Latest News Archive December 2019

World War II Bomb Found in Tulagi

World War II Bomb Found in Tulagi

Nearly 77 years after the end of the Second World War, Solomon Islands is still littered with bombs and other unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Police Investigates Death of 40 YO Man

Police Investigates Death of 40 YO Man

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) are investigating the death of a 40-year-old male person in the Henderson area east of Honiara on 26 December 2019.
Dorothy Wickham (fourth from left) with a delegation of Solomon Islands’ journalists and media representatives on their tour of China in December.

Journalist Writes About Lessons From Trip to China

After the Solomon Islands switched allegiance to China, it took journalists on a ‘look and learn’ tour to mainland China. Dorothy Wickham, a seasoned journalist, was part of the delegation. She writes about her experience, and observations made during that trip.
The Pacific Patrol boat replacement project is part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program that aims to enhance practical maritime security cooperation across the South Pacific.

Maritime Boosted with Commissioning of new Guardian Class Patrol Boat Gizo

The maritime capability of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has been boosted with the commissioning of the new Guardian class patrol boat, 05 GIZO during a ceremony in Honiara yesterday.
Failure to provide proof of vaccination will result in being placed into a 21-day quarantine period on arrival in Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands Immigration Requirements with Regards to the Control of Measles

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MOHS) has announced with immediate effect, all passengers entering the Solomon Islands are required to complete a new health declaration form regarding immunization against exposure to measles.
Ms. Lilly Maefai will today take her Oath at the National Parliament House.

New Member of Parliament to Take Oath Today

The newly elected Solomon Islands Member of Parliament for East Makira will today take her Oath in Parliament.
Formal charges had been made against the Solomon Islands Football Federation and Keana by the OFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee after it received a written complaint, supported by information that the player was born in 1998.

Solomons Penalised for Fielding Over Age Player

The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) has been banned from competing in the next round of Under 17 Men’s World Cup qualifying after being found to have fielded a second over age player.
CBSI Warns Public Over New Pyramid Schemes

CBSI Warns Public Over New Pyramid Schemes

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) is strongly advising the general public to avoid investing in a new pyramid scheme that is currently being promoted as “One Link Pacifica."
Australia Supports US$200 Million Hydro Project for Solomon Islands

Australia Supports US$200 Million Hydro Project for Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands has secured finance to construct a new hydroelectric scheme with the support of Pacific island neighbors, that will help reduce the country’s reliance on imported diesel by almost 70 per cent.
Parliament Passes SBD$3.8 Billion Budget

Parliament Passes SBD$3.8 Billion Budget

The National Parliament of Solomon Islands has passed a budget of SBD$3,817,155,702 dollars for 2020.
RSIPF and CSSI Call on Members of Public to Look Out for Three Prison Escapees

RSIPF and CSSI Call on Members of Public to Look Out for Three Prison Escapees

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and the Correctional Services of Solomon Islands (CSSI) call on members of public especially in Honiara to report any sighting of three prison inmates who escaped from the Rove Correctional Services facility Sunday night (15 December 2019).
Police are currently monitoring traditional traditional border crossing to and from the Shortland Islands in the Western Province and parts of Choiseul Province as well as keeping an eye out for any illegal crossing of the common border with PNG.

Police Continue Border Monitoring

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) under Operation Bougainville Referendum are still maintaining a high security alert at the Solomon Islands common border with Papua New Guinea (PNG).
For the first time in History, Solomon Islands now has 3 women in Parliament.

East Makira By-Election Makes History

Ms. Lillian Maefai registered a historic by-election win in the East Makira constituency, becoming the third woman to be elected to the current Solomoon Islands parliament and setting a new record for women's representation in the 50 member house.
The Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIPF) have a total of 69 new recruits, 13 of whom are female from Honiara and throughout the provinces.

