Vanuatu

WorldRemit launches lower-cost digital money transfers to Vanuatu

The service will provide a lower-cost and more convenient way for the Vanuatuan diaspora to send money back home to their families and communities.

A statement said Vanuatuans living and working in over 50 countries will now be able to send remittances as easily as sending an instant message, using the WorldRemit app or website to new cash pickup location across Vanuatu.

Vanuatu, Tuvalu asked to firm Abkhazia ties

The region's president Raul Khajimba made the suggestion when he met a senior delegation from Nauru, which is one of four countries recognising Abkhazia as an independent country.

Mr Khajimba said he would like to form an interparliamentary group with Nauru, Tuvalu and Vanuatu to advance Abkhazia's interests in the South Pacific.

The proposal came despite both Tuvalu and Vanuatu having rescinded their recognition of Abkhazia.

Vanuatu Government workers receive pay rise

Vanuatu Daily Post reports the pay rise will cost the Government nearly Vt1.9 billion (US$17.65 million).

The last increase was in 2006 to increase the salary of all government workers. Hence, this pay rise has been a long time coming, the Government Remuneration Tribunal (GRT) Board and all the stakeholders agreed.

On Saturday, November 18, 2017, the three-member GRT Chairperson, Marie-Antoinette Nirua, Vice Chair, Chris Kernot, and Member Roan Lester, signed the documents approving the pay rise of 22 per cent that will become effective on January 1, 2018.

New Vanuatu envoy presents credentials to Fiji President

Mr Vurobaravu who was accompanied by his wife, Rima, attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Politics from the University of the South Pacific and did Post-Graduate Diplomatic Training in Australia.

In 1993, he attained a Master of Arts in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Westminster DAL, specialising in foreign policy analysis, development cooperation and management of Diplomatic Missions.

Australian volunteer supports Vanuatu’s pioneering para-athletes

changing attitudes about disability in the Pacific nation.

In Port Vila’s late afternoon light, two pioneers are preparing to change the face of sport in Vanuatu.

Ellie Enock and Morris Kerry are training to compete in the upcoming Pacific Mini Games which will be hosted in Vanuatu next month.

This will be the first time the Mini Games has included para-sports (athletics and table tennis).

Supporting them on their journey to the Mini Games is Australian volunteer Jessica Richardson.

Vanuatu MP resigns post in protest over Ambae spending

Mr Ngwele said of the $US1.85 million dollars approved by the Council of Ministers to help the Ambae people, about half went on travel costs, accommodation and allowances for politicians, including the prime minister, and government officials to meet with the victims.

Mr. Ngwele also told the Daily Post newspaper that failing to have the three Ambae MPs included in the delegation was both insulting and childish.

But the government spokesman, Hillaire Bule, said the MPs were invited but Mr Ngwele failed to turn up.

Small Tahiti delegation expected at Mini Games

The French Polynesian government has reiterated it will go ahead with a boycott of the Mini Games, following a disagreement over who should represent the territory in boxing.

The CEO of Pacific Games Council Andrew Minogue said their position remained the same: in the absence of an elected Olympic Committee in Tahiti, sporting federations that want to attend the Games are welcome, provided they are recognised by their respective international federations.

Vanuatu seeks stronger ties with Turkey

Ati Sokomanu, Vanuatu’s former president and the only one to serve two terms, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency in Istanbul.

The statesman was in Turkey for last week’s summit of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya.

Sokomanu said Turkey can help his country a great deal in social development and education. "Economically and politically, Turkey is a very big country, it has also an ocean but not like we have in the Pacific," he said.

Hosts Vanuatu, Australia dominated Oceania Open in Port Vila

They boasted the only two athletes in the event, with Florence Daoleuang winning two straight bouts against Veronica Tari to win the best-of-three competition.

It was a similar story in the men’s over 100kg competition, as Nazarlo Fiakaifonu beat Georges Cumbo in consecutive bouts between the two local athletes. The men’s under 90kg event saw Vanuatu’s Nicolas Monvoisin emerge as the winner against Philippe Gardais, beating his compatriot in straight contests.

Reconciliation 3 years after sorcery murders in Vanuatu

The men had been blamed for the deaths of 35 people.

The hangings had been approved by the island's chiefs and a prayer group but Vanuatu's chief justice, Vincent Lunabek, had ordered the islanders to undertake a custom reconciliation.

The Daily Post Newspaper reported an island spokesman David Lesley saying the people offered a custom reconciliation ceremony which was accepted by the families of the two murdered men.

Meanwhile five ringleaders in the killings are serving 15 year jail terms for the crime.