Man discharged of rape charges

A 65-YEAR-OLD man has been discharged yesterday after the court found insufficient evidence into the rape charges against him to send him to the High Court for trial. The man from Central Province, who cannot be named to protect the alleged victim’s identity, had earlier pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape. The alleged…

New trial date for officer

A NEW trial date has been set on Tuesday for the suspended police officer facing a larceny charge. Florence Taro was supposed to stand trial on Monday for two counts of larceny in a dwelling house but she did not turn up in court that day. The defence is also seeking more time. The matter…

EU envoy visits Choiseul

THE European Union Ambassador to Solomon Islands Leonidas Tezapsidis paid a visit to Choiseul Province from the 2nd to 4th of March. This was mainly to discuss and hear from those who have received financial support from the European Union and its development partners. The highlight of this trip was the discussion and feedback received…

Council to carryout building inspection

THE Honiara City Council (HCC) will soon conduct its inspection of buildings in Honiara. In a statement, the City Clerk office has advised all residential and commercial building owners that the Council shall be carrying out inspection of buildings starting from within the Central Business District (CBD) area of the city and later to the…

Govt recognises gender equality

THE GOVERNMENT now has national policies in place that recognises gender equality as the heart of human and economic progress. Minister of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs Jimson Tanagada was speaking at International Women’s Day celebration in Honiara yesterday which was celebrated at the Art Gallery. “Through these policies, our efforts have been focused…

HCC supports women empowerment

THE Honiara City Council (HCC) recognises and supports empowerment of women according to deputy mayor Eddie Ngava. Speaking at the International Women’s Day celebration yesterday, Mr Ngava said HCC is also taking initiatives in encouraging women, on various fronts. “The city council now has a woman appointed councillor, though we would like to see more…

Vodafone Fiji in top 10 for speed

Fiji Times – VODAFONE Fiji has been ranked the fastest provider of broadband speeds in the Pacific region, beating top mobile providers Vodafone New Zealand, Optus and Telstra in Australia. According to global leader in broadband speed testing, Ookla, Fiji was second to M1 Singapore in the Asia Pacific. The results were based on the…

ISIA releases first annual report

THE Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants [ISIA] took another first step on Tuesday in releasing its first annual report covering the 2013-14 financial year. The President, Roger Townsend, released the report which outlined some of the key successes of the previous year and described some of the challenges facing him and his Council in 2015.…

DCC urge to prioritise tourism

THE Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) government has been urged to prioritise tourism industry in the country. Gabriel Diau, a public officer said the current government must seriously push for the development of tourism in the country.  He said, tourism is one of the dynamic industries that once government injected much support into it will…

Cyclone Pam is here

CYCLONE Pam is now in the country. The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service at 7am on Wednesday issued cyclone warning warning number four for Temotu, Malaita, and Makira-Ulawa provinces. At the same time, the office said a tropical cyclone watch advice remain in force for Rennell & Bellona, Central, Isabel, Western, and Choiseul provinces. “Cyclone Pam…