Home Blog Page 39

SI swimmers chase Commonwealth Games dreams in Fiji qualifier

Written by
Admin
-
0

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

The Solomon Islands Swimming Federation (SISF) has sent a small but determined national team to Fiji to compete in a key regional meet that doubles as a pathway to the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The team departed Honiara on Wednesday to take part in the Oceania Swimming Championships, scheduled from May 8–12 in Suva.

This competition is more than just another regional outing—it serves as an official qualifying event for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, placing added importance on performances in the pool.

SISF Secretary General Jackson Rahemae said the championships present a valuable opportunity for local swimmers to test themselves against the region’s best.

“This level of competition allows our swimmers to measure their performance against the region’s best, identify gaps and continue progressing towards international standards,” he said.

Rahemae added that international exposure remains critical for athlete development, not only in terms of performance but also in building mental strength and race awareness.

He explained that competing abroad helps swimmers sharpen race strategies, grow in confidence, and adapt to high-pressure environments, while also benefiting coaches through exposure to advanced techniques and competition management.

The team will be aiming to clock personal best times, gain crucial international experience, and further build professionalism within the sport.

In addition to the swimmers, technical officials are also part of the delegation, playing roles in event delivery and gaining valuable experience at international level.

One of the officials, Cindy Aungarima, is expected to attend a World Aquatics Junior Coaching Workshop during the championships as part of her professional development.

Rahemae also acknowledged the support from the National Sports Council, saying its assistance through governance and participation grants continues to strengthen the federation’s planning and preparation for overseas competitions.

The travelling team includes SISF President Chrisleon Sanga, Rahemae, Head Coach Stance Sanga, swimmers Brenton Naka, Loise Bently and Junior Sanga, along with technical officials Osken Haro and Aungarima.

The team is expected to return home on May 17 following the completion of the championships.

The Oceania Swimming Championships is a key regional competition that brings together top swimmers from across the Pacific. For countries like Solomon Islands, participation is part of a broader effort to raise performance standards and create pathways from grassroots development to elite competition.

With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland on the horizon, events like this provide crucial qualification opportunities and exposure for emerging athletes aiming to compete on the global stage.

Photo credit: NSC

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

Fact-check, verifying workshop for journalists underway

Written by
Admin
-
0

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

A fact-check and verifying training is underway in Honiara for journalists provided by BBC Media Action and the Media Association (MASI).

The four-day workshop began on Tuesday, May 4, at the MASI conference room.

SIBC Editor, Frederick Kusu, and Island Sun Editor, Irwin Angiki, are the trainers, supported by the BBC MA Project Coordinator in the Solomon Islands, Adrian Sina.

The training covers the basics of fact-checking and verification in the first day, before exploring tools and resources available for journalists throughout the rest of the workshop – including fact-checking, video and image verification, OSINT (Open Source Intelligence), expanding and developing existing knowledge on ‘what does not add up’, transparency, forensics and analysis, debunking deep fakes, digital safety and wellbeing, press releases, mis-disinformation, plane and ship tracking, dealing with Gen AI, etc.

OSINT utilises information available in the public domain, and the training teaches participants how to access and use it.

Some of the materials covered in the training are relatively new because participants have not yet come across them in their work, have or have not heard of them, such as plane and ship tracking and the resources available, face or name checking using online databases, debunking deep fakes, etc.

But, Solomon Islands is developing and catching up with the world, and some day in the near future journalists involved in fact-checking will find themselves in situations where such skills are needed.

Participants include journalists from ZFM, Sunday Isles, Barava FM, Tavuli News, Solomon Star, SIBC, Island Sun and the RSIPF Media Unit.

Senior politics and general news reporter for SIBC, Alfred Pagepitu, after the session yesterday shared how the training is important to him.

“As a Radio and online journalist for SIBC, the workshop is very useful for my daily reporting work. It helps me improve how I check facts before broadcasting or posting news online.