New Police Recruits Begin Training

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) second recruit group for 2019 has started their training at the Police Academy at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara today with a call on them to serve the government and people of the country with integrity, professionalism and respect.
Lilly Maefai Wins East Makira Bye Election

Lilly Maefai Wins East Makira Bye Election

The wife of late Charles Maefai has won the East Makira Constituency seat following Wednesday's bye-election.
Get Into Rugby Festival A First for Honiara

Get Into Rugby Festival A First for Honiara

The Get into Rugby National Tag Festival was officially launched on Tuesday 10th December 2019, at the Town Ground Stadium, Honiara.
Ms. Maryann Puia from the Solomon Islands, is a Pacific Island Represent activist, and the Awareness officer for Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change.

Youth Voices Echoed at COP25

Today the voices of youth activists from around the world are among the strongest forces calling for urgent climate action and climate justice in the Pacific.
“Vocus is incredibly proud to partner with the Australian Government on a project that will have a transformative social and economic impact on the people of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea,” said Kevin Russell (pictured), group managing director and CEO of Vocus.

Vocus Completes AUS$136m Coral Sea Cable System

Vocus confirms the completion of the Coral Sea Cable System connecting Sydney, Honiara, Port Moresby and the Solomon Islands, making it ready for service.
Although Vanuatu is one of the least contributors of greenhouse gasses, the island nation has made a firm commitment in its Nationally Determined Contribution that by 2030 Vanuatu will have 100% of its electricity generated by renewable and sustainable energy.

Climate Change: the Greatest Threat to Achieving SDGs

For Vanuatu, climate change presents an existential threat to its cultural heritage, identity and fundamental human rights.
Lead negotiator for Solomon Islands, Dr. Melchior Mataki (R) also calls for the allocation of funding under the Global Environment Facility to increase the climate change focal area and for the co-financing arrangements to be revised to reduce the burden on developing countries.

"We Can Do Better Than This"

Solomon Islands, stands in solidarity with other Small Islands Developing States, in the climate change negotiations to avert a climate change crisis.
Commissioners, Ms. Ruth Liloqula (L), and Ms. Anika Kingmele (Vice Inaugural Chairperson) during the Commissioner’s induction program that was facilitated and supported by UNDP.

Commissioners Inducted into Anti-Corruption Commission

The Solomon Islands Government has set the fight against corruption as one of its major priorities and has recently appointed commissioners for the newly established Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC).
Officers at Atori and community member display some of seized cartons of alcohol

Police Confiscates Alcohol in Malaita

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the Atori Police Station in East Malaita have confiscated a number of cartons of alcohol from three homes in surrounding communities.
Police will continue to conduct visibility patrols and community awareness in the coming days in Munda town and the surrounding communities as investigations continue.

Police Takes Control of Munda Incident

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the Munda Police Station with reinforcements from Gizo, Noro and Ringgi in the Western Province have arrested about 20 suspects following an allegation of looting of a shop owned by a Chinese businessman in the little township this week.
Pacific Games Council president Mr. Vidhya Lakhan (L) joins Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Solomon Islands Sports & Leadership Institute in Honiara last week. (Pacific Games Council)

2023 Preparations on Track

Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan and chief executive officer Andrew Minogue visited Honiara to assess the state of preparations for the Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games.
Lead negotiator for Solomon Islands, Dr. Melchior Mataki said Solomon Islands, and the Pacific, want greater commitments from bigger polluters to reduce emissions, a new climate finance goal and greater support to help poorer countries.

Pacific Nations Demand Greater Commitments at COP25

Small island countries in the Pacific are demanding greater commitments at this week's Madrid climate talks, saying what's been done so far is far from enough.
After 3 years of serving in the country, H.E Brazier stated he was pleased with the state of the relationship between Australia and Solomon Islands and what the relationship has achieved for both countries.

Final Courtesy Call for H.E Brazier

Former High Commissioner of Australia to Solomon Islands His Excellency Rodrick Brazier has paid his final courtesy call to the Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare, yesterday.
Beautiful Kwai island has long been known for its white, sandy beaches and is now host to the Malaita Beach Soccer Tournament.

Kwai Island Hosts Beach Soccer

Kwai Island in East Malaita, Solomon Islands has attracted 20 teams around Malaita who graced the sandy beaches at the inaugural Kwai Beach Soccer championship yesterday.
Jabis Ngibutai, an advocate for people with disability, speaking during the event.

