The Indonesian government has temporarily scrapped a controversial New Zealand-run police training programme for officers involved in the military occupation of West Papua. Radio New Zealand International reported that the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said only that Indonesia had pulled out of the next phase of the programme “at this time”. However,…
Every year, tobacco kills nearly six million people. It remains the largest preventable cause of death on the planet. With more than half the population in Tokelau, Kiribati, Nauru and Wallis and Futuna and over one third of people in Cook Islands, Samoa and Solomon Islands smoking daily, tobacco use contributes significantly to the nearly…
The accusation and labeling by some members of the Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII) of the Australian-led and funded Regional Assistant Mission to Solomon Islands (known widely as RAMSI) as a “failure” is simply out of ignorance and motivated by ethnic politics and biases. Many of us (critics of RAMSI) in this forum (FSII) seem…
Speaker of parliament, Sir Allan Kemakeza has been questioned and accused by Savo and Russell constituents’ for influencing the Biometric Voters Registration on pursuance for personal interests as an intending candidate. William Runa raised the alarm claiming Sir Allan has been manipulating the election system on his status as chairman of electoral commission. A formal…
A NEW police commissioner should be known within the next two weeks. This followed interviews of the shortlisted candidates for the top job this week. Two locals, an Australian, and a Fijian, are vying for the job. The Solomon Star understands interviews began Monday, and will complete today. After the interviews, the panel will submit…
POLICE confirmed they arrested three people believed to be behind the looting and burning down of Uncle Alick building during the May 16 rioting, east of Honiara. Acting police chief Juanita Matanga said the trio were believed to have played major roles in the looting and burning down of the building. “Investigations into the looting…
A CHARITABLE organisation that works with orphans, widows, and people with disability in central Kwara’ae, Malaita, on Thursday received assistance from Australian Combine churches. Hearts of Hope founder Janet Justice Aihari received the donation from pastor Miriam River from Australia combine churches. Ms Rivers said that the donation was part of their continuing support to…
POLICE have arrested a male suspect from Temotu following a rape incident at the Tasahe area over the weekend. Police said the suspect allegedly went into the car of the victim and her friend and raped the 18 year old. The matter was reported to police and following initial investigations arrested the suspect at Karaina…
TWENTY police officers will undergo a cyber training starting today at the police headquarters in Rove, West Honiara. Acting police chief Juanita Matanga said this is an important training for police officers in dealing with issues of cyber crimes in the country. The training is part of the Cyber Safety Pasifika program that was recently…
AFTER almost five years of negotiations, PACER-Plus is far from being concluded. Two issues – labour mobility and development assistance – continue to clearly stand in the way for PACER-Plus to see the light of day. “From the report by our Chief Trade Adviser, it appears that there has been very little progress on these…