Latest News Archive May 2022
68 articles
Tourism Solomons Welcomes Decision to Fully Reopen Solomon Islands Border
Tourism Solomons has welcomed Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare’s announcement the country’s border will fully reopen on 1 July 2022.
Solomon Airlines Welcomes Re-opening of Borders on 1st July 2022
Solomon Airlines has welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare confirming the full reopening of Solomon Islands' international borders, commencing on 1 July 2022.
China to Consider Building Police Training Facility in Country
China will consider building a police training centre in Solomon Islands, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi tours the Pacific in a bid to increase its influence in the region.
Seasonal Worker in Australia Builds Homes for His Family
Francis Milamila has had an exciting journey after he joined the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme in January 2020.
Health Keeping a Close Eye on Monkeypox Virus
Public Health experts of the Ministry of Health are keeping a close eye on developments with the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox around the world.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Secrecy Surrounding MOUs With China
Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale has raised concerns that MOUs that will be signed by the visiting PRC foreign minister and the national government have been kept secret only to a few in the top government echelon.
MASI Boycotts China Delegation Press Event
Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) has issued a boycott notice to its members for the PRC Press Event scheduled for Thursday.
New Zealand Troop Deployment in Solomon Islands Extended
New Zealand on Wednesday said it would extend the New Zealand Defence Force's deployment to the Solomon Islands until at least May next year, amid concerns among Western allies about China's growing presence in the South Pacific.
Tocilizumab Drug to Treat Severe and Critical COVID-19 Patients Now Available
Tocilizumab, an antibody drug approved by the WHO to treat COVID-19 patients, has arrived in the country.
Chinese Foreign Minister Will Visit Solomon Islands as Quad Leaders Convene in Tokyo
The Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi is scheduled to visit Solomon Islands later this week. This was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s office, and the Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands Li Ming.
Regional Cooperation Ensures 17 Passengers Rescued From Boat in Distress
17 passengers were returned safely to their loved ones thanks to the combined effort of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Aerial Surveillance Program (ASP) aircraft, the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIPF) Maritime Division and Australia’s HMAS Ararat over the weekend.
Sogavare Congratulates Albanese on His Election Win
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has congratulated Australia’s new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his election victory as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia.
Young Tennis Ace Looks Forward to Representing the Country at the Mini-Games
The country’s top tennis seed Junior Benjamin is excited and says he can’t wait to represent the country at the upcoming 2022 Pacific Mini Games in Northern Marianas this June.
Solomon Ports Wins Historic Top International Award
Solomon Ports has the won the ‘International Association of Ports Habours’ Sustainability Awards 2022 in Vancouver, Canada this week on Wednesday 17th at the IAPH World Ports Conference.
Kurukuru Invited to International Tournament in Croatia
Solomon Islands national futsal team, Kurukuru has been invited by organizers of the Umag Futsal Nations Cup 2022 to participate in an international futsal friendly tournament in Umag, Croatia from October 3 to October 12, 2022.
Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Released Prisoners Requires a Whole of Society Approach
The Correctional Service of Solomon Islands (CSSI) has embarked on a revitalized campaign to promote and raise awareness on the importance of giving released prisoners a ‘second chance in life’
Sogavare Launches Country's First CT Scan Facility
Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare has expressed his overwhelming joy to officiate the launching of the country’s own Computed Tomography (CT) scanner some 40 years after the nation’s Political independence.
Police Investigates Sorcery Related Revenge Killing
Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) at Tetere and Henderson Police Station are investigating a murder incident that happened at Bulokalai village in Aola area, East Central Guadalcanal on 10 May 2022.
Veke Says Australia Remains Partner of Choice
Paving the way for a naval military base in Solomon Islands was the main concern of Australia on the security pact Honiara and Beijing signed recently. But the Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Anthony Veke, saw no cause for alarm in the security pact.
Makira-Ulawa Farmers Delighted With Opening of CEMA's Buying Centre
Makira-Ulawa farmers have welcomed the opening of the Province’s main Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) buying center at Pakera in Central Makira last week.
Naha Police Station Refurbished and Reopened
Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) at Naha Police Station will now have better working conditions when attending to their duties following the completion and handing over of the refurbished Police Station in East Honiara today.
PIFS Secretary General Hosts Solomon Islands "Tok Stori" Session
Pacific Forum Leaders and Foreign Ministers attended a unique ‘Tok Stori’ hybrid event in Suva.
Friends Share Gold Medal Award at USP Graduation
The Gold Medal Award for the most outstanding Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate was shared by two friends who supported each other throughout their journey while studying for their MBA at the University of the South Pacific (USP).
Team Solomon Preparations Progressing Well
Solomon Island National Institute of Sport (SINIS) High Performance program has made its own review regarding athletes who access the facility to train ahead of the Pacific Mini Games and 2023 Pacific Games.
Sports Institute Highlights Importance of Nutrition in Sports
The Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS) High-Performance program successfully hosted its inaugural Nutrition in sports seminar on May 11th and 12th 2022.
