HARDWARE PRICE ROW

The Chinese Association of Solomon Islands has distanced itself from the ongoing dispute between Chinese-owned businesses in the country. This comes following claims a leading hardware in Honiara was dissatisfied with BNBM Hardware and Home Center for lowering prices on hardware materials and goods to attract customers. It was revealed BNBM Hardware was selling a…

Teacher faces re-trial embezzlement 

A SCHOOL teacher is facing re-trial in April for allegedly embezzling $1.3 million from the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) in 2017 and 2018. The matter of Cecilia Tome who faces one count of embezzlement in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court came before the Honiara Magistrate’s Court on Friday for an interim mention date. Her trial dates…

Two police officers face bribery charge

TWO police officers accused of bribing a leading police investigator in a stolen gold ashes case with $30,000 are likely to take their pleas on February 17. Allen Noni and Gravis Afuga are facing the charge of bribery. Magistrate Emily Zazariko Vagibule Pakoa adjourned the matter to February 17 after the prosecution confirmed that disclosures…

Restaurant owner to face trial

TRIAL of the restaurant owner who denied distributing plastic disposal forks to his customers at his restaurant last June, is set to start on February 3. Xian Pan Li faces one count of distribution of single-use plastic contrary to clause 4 (2) of the Environment (SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAN) Regulations 2023, as read with section…

Alleged thief beaten

The police have reminded the public that it is wrong to take the law into their own hands when dealing with someone accused of a crime. This statement comes after a 58-second video was posted on Facebook showing two individuals arresting and assaulting a man in a vehicle who allegedly committed a theft. Police Media…

HIV outbreak in Fiji sparks concerns

THE recent Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) outbreak in Fiji has raised significant concerns amongst Solomon Islands citizens at home. Fiji’s Minister of Health and Medical Services, Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu recently declared an official outbreak after recording 1,093 new HIV cases from January to September 2024. “I have repeatedly expressed my concerns about the…