Latest News Archive August 2012

Most couples can't hope to manage a second honeymoon until retirement - if at all, but the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will do exactly that in the tiny island of Tavanipupu in Solomon Islands.

The country's most-capped player, Henry Fa'arodo, will continue his reign as captain of the Solomon Islands after being re-appointed to the role this week.

The two Asian businessmen charged with being in illegal possession of bechedemer with intention to export were acquitted of the charges against them by the Solomon Islands Magistrate Court.

Jimmy Lusibaea, the former Solomon Islands Member of Parliament for North Malaita says he will not allow his wife to speak to the international media.

A host of debutants are looking forward to getting a taste of senior international football for the first time after the finalisation of the Solomon Islands squad for the opening of the Stage 3 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Officials from the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission say their recent trip to Fiji gave them a chance to interact and share ideas with their counterparts on the electronic voter registration.

The opening of the 2012 Paralympic Games was an extra special occasion for the Solomon Islands, as this is the first time the country has been represented in the significant event.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 27/08/12 - The media in the Pacific island countries has an important role to play in the development of trade in the region.

Solomon Islands MPs have been accused of diverting public funds meant for tourism projects.

Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Clay Forau has re-echoed sentiments about RAMSI's transition being task bound and not time bound.

Supporters of the newly elected MP for North Malaita, Vika Lusibaea, are defending her election win, describing it as "the choice of the people."

The very popular Laughing Samoans are coming to Honiara.

Five Councilors of the Honiara City Council Executive have resigned from the Maeoli-led government.

A prominent women's leader in Solomon Islands says there has been a mixed reaction to the election of only the second woman MP in the country's history and the current parliament's sole woman representative.

Officials from the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission say their recent trip to Fiji gave them a chance to interact and share ideas with their counterparts on the electronic voter registration.

Cooloola Christian College (CCC) students from Queensland in Australia will include an oral health education program in their visit to Solomon Islands schools in September.

The working relationship between Save the Children, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and Burns Creek community has taken a step forward through the launching of a Crime Prevention Committee, under the Children and Youth in Conflict with the Law project.

The Solomon Islands will be lodging it's bid in Rarotonga, Cook Islands to host the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in 2013.

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has been precluded from planning appropriate management of offshore fisheries due to a lack of updated laws and a tuna management plan to address regional fisheries resources.

The current Solomon Islands government is now working on establishing a new Economic Growth Centre Division.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 24/08/12 - The review of the Pacific Plan scheduled for next year is an opportunity to reflect on the Plan's successes, challenges and future directions.

A fourty strong Solomon Islands national training squad has just recently been named.

Solomon Islands and Mexico's relationship have further been strengthened on the recent visit of the first ever Mexican Ambassador to Solomon Islands to present her Letter of Credence to the Governor General, H.E Sir Fran Kabui in Honiara.

While visiting Solomon Islands recently, the Australian Foreign Minister, Senator Bob Carr took the time to inspect the two Pacific Patrol Boats, Lata and Auki.

Former attorney-general of the Solomon Islands, Julian Moti, has given instructions to his Port Moresby lawyer, Peter Pena, to lodge a substantial claim for compensation against the state of Papua New Guinea within the next few weeks.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo says the country will still need assistance even after the RAMSI mission comes to an end.

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo observed a minute's silence n respect of Adam Dunning, an Australian police officer, who was killed whilst on duty with the Regional Assistance to Solomon Islands in 2004.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has welcomed her counterpart from the Solomon Islands at an official Parliament House ceremony.

PRESS STATEMENT - 21 August 2012, Nuku'alofa, Tonga - Tonga is pursuing an holistic approach to planning, budgeting and development coordination.

A team from Kastom Garden in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Vois Blo Mere yesterday started a Plant Health Clinic in the community of Takwa in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo started his official visit of Australia yesterday with a trip to the Charters Towers Region near Townsville, Australia.

Solomon Islands will be one of the Regional countries in the third Engaging With The Pacific (EWTP) meeting with other Pacific Island leaders to discuss strengthening partnerships when they convene in Nadi this week.

Government Officials from the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Home Affairs will be going on a study trip to Fiji.

Delivering health services to more than half a million people scattered across 90 islands offers many challenges, but these are being met head on through an innovative plan and a 'can do' attitude by Solomon Islands Ministry of Health.

The Australian Government says it won't allow Solomon Islands to slide back into another ethnic war.

Switzerland's new Ambassador to Solomon Islands, H.E Marcel Stutz has presented his credentials to the Governor General His Excellency Sir Frank Kabui in Honiara yesterday.

Australia's Foreign Minister, Senator Bob Carr over the weekend inspected the Australian-funded road and bridge works in West Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.

Australia will aim for the long-term elimination of malaria in the Solomon Islands, starting with delivery of an additional $14.75 million over four years.

The third stage of FIFA World Cup qualifying will see Solomon Islands come face to face with New Zealand on September 11 at the North Harbour Stadium in New Zealand.

The Permanent Secretary of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Shadrach Fanega, has announced the establishment of preferred supplier arrangements for ICT Equipment.

Solomon Islands Opposition Leader, Dr Derek Sikua, has called for the termination of the Commercial Advisor within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Pacific ACP Trade Ministers gather in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, over the next two days to discuss a range of regional trade related issues. Their deliberations will form the basis for onward advice to Pacific ACP Leaders at their annual meeting in the Cook Islands later this month.

The Solomon Islands Government is being called on by a local chief to lift the beche-de-mer ban it had imposed four years ago while investigating the illegal harvesting and trading of the marine commodity.

