Robbery trial continues

The voir dire hearing (trial within a trial) on the case of four men facing various robbery charges will continue tomorrow in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court. The hearing that was listed for two weeks starting on 1 November is not yet completed. Frank Firimolea, Lawrence Liliva, Fred Taebo Dara and a 15 year-old juvenile are…

Locals safe in NZ

SOLOMON Islanders living in the South Island of New Zealand are safe amidst reports of ruthless damages and casualties inflicted by the massive earthquake that rattled the island on Monday. A Solomon Islander living close to where the chaotic drama unfolded from the violent earthquake followed by massive aftershocks said Solomon Islanders are safe. Ellen…

Bank robbery ruling deferred

RULING on the voir dire hearing (trial within a trial) conducted on the case of two of the six men accused of robbing $4million from the Westpac Bank last year has been deferred to next week. Deputy Chief Magistrate Shepherd Lapo will hand down his ruling on Tuesday. The ruling was earlier listed for yesterday.…

Renbel arson case adjourned

THE case of the men accused of setting fire to logging machineries at Rennell, Renbel, has been further adjourned to November 23. This is possibly for the court to set a new trial date after the trial fixed for November 8 was vacated. The trial was vacated because the presiding magistrate, Chief Magistrate John Numapo…

TOP DOC RESIGNS

A TOP surgeon at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) has tendered his resignation amidst calls by the Leadership Code Commission for doctors to cease their private practices. Dr Dudley Baerodo, the country’s only urology specialist, confirmed to the Solomon Star yesterday he had submitted his resignation letter to the Public Service Commission (PSC) last week.…

GOVT INTACT

… Says Sogavare while refuting claims to oust him The Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has refuted claims there are moves to topple his government in this parliament sitting. Speaking in an interview Mr Sogavare described the claim baseless. “It is a complete lie, a typical example of desperate effort by people with dirty motives to…

Marasinghe: SINU situation now calm

ACTING vice-chancellor of Solomon Islands National University, Professor Basil Marasinghe, says the tense situation at its three campuses is now calm after Monday’s protest. Professor Marasinghe was appointed acting vice chancellor following the forced resignation of Dr Glynn Galo by protesting students. “The SINU management regrets the disturbances caused by some student factions on 7th…

Taro beetle under control in Temotu

BEETLES that destroyed taro in Temotu Province have been put under controlled as farmers continue to enjoy high yields from their gardens. This was confirmed by the Temotu Provincial Chief Agriculture Research Officer Boaz Bero. Mr Bero said that farmers continue to enjoy their yield s of taro, known as ‘Selfish Taro’, which has been…

Rini proposes reform on NPF

MINISTER of Finance and Treasury, Snyder Rini, plans to bring a bill to protect the functions and operations of Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (NPF) and consider some pre-retirement options. Mr Rini revealed this during the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Fund at SMI compound, west Honiara, yesterday. He said this is due to its…