PACHA IS NEW DEPUTY SPEAKER

THE Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal David Dei Pacha is the new Deputy Speaker of Parliament. Pacha was elected unopposed to the post when Parliament resumed on Monday. Pacha and the Member of Parliament for East Fataleka Steve Abana were the two nominees for the position but the latter withdrew his candidacy yesterday morning…

Low turn out at Caucus

Only 17 government ministers and backbenchers attended an urgent Caucus meeting called for on Sunday to ascertain the support of the Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG) for the leadership of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Caucus insiders revealed. The meeting was convened amidst reports that 29 Members of Parliament including government ministers and backbenchers have…

GOVERNMENT FILLS THREE PERMANENT SECRETARY POSTS

The Government through the Public Service Commission has filled three vacant Permanent Secretary Positions for three Ministries Friday last week (August18). Among the three appointments, one is a female who has recently completed a Masters in Development Policy (International & Sustainable Development). Ms Karen Barimata Galokale has been appointed as the new PS for the…

THREE DEAD, FIVE SURVIVED

In a sea tragedy in East Fataleka, Malaita Three persons have reportedly died at sea in north east Malaita after the boat they were travelling in capsized in rough seas on Saturday afternoon. Amongst the deceased are one woman, one elderly man and one middle aged man. The group returned after mourning the death of…

The drowning isles

The Solomon Islands are an archipelago filled with idyllic beaches and perfect waves, but as temperatures and sea levels rise, much of their pristine coast is disappearing. ASHTYN DOUGLAS of www.surf.com reports From the window seat of our small aircraft, the islands 13,000 feet beneath us looked like uncut emeralds poking out of a vibrant…

MOVE TO OUST PM

Claim: 29 MPs sign to remove Sogavare A move to oust Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is reported to be gaining momentum. One of masterminds of the move, who is also a MP, told the Sunday Star at least 29 MPs in the Opposition, Independent, and government have signed up to support the move. “We are…

TWO YEARS FOR PLAQUE THIEF

Man who damaged Bloody Ridge monument jailed A YOUNG man who damaged and stole the engraved plaque on a monument at the newly declared Bloody Ridge National Park, east of Honiara, was jailed for two years, Friday. Peter Tagana, 19, pleaded guilty to the charges of wilful & unlawful damage and simple larceny following his…

No more logging on Renbel

IN a government bid to remove the ‘in-danger status’ of the country’s only World Heritage Site at East Rennell, the government through a cabinet decision will revoke and refuse granting of felling licence on Rennell Island. This was revealed by Minister of Environment and Conservation Samuel Manetoali during the three-day round table meeting with East…