UAE keen to support SI

MINISTER for Health and Medical Services Dickson Mua has met with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister for State & International Cooperation Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashimi at the margins of UNGA, Wednesday. Both ministers during the bilateral meeting acknowledged the friendly relations and recent active engagements through visa waiver arrangements and World Expo 2020…

USP top officials meet PM

TOP officials from the University of the South Pacific (USP) on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to Prime Manasseh Sogavare. The USP delegation included the Vice- Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia and Pro- Chancellor Winston Thompson and the USP Solomon Islands Campus director. Its the first time for Vice- Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia to meet Mr Sogavare…

New ministers sworn in

HOURS after sacking two of his senior ministers, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare wasted no time to bring in their replacements. Fataleka MP Rex Ramofafia is now the new Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination. He replaces Rick Hou, a former prime minister and MP for Small Malaita, who got his marching orders yesterday morning.…

Manele engages in India-Pacific dialogue

MINISTER for Foreign Affairs & External Trade Jeremiah Manele on Wednesday has addressed the India Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in New York. The India Pacific Islands Leaders Dialogue was attended by Prime Ministers and Ministers of different pacific island countries and organised by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking during the occasion Minister Manele…

DCGA condemns bribery attempt

The Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) says it condemned any bribery-attempt by national leaders. Front-page articles published in the local print media reported claims by Premier of Malaita Daniel Suidani that a Minister and a Backbencher had tried to offer him SBD$1 million to support the China switch. Speaking on behalf of the DCGA…

In Court with Assumpta Buchanan

Taremae trial moves to today Ngedea back in court Alleged robbers’ bail ruling today  Suspects to enter plea Taremae trial moves to today PROSECUTION are still waiting for their witness to arrive in Honiara from Makira to testify in the trial of the former MP for Central Makira who faces conversion charges. The witness whom is…

HOU SPEAKS OF SACKING

• I know it’s coming • Sogavare lied to nation and development partners about China switch • Sogavare’s Our Party orchestrated China switch • Decision to switch was made in a rush By ANDREW FANASIA SACKED government minister Rick Hou says he accepts his termination, but the nation needs to know the truth about the…

PM urged to impose duty on APID 

MAKILI: TAX THE MINERS By IAN M.KAUKUI PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has been urged to revoke the 100% tax exemption duty granted to the bauxite miners on Rennell island, Renbel Province. The bauxite mine is owned by Chinese logger APID Ltd, which had contracted Hong Kong-based company Bintan Mining, to carry out the operation. Local activist…

Backhoe driver jailed

THE man who drove a Backhoe Excavator into the Coral Sea Resort’s lobby causing damages and fear to the hotel’s guests and employees last year has been sentenced to a total of two years imprisonment. Dickson Irofinao was sentenced following his guilty pleas to the charges of intimidation and wilful and unlawful damage. Principal Magistrate…