Pacific Ministers Prioritise Addressing Covid-19 and Climate Change Impacts on Pacific Tuna Fisheries

Frank Short 14-Aug-2021

Pacific Ministers have identified dealing with the immediate impacts of Covid-19 and the longer term threats of climate change on offshore fisheries a

A private medical centre specialising in providing eye care for the public has opened in Honiara.

Frank Short 14-Aug-2021

The new clinic called ‘CDP Private Health’, the centre is operated by Dr Claude Posala

The penny has dropped

Frank Short 14-Aug-2021

I use the title to this piece in relation to the situation in Australia and New Zealand in regard to the Covid-19 crisis, but especially the crisis re

New fisheries building delivered in Kirakira

Frank Short 13-Aug-2021

The fisheries Minister Nestor Giro a week ago received the keys to a newly constructed fisheries building at Kirakira, Makira Ulawa Province.

Enterprising Bellona farmer travels to Honiara to promote organically grown cabbages

Frank Short 13-Aug-2021

Motivated by the healthy growth and harvest of his organically grown variety of cabbages

SI’s Opposition Leader supports an age-limit increase in seasonal work.

Frank Short 13-Aug-2021

The Island Sun newspaper this morning, Friday, reports that the Leader of Opposition Matthew Mr. Wale fully endorses recent submissions by S

Data base being developed to help provide employment support for people living with disabilities

Frank Short 12-Aug-2021

I was greatly encouraged when I read a media statement this week which featured in the Solomon Star newspaper, and I quote the piece.

A revised plan is reportedly being considered for the failed Marau mini hospital project.

Frank Short 12-Aug-2021

The Isand Sun newspaper today reported that a plan is being considered for the Marau mini hospital.

The threat of the deadly Delta Covid variant

Frank Short 12-Aug-2021

The Leader of Opposition, Hon. Matthew Wale, has urged the government to adopt a zero-risk approach in its efforts to stop the entry of the deadly del

Improving women’s health in the Solomon Islands by testing for cervical cancer

Frank Short 12-Aug-2021

Freelance journalist Jeremy Gwao writing in the Solomon Times this week takes up the concern that I have often raised in the media – the issue o

Emerging Young Pacific Talents Receive Climate Resilience Awards

Frank Short 11-Aug-2021

A total of 20 emerging youth artists, poets, and filmmakers from across the Blue Pacific have been recognised in creative competition documenting clim

Long-awaited Bonale pineapple factory project reported making positive progress

Frank Short 11-Aug-2021

Key partners engaged in advancing the development of the Bonale Pineapple Factory project in West Kwaio, Malaita Province are making steady progress r

Solomon Islands not alone in enforcing the mandatory administration of Covid-19 vaccine

Frank Short 11-Aug-2021

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has defended his governments decision to enforce the mandatory administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Threatening and abusing frontliners, including vaccinators, can be arrested and charged with an offence as provided for by the provisions of the SOPE Regulations.

Frank Short 10-Aug-2021

The Prime Minister has come out strongly against any threats or abusive of frontliners or vaccinators doing their jobs to protect SI citizens from Cov

IPCC report: What it means for New Zealand's climate response ( and how will SI need to react given its tiny carbon footprint?)

Frank Short 10-Aug-2021

The climate is changing, faster than we thought - and humans have caused it. Last night, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released

Provincial health support and strategic interventions for health services

Frank Short 10-Aug-2021

The National Health Promotion Division of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has commenced its provincial support to scale up provincial capa

The delta variant of Covid is more contagious than chickenpox and highly infectious which can be transmitted easily.

Frank Short 10-Aug-2021

Dr. Jimmy Rodgers is reported in the Island Sun newspaper today saying the Covid-19 delta variant has been found to be more contagious than chickenpox

‘Code Red’ for humanity' warning over irreversible climate impact- UN.

