PM set to chair PIDF in July

PRIME Minister Rick Hou will chair the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) meeting in Honiara in July this year. Last Friday, the Prime Minister was briefed on the progress of arrangements by the Secretary General of PIDF Francois Martel. Mr Martel informed the Prime Minister that all preparations are well underway and that invitations for…

MURRAY APPEALS RULING

HENRY Murray is appealing the Magistrate’s Court ruling that convicted him of defrauding the government of more than $700,000. This was revealed in court yesterday after Murray’s lawyer lodged an application for “stay of proceedings” to allow his appeal to be heard in the High Court. Chief Magistrate Emma Garo will rule on the application…

TRAVEL DEAL

Air Canada partnership to benefit SI travelers Solomon Islands nationals traveling to Canada as part of the Foreign worker program or migrating under Permanent Residence nomination program from Guadalcanal Province, will be benefiting from a new partnership arrangement with Air Canada for their travel into Canada. This partnership benefit will also be extended to any…

In Court with Assumpta Buchanan

* MOI rape update, May 22* Oto likely to enter guilty pleas today* Police attacker seeks bail MOI rape update, May 22 PROSECUTION will be updating the court on the status of investigation into a rape and assault offence that occurred at Sikaiana, in the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) last month, on May 22. The…

Tome to go on trial today

  A trial will today start on the case of the former Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, David Tome, who faces conversion charges. The hearing which was scheduled to start on Monday was however moved to today after prosecution received some disclosures from the police. Public Prosecutor Ishmael Kekou had asked for the…

IT’S A PROPOSAL

Tanangada clarifies proposed $2.4M residence By RONALD TOITO’ONA   JIMSON Tanangada, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency, Western Province has clarified the truth behind leaked documents on Facebook, over a proposed SBD$2.5M property in Honiara. The photographed documents were posted in the ‘Gizo’ Group page on Facebook, amidst other Gizo-Kolombangara by-election heated posts,…

PM HOUENIPWELA CALLS FOR UNITY IN PRAYERS

UNITY CALL   The Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela has appealed to the nation to continue to pray for the Government and for the people of Solomon Islands. As part of the Prime Minister and his wife, Madam Rachael Houenipwela’s fellowship program, Hon. Rick Houenipwela and his family attended last Sunday’s Church service and fellowship at…

Talented dancer snatch top award

For many Solomon Islanders, dancing has been a form of entertainment especially in the modern day considered to be of foreign originals.  The recent dance trends from youths around Honiara sometimes caused headaches for many Honiara residents witnessing the youths of today dancing in their respective groups. However, for 18 year-old Liana Sabetian, dancing is…

In Court with Assumpta Buchanan

* Melaba fine $5,000* Oto’s case moved to today* Tome’s trial, tomorrow Melaba fine $5,000   THE Inland Revenue Division (IRD) officer facing corruption charges has been fined $5,000 yesterday in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court. Leslie Melaba, 36, was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of official corruption. Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti imposed a…

$44.7M FUNDING

Taiwan releases payments for constituencies SOLOMON Islands Government last week received a total of SBD$44.7 million in funding support from the Government of the Republic of China (ROC) Taiwan for the 50 constituencies. The huge payout is to cater for some constituencies which failed to get their constituency development from last year while the bulk…