Catastrophe greets aid workers in Vanuatu

REUTERS – The first aid teams to reach Vanuatu reported widespread devastation on Sunday as authorities declared a state of emergency after a “monster” cyclone tore through the Pacific island nation. With winds of more than 300kmh, Cyclone Pam razed homes, smashed boats and washed away roads and bridges as it struck late on Friday…

Temotu faces food shortage

VILLAGES and communities in the far eastern part of the country are likely to experience food shortage in a week or so following the devastation caused by cyclone Pam last week. Reports reaching the paper yesterday said, people of Reef Islands and other outer islands of the Temotu province are expected to run out of…

Preparing for disaster

MAKIRA Ulawa Provincial Police along with the Provincial Disaster Management Office in Kirakira have worked in partnership to monitor the bad weather currently affecting the country. Kirakira deputy Provincial Police Commander Peter Sitai said, this is to prepare the communities for the upcoming bad weather.  “Provincial disaster committee are on alert to make precaution measures…

Chow acquitted of perjury

PROMINENT businesswoman Mary Chow has won her case in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court after two trials. Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Kouhota had her acquitted of all the four counts of perjury, yesterday. He considered all evidence including the tendered documents and statements which form part of the evidence before the court and was not satisfied that…

Logging executive discharged

POLICE will be carrying out further investigations into the case of the owner of the Samlimsam logging company and one of the three locals accused of attacking a Renbel Chief at the Kingsley Food bar last year. Prosecution therefore had to discharged Malaysian Pau Kiu Den and Buddley Fakani of the attempted murder charge against…

Law students vacate halls

UP to 150 government-funded law students studying at the University of the South Pacific (USP), Emalus campus, in Vanuatu, have vacated their halls of residence for safety. A student Junior Mae’akofia said they were evacuated from their halls of residence and moved into classrooms, court moot and the gym at the campus. He said they…