Solomon Islands

Pre-season cyclone forms near Solomon Islands

Cyclone season in this part of the world does not usually begin until November.

The Fiji Meteorological Service said Cyclone Liua, a category one, was west of Makira on Thursday morning, and was forecast to pass the southern islands before veering out to sea.

Its winds were about 65km/h, but these were expected to increase. The cyclone was forecast to become a category two later on Thursday, near Rennell Island.

Solomons police remove unexploded bomb in capital

The Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team conducted Operation Render Safe on the un-exploded ordnance at Point Cruz.

A police statement said that this type of World War II shell is uncommon and has not been found before in Honiara's central business district.

The Solomon Star reported that the team isolated and secured the unexploded explosive shell on Tuesday after receiving a report from a construction group working there.

To remove it first requires it to be rendered safe by the properly trained unit.

Solomon Islands starts voter registration

The Chairman of the Commission and Speaker of the National Parliament, Ajilon Nasiu, said the aim was to enrol all eligible people over the age of 18 prior to next year's general election.

Mr Nasiu said the existing voter list is being updated and those already on it don't need to register.

He said the update starts next month.

It's estimated some 35,000 young people are now able to register as voters.

     

Woman killed by lightning in Solomon Islands

The Solomon Star newspaper reports the 20-year-old mother of two was working outside the family home in Baegu, North-East Malaita when she was struck, dying on the spot.

A close relative of the family told the paper the family was shocked by the incident and the entire community was in mourning.

A chief from a nearby village said the thunderstorm had raged over the area all of Tuesday and Wednesday.

It is unclear whether a police investigation will be launched into the death.

 

     

SI’s buai market

Whilst it has its disadvantages, it has the undeniable effect of bridging people together despite language barriers.

The PNG contingent who are currently in Honiara, Solomon Islands, for the 6th Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival, are experiencing this concept firsthand.

While some participants have taken to chewing with gusto the buai on offer here at the festival, it is most evident as the buses seem to frequent the local designated buai market at Kukum.

Former Solomons govt official convicted of corruption

The ruling on Friday is being hailed by local police as a significant result in the fight against corruption.

The charges relate to the embezzling of more than a million Solomon Islands dollars from 2014 to 2017 by John Murray, who was the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.

This involved the ministry's use of a car rental company which Murray co-owned.

Solomons' police watching border with Bougainville

The police patrol boat, Lata, is currently in the Shortland Islands, which are very close to the south of Bougainville main island.

Deputy Police Commissioner, Gabriel Manelusi, said that the Lata is carrying specialist staff who have teamed up with local police to investigate alleged criminal activities by people crossing the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea border.

He said the officers wanted to ensure the Shortlands' communities are not undermined by any foreign nationals acting illegally.

 

     

Seven rescued from boat stuck on reef in Temotu

Local Inspector Lily Dagi said police arrived at the scene on Tuesday.

The two women and five men on board were rescued and their boat and outboard engine salvaged.

Police said another boat that had been reported missing last month with five people on board had also been found safe on Utupua Island.

Police at Lata are still searching for a second boat with four men and one child on board which went missing en route from Lata to the Reef Islands on 30 March.

     

Fiji hits back over Indonesia's place in the MSG

Speaking in the Solomons parliament Monday, Manasseh Sogavare said Fiji should apologise for bringing Indonesia into the MSG.  

He said Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama breached MSG procedure by forcing the other four full members to accept Indonesia as part of the sub-regional grouping, whose full members are Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and FLNKS Kanaks movement of New Caledonia.  

Indonesia was admitted to the MSG with observer status in 2011 after Bainimarama assumed the MSG's rotational chairmanship.  

Disaster assessment underway after flash floods in Solomon Islands

The National Disaster Management Office said initial assessments in Honiara show the biggest impact has been on people living in squatter settlements.

The NDMO director Loti Yates said the torrential downpour, which continued for most of Thursday, will have negative impacts on water and sanitation, people's food gardens and pose the risk of disease outbreaks.

Mr Yates said more detailed assessments are being carried out today to ensure affected communities get the support they need to recover.