Vanuatu

The alert comes as Vanuatu continues to rebuild after the deadly cyclones.

Manaro Vui volcanic activity is continuing in the major level of unrest, consistent with the Volcanic Alert Level 2. 

Latest data analysis from the monitoring system shows volcanic earthquakes and emissions of steam, gas and/or ash at the cone inside Lake Manaro Vui and following wind direction.

"With the ongoing volcanic activity and the associated hazards, the danger zone is limited to the summit, which is about 2 km radius from the active ventz'.

The department said eruptions can occur at any level of unrest with little or no warnings.

It is the culmination of a four-year push led by Vanuatu and other Pacific nations to get climate change in front of the world’s highest court.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau described the decision as a “massive win for countries feeling the effects of natural disaster, after natural disaster”.

“There can be some resolution upon how we respond to the effects that we’re facing as smaller countries, and the court can clarify what the obligations and duties are with countries that are involved with some of these disasters,” he said.

The suspect was arrested and detained by police at the Freshwota Police Post on Monday.

The suspect allegedly stabbed his brother with a knife during a conflict.

The victim was admitted at the Vila Central Hospital (VCH).

An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the incident.

Family members have been urged to remain calm and allow the police to handle the case.

Both the suspect and the victim are from Ambae.

Photo file 

Three cases are from Efate, two from Ambrym and a case each has been reported in Ambae and Maewo island.

The ministry said 63 per cent of the cases reside in Efate, 19 per cent live in Maewo.

Seven per cent of the cases are from Ambrym, four per cent are in Pentecost, Ambae and Santo.

According to the ministry, 69 per cent of the cases consumed reef fish – not specified, sixteen per cent ate snapper and fifteen per cent ate grouper fish.

MOH has emphasised the importance of early detection and management of ciguatera fish poisoning.

The United Nations voted unanimously to adopt a resolution led by Vanuatu to ask the ICJ for an advisory opinion on states’ climate change obligations.

The resolution tabled by Vanuatu and a core group of 17 countries, aims to clarify what the obligations of states are in protecting the rights of current and future generations from the adverse effects of climate change.

“This decision has the potential to change the landscape,” Climate Minister James Shaw said in a statement.

Dan McGarry, who served as a director of the company when he had his visa revoked in 2019, said the ruling was a "big win for independent media".

McGarry's work permit application was rejected by the then Prime Minister Charlot Salwai's government.

The reason given by the Labour Commissioner Murielle Meltenoven at the time was that McGarry's role - who at the time had lived and worked in Port Vila for 14 years - could be taken up by a ni-Vanuatu person and that he had failed to train his local staff.

The resolution was adopted by consensus.

“Today we have witnessed a win for climate justice of epic proportions,” said Ishmael Kalsakau, Prime Minister of Vanuatu, in a video statement responding to the adoption of the resolution.

“Vanuatu sees today’s historic resolution as the beginning of a new era in multilateral climate cooperation, one that is more fully focused on upholding the rule of international law and an era that places human rights and intergenerational equity at the forefront of climate decision-making.”

Upon arrival yesterday, the team made their way to Port Vila Central Hospital where New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta officially opened the hospital's new mental health unit – the Mind Care Unit - alongside Vanuatu Minister of Health, Rick Tchamako Mahe.

The PACMAT team will be based at the new unit and will work alongside local health officials to provide support where needed.

The 28-day mission is supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to vote on a resolution proposed by the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu that would ask the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its opinion on what legal obligations nations are under to protect climate systems and people affected by climate change.