Vanuatu

But a special group of people are preparing to make the long trip from a remote island in the South Pacific Ocean to the United States and create a small piece of movie history.

They're part of the cast and crew of the movie "Tanna" which has been nominated for an Oscar.

The Australian-produced movie was filmed in Vanuatu using local people speaking their own language, and none of them had ever acted before.

The film’s Cultural Director, Jimmy Joseph Nako says his tribesmen are excited but they didn't comprehend just how big a deal an Oscar nomination is.

This would be through improved access to sanitation, drainage facilities, and roads.

A grant agreement for the additional financing was signed in a ceremony in Port Vila today, attended by Jean Pierre Nirua, Vanuatu's Education Minister and Acting Minister of Finance and Economic Management, and Nancy Wells, Senior Country Coordination Officer of ADB’s Extended Mission in Vanuatu.

The $2.87 million grant will be provided by the Global Environment Facility.

Back in early 2000, with limited knowledge of modern farming techniques or farm management skills, Moli planted 300 cocoa plants, but the plants did not flourish as he had hoped.

He hadn’t maintained the plantation or harvested cocoa since 2007. His cocoa plantation was overgrown and he couldn’t distinguish between the cocoa plants and other trees. In September 2015, he harvested approximately 5kg and the same amount in February 2016.

"We were merely the conduit for telling their story."

Standing on the edge of an active volcano, the spiritual mother of the island of Tanna, Australian documentary filmmakers Martin Butler and Bentley Dean never expected to be swapping traditional penis sheaths for red-carpet wear at this year's Oscar ceremony.

Neveserveth made the comment as Vanuatu held Papua New Guinea to a 3-all draw in the OFC U 17 Championship in French Polynesia Wednesday afternoon.

“Papua New Guinea prepared for this match and we also prepared a long time for this match,” he said.

Being able to keep his side motivated in spite of having to come from behind three times was a challenge but one Nerveserveth said his team dealt with well.

A hospital manager, who is also part of the Dengue Taskforce, says 435 people were tested for the mosquito-borne disease.

He says of the 115 people who tested positive four were hospitalised.

He says one patient suffered spontaneous bleeding.

RNZ reports the number of dengue cases has also risen in neighbouring New Caledonia where an epidemic was declared last month.

PNG were first on the board in the 16th minute of play when Aben Pukue struck one past Vanuatu’s keeper, Joshua Willie.

Vanuatu hit back not long after when a mix up in the box allowed Dilland Ngwele to equalize.

PNG were one up again right before the break when a penalty awarded saw Barthy Pukue fire through his side’s second goal of the match to take PNG to a 2-1 lead at half time.

But the score was level again in the 55th minute thanks to the boot of Abert Vanva.

Both sides scored again in the 81st and 83rd minute to see the match drawn.

The prescribed countries under the dual citizenship arrangement are Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, United Kingdom and United States of America.

The minister said the delay in the legislative amendments being certified at the end of 2016 had now been completed and this would now enable administrative steps to press ahead.

Pato said there are a number of considerations that were taken into account when processing applications for dual citizenship.

Ol 11 officers ia oli arrive long Vanuatu long namba 3 February 2017 mo welcome blong olgeta I tekem ples long Vansec house long 12 February 2017.

Ceremony blong welcomem back ol officers ia, Acting Commissioner blong Police nao hemi organisem mo hemi congratulatem olgeta from high performance we oli bin putum aot taem oli stap long mission blong leftemap nem blong Vanuatu.

Hemi continue blong talem tankiu long ol support mo prayers we ol families oli save mekem mo commitment blong olgeta kasem taem ol officers ia oli kam bak.

Games organisers Van2017, in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, the Sports Commission of Vanuatu and VASANOC, have begun discussions to ensure the venues will be well managed and maintained once the Mini Games conclude in December.

RNZ reports Larry Sengstock from Otium Planning Group in Melbourne spent six days in Port Vila meeting with various officials and talking with the Sports Commission about the process and key elements of a business plan.

Mr Sengstock also worked with the PNG Government following the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.