavu
As of Tuesday, this week, around 4000 people in Avuavu area in Guadalcanal province and about 7000 more people in surrounding wards and communities will greatly benefit from an improved and expanded range of health services from the newly opened Area Health Centre (AHC).
Australia Delivers Additional 150,930 Pfizer Vaccines
Australia’s High Commissioner, Dr Lachlan Strahan, handed over 150,930 Pfizer vaccines in partnership with UNICEF and a new truck to the National Medical Stores yesterday.
Police Search for Clues Over Brutal Killing of 21-Year-Old Girl
Police in Seghe and Gizo in the Western Province are investigating the brutal killing of 21-year-old female person whose body was found at Ambu Village in West Marovo Lagoon on 25 April 2022.
Government Concludes Talks with World Bank on Infrastructure Projects
Major aviation, road and bridge investments will soon commence as the Government, through its key Ministries including Ministry of Finance and Treasury, the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA) and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) and the World Bank Group Team agreed on the terms and conditions of a Financing Agreement.
Health Says 604 Tested Positive for COVID-19
The country has recorded an additional 604 positive tests for COVID-19 in the past 48 hours, bringing the total cumulative number of positive COVID-19 tests to 14,786.
Can We Take Sogavare For His Words?
Do not trust all assurances that Sogavare utters because they are mere media publicity stunts.
Japan Delegation Visits EOD Team at RSIPF
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) met with the Japan Honourable Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Uesugi Kentaro and the Japanese delegation upon their visit to Hells Point yesterday.
PTI Australia Facilitates Over AUD$1m in Solomon Islands Export Deals in 2021
Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia, an agency of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, has launched its 2021 Annual Report, highlighting more than A$27 million in export deals and a record seventeen investment deals facilitated in the region, despite the challenging environment.
National Athletics Rep Appointed Chair of Advisory Group
National female athlete Helen Aumae Boso is the newly appointed Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS) High-Performance Athlete Advisory Group (AAG) Chair.
1,226 New COVID-19 Cases in Second Wave
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has recorded another 1,226 new COVID-19 cases over the past 72 hours, bringing total case count to 14,182.
Government Says Talks with US a Success
Solomon Islands Prime Minister the Honourable Manasseh Sogavare warmly welcomed US National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo –Pacific, Kurt Campbell to Solomon Islands following a friendly and productive meeting on 22 Friday April, 2022.
US Says a China Military Base Will Cross the Red Line
Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale says Solomon Islands should seriously heed US advice not to cross the redline.
US Delegation Lands in Honiara
A US delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, and the National Security Council’s (NSC) Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell has landed in Honiara.
Japan Cabinet Secretary Says Solomon Islands-China Pact May Impact Region
China's security agreement with the Solomon Islands may affect security for the region and is a probable topic for discussions between the leaders of Japan and New Zealand, Japan's chief cabinet secretary said.
Second Wave Underway: 229 COVID-19 Cases Recorded in Honiara
Honiara is now experiencing its second wave of COVID-19, with 229 positive cases recorded in the past 48 hours.
Matters of National Security Should Not Be Kept Secret: Wale
Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale says it is unfortunate that the security pact with China had to be secretly signed and was only made known through officials in Beijing.
MASI Call on Police to Respect Work of Journalists
The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) is calling on the Police to respect journalists and members of the Press when carrying out their work in a public space.
Solomon Islands and China Signs Security Cooperation Agreement
China said it has signed the inter-governmental framework agreement on security cooperation this week with Solomon Islands.
SBD$200M Approved for Businesses Affected By Riots
The Government has approved a $200 million reconstruction and rehabilitation package over a period of two years to assist businesses affected by the November 2021 riots.
Resurgence of COVID-19 Cases in Honiara
There is a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Honiara. Health Minister, Dr. Culwick Togamana confirmed this in his national statement before the Easter weekend. He said positive cases are detected for both domestic arrivals from the provinces and pre-departures from Honiara.
Additional International Flight Introduced by Solomon Airlines With Support From Australia
Solomon Airlines will move a step closer to rebuilding the airline’s international schedule with the introduction of a second weekly service between Brisbane and Honiara available on Wednesdays.
Australia Has Asked Sogavare to Consider Not Signing the Draft Security Agreement With China
Australia's Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Zed Seselja, has asked Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to consider not signing the Draft Security Agreement with China.
Government Clarifies Leaked Correspondence From China Embassy
The request by the Chinese Embassy in Honiara to the Solomon Islands Government to allow diplomatic Chinese security personnel to protect the Embassy during the November 2021 riots was considered and held in abeyance by the Government.
Fire Service Remove Dangerous Chemicals
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Fire Services Department supported other government agencies to remove dangerous chemicals stored at the old Taiwanese farm, east of Honiara this week.
Australian Minister Arrives in Honiara For Talks
An Australian government minister arrived in the Solomon Islands on Wednesday for talks on a proposed security agreement between the Pacific islands nation and China that Australia opposes.
Solbrew Shares Best Practise With Customers
Solomon Breweries recently kicked off an initiative to share their COVID-19 best practices with their customers which includes sharing tips, providing information posters, sanitisers and masks for the outlets.
