Latest News Archive October 2016

News that the Indonesian government is upping the ante against supporters of West Papua comes as no surprise, a well-placed senior government source said.

Fourteen jailed former MPs in Vanuatu could be a step closer to having their convictions quashed.

Indonesia's Defence Minister, Ryamizard Ryacudu, has called on the Solomon Islands, and other Pacific states who spoke out about rights abuses in West Papua, to refrain from interferring in the internal affairs of Indonesia.

Solomon Islands are seeking to host the Melanesian Youth Parliament in 2017.

The commercial nous of Western Province tourism businesses has received a boost thanks to a small business mentoring program recently held in Munda.

Solomon Islands Women’s volleyball team is questioning the impartiality of refs at the Oceania Volleyball World Qualifying and Zonal Championship, held at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, Fiji.

Setting foot in Gizo for the first time in 18 years, Solomon Breweries’ Drink Responsibly Ambassador Elliot Ragomo arrived to a crowd of supporters at the Gizo seafront, amongst them kids excited to see their Futsal hero. Elliot Ragomo was in Gizo over the weekend to talk Drinking Responsibly and Futsal.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Asia-Pacific Development Effectiveness Facility (AP-DEF) opened a two-day meeting on aid ahead of the upcoming Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation.

At the close of what represents one of its most difficult years in recent times, Solomon Airlines GM Operations and Commercial and acting CEO, Gus Kraus, acknowledged the difficulties faced by the national carrier but also pointed to what he sees as a bright future.

Solomon Islands have lost its opening match to Fiji in the opening round of the Oceania Zonal Competition at Vodafone Arena in Suva.

To celebrate Sara Beer’s first Anniversary this Friday, music promoters Rebelle Inc. will fly in Jamaican-born reggae star Max-A-Million to perform Live at the Cowboys Bar and Grill.

More Solomon Islanders are benefiting from the Seasonal Workers Program (SWP) with Australia and New Zealand.

A new World Bank Group report shows that economies in the Pacific Islands continue to implement reforms to make it easier for entrepreneurs to do business.

“The energy sector in Papua New Guinea has been missing out on significant investment opportunities because of a lack of marketing,” says Minister for Petroleum & Energy, Nixon Duban, who made these remarks when announcing the launch of PNG’s inaugural Petroleum & Energy Summit.

Mango season is here, and there are plenty to go around.

The Solomon Islands Police Commissioner says his police force is ready to stand on its own.

Police have arrested and charged a senior government official with several counts of Official Corruption.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) has described the front-page article in the Island Sun newspaper on Monday 17th October regarding the alleged sacking of the Accountant General and the purported delays in payments as a “deliberate attempt to distort the truth and to mislead the Public.”

Solomon Islands’ Minister of Culture & Tourism, the Hon. Bartholomew Parapolo has underlined the priority his government is placing on tourism development and the efforts being taken to facilitate growth at the recent South Pacific Tourism Organisation Council of Ministers of Tourism meeting in the Cooks Islands.

The Solomon Islands Court of Appeal (COA) has ruled that the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission (PEC) acted within its powers when it granted Tax Free Salary status to Members of Parliament (MPs).

The G’Day Solomon Islands Fun Run is on this Saturday 22 October and there are already over 5,000 participants registered.

Cook Islands Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Henry Puna officially launched a new brand and identity for promoting South Pacific tourism globally after it was approved at the 26th Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting in Rarotonga, Cook Islands today.

The annual G’day Solomon Islands Fun Run is on again this Saturday 22 October and it’s expected to be the biggest yet with over 4,000 participants already registered.

New research investigating barriers for female electoral candidates in the Solomon Islands has revealed that voters are willing to vote for a woman if they are perceived to be able to contribute financial resources to the community; and have a track record of community service.

The Court of Appeal overturned a High Court ruling that declared the decision made last year by the Parliamentary Entitlements Committee, which has MPs sitting on it, unconstitutional.

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services have declared a dengue outbreak in Honiara and Guadalcanal.

Actors working in the humanitarian space in the Solomon Islands gathered in Honiara last week to consider how they can better engage with different populations to meet their needs in disaster planning and response.

Solomon Islands Kurukuru Captain Elliot Ragomo on his return from the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016 in Colombia, gifted Solomon Breweries his Solomon Islands National Futsal jersey in thanks for their support.

With the increasing popularity of the Jadelle contraceptive in the Solomon Islands, an expert has warned that several known side effects should be considered.

Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare has lauded the Mota Lava Treaty as providing a good opportunity for Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to address the relationship of their two maritime border provinces- Temotu Province in Solomon Islands and Torba Province of Vanuatu.

Elliot Ragomo took time out during his recent trip to his home province (Western Province) to host with Solomon Breweries Reps a Drink Responsibly talk in Munda.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) Dr Franco Rodie attended the TAFE Directors Australia annual convention in Melbourne Australia as a special overseas guest.

Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have signed a Maritime Border Treaty on Friday ending 33 years of negotiations over the common border of the two nations south of the Solomon Islands and north of Vanuatu.

Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development Officer, Ms Frances Revo has been presented with the prestigious Australia Awards Ed Smith Memorial Prize as part of her Australia Award to study a Masters Degree in Education Policy at an Australian University.

Solomon Islands Nationals can now travel visa free to all EU member states following the signing of the SI-EU Short Stay Visa Waiver Agreement which facilitates this visa free travel to Europe.

Australia and Solomon Islands share a common goal of promoting stability, growth and human development in Solomon Islands, a partnership that will continue to deliver results in the year ahead.

Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare has left for Port Vila to sign a historic Maritime Boundary Treaty with his Ni-Vanuatu counterpart, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai.

A new study of ancient DNA could upend our understanding of the seafaring people who travelled vast distances to make their home in the Pacific.

Construction will begin next month on a long-awaited futsal complex in Solomon Islands.

Continuing efforts to ensure targeted national development planning in the Solomon Islands reached a milestone today with the launch of its National Population Policy 2017-2026.

Alumni of the prestigious Australia Award Scholarship Program joined forces on Wednesday night to share experiences, and learn something new about each other.

P&O Cruises’ Pacific Eden became the largest cruise ship to visit Gizo on 30 September, and the first cruise vessel to berth at the new Honiara City wharf in the Solomon Islands on 1 October.