Vanuatu

Pacific 7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes off Vanuatu

The US Geological Survey said the quake was 535km (330 miles) southeast of Vanuatu island.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a local tsunami warning for areas close to the earthquake, though this was later cancelled.

There were no initial reports of damage or casualties.

Quakes are fairly common in the region. Two similar sized tremors last October and December caused no damage.

Friday's quake initially registered with a magnitude of 7.6 but was later downgraded. It was measured at a depth of about 10km.

Tough journey for U-17 hopefuls in OFC meet

The 2017 edition of the OFC U-17 Championship will be held in Papeete, Tahiti in February 2017 with preliminary stage winners Samoa joining the hosts, defending champions New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

Just one side was seeded for the draw – hosts Tahiti into position A1 – with the remaining teams drawn into positions at random.

SI, Vanuatu, FLNKS, ULMWP maintain support on West Papua

They are also in support of full membership of ULMWP to the Melanesian Spearhead Group .

The MSG members said they are committed to advocating for West Papua and strongly adhere to the principles that are at the core of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, which is the ‘Political aspirations of self- determination of our Melanesian people.’

There is recognition that such a commitment will require bold and ethical leadership and a clear understanding of our Melanesian values.

2017 Mini Games in Vanuatu on track following govt assurances

Two weeks ago, VASANOC said it would ask the Council to withdraw the 2017 Games from Vanuatu if urgent action by the Government was not taken to release promised funding.

The President of the Pacific Games Council, Vidhya Lakhan, said all parties are now on the same page.

MSG differences sorted, PNG to host MSG Leaders meeting

During their meeting, Prime Minister Sogavare expressed appreciation on behalf of the government and people of Solomon Islands to the Government and people of Vanuatu for backing Solomon Islands bid to host the 2023 Pacific Games.

He said with the support of Vanuatu, the other two MSG Member countries, Partners to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) from the Micronesian region and a few Polynesian countries, Solomon Islands successfully secured the hosting right for the regional games in 2023.

Vanuatu Government commits to hosting Pacific Mini Games in 2017

This was announced by Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas during the opening the Pacific Games Council’s (PGC) General Assembly in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

“My government is committed to be the host of this important event and it is also important especially for the young generations,” he said.

Trespass allegation in Vanuatu over South Korean reality TV show

The Vanuatu Daily Post reported SBS Korea and AHTV China were filming a South Korean reality show, Laws of the Jungle, on Malotina, near Malo Island in Santo.

Tony Moli Hakwa, as the spokesperson for the registered lessees, said they were not consulted and not offered anything by the film crew.

They demanded the funds from the Vanuatu Tourism Office, and asked for the footage to be seized.

Vanuatu plants trees to fight climate change

This statement was made by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries & Biosecurity, Matai Seremaiah Nawalu as he was officially launching the International Day of Forests on Wednesday 23 March 2016 at the Agriculture Station in Tagabe, Port-Vila.

Vanuatu mats and tapa easier to export to NZ

Vanuatu’s Biosecurity negotiated the breakthrough with New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries with assistance from the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Programme.

The agreement means that Phytosanitary Certificates confirming the absence of live insects are no longer required for items smaller than two metres.

Lack of Vanuatu voter awareness irks Commission

Last week, the president of Vanuatu Youth Against Crime and Corruption, Priscilla Meto, said more than 70 percent of people who turned 18 after the last election in 2012 will be unable to vote on Friday.

But John Taleo says that statistic is false, and anyone over 18 who has a voter ID card and is on the electoral roll which was published in July will be able to vote.