Latest News Archive February 2013

Pasture work at two major cattle farms in Solomon Islands is underway as the government moves to develop the local beef industry.

The outpatient at the national referral hospital is now inundated with cases of dengue fever.

A one day national consultation on the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus this week has highlighted key challenges and potential benefits facing the Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands national carrier, Solomon Airlines, have revealed that its Airbus A320 registered as H4-BUS will be undergoing its scheduled maintenance in Manila, Philippines from March 1 to 17 2013.

World Vision’s faith-based approach for tackling violence against women in the Solomon Islands will be showcased at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 7 March 2013.

The Solomon Islands local health authorities in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) are working closely on a strategic plan to prevent any increase of dengue fever in the country.

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo will participate in the G7+ summit in Timor Leste.

Solomon Islands Provincial Assembly Member for Ghaobata, Steven Panga is now the Guadalcanal Province Premier for the next two years.

Former members of the now defunct Malaita Eagle Force have joined in the outcry against the government’s recent $1 million dollar cash donation to the Gaena’alu Movement on the Weather coast of Guadalcanal.

The University of the South Pacific (USP), in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Regional Rights Resources Team (SPC RRRT) has launched a new Diploma in Leadership, Governance and Human Rights.

Teachers in Solomon Islands say they will go on strike again on the 4th of March unless the Government pay up what was promised.

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission will begin trainings this week for Police Officers and Polling Officials in preparation for the upcoming Ngella By-Election.

The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society $50,000 to support disaster relief efforts in Temotu Province.

National carrier, Solomon Airlines marked a new phase in enhancing the quality of its cabin service with the awarding of certificates to four flight attendants at a ceremony on Friday 15 February.

Scholarships for Solomon Islanders to study in Australia next year are now open.

The Pacific-wide environmental programme or SPREP says the Solomon Islands government must be pressured to change its approach to logging.

The Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands Mr.Akira Iwanade, has announced that the Government of Japan will provide additional emergency relief supplies to the victims of the recent Temotu Tsunami.

Australia has continued to support the Solomon Islands Government and NGOs in disaster relief efforts following the devastating earthquake and tsunami last week.

The U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs are pleased to announce that San Francisco-based hip hop group Audiopharmacy will tour Solomon Islands from March 12 as part of the American Music Abroad program.

Malaita Province's Kilusakwalo Christian Community High School began school this year to three brightly painted and newly carpeted classrooms and a newly converted classroom, thanks to the hard work of the teachers and an Australian Volunteer.

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission has warned contesting candidates to be vigilant and to make sure their act of campaigning is legitimate.

A National Memorial Service for the victims of the recent tsunami disaster that struck the Solomon Islands Temotu Province, will be held tommorrow at the St Barnabas Cathedral.

Emergency crews in tsunami-affected parts of the Solomon Islands say they want to move to the recovery phase now that the emergency response has been completed.

Thursday 14 February 2013, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji - More and more Pacific Island governments are embracing appliance labelling and standards.

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has handed over SBD$1 million dollars to the Gaena’alu Movement at Komuvaolu village, East Guadalcanal.

A three days national consultation process on the EU-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has been completed in Honiara on Wednesday.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton have expressed sadness over the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Temotu Province, Solomon Islands on Wednesday 6th February.

Fifteen human rights trainers from the Pacific region have graduated with greater capacity in imparting knowledge and skills through professional training after an intensive two week training course conducted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Regional Rights Resource Team (SPC-RRRT) in Suva, Fiji.

Betel Nut vendors along the White River bus stop and opposite the Rove Police Headquarters have been urged by the Honiara City Council to close their betel nut business and voluntarily demolish all illegal structures as of yesterday.

The Australian Government has agreed and given permission to the Honiara City Council and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to remove any illegal structures attached to the existing buildings in or around the perimeter of their property in White River.

Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Manasseh Maelanga has rejected accusations that he was secretly campaigning for a government candidate in the upcoming Gela by-elections.

The Solomon Islands Government today has officially declared a State of Disaster for Santa Cruz Islands in Temotu Province following Wednesday’s deadly 8.0 magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami that claimed lives and property.

Disaster relief agencies are struggling to reach the remote tsunami-hit villages in Santa Cruz, Solomon Islands following Wednesdays powerful 8.0-magnitude quake and consistent strong aftershocks.

The Solomon Islands Governor General, His Excellency Sir Frank Kabui and Lady Grace Kabui have expressed deepest their condolences for people of Temotu Province who suffered the brunt of the Quake and Tsunami that hit the Province on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has expressed his deepest condolences to the victims of yesterday’s deadly Quake and Tsunami that killed at least 6 people and others missing on Santa Cruz Island in Temotu Province.

Emergency crews have now been dispatched to the remote Santa Cruz Islands in the far east of Solomon Islands after a tsunami was generated yesterday by a 8.0 magnitude earthquake.

A Tsunami warning has been issued by local authorities after a magnitude 8 earthquake struck off the coast of Temotu Province in the Solomon Islands.

The Solomon Islands authorities have detained a log ship who was caught trying to ship out logs that have been illegally logged in the Western Province.

Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo has welcomed the world renowned English Reggae Star and former UB40 front man, Ali Campbell to the shores of Solomon Islands.

The Solomon Islands' government has pledged to stand by its memorandum of understanding on teachers'wages.

The Solomon Islands Western Provincial Premier has described his recent trip to South Korea as an eye-opener.

The Solomon Islands Government has stated that it will try and meet all Teacher's outstanding dues under the new salary levels by the end of the week.

United States, President Barack Obama have supported the Solomon Islands’ vision for a brighter future for all Solomon Islanders.

Solomon Islands National Carrier, Solomon Airlines has announced that one of its two Twin Otter Aircrafts registered as H4-NNP will be under-going scheduled refurbishment works on one of its wings.

Thirty three more Solomon Islands students have received scholarships from the Australian Awards Pacific to study at regional institutions within the Pacific Region.

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission have received the final list of candidates who will contest the vacant Parliamentary seat for Ngella Constituency.

A series of very strong earthquakes had struck off the Solomon Islands on Sunday but no damage was reported and no tsunami warnings were issued.