Australia Supports Upgrade of Noro Port
Australia’s flagship Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) in May to support the upgrade of the country’s second largest port in Noro, Western Province.
Tuvalu, Sinking in the Pacific, Fears Becoming a Superpower ‘Pawn’
Tuvalu fears that climate change, an existential threat to the Pacific nation, is being forgotten and it worries that fellow island nations could become “pawns” in a global competition between China and the United States, its foreign minister said.
Archers on Target for Pacific Games 2023
Solomon Islands Archery Federation (SIAF) are into its second week of training with the assistance of the High-Performance staff at the SINIS multi outdoor field over the weekend.
Who Will Represent Oceania at the FIFA Club World Cup?
June will see the return of Oceania’s flagship club football competition, the OFC Champions League, which will decide who represents the region at the 2022 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Premium Sundried Solomon Islands Cocoa Exported to the UK
A shipment of premium sundried cocoa beans is now making its way to the UK market, marking an important milestone for the Solomon Islands cocoa industry.
SIWA Introduces New Board Chairman to Prime Minister
State Owned Enterprise, Solomon Islands Water Authority, trading under brand name Solomon Water has introduced its new board chairman Donald Marahare to Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare.
64-Year-Old Bougainvillean Arrested for Illegal Entry at Western Border
Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) at the Western border between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands (SI) have arrested a 64 years old male person from Sirovai village, Koromira in Central Bougainville for breaching the State of Public Emergency (SoPE) that is still in force.
Australia Gives Timely Assistance to Munda Market Vendors
New tables, chairs, tents and wheelie bins for Munda Market, in Solomon Islands will help cater for the increase in the number of market vendors at the market since it opened for business in February this year.
Opposition MP Raises Concerns Over Blue Economy MOU With China
Opposition member and MP for West Makira Constituency Hon Derrick Manuari has raised his concern at the pace and capacity in which Solomon Islands are impelling MOU’s with China.
Government Gifts National Team with $320k
The government through the Ministry of Home Affairs has given a token of appreciation of $10,000 dollars each to players and a sum of $320,000 to the Solomon Islands national team delegation to the recent FIFA World Cup Oceania Qualifiers in Qatar.
Sol2023 Unveils Mascot
The Mascot for the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands has been revealed.
Opposition Leader Conveys Condolences on Passing of PNG's Deputy Prime Minister
Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale has conveyed his condolences to the government and people of Papua New Guinea following the tragic death of PNG’s Deputy Prime Minister Hon Sam Basil.
18 Nurses Fly High with Solomon Airlines on International Nurses Day
Nine Solomon Islands organisations collaborated with Solomon Airlines to say ‘Tagio Tumas to our Nation’s Nurses’ on International Nurses Day.
Solomon Islander Receives Medal of Honour in New Zealand
On Thursday 05th May, Solomon Islander Glo Oxenham received her Queen’s Service Medal of honour award for services to the Melanesian community from Her Excellency, The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor General of New Zealand.
USP Students Contribute to Regional Progress Through Scholarship Partnership
The knowledge and capability of students will be further enhanced after the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) included the climate change resilience component in the Pacific Agriculture Scholarships, Support and Climate Resilience programme (PASS-CR).
Today is International Nurses Day
Today, 12th May 2022, is International Nurses Day. Nurses play an important part in people's general health and and well-being, but until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, nurses have not been treated with the respect they deserve.
PNG’s Deputy Prime Minister Killed in Tragic Car Accident
Papua New Guinea's deputy Prime Minister, Sam Basil, has died following a car crash in the Bulolo district of Morobe Province.
Canadian Company Supports Police and Health Ministry With COVID-19 Masks
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force [RSIPF] have praised Canada’s Novoshield company for their support in mobilizing and delivering 16,800 Level 3 medical grade face masks to boost ongoing work of health and police against COVID-19 in the country.
High Level Chinese Delegation Led by Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Visit Solomon Islands
Chinese Foreign Minister and state councillor Wang Yi is likely to make a surprise visit to Solomon Islands in coming weeks, in another sign Beijing is intent on cementing security and commercial ties with the Pacific Island nation while Canberra is consumed by the federal election.
New Zealand's New High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Named
New Zealand has appointed a new high commissioner to Solomon Islands.
COVID-19 Update: 1,300 New Positive Cases Reported
Solomon Islands has recorded 1,300 new positive COVID-19 cases during the reporting period starting on 3rd May to 8th May 2022. The cumulative total for the country now stands at 18,174.
23 Students Rewarded for their Outstanding Achievements
The School of Accounting, Finance, and Economics (SAFE) at the University of the South Pacific hosted an awards ceremony last Friday to honour the remarkable achievements of its first-year students in 2021.
Schools To Resume Nationwide Starting 30th May 2022
The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) has announced the dates that Schools, Rural Training Centres and Early Childhood Centres will open.
