Woman faces false pretence charges

A WOMAN facing additional charges of false pretences and simple larceny will appear again in the Honiara Magistrates Court on May 27. The adjournment was made yesterday to give time for the lawyer representing Mary Jane Aru, 45, to get instructions for plea on the new charges. Aru has an outstanding false pretence charge but…

Ties with Georgia to strengthened

THE country’s Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is desirous of a robust relationship between Solomon Islands and the Republic of Georgia. This was articulated when the Georgian Ambassador to Solomon Islands His Excellency Vladimir Konstantinidi paid a courtesy call to Mr Sogavare on Tuesday. The Canberra-based envoy is currently in the country to explore further areas…

SINU and MCT plans to upgrade FOPA village

Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) and Solomon Island National University (SINU) have agreed to upgrade and maintain the Festival of the Pacific Arts (FOPA) village in east Honiara. Permanent Secretary (PS) for the Ministry John Wasi revealed this to the Solomon Star yesterday. Mr Wasi said, both organisations have agreed during a discussion meeting…

MPs enlighten on roles of LCC

Members of Parliament (MPs) were given the opportunity to learn about the roles played by the Leadership Code Commission (LCC) during the induction program at the National Parliament on Wednesday. Speaking before the MPs Chairman of Leadership Code Commission (LCC) Francis Luza delivered his power point presentation by highlighting the roles and importance for MPs…

Opposition unite against MPs’ tax-free salaries

THE Parliamentary Opposition Group has endorsed the position and action taken by two of its members HDerrick Manua’ari and Rick Hou to denounce the Member of Parliament’s tax-free entitlements. In a statement, the Parliamentary Opposition says while the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission (PEC) may have the authority in awarding the tax-free benefits to Members of Parliament;…

Police Minister to take plea today

POLICE Minister Peter Shanel will today enter his plea to the common assault charge laid against him. The Member for Parliament for Central Guadalcanal was accused of assaulting a man at his Lengakiki home, 17 December 2013. He is co-accused in the assault case with Steven Ben Wako. They were accused of the assaulting the…

Bauxite export underway

Bintan pays gov’t $1.2m in export duty BINTAN Mining SI Limited, the mining firm contracted by Asia Pacific Investment Development (APID) Ltd, has so far exported four shipments of bauxite from its Rennell operations. That’s according to documents obtained from Customs. And the company paid $1.2 million in export duty to the government on a…

Solomons remains priority under Australian aid

SOLOMON Islands will remain the third largest recipient of Australian aid globally, according to the Australian Government 2015-16 Budget, delivered Tuesday night. Australian High Commissioner Andrew Byrne has confirmed that despite a reduction in Australia’s global aid budget, the budget for Solomon Islands will remain unchanged at A$92.7 million this coming year. “The Australian Budget…

Beche-de-mer case back in court

THE case of Dr Reginald Aipia who is facing a beche-de-mer related charge will appear in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court today. The matter was on the court list yesterday but Public Prosecutor Hauirae Maito’o told the court according to their understanding the matter was listed for today. He said the matter was taken carriage by…