Maelanga angered over body search

AUSTRALIAN immigration officials did an “explosive body search” on Manasseh Maelanga despite being told he was the Solomon Islands’ deputy prime minister. The incident last week at Brisbane International Airport infuriated Mr Maelanga, who yesterday expressed utter disappointment at the treatment. “I understand we leaders are exempted to immigration checks and body searches in international…

Bad start for new bus

The new jumbo bus service operated by Ropiko Enterprise got to an unfortunate start yesterday morning after the service was blocked and one of the bus conductors being bashed up. Reports reaching the paper said despite the service being acknowledged by many members of the public, it does not go down well with few of…

NPF $15m loan now in court

SOLOMON Islands National Provident Fund (NPF) has filed a case in the High Court to recover the $15 million loan it lent to Tavanipupu Island Resort. This was after owners of the resort failed to repay the loan. NPF’s deputy manager Mike Wate told the Solomon Star they are currently pursuing the recovery actions under…

Sir Bruce honours local scouts

HONIARA businessman Sir Bruce Saunders recently visited the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Each day, one of the 102,000 Australian servicemen is honored at the Australian War Memorial. These daily commemoration ceremonies include a piper playing a lament, wreath laying and recollection of the service of the serviceman. Sir Bruce met with the Curator, Brendan…

Shock at ship’s engine fault

PASSENGERS traveling on board Express Pelican to Malaita on Saturday expressed fear and shock when the fast craft’s engine abruptly stopped, less than an hour away to Auki. The incident happened mid-morning during the vessel’s Friday trip to the Malaita provincial capital. “We’ve already passed Alite reef and heading towards the Auki harbour when the…

Business mentoring program ends here

THE Pacific Business Mentoring program has ended a week long mentoring with the new clients. The closing ceremony was attended by the New Zealand High Commissioner, Her Excellency Marion Crawshaw, Development Counsellors Naomi Kyriacopoulos, Ana Reid and Chamber of Commerce CEO Jerry Maiki Tengemoana. This is the 4th year of the program, which is coordinated…

Renbel gov’t suspended

GOVERNMENT has stepped in and suspended the Renbel Provincial Assembly following in the wake of the unresolved political impasse that has affected the delivery of services to the people of the province. Provincial Government Minister Silas Tausinga issued the order on Thursday 4th September 2014, suspending the provincial Government under section 44(1) (b) of the…