By Ben FeltonCanberra SOLOMON Islands has become the first recipient of Australian-supplied Guardian-class patrol boats to arm its vessels, with the delivery of FN Herstal M2-QCB 12.7mm (0.50 calibre) machine guns last month. On 4 November Australian officials, including High Commissioner Rod Hilton and Defence Advisor Lieutenant Colonel Justin Bywater, handed over the weapons at…
WORK on establishing a new cemetery for Honiara City at Gilbert Camp, East Honiara, is making steady progress. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare informed Parliament yesterday during the Committee of the Whole House scrutiny to the 2024 Appropriation Bill 2023. Member of Parliament (MP) for Small Malaita Rick Hou asked for an update on the project…
Mr. Victor Ngele was sworn in as Electoral Commissioner to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) by the Governor General, Honorable Sir David Vunagi on Friday 8th December 2024. Hailed from Guadalcanal Province Mr. Ngele was appointed under Section 57(6) of the Constitution. Section 57 (6) sets out the necessary qualifications for membership of the…
The Leader of the Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale has criticized Government’s persistent failure to expand the Country’s small and narrow-based economy, stating that the 2024 budget offers no solution to this problem. Hon. Wale made the statement during the 2024 appropriation 2023 Bill debate in Parliament. While the Government has repeatedly acknowledged the economy’s vulnerability…
THE current bad weather situation has forced most shipping operators to cancel their trips to most of the provinces. With the festive season nearing its peak, most people are now planning to travel back to their provinces. However, the negative impacts of Cyclone Jasper are felt nationwide and most ships are taking shelter at nearby…
$600 fine, 10 hours counseling for land corruption case THE Acquisition Officer who falsified documents produced to the Ministry of Lands, Housing & Survey (MLHS) about land acquired for mining on Rennell island in Renbel Province in 2015 has been fined $600. Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti yesterday also included 10 hours of counseling for the…
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) under Solomons’ International Assistance Force (SIAF) have worked alongside the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) to airlift medical supplies to different hospitals in Solomon Islands. The ADF logistics with the support from Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) with the NH90 helicopter which successfully airlift the needed medical supplies…
MEET Hency Charles, the man not only helping to keep Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) officers in shape as a fitness advisor but also the Captain of the Solomon Islands Swimming Team for the 17th Pacific Games. On 23 November, the RSIPF Commissioner Mostyn Mangau and Australian Federal Police (AFP) Solomon Islands Commander Heath…
Bangladeshi awaits judgement THE Bangladesh national accused of indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl in 2020 and trespassing onto a private property in 2021 at Lungga, east of Honiara, will know his fate on December 6. That is when Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea will deliver his judgement. The trial conducted on the matter has concluded…
Taekwondo scoops 14 medals TAEKWONDO has raked in a total of 14 medals including one gold for Solomon Islands at the Sol2023 Pacific Games over two days of competition. Seven medals were won by female fighters on Tuesday and the other seven were collected by male fighters yesterday. The gold medal came from a male…