A child standing on top of what is left of a house structure following Cyclone Judy. Photo: World Vision
Vanuatu - prices
The Vanuatu Government is planning to bring in a measure to control price increases during the current State of Emergency.
The Minister of Climate Change and Natural Disasters, Ralph Regenvanu, told parliament this on Tuesday when responding to concerns about the ongoing increase in price during times of emergency.
The Daily Post reports MP Johnny Koanapo has recommended that certain goods have their value added tax removed to address the welfare of the people.
Regenvanu said he has already recommended that there should be price controls.
Samoa - fraud
Samoa's Central Bank (CBS) has issued a statement saying an app available on social media is illegally using its logo.
The CBS says "please be advised that CBS does not endorse or relate to this game app in any way and does not take responsibility for anything that occurs with its usage. These activities are not in our mandate."
The CBS also says the use of its logo and images are illegal and fraudulent and it believes this constitutes a forgery of electronic data as per Samoa Crimes Act.
It said the use of the CBS logo in this instance is plainly to deceive potential users.
Fiji - resignation
Fiji's former health minister Ifereimi Waqainabete has resigned from parliament.
Dr Waqainabete is the fifth high-profile MP from the opposition FijiFirst Party to vacate his seat.
He was first elected into parliament after the 2018 elections and became a crucial figure in former prime minister Frank Bainimarama's administration.
Those who have resigned include Bainimarama and his deputy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Fiji/Niue - diplomatic relations
Fiji and Niue will soon formalise bilateral relations.
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Wednesday said cabinet approved the establishment of formal diplomatic relations with the Government of Niue.
He said Niue wanted to establish official relations with Fiji due to Fiji's strategic location as a regional hub of trade, travel, finance, telecommunications and multilateral one-stop shop.
French territories - aviation
France's Ministry of Overseas Territories and the Agency of Movement for Overseas territories is to make flights to France cheaper.
The ministry has allocated $US6.5 million to further assist people flying to and from overseas territories.
From Wednesday residents in the French territories are eligible for 50 percent reductions in their ticket charges - up 25 percent on the previous subsidy.
Residents from Wallis and Futuna, New Caledonia and French Polynesia with an annual revenue that doesn't exceed $US15,000 are eligible for this discount once every three years.
New Caledonia - politics
The former president of New Caledonia's customary Kanak Senate is challenging his removal in court.
Last month, the Senate deposed Hugues Vhemavhe and chose Victor Gogny as his replacement.
The senators acted after Vhemavhe was caught drink-driving and driving without a licence.
He insists that there was no lawful basis to cut his one-year term short and is now taking the matter to court.
The Senate has jurisdiction over law proposals concerning the Kanak identity.
French Polynesia - election
French Polynesia's Greens are the first party to submit its list of candidates for next month's territorial elections.
The list of 73 candidates led by Jacky Bryant has been lodged with the French High Commission.
The party has decided not to run in a coalition with any party.
Voters will elect a new 57-member assembly for a five-year term in two rounds of voting on April 16 and 30.
Tonga - renewable energy
The Asian Development Bank and the governments of Tonga and Australia have commissioned the Vava'u hybrid mini-grid as part of the Tonga Renewable Energy Project.
The new grid, which is co-financed by the Green Climate Fund, will provide clean, reliable, and efficient electricity supply to Vava'u.
The ADB said Tonga should be commended for its efforts in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and promoting clean energy.
The project will also support the Government of Tonga's plan for decarbonising its electricity sector.
New Caledonia - media
The president of New Caledonia's Congress says the disappearance of the French territory's only newspaper is sad news for its employees, New Caledonians and democracy.
Roch Wamytan commented after last week's decision by the publishing company Melchior to put Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes into liquidation.
He said one can measure the strength of a democracy by the quality and independence of its press.
Wamytan said at a time when Congress is considering the strengthening of New Caledonian democracy, seeing the disappearance of Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes affects everyone deeply.