“Overall, it helps me serve listeners and online audiences better through trustworthy reporting. The training gives me practical skills I can use in both radio and digital news. Learning from experienced journalists helps me improve my professionalism.

“It strengthens my confidence in producing accurate and reliable news for the public,” Mr Pagepitu said.

Fact-checking and verification are disciplines within journalism which have become increasingly critical in the operation of mainstream media houses, especially in this era of social media and artificial intelligence (AI).

Journalists in their roles to keep public informed are duty-bound to tackle mis- and disinformation in the public information space where audience access information and news.

Having the necessary skills, knowing how to use resources and knowing where to apply them are important traits for journalists to take onboard in order to effectively fulfill this duty.

The training follows a Training of Trainers workshop in Suva, Fiji, attended by Mr Kusu and Mr Angiki in early March which was led by an editor of BBC Verify, Flora Carmichael.

The training uses information and material provided by BBC Verify.

BBC Verify is a specialised investigative unit within BBC News launched in May 2023 to combat disinformation and increase transparency.

The BBC is regarded as the largest ‘retail’ or direct-to-consumer market news service in the world. BBC is consistently ranked as the most trusted international news provider globally, a position it maintained into 2026. It frequently ranks first for trust, reliability, and independence among international audiences, reaching over 418 million people weekly through its various platforms.

Its headquarter is in London, UK.

Photo credit: Adrian Sina

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

Small Malaita constituency office praises PRC for support 

Written by
Admin
-
0

By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Small Malaita Constituency Office (SMCO) has praised the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for its generous financial support to one of their rural communities, the Anopala community. 

The People’s Republic of China supported the Anopala community with a sea transportation project that includes $100,000, a 40-horsepower outboard motor engine, and a 23-ft ray boat. 

According to a media release yesterday, Small Malaita Constituency Development Officer (CD) Terry Brown stated that the timely assistance will significantly improve access to safe and reliable sea transport for the people of the Anopala community. 

He said it benefits the Anopala community and surrounding communities at Malou Port, where they have been facing sea transportation difficulties. 

“The people of Anopala and the wider Small Malaita Constituency deeply value this gesture of goodwill and cooperation,” he said.

The constituency office acknowledges the partnership and said it plays a vital role in advancing rural development and uplifting the livelihoods of our communities.

He added that the project is expected to strengthen connectivity, support local economic activities, and improve access to essential services such as health and education.

The funded project was supported under the Chinese Embassy Small & Sustainable Development Project.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

More NFIs expected in Gizo this week

Written by
Admin
-
0

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

More Non-Food Items (NFIs) for cyclone-affected communities in Western Province are expected to arrive in Gizo later this week, providing much-needed relief to households still recovering from the disaster.

Chairperson of the Western Province Disaster Committee, Collin Potakana, confirmed the development to Island Sun yesterday, stating that while most affected communities have already received their share of supplies, some are still waiting.

“Some communities are yet to receive NFIs, and these upcoming supplies will help address those gaps,” Potakana said.

He emphasised the importance of NFIs in the recovery process, noting that they include essential items such as personal hygiene kits, including soap, household equipment, and gardening tools.

“These items are critical for families as they rebuild their daily lives and restore basic living conditions,” Potakana said.

Distribution of NFIs was temporarily halted last week after stocks in Gizo were depleted, pending replenishment from Honiara.

Potakana had earlier revealed that supplies were also running low in Honiara, prompting the need for procurement of additional stock from overseas.

The arrival of new consignments this week is expected to resume distribution efforts and ensure that remaining affected communities receive the support they need.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

Midwives key to improving maternal and newborn health

Written by
Admin
-
0

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Midwives play a critical role in improving maternal and newborn health, with evidence showing they provide a significant portion of essential care needed for women and babies.

Jessie Larui, President of the Solomon Islands Midwifery Society said this when she delivered her opening key note address at this year’s International Day of Midwives event in Honiara on Tuesday this week.

She said that midwives deliver about 87 percent of essential care for mothers and newborns.

She adds that strengthening midwifery services is directly linked to reduced maternal and newborn deaths and improved health outcomes.