Australia Supports Disability Inclusion

The Australian Government initiative, Strongim Bisnis hosted a business networking event to celebrate the contribution that People Living With Disability (PLWD) make in the labour market.
Some residents of Kukson and Nikamuroo villages and Benyamina islet told Amnesty International that they are concerned about the possible impacts from mining on fishing and sea-weed farming from mine run-off or disturbances to fresh groundwater discharges into the sea.

Minister of Mines Should Meet Directly with Local Communities Over Mining Concerns: Amnesty International

The Solomon Islands Minister of the Environment should conduct face-to-face consultations with local communities on Wagina Island to hear their concerns before deciding the fate of a proposed open-cast bauxite mine there, Amnesty International said today.
The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged people everywhere to continue to work on innovative solutions to win the battle against corruption and to ensure that precious resources serve the peoples of the world.

Hundreds March in Honiara Against Corruption

Solomon Islands celebrated/commemorated the International Anti-corruption Day yesterday, under the theme: ‘United Against Corruption’, with hundreds of people from all walks of life, participating in the march through Mendana Highway, as a show of solidarity against corruption.
Police Search for Missing Crewmember

Police Search for Missing Crewmember

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Taro, Choiseul Province are currently are enquiring into the missing crewmember of the Landing Craft (LC) FORESEN on 28 November 2019.
Women's Leadership Makes a Difference Everyday

Women's Leadership Makes a Difference Everyday

The contribution of women and girls, particularly those living with HIV, is indispensable in the HIV response at the community level.
No ritzy, instagrammable resorts to be found here, the Solomon Islands is truly one of the world’s purest adventures.

Discovering Solomon Islands

Beyond the trending destinations lies untouched, hidden wonders just waiting to be discovered – and the Solomon Islands is one of them.
Kooline celebrate winning the first ever OFC Futsal Champions League.

Solomons Win OFC Futsal Champions League

Kooline from Solomon Islands has won the inaugural OFC Futsal Champions League with a thrilling come-from-behind 7-5 victory over AS PTT Noumea in last night's title decider in Auckland.
Forty years ago, 12 Pacific leaders met in the Solomon Islands under the chairmanship of the Rt Hon Peter Kenilorea (C) and adopted and opened for signature the Convention to formally establish the agency that today is known as the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).

Forty Years of Fisheries Vision

“We remind ourselves that FFA members were the founding members for the Tuna Commission and since the beginning, even during the days of the negotiations for the Convention [to establish the Commission] we have been driven by the exceptional vision, forty years ago on why we do this.” Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen, Director General, Forum Fisheries Agency.

UK Based Company Builds Interest In Solomon Islands Nickel Prospect

UK based resources investor Gunsynd PLC has bought a small stake in a company which owns a nickel prospect in the Solomon Islands.
Korean traditional fermented appetizer kimchi cabbage and radish salad, fish snack served in glass jars.

What it Takes to be a Foodie in 2020

The word foodie is one of the most overused and misunderstood terms in urban lingo.
SICCI Delivers Successful Business Excellence Awards 2019

SICCI Delivers Successful Business Excellence Awards 2019

The 2019 edition of Solomon Islands’ leading business event, the Business Excellence Awards (BEA) was yet another success.
Some of the women from the Graduation this week at the Heritage Park Hotel.

Waka Mere Celebrates Graduation

Waka Mere Commitment to Action Program initiative has congratulated women participants who graduated with certificate IV in Leadership and Management during a ceremony at the Heritage Hotel in Honiara on 4 November 2019.
Solomon Islands director of dental services Dr Ellison Vane, Dr David Goldsmith and Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital medical superintendent Dr John Hue in one of the new dental surgeries at the hospital.

Dental Clinic Receives Rotary Support

Residents in the Solomon Islands will be smiling a little wider and brighter after a Rotary volunteer dental team led from Ballarat built eight new dental clinics and a sterilizing room in its capital Honiara.
Where villagers grew crops on Kale Island, planted coconut trees and built homes on stilts, there are now just rocks on the white, sandy seabed. A whole way of life has been wiped off the face of the Earth.

