Couple’s rape judgement on Friday

THE couple accused of raping a girl in Gela, Central Province, in 2017 will know their fate when they appear in court on Friday. That is when Judge Leonard Maina will deliver his judgement on defendants George Solopoto and wife Elizabeth Koka. The judgement was listed to be delivered yesterday. However, the Registry Office informed the two defendants…

Seleso freed of election petition

HIGH Court Judge Howard Lawry has granted leave for the withdrawal of the petition filed against filed against Member of Parliament (MP) for South Guadalcanal Rollen Seleso. Gabriel Suri of Suri’s Law Practice, who represents the petitioner – former MP David Day Pacha – on Monday formally made the application to withdraw the petition after…

FAKE TEACHERS ON PAYROLL

APPROXIMATELY 1,000 teachers, have used fake certificates and transcripts to secure their teaching employment across the country, a source from the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development revealed. The source said many of these teachers attached fake certificates and transcripts to their applications through the various Education Authorities in the country. The source said in Malaita, a significant number of teachers have been found…

Red Cross aids fire-devastated family

THE Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) Malaita branch has delivered essential Non-Food Items (NFIs) to a family in Auki that lost their home to a devastating fire in July this year.  The family was left without possessions by the incident. This aid is part of the charitable organization’s ongoing commitment to support those affected by natural disasters throughout the country. The assistance included tarpaulins, a shelter toolkit,…

Locals welcome new tower as game changer

THE installation of a new Telekom tower at Nila, Shortlands, Western Province, has been described as a game changer for the country’s far western region. Most of the residents of Shortlands have expressed their excitement over the benefits of the telecommunication infrastructure following its successful launch almost a fortnight ago.  The much-anticipated infrastructure, recently completed, has…

Climate change impact worries tilapia farmer 

A LOCAL Tilapia farmer in Aruligo, North West Guadalcanal, has expressed fears over the sustainability of his farm due to its vulnerability to the effects of climate change. The Saranga Tilapia Farm breeds over 30,000 tilapias, which fetch the farm owner Maxwell Ham a decent income. But Ham said changed weather patterns caused by climate change has had a detrimental effect on his farm…

Australia Awards short course launched 

The first Australia Awards Solomon Islands Short Course Award- a Graduate Certificate in Fisheries Management and Development- has officially launched.  Economic contributions, food security, and jobs creation makes fisheries a critical sector for Solomon Islands and all Pacific Island countries and territories. This Australia Awards Short Course is a collaboration between the University of Wollongong, Australian National…