NZ name training squad for Commonwealth Games

Gordon Tietjens has named an experience squad to prepare for this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The squad features the inclusion of Kurt Baker and Pita Ahki who were both members of the All Blacks Sevens squad that won last year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow.   “To go to a Commonwealth Games and do…

Game on for 52nd Samoa Independence

Samoa is getting ready to celebrate its 52nd year of Independence next week, in style. This weekend, the celebration will kick off in a most fitting way –with rugby. On Thursday, the inaugural Samoa Independence International (S.I.I.) Sevens tournament will kick off at Apia Park with the Under 20s.  A day later, the main competition…

Good work police

POLICE on Wednesday made a break through with the arrest of a suspect who was said to be a main player in the May 16th rioting and looting at King George area and beyond. Another instigator was the man who started the fire which resulted in the burning of Uncle Alick shop. The two main…

OPPOSITION WALKS OUT, BILL PASS

THE controversial Political Parties Integrity Bill was finally passed, but with some tension in the chamber. Members of the opposition group walked out during the committee stage proceeding. Deputy Opposition Leader Mathew Wale has been very critical on all the clauses during the initial stage of the committee of the whole house. But many of…

Rennell landowners embrace miners

RENNELL island is a step closer to hosting its first ever mining project after four tribal landowning groups signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with an Indonesian mining company Bintang Borneo last week. The historic ceremony took place at Tingoa between landowners from East and West Rennell with the mining firm. A nine-member delegation from…

PNG High Commission farewells first secretary

PAPUA New Guinea (PNG) high commission in Honiara on Monday farewelled its first secretary Joyce Bundu. Mrs Bundu came to Solomon Islands in 2010 serving as acting high commissioner for a couple of months as the PNG Government seeks a replacement following the controversial departure of Parai Tamei. Speaking during her farewell dinner, PNG high…

Seized tobacco still held by Customs

NO decision has yet been made on how 1,145 boxes of illegally imported tobacco products seized in September 2012 are to be disposed. The products are being kept at the Customs Queen warehouse at Point Cruz. Earlier this year, top government officials reportedly attempted to remove the products out from the warehouse but Customs prevented…

Residents complain about noise

RESIDENTS of Rove police quarters say life has not been the same again after a nearby sea front facility was turned into an entertainment area. “Noise coming from the sea front area has been a major source of disturbance to those of us living here,” one resident told the Solomon Star. “Sometimes when they have…

Rise in mentally ill patients causes fear

THE increasing numbers of suspected mentally ill patients roaming around and causing trouble in villages and communities in East Kwara’ae has caused fear and raises a deep concern. This came about following a series of incidents claimed to have been caused by those believed to be mentally or psychiatrically ill. There have been associated incidents…