THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$15.58 million project to help the Solomon Islands rebuild transport infrastructure damaged by recent flash floods. The assistance, drawn from ADB’s Disaster Response Facility, will help fund construction of new infrastructure designed to be more resilient against future disasters and other climate threats. ADB’s financing is $13.22…
Your glory days are over, says judge A JUDGE has issued the harshest of warnings yet to would-be rapists. “Expect no lenient sentences if you are found guilty of rape,” High Court judge Justice Stephen Pallaras said, as he imposed longer jail terms for two men convicted of rape, Thursday. He said the penalty for…
Uncertainties arising from the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts with their likely upward impact on commodity prices are causing worries to policy makers. Ukraine is one of the world’s largest wheat exporting countries; and the Middle East is the area on which the world depends for oil supply. What is the safe level for foreign…
POLICE deployed 50 officers to the Gold Ridge mine site in Central Guadalcanal following the escalation of law and order problem in the area. The situation resulted in Gold Ridge Mining Limited evacuating all its expatriate staff to Honiara on Wednesday. The workers, including Gold Ridge Mining Ltd (GRML) general manager Stean Barrie are now…
THE defence will open its case next month in the High Court in relation to the Lungga river murder case in 2010. This was after Justice Francis Mwanesalua found the accused, Aaron Konle, have a case to answer to the murder charge. Hubert Fugui of Public Solicitor’s Office had filed a no case to answer…
A HIGH Court judge says the courts have a responsibility in their sentencing practice to protect children in our societies from predators. Justice Stephen Pallaras uttered this when he sent a Gela man in his early 20’s to seven years behind bars after he admitted raping a 14-year-old girl last year. “The courts have a…
GOLD Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) confirmed last night it has withdrawn personnel from its Gold Ridge mine following a serious escalation in security and associated safety concerns. GRML Director, Bob Vassie, said: “Safety is the Company’s highest priority. We have taken the decision to withdraw our employees from site because we cannot assure their continued…
IN a new twist, Renbel Assembly yesterday elected a new premier in a meeting embattled premier LenceTangosia boycotted. Timothy Johnston was elected during the meeting held at the Pacific Casino Hotel. Renbel Provincial Speaker Norman Sao confirmed the election, saying Mr Johnston took his oath immediately after he was elected to power. Early this week,…
UNITED States Secretary of State John Kerry has paid tribute to Coastwatchers and US Marines who fought and lost their lives during the Second World War here. “If it hasn’t been for the coastwatchers and the scouts, we would be bastards in ten minutes,” Mr Kerry said during a wreath laying ceremony at the Solomon…
The recently established Bmobile/Vodafone partnership has offered opportunity which the companies are keen to utilise which can allow the national staff members to have access to other Vodafone labor markets. In a statement yesterday Bmobile/Vodafone chief executive officer (CEO) Niall Downey said Bmobile over the coming months will be developing a training program for local…