Rising Seas Doom Islands

Australian scientists described the Solomons as a “sea-level rise hotspot”.
Axiom had its foreign investment licence cancelled by the Solomon Islands government in October this year and has been told that its expatriate workers were no longer able to stay in the country.

News Report Expose Past Dealings by Djokovic

The Australian newspaper reports that the Prime Minister’s chief of staff (prior to his appointment in October 2016) had sought payments from Axiom to smooth over problems with the government at the time.
Government Fines Axiom for Alleged Breaches

Government Fines Axiom for Alleged Breaches

Axiom Mining (AVQ) has received fines and demands from the Solomon Islands Government.
While UN75 seeks to drive conversation in all segments of society - from classrooms to boardrooms, parliaments to village halls - it will place special emphasis on those whose voices are too often marginalized or not heard in global affairs.

UN75 Conversation to Begin in Pacific

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced that next year’s commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations will feature a large and inclusive global conversation on the role of global cooperation in building the future we want.
Miss Samoa's costume in the recent Miss Pacific Island contest that sparked social media debate.

Miss Samoa's Traditional Wear Clarified

The designer of the traditional attire worn by Miss Samoa, Fonoifafo Nancy McFarland-Seumanu, when she was crowned Miss Pacific islands has broken his silence over a social media storm surrounding the outfit.

APTC Welcomes New Country Director for Solomon Islands and Kiribati

The Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Abigail Chang as the new Country Director for Solomon Islands and Kiribati.
New Zealand Extends Funding Partnership with Pacific Community

New Zealand Extends Funding Partnership with Pacific Community

New Zealand’s strong commitment to supporting sustainable development in the Pacific was highlighted during a small ceremony this week, which marked the official extension of its partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC).
Solomon Islands Red Cross Society Appoints New Health Manager

Solomon Islands Red Cross Society Appoints New Health Manager

Solomon Islands Red Cross Society now has a new Health Manager, she is Joanna Ramorii Tatalu. Mrs. Tatalu hails from north Malaita in Malaita Province.
Police Identify Seven Men Behind MP's Home Attack

Police Identify Seven Men Behind MP's Home Attack

Investigators of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the Naha Police Station are investigating an attack on the home of the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Malaita who is residing in East Honiara.
Miss Solomons Finishes Second

Miss Solomons Finishes Second

It may not be the finish Solomon Islanders wanted, but it is history nonetheless - Miss Solomons Gladys Habu came second at the 2020 Miss Pacific Islands, the first for any Solomon Island contestant.
Outgoing Police Commissioner Varley handed the ‘sword’ over to Acting Commissioner of Police, Mostyn Mangau.

Solomon Islands Farewells 13th Commissioner of Police

Solomon Islands has farewelled the 13th Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, Matthew Varley, MBE during a ceremony at the Rove Police Headquarters on Friday 29th November 2019.
Mr. Howard Lawry, Public Solicitor (right) discusses with Andie Driu, Prosecution Advisor of Police Prosecutions Department RSIPF.

Enabling Access to Justice in Solomon Islands

Fifty members of the justice sector (30 women and 20 men) participated in a workshop to discuss implementation of the Solomon Islands Access to Justice Project over the next two years.
The Solomon Islands has one of the highest rates of family and sexual violence (FSV) in the world with 64% of women aged 15–49 have reported physical and/or sexual abuse by a partner.

Analyzing Response Services to Family Violence

In 2016, the Solomon Islands Family Protection Act (FPA) came into force setting out new provisions and stipulations for service responses under the family violence system, including counselling, refuges, medical services, Police Safety Notices (PSNs), Protection Orders, courts, and legal advice.
The Solomon Islands Measles rubella campaign ongoing so far has reached over 81,460 children aged 6 months to 5yrs 11months which is 93% of target children.

Measle Cases Double in Samoa

The number of suspected cases of measles on the Pacific island of Samoa has more than doubled over the past week to 3,530, and deaths related to the outbreak rose to 48 from 20 a week ago, the country’s Ministry of Health said Sunday.

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