Latest News Archive July 2013

The Solomon Islands Futsal coach Dickson Kadau says his side’s disappointing performance at the Oceania Invitational tournament in Auckland is a massive wake-up call.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has highlighted the importance of building a strong private sector relationship between Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

To prepare for Parliamentary elections in 2014, the government of Solomon Islands has hired Canadian firm Electoral Services International Inc. (ESI) to undertake electronic Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) exercise.

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry says the current PNG trade and investment mission to the country bodes well for business relationships between the two countries.

A team of New Zealanders are currently in the Solomon Islands to provide humanitarian support in various communities of the country.

The amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) has arrived in the Solomon Islands for the Pacific Partnership projects.

The Solomon Islands Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon. Rick Hou has introduced a Bill to permit the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) to issue an interim license to carry out limited banking service.

The Solomon Islands Referral hospital's severe shortage of doctors is creating pressure for each units to function properly.

The union representing Solomon Islands teachers says has it little confidence the government will honor a court order to meet all outstanding wage commitments, despite ending its strike.

The bravery of Solomon Islanders serving under Royal Australian Navy command during the Second World War has finally been recognized by Australia's federal government.

Eleven Australian national sporting organisations have been selected to receive funding through the second phase of the Pacific Sports Partnerships (PSP) program, of which Solomon Islands will also benefit from.

A Solomon Islands fisherman says he plans to resume exporting live dolphins to countries like China and Dubai because the Government in Honiara has broken its promise.

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo has highlighted the importance of strengthening the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and its visions for the benefit of the Melanesian people.

Solomon Islands Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster and Meteorology has a new Permanent Secretary.

The acting head of the Solomon Islands Police has confirmed the reinstatement of the deputy commissioner Walter Kola.

Solomon Islands is expected to play a role in the Australian government's plan to send asylum seekers to Papua New Guinea for processing and resettlement.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo has held bilateral talks with his New Zealand counterpart, John Key at the Office of the Prime Minister.

A demonstration of skills and tactics of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and the Police Response Team (PRT) was demonstrated for the Pacific leaders at RAMSI base this week.

In the past week, over 40 religious, private sector, and civil society leaders from around the Solomon Islands have participated a training course in peace building.

Australia's Minister for International Development Melissa Parke has announced that Australia will help support 8,000 operations to restore the sight of people in the Pacific, including Solomon Islands.

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has launched a video documentary and a booklet recording the work of the Mission as it celebrates its 10th anniversary this week.

The OFC Futsal Championship Invitational 2013 got underway at The Trusts Arena in Auckland, New Zealand today with four goal-filled matches, including a 7-3 loss to New Zealand for defending champions Solomon Islands.

The first comprehensive online history of the Solomon Islands will be launched on 25 July, thanks to the painstaking research of a University of Queensland academic.

The Solomon Islands has opened the door to a possible asylum seeker processing deal with Australia, claiming it was ready to talk about the issue if a proposal was put to the small developing nation.

The brand new Heir to the throne and future leader of the Commonwealth, has been presented to an adoring public for the first time.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands - Police actions to stop distribution of a new magazine in West Papua break press laws of Indonesia and must be condemned, says the Pacific Freedom Forum.

The Honiara Rugby Union Association (HRUA) will be partnering with Matson & Silent World Shipping for the upcoming rugby 7 series scheduled to start on Saturday the 4th of August 2013 in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

In the past week, the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) hosted its first ever training session for solar technicians through the USAID funded Vocational Training and Education for Clean Energy program (VOCTEC).

New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. John Key will be one of the high level guest for the tenth anniversary of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

Solomon Islander, Jenlyn Wini, has scored a mark in weightlifting history for women in Solomon Islands.

Twenty-one Nurses and Nurse Aides from Clinics and Health Centres around south Malaita are currently attending a week long training workshop on World Health Organizations (WHO) Growth Monitoring and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) in Afio.

The naming of each country’s squad for the upcoming OFC Futsal Championship Invitational has confirmed there will be plenty of talent on show when the eagerly-anticipated tournament kicks off at The Trusts Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, on July 23.

Australian Trade Minister, Richard Marles, has been awarded the Cross of Solomon Islands by the Governor General of Solomon Islands, H. E. Sir Frank Kabui.

Transparency Solomon Islands has made a good start to its Provincial Visits Program with a successful first day in Auki, Malaita Province.

The independent People’s Survey which collected feedback from communities throughout the nation has revealed that the people of Solomon Islands want better education in order to aspire to a sustainable income, on social, trade and governance issues.