Ms Larui said that midwives can provide more than 90 percent of essential sexual and reproductive health services.

“Expanding this workforce could prevent up to 67 percent of maternal deaths, 64 percent of newborn deaths, and 65 percent of stillbirths, potentially saving up to 4.3 million lives each year.

“Studies on midwifery-led care also reveal improved birth outcomes. Caesarean section rates can be reduced from 23.5 percent to 13.5 percent, while spontaneous vaginal births can increase from 64.2 percent to 78.7 percent. Midwifery care could also help avert up to 83 percent of maternal and neonatal deaths, while doubling the number of trained midwives could reduce maternal mortality by between 20 to 40 percent,” she said.

She said that the maternal mortality ratio in the Solomon Islands, currently stands at 123 per 100,000 live births.

She said that although there has been steady improvement, the figure remains above the global target of 70 per 100,000.

She said that infant mortality has declined to 13 per 1,000 live births, nearing the target of 12 per 1,000.

“However, challenges remain in family planning. The contraceptive prevalence rate is recorded at 29.3 percent, meaning 71 percent of women of childbearing age are not using contraceptives. This contributes to a high birth rate of 29 per 1,000 population, one of the highest in the Pacific.

“The pressure on health facilities is evident, with the National Referral Hospital recording between 5,000 to 6,000 births each year. Strengthening midwifery through education, regulation and professional association support has been identified as essential to building a more effective and resilient health system,” Ms. Larui said.

Photo credit: John Houanihau

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

Aligegeo school to host its annual cultural day tomorrow 

Written by
Admin
-
0

BY RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Aligegeo Provincial Secondary School in Malaita Province will host its annual cultural day event tomorrow, Friday, May 7. 

This year’s theme for the event is “Embracing Our Culture, Diversity, and Pride”. 

In an interview with a member of the cultural day organising committee, Naomi Pitisopa, she said that during the day, each ethnic group within Malaita Province will perform their items. 

She said that students from other provinces will combine into a few groups and choose which culture they want to represent. 

“It is an event in which all different ethnic groups within Malaita Province will have a chance to perform their items,” she said. 

“It may be a custom dance or a drama. For students from other provinces, they will have to combine into as many groups as they want,” she added.

She said the officials who will be attending their annual cultural day will include parents, invited guests, and provincial government representatives.

“We are expecting parents, our guests, and provincial government representatives. Our invitation letters have been sent to them,” she said.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

PRC supports Anopala community with sea transportation project 

Written by
Admin
-
0

By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has supported the Anopala community in the Small Malaita Constituency with a sea transportation project.

The assistance is mainly to improve sea transportation for the Anopala community and surrounding areas after they have faced issues and challenges with transportation in accessing health and education services. 

According to a media release from the Ministry of Rural Development, the project assistance includes $100,000, a 40-horsepower outboard motor engine, and a 23-ft ray boat. 

Anopala community representative, Peter Ha’alau, thanks their Small Malaita Constituency office and Member of Parliament, Rick Hou, for selecting his community as the recipient of this important project.

He also voiced his gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for its generous funding.

“It is a meaningful contribution that will bring immense benefits not only to my people of the Anopala community but also to the people of Small Malaita,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the Small Malaita Constituency Office has expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for its generous financial support. 

“This timely assistance will significantly improve access to safe and reliable sea transport for our people, especially the Anopala community and surrounding communities at Malou Port,” he said. 

The transportation project was funded under the Chinese Embassy’s Small & Sustainable Development Project.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

Auki public transport providers raise fares 

Written by
Admin
-
0

By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Vehicle and outboard motor owners who run transport services in Auki, Malaita Province, have raised their passenger fares.

The increase is $5 to $10 on top of their normal passenger fares, due to the rise in petrol and diesel prices in Auki and rural fuel depots. 

In an interview with John Gilo, owner of Let Transport, he said the increase in their passenger fares was due to the current fuel prices.

