Vanuatu

The 22-year-old from Adelaide had already boarded Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas on Tuesday in Brisbane when he found out the international cruise he and his partner had paid for would now stay much closer to home due to Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle.

Stops in Port Vila and Mystery Island, Vanuatu, and Noumea, New Caledonia had been swapped for Hobart and Sydney.

“It has been a devastating turn of events. We have packed for tropical weather,” he told news.com.au.

The inclement weather is associated with Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle.  

New Zealand MetService latest advisory this morning said, "It is expected to be located about 550km to the far southwest of New Caledonia tonight, then move southeast and out of the tropics early Saturday.

According to Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department, said heavy rainfall is expected over SHEFA and TAFEA province.

The Port Vila structure, known as Malvatumauri Nakamal, caught fire about 1am on January 30, according to information from police, firefighters and residents.

Police have been investigating the cause.

Benar News reports Vanuatu's Minister of Justice saying Malvatumauri Nakamal would be rebuilt before July, when the country hosts a two-week Melanesian Arts Festival which will culminate in Vanuatu's celebrations for its 43rd anniversary of independence.

John Steele Tariqwetu says the reconstruction budget would be determined in early March.

Parents are being encouraged to talk to their children about the golden rules of crossing the road.

“Before crossing the road, road users must first look to the left and right sides to check for approaching vehicles.”

“School children should not be playing while on the road.”

“They must not use headphones,” Police said.

Police also reminded school children on ABC safety rules for kids on the roads, A for Awareness, B for Behaviour and C for making the right choice.

The airline told the Daily Post there will be up to five flights a week.

Virgin Australia had previously been servicing Port Vila from Brisbane five times a week but stopped due to covid-19 border restrictions.

The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD) confirmed the monitoring system shows ongoing emissions of steam and gas from the submarine volcano after the eruption last week.

With the ongoing activity of the submarine volcano, the sea danger zone is around the area of the submarine volcano.

The department is advising people from Epi and surrounding islands to stay alert as other eruptions can occur anytime with little or no warnings.

The structure, known as Malvatumauri Nakamal, located in the capital Port Vila, caught fire about 1 a.m. on Jan. 30, according to information from police, firefighters and residents. It was one of the most significant cultural buildings in the volcanically active archipelago where custom and tradition can be more powerful than civil law. 

“This house is a symbol of custom governance,” Chief Willie Grey Plasua, president of the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, told a press conference the day after the fire. 

Ishmael Kalsakau, who is also chair of the MSG Secretariat, made the statement following the recruitment of two Indonesian consultants to work in the MSG secretariat in Port Vila.

"We must first look within our region if we have people with required skills," Kalsakau said.

"If the Melanesian region does not have those skill sets for any upcoming job, then we can look beyond our region," he said.

The Ministry of Education and Training is encouraging parents, teachers, school principals and community leaders to support children returning to school.

“All children who turn four years or older by 31 May 2023, including those with disabilities, should be enrolled to start kindergarten or above in the 2023 academic year.”

“We wish all students an amazing day,” the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Beverly Hills Primary School in Port Vila will be opening its doors for the 2023 Academic year on 13 February.

When President Russell M.