Media, social media

Dear Editor – The Solomon Islands is blessed with a free press which allows for a sharing of news and views.  It is encouraging; too, to witness how social media is changing the way citizens are beginning to exercise their democratic rights and enabling e-democracy to take hold. Social media must never be used to…

Plight of disabled patients

Dear Editor – The recent report in your newspaper that two diabetic patients who were reportedly told to “discharge” from the National Referral Hospital and were not fed for at least nine days, if true, is shocking. The news article claimed the couple, one aged 73 and the other aged 38, both disabled with only…

City mayor under fire

Contract controversy engulfs council CITY mayor Alfrence Fatai and his council chairmen are accused of engaging their wantoks and relatives to do contracted jobs for the council. “They have virtually taken over the role of the council’s Works Division,” a city council source told the Solomon Star. “Since they came in, they cancelled existing contractors…

Alleged bank robbers out on bail

ALL accused in the Westpac Bank daylight robbery incident early this year are out on bail except for Gabi Selo. Gabi Selo is facing one count of robbery and another count of grievous harm for allegedly chopping off the wrist of a security officer. He remains in custody and will return to the court again…

Man jailed for house Break-in offences

A MAN is in jail after pleading guilty to numerous charges relating to breaking into people’s properties and stealing valuables. Reginald Wai, 22, was sentenced yesterday to a total of four and a half years imprisonment, which was backdated to when he was taken into custody. These were for the charges of two counts of…

Woman faces false pretence charges

A WOMAN facing additional charges of false pretences and simple larceny will appear again in the Honiara Magistrates Court on May 27. The adjournment was made yesterday to give time for the lawyer representing Mary Jane Aru, 45, to get instructions for plea on the new charges. Aru has an outstanding false pretence charge but…

Ties with Georgia to strengthened

THE country’s Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is desirous of a robust relationship between Solomon Islands and the Republic of Georgia. This was articulated when the Georgian Ambassador to Solomon Islands His Excellency Vladimir Konstantinidi paid a courtesy call to Mr Sogavare on Tuesday. The Canberra-based envoy is currently in the country to explore further areas…

SINU and MCT plans to upgrade FOPA village

Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) and Solomon Island National University (SINU) have agreed to upgrade and maintain the Festival of the Pacific Arts (FOPA) village in east Honiara. Permanent Secretary (PS) for the Ministry John Wasi revealed this to the Solomon Star yesterday. Mr Wasi said, both organisations have agreed during a discussion meeting…