A MAGISTRATE last Friday refused bail for two of the three men accused of robbing the Bank South Pacific branch in Auki, Malaita, last November. Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika having assessed the risks and all the relevant factors submitted, including the seriousness of the case, refused the bail application. “After considering submission made by Lazarus…
Top leaders condemn govt’s $3m payout to ex-militants THREE top leaders who helped bring an end to the ethnic tensions more than a decade ago have condemned the Sogavare Government’s controversial $3 million payout to ex-MEF militants. Former Prime Minister Sir Alan Kemakeza and the chair and deputy chair of the Solomon Islands Intervention Taskforce,…
VENDORS from the provinces are flooding the central market in Honiara to sell their products. Flooding the market now are water melons and pineapples from Malaita. “We decided to bring our farm products over to Honiara to get a good price,” Malaita farmer Jeffery Mae told the Solomon Star. “Prices for water melons and pineapples…
SOLOMON Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Samoa top global trade estimates for illicit financial flows Three of the world’s top ten most corrupted trade routes involve Pacific Islands countries. In the Pacific, Vanuatu suffers most from what a watchdog group calls “illicit financial flows”, focusing mostly on fake trade invoicing. Or as Global Financial…
THE founder, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Eagon Group of companies will be arriving in the country today as part of his annual visit here. Young-Ju Park will be in the country to visit the Eagon Pacific Plantation Limited’s (EPPL) operation at Arara camp on New Georgia Island, Western province, and the…
THE diarrhea outbreak has so far claimed the lives of six children in four provinces. Under-secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Service Dr Chris Becha revealed this yesterday. “Of the six deaths, two were recorded in Western Province, two in Malaita, one in Guadalcanal and one in Honiara,” Dr Becha said. Since the…
A JAMAICAN reggae star says he’s impressed with how popular reggae is in the Pacific Islands. Conkarah has been on tour in PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and he’s been struck by the similarities with Jamaica. He’s even done a duet with a teenage Solomon islands girl, Rosie Delmah, a cover version of Adele’s hit…
PERMANENT Secretary (PS) Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration George Kosui says setting a new legal minimum wage for the country remains a priority for his ministry. He revealed this following concerns raised by critics who are eager to know when the ministry would fulfil its promises made to the Public Accounts Committee in…
FAMOUS radio announcer Bartholomew Basia has called it quits after serving 37 years with the national broadcaster, Solomon Island Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC). Well known as Bart Basia, and now in his early 60’s, Mr Basia started his career as a radio announcer with former Solomon Islands Broadcasting Service in the late 70’s. Mr Basia’s unique…
THE deadline for Form 7 students to hand in their academic transcripts to the National Training Unit (NTU) office at Panatina campus expires on Wednesday. This requirement is to allow the NTU to deliberate on the academic transcripts to be able to determine students’ academic potential for the awarding of scholarship to respective universities this…