Solomon Islands

Solomons’ local COVID-19 tests return negative

This was revealed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in a national address on Friday.

Mr Sogavare said the country's newly established testing facilities have the potential to carry out more than 3000 tests although the current capacity is at around 500.

He said so far four people who displayed symptoms of COVID-19 have been tested locally.

"Therefore, we have undertaken a total of 17 COVID-19 tests altogether, 13 done overseas and four done in country. All results, negative," Mr Sogavare said.

Dozens feared missing off boat in Solomons amid cyclone

It is understood the vessel MV Taimareho was carrying passengers from the capital Honiara to West Are Are in Malaita Province last night when it encountered bad conditions.

The Solomon Islands Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre says it only received word of the stricken ship's ordeal late this morning, and its officers are scrambling to launch a rescue operation.

According to the cente, the vessel encountered very rough seas and strong winds whipped up by Cyclone Harold between 2am and 3am this morning - a number of passengers were washed overboard.

TC Harold batters Solomon Islands as it heads to Vanuatu

The Solomon Islands Meteorology Service said a Tropical Cyclone Warning is current for all Solomon Islands provinces.

The category 1 system is slamming Solomon Islands as it makes it way down the country, heading towards Vanuatu.

On Friday, the Director of the Director of the National Disaster Management Office, Loti Yates, said at least two ships had been washed ashore, fallen trees were blocking roads and the power was out in many areas.

Former PNA CEO gets UN posting

Mr Aqorau, who until Friday had been a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University in Canberra for two three-month periods, said the appointment will be effective with the beginning of 2020.

He was CEO of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, the nine-island tuna cartel, from 2010 to 2016.

During this time, PNA implemented a tuna management programme known as the "Vessel Day Scheme" that reshaped the purse seine industry, generating a huge increase in revenue to participating islands.

Solomons signs up to China's 'Belt and Road Initiative'

Manasseh Sogavare attended high-level talks in Beijing during the first ever official visit to China by a Solomons' prime minister.

His visit follows last month's controversial move by the Solomons to switch its diplomatic recognition to China, ending a long relationship with Taiwan.

While in Beijing, Mr Sogavare met China's President Xi Jinping, with the two leaders signing various agreements.

According to the ABC, one of the agreements was for co-operation under China's sprawling Belt and Road initiative.

Taiwan cuts ties with Solomon Islands, accuses China of 'dollar diplomacy'

The move was announced in a statement released on Monday by Taiwan's ministry of foreign affairs.

"The government hereby declares the termination of diplomatic relations with Solomon Islands with immediate effect, the end of all bilateral co-operative projects, as well as the recall of the staff of its Embassy, technical mission, and medical mission stationed in Solomon Islands," the statement said.

"The Taiwan government also demands that Solomon Islands immediately recall its government personnel from Taiwan."

Two arrested in Solomons over torching of govt buildings

The two men were arrested on Friday after the buildings in Tigoa were burned down last month.

The men have been flown to Honiara as the investigation continues.

In a statement police said the arson may have been linked to the election of the provincial premier in July.

     

Solomon Islands 2023 release logo for Pacific Games but forced to defend selection process

The logo includes the Solomon Islands' national colours, shell money and three paddles.

However, two competitions involving schools and the general public failed to find the winning design which was eventually created by a panel.

The paddle was used due to its significance not only in the Solomon Islands' culture, but also the wider Pacific community.

"Paddle signifies a journey that has a starting point and ends at an intended destination," Solomon Islands 2023 said.

Sols 2023 hoping to begin construction soon

Honiara won the hosting bid in 2016 but only secured land to build the new main stadium early last year.

Clint Flood is a senior advisor to the 2023 Pacific Games National Hosting Authority, which is being run out of the Prime Minister's Office.

He said the main focus right now is addressing the lack of sporting facilities currently in Honiara.

"We're sitting here in Apia where they're blessed to have all these venues from 2007. We don't have that in Honiara

Solomons working on Games participation

In their preparations for the event from 7-20 July in Samoa, the team is aiming to participate in as many of the 27 sports as it can.

"For starters, as the next host nation, we are doing our best in getting involved with all the 27 sports in the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games. We don’t have shooting due to gun control back home, badminton, squash, lawn bowls and cricket, but all the other sports we are involved with," said Michael Chan, Chef De Mission of the Solomon Islands.