Vanuatu

Traditional dwellings, called "Nimafiak", are being credited with keeping the death toll relatively low during one of the Pacific's strongest ever storms -- only 11 people were killed.

The National Disaster Management Office has been conducting surveys in outer islands, and is encouraging communities to rebuild using traditional methods.

Philip Meto is part of the NDMO team, and says while communities are keen to use these methods, a lot of the vegetation used for traditional buildings has been lost.

At least one of the tourists is reported to have been injured after stones were thrown.

The Daily Post reports a fire started in the early hours of Tuesday morning when vehicles were set alight by what appeared to be petrol bombs.

The New Zealander who owns the resort, Hugh Lowe, told the paper staff fought the fire until 5.30am and managed to save some of the buildings.

The first six houses were burnt last month and were reported to be in retaliation for the alleged murder of a young Tannese boy.

The Prime Minister says media freedom comes with responsibility and does not allow a journalist to defame or to say rude words about another person.

PM Kilman says with information flow becoming faster, if it is released before being checked, it can destroy a person's reputation and credibility.

Journalists at the meeting agree journalists need to take extra care, but say political leaders must also know how to use the media and to accept that when they do wrong it will be reported.

A ministry official, Peter Kalmos, says they even lack money for fuel for the ministry's vehicles.

He says they have taken note of complaints from teachers around the country and says the ministry is looking to submit a supplementary budget to cover the shortfall.

But our correspondent reports the ministry cannot say how much more money it needs.

A nakamal is a traditional house which is reserved mainly for the chiefs and the Malfatumauri has in Port Vila to accommodate its members from around the country during their annual meetings.

The Chinese Ambassador to Vanuatu, Xie Bohua, says the money is to help rebuild the chiefs' traditional parliament which was damaged by Cyclone Pam.

He says it will also help build a new office for the Malfatumauri.

He made the comment at the recent ceremony of the signing of the Loan Agreement Second Phase for the Port Vila Lapetasi International Multi-purpose Wharf Development at the Office of the Prime Minister, Sato Kilman.

Ambassador Takuji said the project, one of the biggest in the Pacific Island Countries, could not have come at a better time for its formalization, not only because it came on the eve of the 35th anniversary of independence but because it will help accelerate the recovery from Cyclone Pam.

Daily Post was informed that the suspect was arrested earlier last week in Tongariki and transported by boat to Tongoa where he is understood to be in Police custody.

Very reliable sources from the Island informed Daily Post he had spent the past night in the residence of a Police officer before his body was found the next morning.

There is a holding cell at the Morua Police Post but it is yet unclear why the suspect was not locked up and treated like any other remanded suspect.

Mr Willie, who is a former Minister of Agriculture, says people have already been asking him for special favours, but he will not entertain nepotism in the public service.

He says people should apply for a job when it is advertised and be hired on merit.

Previously the seed had been prohibited for export to Australia in necklaces as it had not been assessed. However, the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Program negotiated with Australia’s Department of Agriculture to have the biosecurity status of Hernandia nymphaeifolia amended.

Vanuatu Mobile Force Commander, Job Esau, says this is the largest contingent to date to serve on a UN Peacekeeping Mission anywhere in the world.

Commander Esau makes the announcement to break his silence following his return to the VMF from his former position as Acting Commissioner of Police in the most recent past.

Asked to explain the recruitment process, the Commander says the UN personally interviewed the candidates by phone, shortlisted them then put them through a series of tests.