New PIDF chair keen on new EU deal

The Chair of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF), Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare of Solomon Islands has highlighted the need for the organization to start discussions on a new partnership with the European Union for the post-Cotonou era. When accepting the chairmanship of the PIDF on Wednesday from the Fiji Prime Minister Hon Frank…

Auki police undergo fitness training

Auki Police on Thursday started their fitness training with the aim of keeping the police force fit and healthy to execute their duty. Their training session was formally opened yesterday with three types of self-defenses readily available for the Royal Solomon Islands Police force officers in Auki. The three forms of self-defense that will be…

Fatal accident driver arrested

Police at Guadalcanal have arrested a man in his 30s following a fatal accident which a man was run over by a vehicle at West Guadalcanal at Asifarongo road on Tuesday morning. It was alleged that the accused driver was travelling westward from Honiara town, when he hit something at the main road, while driving…

Police pleased with peace rally

Police Commissioner Frank Prendergast is pleased with the peaceful rally that took place yesterday in support of West Papua’s bid for full membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group. He said the organising committee had done a fine job in organising and working with the police. “I think that is a sign of what can happen…

Meetings successfully held

The 4th Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) summit and the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting held in Honiara were successfully completed on Thursday. The two days PIDF summit hosted at Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel ended on Wednesday, followed by the one day MSG meeting, which was held yesterday at the Heritage Park Hotel. It was…

2017 declared Pacific year of the ocean

LEADERS that have participated in the recent Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) Leaders Summit in Honiara have agreed that next year will be the ‘Pacific Year of the Ocean.’ The agreement was a follow up of this year’s summit theme ‘Stewardship for Healthy Oceans and Healthy Nations’. Speaking at the closing of the Summit in…

Flights to Auki increase

The national carrier Solomon Airlines has increased the number of flights to Gwounaru’u airport in Auki, Malaita. Three additional flights were added to the normal three flights per week due to demand. When the airport was reopened on the 30th of May this year, the national carrier only introduces three flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and…

Sogavare says summit a success

The Honiara-hosted 4th Pacific Islands Forum Development Forum Leaders’ Summit concluded Wednesday and the new Chair of the organization, Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare described the two-day dialogue as ‘very successful.’ Addressing the press at the conclusion of the summit late Wednesday, Mr Sogavare who has assumed the PIDF Chairmanship for a two-year period said,…

Tonga reaffirms support for ULMWP

The Tongan delegates meet up with the West Papuan group at the Mendana Hotel yesterday to reaffirm their ongoing support for the ULMWP full membership in MSG. Minister for Finance and Planning of Tonga Aisaka Valu Eke is here for the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) 4th summit when he has the opportunity to meet…