AFP Supports Communities by Purchasing Fruits and Vegetables From Local Farmers
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) members deployed under the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP), and the Solomons’ International Assistance Force (SIAF) continue to support the local economy during the State of Emergency and COVID19 community transmission.
Foreign Affairs Minister Manele Meets with Australian Counterpart
Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremiah Manele has met with his Australian counterpart, Marise Payne, as he transited through Australia Friday last week.
Report Finds Pacific Businesses Confident of Strong Recovery
The newly released PTI Pacific Business Monitor Recovery report has found that whilst the negative impact of COVID-19 on businesses across the Pacific remains severe, confidence of business survival amongst respondents is high, with 87 per cent confident that they will survive the COVID-19 crisis - the highest figure since tracking began.
Opposition Says Government’s Regional Tour a Disgrace
Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale says the foreign minister’s visit to Suva on an ‘explain tour’ of the SI-PRC security treaty is a disgrace.
Police Raid Kwaso and Marijuana Hub at Karaina
Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) and Royal Papua New Guinea Police Constabulary (RPNGC) have raided a homebrew (kwaso) and marijuana hub at Karaina settlement.
560 New COVID-19 Cases Recorded
Over the past 96 hours starting from April 29th 2022 to May 2nd 2022 the country has recorded an additional 560 new cases of COVID-19. The cumulative total for the country now stands at 16,441.
!["Of course we haven't threatened [to invade]," Mr Morrison said. "We are their primary security partner. We are their first call when they face these sorts of challenges."](https://d2t3awir4hhcxt.cloudfront.net/images/news/ea27cf54-0d58-4ffd-a7f3-647f7fcbd97a_big.webp)
Morrison Says Australia Still Solomon Islands' First Option Despite 'Secret' Security Deal with China
Scott Morrison says the government will take a "calm and composed" approach to Solomon Islands if re-elected, after its Prime Minister launched a tirade in parliament about Australia's response to its new security pact with China.
Power Belongs to the People: Kenilorea
Opposition MP for East Are’Are, Hon Peter Kenilorea Jnr, has urged leaders not to lose sight of people’s right to vote in allowing them to exercise their power to do so as enshrined in the constitution.
Rural Development Key to Future Growth: Sogavare
Prime Minister Honorable Manasseh Sogavare acknowledged that the strength of the country lies in the rural areas.
New Water Project to Improve Quality and Continuity of Water Supply in Honiara
Solomon Water has awarded a $130m contract for the construction of its new Kongulai Water Treatment Plant and pipeline Project (Bid No. SW0402021) to REAN PCS Joint Venture.
Solomon Islands Top Envoy in Canberra Says China Police Will Be Under Local Command
China’s police presence under a new security pact would boost the capabilities of the Solomon Islands, but they would not use techniques seen in Hong Kong, the Pacific island’s top diplomat to Australia said in a radio interview yesterday.
Transformative Project to Deliver Thousands of Jobs and Economic Security for Solomon Islands
More than 5,500 jobs are set to be created with the construction of a major tuna processing plant in Solomon Islands that will provide economic security for the Pacific Islands nation and its people into the future.
Wale Acknowledges Role of Media on World Press Freedom Day
Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale has congratulated the media in the country as they mark the World Press Freedom Day yesterday.
Police Crackdown on Illegal Street Gamblers
Central Police Operations Support Team of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) with the assistance of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) uniform patrols conducted an anti-gambling operation shutting-down Illegal Street gambling in areas of White River to Town Ground and Mission Place (Point Cruz) on 29 April 2022.
Japan Signs Documents For Kilu’ufi Hospital Project
Discussion minutes on the preparatory survey for the Project for construction of Kilu’ufi Hospital was signed last week by Mrs. Pauline McNeil, Health Permanent Secretary and Mr. Hiraoka Hisakazu, Leader of the Preparatory Survey Team, JICA.
Fisheries Ministry Says It Is Committed to the Sustainable Development of Tuna
As Solomon Islands joins the world to celebrate World Tuna Day on May 2, the Government through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) reassures its commitments to the sustainable development and management of tuna fisheries in collaboration with other regional and international stakeholders.
Improvements to Medical Centre at NRH Set to Begin
Construction of a new Comprehensive Medical Centre (CMC) at the Eastern wing of the National Referral Hospital (NRH) is set to kick off, following the signing of minutes of an on-site Feasibility Study of the CMC Project by the Ministry of Health and China Embassy in Solomon Islands.
World Bank Increases its COVID-19 Assistance to Solomon Islands
Additional US$8 million to provide immediate support to COVID-19 emergency response, vaccine access and health system strengthening.
Sogavare Openly Criticizes Australia, Defends Security Agreement with China
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has taken a veiled swipe against Australia, a regional partner and a longtime friend who has stood with Solomon Islands for many years.
Government to Consider Four Options on Life of Current Parliament
The Government says it is taking the advice of the Governor General, His Excellency Sir David Vunagi seriously on matters relating to the deferment of the dissolution of the 11th Parliament, Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare told Parliament.
