POVERTY and unemployment in Vanuatu are expected to worsen as a consequence of the devastating impact of Cyclone Pam. According to statistics released today by the Department of Labour (DoL) in Vanuatu, approximately U$7 million or VT7 Billion of personal income have been lost due to Pam. The Category 5 cyclone left a trail of…
Maersk Alabama visits Noro port MAERSK Alabama, which was hijacked by pirates near Somalia in 2009 and her crew held hostage, made her first trip to Noro Port, Western Province, on Thursday. The container ship arrived at Noro Port around midday on her maiden trip to the nation’s second international port. Onboard Maersk Alabama were…
COMMUNITIES in north Malaita participated in a Youth Management Community Reflection workshop conducted in their area this week. Adventist Development Relief Agencies (ADRA) facilitated the workshop. The province’s Minister for Development Planning and Institutional Strengthening Glen Waneta and Provincial Minister for Northern Regional Affairs Rev. Michael Maeliáu officiated at the closing ceremony. They were joined…
A CHINESE business group has expressed interest to invest in tourism here and facelift the city. China’s Skyline Business Council has promised to rehabilitate the Honiara International Airport and the road from the airport to the city should it be given the green light to invest in the local tourism sector. Officials from the Group…
FOUR men accused of robbing $4 million from Westpac Bank in Honiara early this year have been released on bail yesterday. Patterson Amos Otokwai, Duddley Baemalia, Jonathan Wanefilio and Stanley Waneakwasia were each released on cash bail bond of $1,500, with strict bail conditions. They all signed a recognition bond before they were released as…
The newly constructed Auki Police Station will be officially opened soon. That’s according to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Police Commissioner Frank Prendergast when responding to questions from the local media yesterday. He said, at the moment, officers are being stationed in the newly built police station awaiting the official opening. “We have…
A MAN who allegedly raped his step-daughter at the Kola’a Ridge graveyard in 2013 has been cleared off the charge. This followed the girl’s change of story in the witness box, admitting the sex was consensual. This was on Wednesday in the High Court when the matter came for trial. As a result the prosecution…
ABOUT 40 new police recruits will kick off their intensive police training next Monday. Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Frank Prendergast confirmed this during a press conference on Thursday. The newly recruited officers were selected from all the 9 provinces across the country. “We have got 40 new recruits that will…
A MAN on trial for rape at the High Court is now facing sentence on a lesser charge. The accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the allegedvictim, stood trial on Wednesday in the High Court for one count ofrape. However, during the cross-examination of the alleged victim, she agreed to what…
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has clarified doubts and confusions surrounding the contracts of Permanent Secretaries. This was done when they appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing recently. A spokesman said currently nine PS positions were vacant since 10th December 2014. “These posts were extended to 1st of April, 2015 to give time…