Vendors happy with market training

MORE than fifty nine (59) local women market vendors in and around Auki had nothing but praise toward the UN women’s market for change workshop held in Auki on Monday. The workshop was aimed at ensuring that public market areas are safe for all women vendors and also free from discrimination. Speaking on yesterday’s workshop…

Marshall Islands gov’t buys hotel for USP campus

The Marshall Islands government has bought a hotel in Majuro and will turn it into a campus for the University of the South Pacific (USP). The government made a US$2 million down payment on the US$3.8 million price tag for the 36-room Long Island Hotel. The government purchase reduces available hotel rooms in Majuro to…

Peace training described as worthwhile

Women participants at the five days transformational leadership and character education for peaceful co-existence training at Mendana Hotel last week described it as worthwhile. The training brought together rural women both from the post-conflicting provinces Malaita and Guadalcanal. Watson Puiahi founder and director of Ilukim Sustainability Solomon Islands facilitated the week long peace training with…

Higher tobacco taxes proposed to save millions of lives

The United Nations health agency is calling on countries to raise taxes on tobacco to encourage users to stop and prevent other people from becoming addicted to tobacco. “Raising taxes on tobacco is the most effective way to reduce use and save lives,” says Margaret Chan, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). “Determined…

PNG needs to grow its own food: Minister

After 39 years of Independence, PNG continues to import many goods that can be easily produced locally, says Minister for Trade Commerce and Industry Richard Maru. Maru said these include beef where the country imports 50 percent of the annual requirements, dairy, milk and many dairy products, rice, fruits and vegetables and much more.  “PNG…

PNG names woman candidate for top Pacific post

High flying Papua New Guinea woman, Dame Meg Taylor, is the country’s nominee for the post of the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat. Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said Dame Meg had a wealth of experience and knowledge that spanned 20 years in active service to the Government of Papua New Guinea.…

Mining Bill, a rushed Bill

The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill 2014 ( MMAB2014) which the Solomon Islands Government ( SIG) passed on the 30th April 2014 is nothing more than a  rushed through parliament Bill  to make way for mining companies and foreign interests to extract the natural resources of this country and its citizens’. The MMAB2014 is a…

Atoll evangelism a success

Three hundred Seventh-day Adventists and their friends on the island of Tarawa witnessed the baptism of 65 people at the conclusion of an evangelistic series conducted by Pastor Gary Webster.  The Church in Kiribati had been praying and working with people in preparation for the evangelistic series. Pastor Webster also ran training meetings for elders,…

Five Catholic churches will merge

Five Roman Catholic churches in Bucks County will be closing July 1, including one in Bristol Borough, two in Bensalem and two in Levittown, according to an announcement released Sunday morning by officials in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The announcement follows “self-studies” of “Parish Planning Area 310” and “Parish Planning Area 300” commenced last September…

Aruligo, San Isidro parish celebrates holy mass

MORE than 400 people from communities between Doma to Takaboru communities on Sunday celebrated holy mass at San Isidro parish in Aruligo, North West Guadalcanal. Visale parish priest Father Peter Houhou during celebration gave sacrament of communion to 9 children from these communities.  Northwest Guadalcanal Solomon Star stringer John Toki said people who attended the…