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services says it is attending to the shortage of oxygen gas supply in the National Referral Hospital.

ANZ Solomon Islands recently hosted a "Money Minded Programme" in Auki, Malaita Province, with the intention to improve financial skills, knowledge and confidence.

A delegation from the Solomon Islands Government is currently visiting selected Pacific Islands countries to observe how they manage and administer their in-service training programme.

[Nuku'alofa, Tonga, 16th August 2012] A team of Pacific experts in planning, budgeting, development and aid management are currently in Tonga to carry out a Peer Review of Development Coordination.

11 August 2012, Rotorua, New Zealand - Empowering Pacific islanders to meet their commitments under the different international environment agreements has been the focus of a special four year project coordinated by SPREP.

Local cocoa exporter, Albert Fono, has called on the Prime Minister to intervene in the cocoa license controversy and investigate the Commerce Minister's decision on the issue.

The Ministry for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs is this week hosting a national stakeholders consultation on the Proposed Family Protection Bill in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Honiara's water supply may be switched off, with the Solomon Islands Government saying it can't afford to pay a bill from the land trustees.

The Solomon Islands Government has sent emergency supplies to the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal, more than two weeks after an earthquake hit the region.

The Solomon Islands Lilo-led Government has denied spending tax payers money on the recent shopping trip of Government Minister's wives to Fiji.

New Caledonia, New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Tahiti will fight it out to keep their hopes of reaching Brazil 2014 alive over six rounds, from 7 September 2012 to 26 March 2013.

With a shy smile and a pink bow in her hair there is no obvious sign that little Juanita Augerea has just been through a life-changing event, but the youngster has plenty of reasons for joy.

The Solomon Islands Acting High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr. William Soaki was among guests invited to attend the 5th anniversary celebrations of Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) in Port Moresby.

There has been a rapid growth and national support towards the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) subsector in the Pacific region.

The President of the United States, Barack Obama, has praised the Solomon Islands Scouts and Coastwatchers who served during the World War II battle in Solomon Islands.

A 12 year old boy has lost his life early this morning in Tulagi after the house he was sleeping in burnt to the ground.

Government lawyers have handed in a three month resignation notice effective yesterday, in protest of long standing issues relating to their terms and conditions of work.

The new manager of the Honiara Central Market in the Solomon Islands capital says that it is now too small and needs to be enlarged.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo has refuted allegations by the Opposition Leader that he had influenced the outcome of the contracts for the cleaning of the airport.

The Solomon Islands and Australian Governments met in Brisbane last week for the annual bilateral talks on the Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership for Development.

The Pacific continues to provide an ocean of opportunities for international investors.

With plans in place to build a National Sports Stadium, settlers in the Burns Creek area in East Honiara say they will not vacate the proposed site.

The Solomon Islands' second mobile service provider bemobile has confirmed that it is in the middle of undertaking a multi-million dollar upgrade to improve its network in the country.

Solomon Islands Government sponsored students studying at the University of the South Pacific's Laucala campus in Fiji have finally received their allowance yesterday afternoon.

What will happen in the next ten years if Fiji's approach to sustainable land management continues to be overlooked?

The Solomon Islands Governor General, Sir Frank Kabui has congratulated the new MP-elects for East Are and North Malaita constituencies, saying that he wishes them well for their term in parliament.

Solomon Islands Opposition Leader, Hon. Derek Sikua has again called on Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo to respect the rights of Solomon Islands citizens and convene Parliament urgently.

Seventy years ago today in 1942 mark the arrival of the American troupes into Guadalcanal to the beginning of what was to be known as the "Battle of Guadalcanal".

A team of approximately 85 Australian Defence Force personnel has returned home last week after a highly successful four-month deployment to Operation ANODE in Solomon Islands.

Mrs Vika Lusibaea, the newly elected Member of Parliament for North Malaita will go down in history as the second women to have entered the Solomon Islands Parliament.

Rotuman Betty Kafoa is set to create history when she dons the Solomon Islands jumper during the 2012 Oceania Women's Rugby Sevens Championship at Churchill Park in Lautoka this afternoon.

The Makira Ulawa Provincial Premier says the newly built provincial chamber, is the first modern Assembly Chamber to be owned by the province in it's 29 year old provincial history.

A new four-year research project aims to develop the technologies, processes and expertise to produce high quality veneer and veneer products from senile coconut trees.

Solomon Island's High Commissioner to Australia, Beraki Jino, told an inaugural regional meeting on seasonal employment in Australia that Solomon Islands is prepared to send as many as a thousand workers to Australia.

The Solomon Islands Opposition Leader, Dr Derek Sikua has described the 'breadfruit' saga of government-sponsored students at Fiji's University of South Pacific as 'embarrassing and demoralizing'.

A Filipino missionary was was one of those killed in the boat tragedy off Shortland Islands in the Solomon Islands last weekend.

New Zealand soldier Private Dayne Hunt-Irvine has just returned from a four-month deployment to the Solomon Islands, supporting the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.

The head of a centre for deaf youths in Solomon Islands says many of his students, who are aged between 15 and 25, have never been to school before.

A national forum on violence against women in Solomon Islands has heard that poverty is one of the factors forcing girls as young as 13 into prostitution.

The Solomon Islands women's rugby team will face the toughest tournament opener at the Oceania Championship in Lautoka this weekend.

PRESS STATEMENT - 31st July 2012 - A review of the Pacific Plan is expected to begin later this year.

Voting in East Are'Are and North Malaita Constituencies bye-elections have closed with reports of peaceful and smooth voting at most polling stations.