Frank Short 09-Aug-2021

The UN climate panel sounded a dire warning this evening, saying the world is dangerously close to runaway warming and that humans are "unequivoc

UN set to reveal landmark IPCC report findings on climate change

Frank Short 09-Aug-2021

(Alok Sharma, the UK Minister who is leading the summit, said at the weekend that the world was almost running out of time to avoid catastrophe - and

No justification for verbally abusing vaccinators working to keep all safe from Covid-19

Frank Short 09-Aug-2021

The SI Ministry of Health says it is saddened by verbal abuse and threats made against a group of vaccinators in Honiara last week while rolling out v

Solomon Power set to build solar hybrid systems in 10 Guadalcanal communities

Frank Short 08-Aug-2021

An article in the Island Sun newspaper has said the state-owned enterprise, Solomon Power, will build solar hybrid systems in 10 pilot communities in

NSW records 262 cases of Covid-19 and one death over night

Frank Short 08-Aug-2021

Citizens continue to be urged to get vaccinated as New South Wales has recorded 262 locally acquired cases of Covid-19, and one person has died.

Standards of uniform and dress

Frank Short 07-Aug-2021

As a young soldier now some 62 years ago I served in the British Corps of Royal Military Police (RMP) doing what was called National Service.

Prosthetic (artificial limbs desperately needed by hundreds of amputees in the Solomon Islands)

Frank Short 07-Aug-2021

With the extremely high rate of diabetes disease in the Solomon Islands brought about by NCD’s the numbers of diabetic patients having succumbed

Fijians struggling for food amid ongoing Covid-19 health crisis

Frank Short 07-Aug-2021

Charities on the frontline of Fiji's growing humanitarian crisis warn that many families are struggling to get enough food.

Solomon's Sharon Firisua hopes to beat personal best at marathon event in Tokyo

Frank Short 07-Aug-2021

Sharon Firisua from the Solomon Islands will make history when she competes in the women's final marathon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics today, marki

Obtaining immunity to fight off the Covid invader.

Frank Short 06-Aug-2021

With the rising cases of Covid-19 cases, and especially the Delta variant type of the virus

‘Get your jab before it’s too late’, says Joseph Hiele

Frank Short 06-Aug-2021

Disregarding false information was important to Joseph Hiele of Gizoi who had his first Coid-19 vaccine recently.His story is recounted in the Island

Mass vaccinations planned in NZ and assessing the risk travellers bring to the country

Frank Short 06-Aug-2021

Thousands of people are expected to turn up to New Zealand's first rural mass Covid-19 vaccination event at Stratford today and tomorrow.

The Covid crisis must not undermine peace or security and weaken the resolve to curb domestic violence at home

Frank Short 05-Aug-2021

In the past two days in public speeches he made in Guadalcanal the Prime Minister spoke specifically about the preservation of the peace and security

Prime Minister Sogavare outlines govt policy for infrastructure development for Guadalcanal and peace and security aspirations for all SI citizens

Frank Short 05-Aug-2021

Prime Minister Sogavare in his Second Appointed Day Speech in Marau, East Guadalcanal, made some important pronouncements beneficial for Guadacanal an

US President to address Pacific Forum summit

Frank Short 05-Aug-2021

The US President, Joe Biden, is expected to address Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at their virtual meeting tomorrow.

Illustrating the Covid-19 crisis in brief news from around SI’s Pacific neighbours

Frank Short 05-Aug-2021

Radio New Zealand today released news reports which help us to see the situation in two of our Pacific neighbours, and I quote.

Flight restrictions imposed to protect the country from Covid has affected work on the (JICA) airport project at Henderson.

Frank Short 04-Aug-2021

This was revealed by Ms.Asano Yoko from the Embassy of Japan yesterday.

New rules for three countries in the (NZ) Regional Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme

Frank Short 04-Aug-2021

Radio New Zealand announced today, Wednesday, that new rules allowing seasonal workers to enter New Zealand without going through managed isolati

Guadalcanal announces plans for provincial headquarters and three new townships

Frank Short 04-Aug-2021

GUADALCANAL will establish its headquarters at Mamara, west of Honiara, and build three other townships around the province.

