A local business sign in Port Vila reads “Stay strong and carry on Vanuatu”. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Moses Cakau
Vanuatu - visa ballot
The Australian Government has announced a postponement of the second ballot draw for the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) for Ni-Vanuatu applicants, now scheduled for February.
The delay comes in response to the December 17 earthquake, which disrupted businesses, services, and government offices in Vanuatu.
The quake has affected applicants' ability to gather essential documents required for their visa applications.
VBTC news reports the ballot will draw from applicants who registered for the first ballot in Vanuatu in June of last year.
No new registrations will be accepted for this round.
Solomon Islands - arrest
An arrest has been made in Solomon Islands after a man was attacked with a bush knife.
Police allege the suspect entered the victim's house and woke him by breaking the door.
The victim tried to defend himself but was unable to withstand the attack.
SIBC reported Provincial Police Commander for Malaita Province, Chief Superintendent Tex Tafoa, saying the victim was in a stable condition in hospital.
He appealed to the people of Maofa village to allow police to deal with the matter.
Cook Islands - mining
The Cook Islands Prime Minister says deep sea mining will only go ahead if its commercially viable.
Recent studies have questioned the economic case for seabed mining.
The Cook Islands will shortly enter its fourth year of a five-year exploration phase to determine the feasibility of deep sea mining.
Mark Brown told Cook Islands News the government is aware of the rapidly changing technology space which could change alter the demand for seabed minerals.
He says like terrestrial mining seabed mining will only go ahead if the demand is there.
Fiji - aircraft
Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand have recently taken delivery of new ATR 72-600 aircraft for their domestic and regional routes.
In the case of Fiji, two new 68-seat ATR 72-600s arrived just before New Year's Day.
Fiji Airways and its domestic brand Fiji Link said the addition to the fleet aimed to "enhance domestic connectivity across Fiji and the South Pacific" and was in line with its strategy to expand service between domestic destinations, "particularly on routes in the Northern and Western Divisions".
Routes such as Nadi-Suva and Labasa were experiencing increasing demand, the company said.
Fiji Airways CEO and Managing Director Andre Viljoen said it was also considering more ATR turboprop aircraft for its regional service.