He said they have imposed an additional $5 and $10 on the normal fares to cover their fuel and engine costs. He added that even the prices of engine spare parts are also rising. 

“The increase in passenger fares, which we have enforced on our normal fares, is to cover the fuel we use, since the price of fuel is increasing.

“Additionally, raising our fares will help safeguard our engines in case they become bankrupt or need servicing,” he said.

He mentioned that they charge an additional $5 and $10 depending on the destinations.

“We charge fares according to the distance of the destination we will take. This also applies to hiring,” he said. 

One of the public transport services running along South Road has also been witnessed charging $40 for destinations where the normal fare was $30. 

When asked why they charged an additional $10, the vehicle owner said it was because of the rise in fuel prices. 

“Since we have known that our fuel prices are skyrocketing because of the current war in the Middle East, our fares will also be getting higher,” he said.

Meanwhile, this paper also spoke to passengers.

“We can’t say anything for now because we have already heard about it and know the rising fuel prices. The only thing is that the transport owners have charged reasonable fares, so it is fair to us all,” he said. 

It is understood that fuel prices in the rural areas of Malaita Province are now reaching $100 to $150 or $200 per gallon for far destinations from Auki.

The current fuel prices in Auki is still ranging from $12.40 to $15.60 per litre of petrol and diesel.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

IDA progressing well in Western Province

Written by
Admin
-
0

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

INITIAL Damage Assessment (IDA) following Tropical Cyclone Maila is progressing well across Western Province, authorities have confirmed.

Teams were deployed to affected communities last week to conduct on-the-ground assessments, marking a key step in the province’s disaster response efforts.

Chairperson of the Western Province Disaster Committee, Collin Potakana, said several assessment teams have already completed their work, with reports now submitted to the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC).

He explained that the IDA process forms part of the National Disaster Response Plan and is designed to identify damage to homes, infrastructure, and other essential services impacted by the cyclone.

“In fact, this assessment should be done soon after the cyclone, but due to weather conditions and logistical challenges it has been delayed,” Potakana said.

He urges community leaders in affected areas to cooperate fully with assessment teams by providing accurate and relevant information to support the exercise.

Potakana emphasised that the IDA is a critical foundation for the next phase of recovery.

“This assessment is very important as it will help formulate the recovery plan. Recovery is the next phase and it will be a huge task. We cannot implement recovery if we do not have a proper plan,” he said.

Potakana also acknowledged the support of the National Emergency Response Team, which is currently assisting the PEOC with coordination and logistical operations on the ground.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

Man pleads not guilty to domestic violence

Written by
Admin
-
0

BY MELVILLE TITIULU

A man has pleaded not guilty to domestic violence (DV) at the Honiara Central Magistrate Court.

The accused who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim was initially charged with one count of domestic violence and physical abuse, and two counts of unlawful wounding. These two cases are consolidated.

The victim in this case is the wife of the accused person.

The unlawful wounding charges were withdrawn by the prosecution yesterday on the basis of absence of medical report to substantiate the charge.

The court granted the withdrawal of the unlawful wounding charges which resulted in the accused being acquitted of that charge.

As to the remaining count of DV and physical abuse, it was alleged that the accused on December 24, 2025, physically abused his wife by kicking her head.

The offence of DV attracts a penalty fine of $30,000 or 3-years imprisonment or both a fine and imprisonment.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge of domestic violence when he was arraigned in court yesterday.

Defence told court that given the accused pleaded not guilty, she wished to have the matter adjourned for Wednesday for her to make a bail application for the defendant.

Principal Magistrate Ben Alasia granted an adjournment for Wednesday next week to hear Defence bail application, and directs that Defence prepares the bail application papers prior proposed mention date.

The main case was adjourned to May 20 for oral PTC preparation.

In the meantime, a remand of warrant was extended for the defendant.

Jeremy Oifa appeared on instructions from Mr Steward Beto, and he represents the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Sylvia Pitamama of the Public Solicitors’ Office, represents the accused.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

1...383940...1,664Page 39 of 1,664