Vanuatu

While the remaining 11 are not due for parole for some time, former prime ministers Moana Carcasses and Serge Vohor, along with former MP Steve Kalsakau, have applied because they have served half their sentences.

It will be up to the Parole Board to decide if the applications are successful.

The editor of the Vanuatu Independent newspaper Tony Wilson told Pacific Beat their possible release is likely to ruffle some feathers within the current government.

Unicef is working with the Vanuatu government on the groundbreaking project in the hope it will save lives.

"If it works it will be massive, it will be huge, it will be another step ensuring that all children get the vaccinations they have a right to and deserve," Sheldon Yett, Unicef Pacific representative says.

1 News reports Unicef has already run successful drone trials in Malawi in Africa to transport HIV/Aids blood samples.

It plans to do the same thing with vaccines in the Pacific with trials starting in Vanuatu in June.

In the earlier match Erakor Golden Star had been hoping to keep their dreams of semi-final qualification alive – even if by a long shot – but unfortunately for the Vanuatu side Rewa had other plans beating them 2-1 to claim their first points.

But the Solomon Islands champions admit they'll need to be at their very best to upset hosts and Group D leaders AS Tefana in Papeete.

The Honiara club was 4-2 winners against Fiji's Rewa in their first match but suffered a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Vanuatu side Erakor in midweek.

They need to beat Tefana by at least two goals to give themselves a chance of progressing to the next round and coach Juliano Schmeling said anything was possible.

At least that’s the way Erakor Golden Star defender Michell Kaltack, currently competing in Group D at the OFC Champions League, sees it.

“We all use the same language for a start,” he said.

“We all grew up together so when we move, we move as brothers and a team.”

And in fact given there’s five Kaltack’s in the squad – two of them his brothers and the other two his cousins – it really is a family affair.

Kaltack says joining up with Erakor has been an emotional homecoming.

Telecommunications Vanuatu has apologised for the disruption to fixed and mobile services

It said lightning strikes and power outages caused the network to become unstable.

RNZ correspondent Len Garae said phone services had been worsening over the last week and most phones were not working yesterday, causing people to respond angrily on social media.

He said it showed Vanuatu was still reliant on overseas expertise.

Malampa Revivors opened with a significantly stronger performance in their 1pm fixture against Western United, forcing the speedy Solomons to fight to the final whistle for the 2-1 win.

Western earned an early lead when Joses Nawo sent in an impressive shot from the right edge of the 18-yard box in the 25th minute but the Ni-Vanuatu first-timers lifted their intensity after conceding and the rest of the half saw a more equal spread of possession as Malampa Revivors fought for the equaliser.

Thanks to Namatan’s sponsors, Digicel and Air Vanuatu, there are seriously good prizes on offer, including a Phantom 3 Drone, a Samsung S7, a Samsung J5, a Tablet (Alcatel Pixi 4 7 inch) and a Phone (Alcatel Pixi 4 4 inch). For your chance to win, submit your film to the Australian High Commission by 19 April, 2017.

Namatan is open to all residents of Vanuatu of all ages and skill level.

 Participants must produce a short film of one to seven minutes which contains Namatan’s 2017 unique item, the Naio.

A week long workshop underway and being attended by senior government departments officers will produce the country's first Emergency Response Plan on biosecurity.

Vanuatu's Director of Biosecurity said the country must be prepared to activate a response plan because it was surrounded by threats of unwanted pests and diseases.

RNZ reports Timothy Tumukon cites neighbouring countries including New Caledonia which has a banana bunchy top virus, Solomon Islands and its rhinoceros beetle and melon fly, and Fiji with citrus canker among other pests.

Opening three weeks earlier than anticipated, the 80-room, AUD 30 million resort is the company’s first property in Vanuatu and employs 120 staff.

Set on the cliffs of Erakor Lagoon, it offers breathtaking views of the lagoon’s clear waters and the sandy white beaches of Erakor Island.

The resort is located just outside the heart of Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, and a convenient 15 minutes from Bauerfield International Airport.