The SIG’s stand on the importance of vaccinations

Frank Short 04-Aug-2021

I would like to share with readers the latest news relating to Covid-19 in relation to New Zealand and NSW in Australia.

SI’s tough decision to have made on mandatory vaccinations but the Delta strain of Covid proving hard to contain in Australia and a danger.

Frank Short 03-Aug-2021

Radio New Zealand set the scene in a news broadcast this afternoon reporting, quote.

CEMA to set up a buying centre at Manekalaku

Frank Short 03-Aug-2021

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has revealed that the Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) will set up its main buying center at Manekalaku

The Solomon Islands Government has a duty of care to the population and has approved the mandatory administration of Covid-19 vaccines

Frank Short 03-Aug-2021

An article in today’s Island Sun newspaper gives an account of a recent speech made by the Hon. Culwick Togamana, the Minister of Health and Med

Please don’t be lulled into a false sense of security

Frank Short 02-Aug-2021

The Solomon Islands is still free from the coronavirus pandemic that is ravishing many other countries

The unrelenting impact of Covid-19 on the livelihoods of Pacific Traders and on small business owners in the Solomon Islands

Frank Short 02-Aug-2021

According to the latest report from the Pacific Business Monitor COVID-19 impacts on Pacific businesses have remained at severe levels since trac

The Fiji government has embarked on a determined vaccination drive.

Frank Short 02-Aug-2021

So far it is reported that 83 percent of the eligible population has received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccination – and 24 percent has had tw

Organisers reach goal at mass vaccination event in Auckland

Frank Short 01-Aug-2021

Late this evening, Sunday, Radio New Zealand has reported more than15,500 people have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine at a mass eve

Covid-19 cases in Fiji – 1121 new cases and six more deaths

Frank Short 01-Aug-2021

Reported the news from Fiji today, Sunday, Radio New Zealand bulletins confirms there are 294 severe Covid-19 patients in Fiji's hospitals,

Help, encouragement and support for the Solomon Islands

Frank Short 01-Aug-2021

In 2014 I personally launched my website on the internet and Google’s 1st page.

SINU opens $120m complex fully funded by the national government

Frank Short 31-Jul-2021

The new complex belongs to SINU’s Faculty of Education and Humanities and was fully funded by the national government.

Get fully vaccinated as the best protection against Covid-19

Frank Short 31-Jul-2021

My thoughts today are pre-occupied with the delta variant of Covid-19 and how the transfer of that highly transferable and deadly virus would affect t

ACOM supports Covid-19 vaccinations to protect citizens

Frank Short 31-Jul-2021

The Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) has come out to voice its support for the covid-19 vaccine.

Staff capacity building for the SI Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Frank Short 30-Jul-2021

I have been considering what Sir Frank Kabui, GCMG, CSI, OBE, the former Governor General of the Solomon Islands is reported to have told the Solomon

“Teeth needed” for the SI Anti-Corruption Commission, says the Chair of the Commission

Frank Short 30-Jul-2021

 An article published in today’s Solomon Star newspaper written by paper’s Editor, Mr. Alfred Sasako, said a nation’s senior st

A plea to get vaccinated before it is too late

Frank Short 30-Jul-2021

Fifty thousand Australian-made AstraZeneca doses arrived in Solomon Islands on 29 July on a flight from Brisbane - the largest single consignment of A

NSW reports 239 new Covid-19 cases

Frank Short 29-Jul-2021

Radio New Zealand has just reported this afternoon, Thursday, that the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has recorded 239 new locally acq

A wise precaution by the Solomon Islands government preventing entry to the country without being vaccinated

Frank Short 29-Jul-2021

Opening SI’s borders to let people arriving without having been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 could risk importations of new Covid variants

Anti social behavior alleged by a resident in Gizo

Frank Short 28-Jul-2021

A “concerned resident” of Gizo, named in the Solomon Star newspaper as Benjandro Piko, complained about anti-social activities allegedly c

Church leaders in the SI meet for talks with the Chinese Ambassador

Frank Short 28-Jul-2021

About 14 local church leaders met with the Chinese Ambassador at the Embassy yesterday.

