Australia opens its labour market

Solomon Islands and Australia have committed to a new understanding to foster greater cooperation and increase joint efforts in seasonal labour mobility. The MoU between the Government of Australia and the Government of Solomon Islands in support of the Seasonal Workers Programme was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs & External Trade Milner Tozaka…

Tozaka defeats election petition

Foreign Affairs minister Milner Tozaka has all the reasons to smile after the High Court rejected last Wednesday an election petition brought against him by a losing candidate. High Court judge Rex Faukona dismissed the petition filed  Jenning Movobule, who contested against Tozaka in the 2014 national general election for the North Vella La Vella…

Veteran journalist farewelled

Members of the media, families, relatives, and friends farewelled veteran journalist Simon Papage in Honiara on Saturday, during his funeral service. Papage, who hailed from Makira-Ulawa Province, died suddenly last Tuesday at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara after a short illness. His body was sent to his home village for burial. The late Papage…

New fresh water fish, crustaceans discovered here

A total of 7 potential new species to science from freshwater fish, prawns and crabs were discovered by a team of scientists from the French Ichthyological Society (Société Française d’Ichtyologie (SFI)) and Ecological Solutions, Solomon Islands (ESSI).  Renowned scientists Drs Philippe Keith and Gerard Marquet of SFI led the freshwater team.    With the authorisation…

PM launches new aid policy

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Friday launched his government’s new policy on foreign aid and how to manage it. Called Aid Management and Development Cooperation Policy, the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, in consultation with other stakeholders, produced the document. Mr Sogavare said foreign aid to Solomon Islands is relative large and is a…

Let’s keep the city clean

THE beauty and cleanliness of the city lies in our hands, a youth leader says. Simon Tomasusu, of the Secretariat of Pacific Community (SPC) supported Youth@Work, highlighted this at the end of their two weeks of clean-up of the city, Friday. “Looking after and cleaning up the city is everybody’s business,” Mr Tomasusu stated. “We…

Council welcomes new councillor

THE Honiara City Council congratulates and welcomed its new councillor Greg Malefo, who was elected in Wednesday’s by-election for Vuhokesa Ward. Supervising mayor, Eric Tema said the council was pleased with the election results.  “Voters were allowed to exercise their democratic rights without fear or trouble,” Mr Tema said. “It was a peaceful by-election and…

Court defers sitting

THE Honiara Magistrates’ Court did not hear cases yesterday because magistrates took a day out to attend a one-day Family Protection Act workshop at the Heritage Park Hotel. A notice was pinned up at the magistrate’s court notice board to inform public of the reason why no cases are to be heard. “There will be…

Police boss hails public support

POLICE Commissioner Frank Prendergast has thanked the Honiara public for their assistance and cooperation during the state funeral held for the country’s first Prime Minister, the late Sir Peter Kenilorea on Tuesday. He told the media during the weekly police conference that he is pleased with the assistance and cooperation shown by general public in…

Mexico wants to expand economic trade ties here

THE first Mexican ambassador to Solomon Islands, Amando Alvarez met with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare yesterday, expressing his country’s desire to expand its economic trade links here. The ambassador said the Mexican government led by President Enrique Nieto emphasises economic reforms and is implementing sweeping education, energy, financial, fiscal and telecommunication reform legislations to improve…