Another Week, Another Leak
Another government document has been leaked to social media by a group calling themselves Public Servants for Transparency.
Security Treaty is PM's Personal Deal With PRC: Opposition Leader
Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale says the China military treaty is a personal deal between Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and the PRC, and not about Solomon Islands and PRC.
Freight Assistance Package Reopens to Pacific Exporters
Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia, the region's leading trade and investment promotion agency, have reopened applications to their COVID-19 Freight Assistance Package, a monetary grant designed to support Pacific exporters in the wake of COVID-19 through the subsidisation of freight costs.
President Joe Biden to Send Diplomat to the Solomon Islands Following Security Pact With China
US President Joe Biden is set to send Kurt Campbell, the National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, to the Solomon Islands.
Police Calls for Responsible Media Reporting After Article on Plot to Assassinate PM
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is encouraging the media to report with a sense of responsibility, particularly when reporting on matters that may cause fear among the general public.
90% of Positive COVID-19 Cases Have Recovered
The Minister of Health Dr Culwick Togamana says that based on data available, 90% of all persons who tested positive have recovered.
2°C Not An Option For the Pacific, Decarbonisation a Must!
The publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group III report on climate mitigation only confirms what vulnerable and marginalised communities, indigenous people and climate activists have been saying for years.
COVID-19 Update: 149 New Cases Recorded
The country has recorded 149 new COVID-19 cases over the past 48 hours. Health Minister Dr Culwick Togamana gave the update during his COVID-19 situation update on the national broadcaster, SIBC.
Premier Sikilabu Speaks Highly of Opposition Leader's Watchdog Role
The new Isabel Premier Hon Rhoda Sikilabu has spoken highly of the important watchdog role played by the Opposition Leader.
Positive Outcome to Dialogue Between PM and Australian Envoy
Solomon Islands and Australia reaffirmed mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and agreed to work together as close friends.
Pacific Returns to Positive Growth as Vaccinations, Border Reopening Strengthen Economies in 2022: ADB
After 2 years of recession caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Pacific is expected to return to positive growth this year, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2022, ADB’s flagship economic publication, which was released today.
13 Citizens Charged For Illegal Border Crossing
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Gizo and Noro Police Station in the Western Province have charged 13 defendants out of the 17 who cross the Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands (SI) border to Buin last month.
Top US Admiral Raises Concerns Over Potential Security Pact Between Solomon Islands and China
A top US admiral has criticized a potential security pact between China and the Solomon Islands, describing it as a “secret” scheme that worries the United States and its partners.
Total COVID-19 Case Count 11,856 and 236 Additional Cases in Past 72 Hours
‘Total COVID-19 case count for Solomon Islands is now at 11,856, 236 additional cases recorded in the past 72 hours’, this was stated by the Hon. Dr Culwick Togamana, Minister for Health and Medical Services.
We Will Never Host Any Military Base: Sogavare
In his national address of late, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare assured the citizens of this country that Solomon Islands will never be used as a military base or other military institutions by any foreign country now or in the future.
Minister Veke Stands by Comments Made on Social Media
Police Minister Anthony Veke says he stands by his social media comments in relation to a post carrying a letter by the President of the Federated State of Micronesia (FSM) to Solomon Islands Prime Minister asking the Solomon Islands Government to withdraw its security deal with China.
Broadening Security Partnership Necessary For Internal Peace: Government
The Solomon Islands government’s intention to broaden its security cooperation with willing partners is necessary to sustain its internal peace and stability.
Training Tracks and Football Field for Pacific Games 2023 Taking Shape
Training tracks and a football field built for the Pacific Games 2023 is taking shape.
“Worry About Your Atoll,” Minister Veke’s Shameful Comment on Social Media
Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale has described sarcastic climate change comments by a government minister on social media as insensitive and shameful.
Government Urges BLC to Hasten its Report on the Public Health Emergency Bill 2021
The national government is urging the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) to quickly come up with its report on the Public Health Emergency Bill 2021.
Will The Public Have Access to The Security Treaty with China After Signing?
The security treaty with China has been initialed by senior representatives, the first step towards actual signing of the agreement. It is not clear whether there were changes made to the draft that was leaked publicly.
Heavy Rain Warning Active for Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands Meteorological services (METS) has issued a heavy rain warning for most of the provinces as of 7am today morning.
Security Treaty with China Hatched Secretly, Says Former Prime Minister
Former Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Small Malaita Hon Rick Houenipwela says the security treaty with China was supposed to be a secretly orchestrated deal.
UK Royal Navy Patrol Vessel Will Transit Through Solomon Islands Today
Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Spey, one of the Royal Navy’s most modern ships, will transit Solomon Islands territorial waters, including close to the capital, Honiara, on 4th and 5th April as part of its first tour of the South Pacific.
Solomon Airlines Says Nadi to Honiara Flight Rescheduled to 7 April
Solomon Airlines has confirmed its planned repatriation flight from Fiji has been rescheduled to the new departure date of 7th April subject to Government approval, allowing more time to accommodate travelers seeking to return to Solomon Islands.
