Vanuatu volcano activity sparks warning
Volcanic activity at Vanuatu’s Mount Garet on Gaua Island has increased under Alert Level 2, which is the major level of unrest, reports the Vanuatu Daily Post. Observations confirmed current activity consists of
Commercial kava pilot off to a flying start
When the Australian government gave the green light for a two-year commercial kava pilot program in December last year, “the excitement was palpable,” Australia's Minister for International Development and Pacific,
Pharmaceutical market now ‘risky’
Geographical indicators to be developed for kava A leading kava scientist in the Pacific has labelled as "risky" any kava comeback in the pharmaceutical market, stressing that success of the crop as an export commodity
MPs seek regional dialogue on deep sea mining
A new alliance of parliamentarians from across the Pacific has called for a regional dialogue on the potential impacts of deep sea mining. The public launch of the Pacific Parliamentarians’ Alliance on Deep Sea Mining
Vanuatu curfew lifted, schools and workplaces to reopen
Vanuatu’s government has decided to lift the 8pm-6am curfew and relax other restrictions which were in place for almost two months, as COVID-19 cases decline on Efate and offshore islands. From Friday, there are
Concerns raised as Vanuatu, Palau explore crypto projects
The recent greenlighting of cryptocurrency projects in Vanuatu and Palau have raised concerns over the lack of an advisory body in the
Vanuatu withdraws from FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Vanuatu have pulled out of Oceania’s qualification tournament for the World Cup finals in Qatar after a majority of their players and staff tested positive for COVID-19, the country’s football federation
EU Council partially suspends Vanuatu visa waiver agreement
The Council of the European Union(EU) has decided to partially suspend the visa waiver agreement with Vanuatu due to what it says are risks posed by its investor citizenship schemes, also known as ‘golden passport’
Pacific corruption scores continue to stagnate: Urgent action required
Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index adds Fiji as a fourth Pacific nation, as stagnation demonstrates the critical importance of corruption reform in the region to secure basic rights and freedoms.
Australian Seasonal Worker scheme ‘rife with abuse’: Inquiry
Supermarket shelves are filled with fruit and vegetables but the people who harvest them are sometimes being paid just A$100 (US$71) for a 64-hour work week. On Wednesday, seasonal workers detailed exploitation at the
Stan and the Earth Force talk Vanuatu music
By Rowena Singh Stan Antas, founder and lead singer of Vanuatu’s Stan & the Earth Force, says music has always been part of his life, and part of Vanuatu’s culture. “We're big on reggae here and our local
Opinion: Europe’s efforts to vilify Vanuatu’s Citizenship Program are tone deaf, protectionist and foolish
In a press call on 12 January, the European Union announced that it may look to suspend its bilateral agreement with Vanuatu, which allows citizens of the Pacific nation to enter, visa free. This obstruction—which