Getting the facts right

Frank Short 28-Jul-2021

The spreading of false information, false rumours and deliberate false news remains a painful memory, and a set-back to security, of the two years pre

Securing a greener future by restoring biodiversity

Frank Short 28-Jul-2021

For the first time ever, the UN Development Programme Small Grants Programme in Solomon Islands handed over the certificate of afforestation project c

Seasonal mangos could become a valuable export crop for the Solomon Islands

Frank Short 28-Jul-2021

The "common mango" or "Indian mango"—is the only mango tree commonly cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions, an

Fiji reports 715 new Covid-19 cases as death toll passes 200

Frank Short 28-Jul-2021

Fiji has recorded 715 cases of Covid-19 and 11 deaths - including an unvaccinated health worker - in the last 24 hours to 8am yesterday.

Has the Solomon Islands considered the export possibilities for green coconuts and coconut water?

Frank Short 27-Jul-2021

The Solomon Islands has had success with the manufacture of virgin coconut oil which has contributed to the income of farmers, local employment, and e

US$20.8 million partnership between UNICEF and Japan in fight against COVID-19 in the Pacific region

Frank Short 27-Jul-2021

According to press releases, this week, UNICEF and the Government of Japan have announced a new US$20.8 million partnership to support Pacific Island

"With freedom comes much responsibility”, says MASI President in the Solomon Islands

Frank Short 27-Jul-2021

The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) is embarking on a scoping study to strengthen the media industry.

Could ginger be grown commercially in the Solomon Islands?

Frank Short 27-Jul-2021

I have always been keen to see the Solomon Islands prosper with commercial cultivation of crops that bring benefit for growers and boost the national

SI’s duel health crisis

Frank Short 26-Jul-2021

Samson Sade writing in today’s edition of the Solomon Times Online newspaper quotes “Pacific Possible’ research stating that NCD&rsq

The threat of Covid-19 poses a threat that nobody can ignore and getting vaccinated the only option to be safe from the deadly virus

Frank Short 26-Jul-2021

This morning I kept my appointment at a Bangkok hospital and took a taxi through the city’s main roads practically devoid of traffic and streets

Democratic rights at a time of Covid-19

Frank Short 26-Jul-2021

Last week, the SI Governor General, His Excellency, Sir David Vunagi, GCMG, declared the country’s fifth consecutive State of Public Emergency (

Pacific Youth Leader, Ms Gladys Habu, calls on Pacific Leaders to declare a climate emergency.

Frank Short 24-Jul-2021

Writing in the Solomon Times Online, a respected local freelance journalist contributed an article in which she mentioned how Gladys Habu, of the Solo

Exiled Malaitans donate medical supplies to Kilu’ufi Hospital

Frank Short 24-Jul-2021

The Solomon Star newspaper today, Saturday, carried a report saying Malaitans living and working in Gatton in Queensland, Australia, have donated medi

Australia Kava market could open this year, according to International Development Minister

Frank Short 24-Jul-2021

The possibility of Kava exports into Australia could begin at the end of this year, according to Australia’s Minister for International Developm

Refurbished Isolation Ward at the National Referral Hospital (NRH)

Frank Short 23-Jul-2021

It is reported that the PRC Government has completed refurbishing an Isolation Ward at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) and the Chinese Ambassador

Kukum Clinic regarded as the busiest in Honiara reopens after a year of renovations

Frank Short 23-Jul-2021

Kukum Clinic has been officially reopened by the Deputy City Mayor after a major renovation works that started in 2020

Difficult times, difficult decisions, difficult choices

Frank Short 23-Jul-2021

Two articles in the Solomon Star today give rise to my choice of title for this letter

Noni farm in East Honiara receives agricultural equipment from MAL

Frank Short 23-Jul-2021

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through its Extension Department has supported T.W Enterprise Noni farm with essential agricultural eq

Quick Enquiry