Authorities to probe tragedy

Marine authorities will hold a de-briefing into the tragic death of three men whose bodies were washed ashore on the coast of west Are’are, Malaita, on New Year’s Eve. Director of Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA) Tim Harris said the debriefing will be held tomorrow in light of complaints from relatives on how the…

Homes blown to the ground

SIX semi-permanent homes were blown to the ground at Faumamanu area in east Kwara’ae, Malaita province on Tuesday. Alpha Alasina from the area told the paper via mobile phone that most of those houses were semi-permanent ones. He said, this was due to strong wind and heavy rain being experienced in the country since Monday.…

PM on payout

The only way the country can achieve lasting peace is for the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government to settle the outstanding payments with the ex-combatants and their rehabilitation package. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told this paper in an exclusive interview adding, the issue had been been long over due and the payment is important…

Money & Politics

How much does it cost to change a government? Details have emerged about the intensity of behind-the-scene attempts to buy politicians to switch sides in a bid to unseat Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare-led DCC Government during last month’s political upheaval, highly placed sources have revealed. Up to $300, 000 per MP was on offer to…

Maelanga assist sick patients

Patients at Kilu’ufi Hospital, Malaita Province have received Christmas presents from the Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga on Thursday. Mr. Manasseh Maelanga had donated a total of 90 parcels of Christmas gifts as presents for sick patients.  Staff nurses, Julie Hatai and Glen Hornby took delivery of the presents.  Both staff members acknowledged MP Maelanga…

Manele calls for unity

OPPOSITION Leader, Jeremiah Manele re-emphasised the need for a ‘united nation’ despite the country had faced many challenges since it gained Independence in 1978. Manele made this sentiment during his Christmas message to the nation last Thursday. “My good people, our Founding Fathers built our nation on the principles of Christianity, and our laws are…

PM’s Christmas visits successful

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day with patients at two of the nation’s hospitals. On Christmas Day, he visited and presented gifts to those at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara. On Boxing Day, he travelled to north Guadalcanal to visit and spent time with patients at the Good Samaritan…

Ex-militants to be paid $300m

THE Government has agreed to pay ex-militants from Malaita and Guadalcanal $300 million, well-placed sources from the Prime Minister’s Office say. Up to 2,000 ex-combatants are likely to benefit, with each receiving $150,000 each. Members of the now defunct Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) received part of this package last Thursday when Cabinet approved $3 million…