Juffa has no confidence in MSG

THE Governor of Oro in Papua New Guinea says he has no confidence that the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) will act in the interests of the region’s people over a West Papuan bid for MSG membership. Gary Juffa’s comment comes after the Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited PNG this week as high-level lobbying intensifies over…

Trio to enter pleas to new charges

THREE men accused of damaging properties worth more than $500,000 at Tamone Settlement, east of Honiara will return to court again on June 1. That’s when they will enter their pleas to the new charges levelled against them. One of the accused is yet to be allocated a lawyer while another two have already secured…

Report: $172 million deficit recorded

THE recently released 2015 Annual Report from the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) shows a record deficit of $172 million for the year on the fiscal front. This was revealed by the Governor Denton Rarawa during the launch event yesterday. He said the deficit resulted from an increase in government expenditure in the second…

Solomons takes part in Arms Trade workshop

SOLOMON Islands recently participated in a four day workshop on Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on 3-6 May. The workshop, which was organized by Control Arms, Nonviolence International Southeast Asia (NISEA) and the Pacific Small Arms Action Group (PSAAG) with funding support from the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations, was…

Is it the end for Yow?

IS it the end for Colin Yow – the Singaporean-born high flyer who took on the establishment and lost, the man who confused reforms for rice and noodle sales? Legal experts spoken to said it is the end for Mr Yow in terms of his fight to remain the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the…

SI set to host Melanesian 2018 Arts Festival

THE GOVERNMENT will ensure it will successfully host the 2018 Melanesian Arts Festival. This was highlighted by the Minister of Culture and Tourism Bartholomew Parapolo on Friday during the successful staging of a mini-festival in Honiara. He said, the Solomon Islands was also successful it is bid to host the Melanesian Arts Festival in 2018.…