Disaster volunteers receive certificates

Disaster volunteers of World Vision have received their certificates from the World vision after engaging in the recent disaster assessment program. This was after World vision engaged more than hundred volunteer workers to help out in the assessment program in Guadalcanal province. Out from the total number engaged in the assessment only 19 volunteer were…

Training for health workers end

A one-week training on gender based violence and sexual reproductive health ended Friday in Honiara. The program was funded by the United Nations Fund Population Agency [UNFPA]. Total of 45 participants from various organisations, agencies, and the provinces, attended the training. Speaking to the media, Nashley Vozoto, gender based violence program coordinator, said the workshop…

Pacific platform for disaster risk management

Lieutenant Colonel Inia Seruiratu, Fiji’s Minister for Rural & Maritime Development and National Disaster Management and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forests, will officially open the 6th Session of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management today at the Novotel Hotel in Suva, Fiji. The 6th Pacific Platform is co-convened by the Secretariat of Pacific…

Energy efficiency discussions elevated at regional meeting

The Energy Programme of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) convened a project Steering Committee  meeting of the Pacific Appliance Labelling and Standards (PALS) programme. This was followed by a workshop for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Efficient Lighting programme. The two events took place this week (May 27-28) in Nadi, Fiji. The…

Mobile era

THE World Mobile Congress was held earlier this year and some things that have caught the eye are listed below. * A smartphone for seniors: Yezz’s Andy AZ4.5 — Powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz processor and running on a tailored version of Android, the smartphone features large icons and a voice assistant. In addition, the…

Too much porn material could shrink brain – study

Researchers have found less grey matter in the brains of men who watched large amounts of sexually explicit material, according to a new study. The research, which appeared in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, could not determine if porn actually caused the brain to shrink however, and the authors called for additional study on the topic. “Future…

Costly deal: Gov’t paying for land it does not own

Government is still paying thousands of dollars each year to landowners of Komarindi, central Guadalcanal, since 1996 although it has yet to acquire the land. The 12,900 hectare Komarindi site had been earlier proposed for a major hydro project that would provide electricity to Honiara. But the project never got off the ground, nor the…

Blood programme resumed

Red Cross has resumed its voluntary blood donation programme. The programme was disrupted after the humanitarian organization and its many volunteers turned their attention to last month’s devastating flash floods in Honiara and Guadalcanal. Red’s Cross’s Blood Donation Officer Deanne Seppy said their Blood bank team had started their blood drives at Don Bosco Institute…

Why we remain a LDC

The  Prevalence of Trade imbalance, budget deficit, weak infrastructure, less business initiatives and high rate of unemployment are reasons why, Solomon Islands remains under the least Developed Countries (LDC) category. A management professional, who asked not to be identified, also said that trade imbalance is likely to be inherent in the island country. He explained…

Ariki to Forau: Please explain

Member of Parliament for Temotu Vattu constituency Clay Forau is being accused of mismanaging constituency funds, and constituents are demanding explanations. Constituents want the MP to explain where the 2012 Agriculture Funds amounting to $350, 890 for cocoa and coconut rehabilitation, Forestry Fund – downstream processing at $254,872 and reforestation division at $140,000, Church Fund…