Solomon Islands

PNG and Solomon up for ‘Battle of the Wantok’

Basketball players and supporters in Honiara are anticipating the friendly match to be full of actions

Described as “Battle of the Wantok” both teams will play three matches and the winner will receive a trophy sponsored by KSS Southern Flames.

KSS Southern Flames are the three-time reigning champions of the PNG Men’s Basketball League (PMBL 2014 /2015/2016) and have been invited by the Solomon Islands Basketball Federation (SIBF) to play against the men’s national squad in their build up towards the up-coming FIBA Melanesia Cup in PNG, later in September.

PNG, SI judiciaries sign deal

Sir Salamo Injia and Sir Albert Palmer today signed the five-year MoU at the Waigani Court buildings.

The MoU paves way for judicial cooperation and assistance, exchange of technical expertise, advice and support, workshops, study visits and work attachments between the two countries.

PNG will provide to the Solomon Island judiciary assistance in Alternate Dispute Resolution, electronic case management, leadership and change management, including budget and finance.

Solomons needs to create 10000 jobs a year - Chamber

The chair of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling on the government and the private sector to focus on creating 10,000 jobs a year to keep up with a rapidly growing population.

Jay Bartlett said 70 percent of Solomon Islanders are under 30 and the country's main focus should be on creating jobs.

Growing at the current rate of 2.3 percent, the population of about 650,000 is forecast to double by 2050.

According to the World Bank, Solomon Islands had the highest rate of unemployment in the world at 31.4 percent in 2016.

Sacked Solomon Islands government minister recalled as Deputy Speaker of Parliament

Mr Pacha was relieved from his duty over allegations of having a secret meeting with a mining company executive late at night at a hotel car park.

He was elected unopposed to the post when the Parliament resumed yesterday.

Pacha and the Member of Parliament for East Fataleka, Steve Abana were the two nominees for the position but the latter withdrew candidacy before the Parliament resumed yesterday.

‘Vietnamese Blue Boats’ to be destroyed soon

The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources last Friday to destroy the vessels within four weeks of the signing.

Fisheriey Director Edward Honiwala and representative of Iona Firi Properties Limited, Wale Tobata

Mr Honiwala said the decision to destroy the boats is in line with the High Court’s decision because the boats have failed to pass their sea worthiness examination as confirmed by the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration.

Three people die in boating accident in Solomons

The Solomon Star reports eight people were returning from a funeral on Saturday when the boat they were travelling in capsized in rough seas in north east Malaita.

The five people who survived had been rescued by a World Vision boat stationed at Kwai Island following an emergency rescue call.

Three bodies were recovered over the weekend.

 

Photo: Biosphoto / Minden Pictures / Chris Newbert

More mining companies interested in Solomon Islands

One of them is Sunshine Minerals while two others are yet to confirm.

Sunshine Minerals has been granted a letter of intent by the Solomon Islands Ministry of Mines for its application for a prospecting licence over the Jejevo deposit in Isabel province and a prospecting licence is expected to be issued in due course.

The current mining company which still has interest is Axiom, despite not being granted the rights over the International Tender Areas after a legal battle with SMM.

Solomon Football squad remains focussed for All Whites

Assistant Coach Stanley Waita says they want to keep the team together and remain focussed for their game against an experienced All Whites.

When asked about their chances of making history against the All Whites, he said they have to believe in themselves.

“We have to believe in ourselves and take one game at a time,” Waita said.

Solomon Islands recently named its final squad with the inclusion of four new players who will make their debut in the international match.

The new players are Clement Baegani, Clifton Aumae, Andrew Raragia.

Fourth Pacific Met Council meeting opens in Honiara

Solomon Islands’ Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Honourable, Samuel Manetoali welcomed the 170 delegates of the 4th PMC.

In his welcoming address he spoke about the vulnerability of Solomon Islands to the impacts of climate change and climate variability, and highlighted the important work of his country’s National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS).

Sumitomo Metal Mining withdraws from Solomon Islands

The Japanese miner started its acquisition of prospecting licences and has been exploring nickel in Isabel and Choiseul province since 2005 but got caught up in a six-year legal battle with Australia’s Axiom Mining.

The legal battle ended in March with neither SMMS nor Axiom being granted the rights over the International Tender Areas.