Fijian police officers who returned from the Solomon Islands after conducting community policing outreach programs there were told to make an impact at home now.

Two Presidents and five Prime Ministers from the Pacific Islands Forum countries have confirmed their attendance to the RAMSI 10th Anniversary in Honiara, Solomon Islands next week.

MANILA, 15 July 2013 - Together with its Member States and partners, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to make progress against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as leprosy and yaws in the Western Pacific Region.

Tourism numbers in the Solomon Islands have been boosted following an increase in the number of business conferences and meetings held there, according to the latest 2012 figures.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands - Government in Samoa must halt plans for a state media council and return to the original timeframe recommended by the country’s law reform commission, says the Pacific Freedom Forum.

Teachers in Solomon Islands are on an indefinite strike again for the third time this year over the government's failure to adjust the teachers' pay.

Solomon Islands High Commissioner accredited to Malaysia, Victor Ngele has finally presented his letter of Credence to the King of Malaysia, His Majesty, Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

A New Zealand teacher who became a medical social worker has returned to the Solomon Islands to teach English.

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands has confirmed that 14 logging company accounts held by commercial banks in the country have been closed.

The Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) with South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and Pacific Islands Trade and Invest (PT&I) will play host to the digital marketing workshop for small and medium sized (SME) accommodation providers in Gizo and Auki.

The Australian singer, Prinnie Stevens has provided a last hurrah for Australian troops who are ready to withdraw from peacekeeping in the Solomon Islands.

Teachers throughout the country once again go on another strike after the Solomon Islands national teachers association (SINTA) is unsatisfied with how the government has been dealing with their issues.

Arrangements are now well underway by the Solomon Islands Government, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to mark the 10th anniversary of the Mission on 24 July 2013.

A little bit of rain was no match for the downpour of talent at the Youth @ Work netball match this week in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands Acting Commissioner of Inland Revenue, George Tapo has noted with concern the low level of awareness of an important tax change among people who participated in the 2013 SIG RAMSI People’s Survey.

"Solomon Islands is in a great position to integrate climate change and disaster risk management."

Solomon Islands Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Mark Bell has stated that “Inland Revenue will be focusing on the taxation of leased or rented properties as highlighted in the recently launched Tax Compliance Focus 2013-2015.”

With the increasing flow of funding into the Pacific region for disaster risk management and climate change adaptation projects, it is essential to combine the perspectives of different sciences for effective outcomes.

The sacrifice of Fijian soldiers during WWII will be remembered thanks to a new plaque installed at the Vilu War Museum in Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA) together with Ministry of Health's Social Welfare Division are implementing a project funded by the British High Commission called ‘Nokim Daon Vaelens’.

Fiji Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, has urged Solomon Islands to step up its engagement with Fiji, telling his Solomons counterpart that Fiji is more sympathetic and understanding than some of its other regional neighbours.

Solomon Islands like many other countries in the Pacific is at risk to coastal erosion, storm surges and water inundation with sea levels projected to rise in the coming century.

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Solomon Islands has established formal diplomatic relations on 3rd July 2013.

Fiji’s Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama has been confirmed to arrive in Honiara on Saturday as special guest to the Solomon Islands 35th Independence Anniversary Celebrations.

Last week World Vision, Solomon Islands, facilitated a strategic workshop on behalf of the Christian Care Centre (CCC) with the aim of developing a framework and a five year plan.

Thirteen new Australian volunteers have arrived in Solomon Islands to begin their placements with government ministries, schools, non-government organisations and community groups.

People in the Solomon Islands capital are being encouraged to return to the practice of cultivating their own supsup gardens as a means of providing fresh foods.

People of Malaita Outer Islands (MOI)in Solomon Islands says it is high time for them to move into resettlement before sea level rise could become a huge threat for them.

Australia has concluded its decade-long defense mission in the Solomon Islands, with troops now packing up before heading home later this year.

The Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) members can expect an increase in their balance as of yesterday after the declaration of a 20-percent interest rate to members’ contribution worth $246.2 million (US$33.7 million).

For one young Kiwi, doing volunteer work in the Solomon Islands as part of a Mahitahi — Catholic Overseas Volunteers programme will have a special poignancy.

Transparency Solomon Islands has called on the country’s corruption watchdog to refer serious cases to criminal investigators.

A Solomon Islands cabinet minister says there is entrenched corruption in government ministries and a new controversial law is all part of fixing the problem.