Vanuatu has taken a major step in developing its sandalwood industry with the opening of the country’s first sandalwood oil distillation facility, backed by international investors and aimed at creating greater value from locally grown sandalwood.

A legal challenge brought by Port Vila Municipal Councillor Albert Sandy Daniel against the Port Vila City Council (PVCC) and several government entities has been discontinued before the Supreme Court.

For many families in Sakau Village and other communities on South Ambae, falling ill can quickly become a life-threatening ordeal due to the absence of a health centre, aid post, and reliable communication network in the area.

Senior officials from Vanuatu’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA) have voiced concern over the treatment of an official delegation during a transit stop in Australia while returning from China, which involved Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers, as Australian authorities provided…

Three women from Vanuatu have officially completed their traineeships and become qualified personal care assistants (PCA) with Respect at St John’s home in Wangaratta.

The national Parliament’s passing of the Constitution (Tenth) (Amendment) Act 2026 in a special sitting yesterday was welcomed by the Public Service Commission (PSC), but the Commission says it will continue its constitutional challenge in the Supreme Court.

Allegations posted on Facebook involving Member of Parliament (MP) Tomker Netvunei have prompted scrutiny of leadership conduct and expectations under the Leadership Code, which requires public officials to uphold high ethical standards.

A 48-year-old man found guilty of raping a teenager on Santo in August last year has been sentenced to 4 years and 4 months in jail.

The Customary Land Management Office (CLMO) has officially cancelled a Certificate of Recorded Interest in Land, commonly known as a “green certificate”, issued to Erakor resident Bernard Lauto over several customary land areas on Efate.

Vehicle drivers and residents of Port Vila experienced significant traffic changes yesterday as authorities implemented the planned closure of a key section of road between the SMET Tagabe area and Vila North School, marking the start of a new phase…

More than 200 Vanuatu students are undertaking studies abroad under bilateral scholarships, with most of them in Australia.

The Supreme Court of Vanuatu has dismissed a civil claim brought by Albert Sandy Daniel against Port Vila Mayor Jenny Regenvanu, the Port Vila City Council (PVCC), and the Government of Vanuatu, ruling that the case had no reasonable cause…

Chairman of the Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC), Father William Bice, says the council has rejected a VT1.2 million funding request from the organising committee of Evangelist Dag Heward-Mills, stressing that government grants allocated to VCC are intended to support local…

A fire destroyed a newly constructed building and machinery at Rah Island in TORBA Province yesterday around midday.

Minister of Education Simil Johnson has highlighted key progress and achievements in the education sector from 2025 up to the present in his statement tabled in Parliament.

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Vanuatu has sentenced 56-year-old Timothy Kavila to a further eight years’ imprisonment after he admitted attempting to kill his wife during a violent machete attack at Teouma Valley on Efate.

Across Vanuatu, calls are growing for urgent action on the long delayed Child Protection Bill, as frontline workers warn that children affected by changing family structures linked to labour mobility schemes remain exposed to harm while the draft law continues…

The 2026 grant budget for kindergarten and secondary schools this year is expected to have a shortfall of VT455,821,647 due to increased student enrolment.

The Rio Conventions

A VT208 million contract agreement has been signed for the development and implementation of the government’s new tax administration system.

The Bill for the Land Leases (Amendment) Act, the Bill for the Trade Disputes (Amendment) Act, and the Bill for the Public Service (Amendment) Act No. of 2026 were among five bills withdrawn by Leader of Government Business and Member…

A total of VT342,846,728 was paid to settle long-standing teacher salary claims after the signing of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in December last year.

An urgent constitutional petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging proposed amendments to the Public Service Act that current members of the Public Service Commission (PSC) say threaten the constitutional independence of the Commission.

Former Police Commissioner Joshua Bong has called on the current Commissioner of Police, Kalshem Bongran, to redirect how the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) responds to drug trafficking cases.

Supreme Court Judge Justice Viran Molisa Trief has convicted eight men over a violent attack at Katuteken Village on Tanna in March 2024, involving the burning of a house, serious assaults, kidnapping, and threats to kill.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Malekula, Anatole Hymak, told Parliament following a visit to his constituency that upgrade works at Norsup Airport have been stopped for some months.

Fuel subsidy payments under the Vanuatu Government’s subsidy package have been disbursed to buses and other public transport vehicles this week, following the initial rollout to taxi operators last week.

Prime Minister (PM) Jotham Napat told Members of Parliament (MPs) at a meeting yesterday at Warwick Le Lagon, focused on empowering parliamentarians to implement and advance Rio Conventions obligations at the national level, that VT2 billion from climate change funds…

A major fire destroyed the main power facility supplying Iririki Island Resort yesterday, forcing the relocation of guests and prompting a rare sea-based firefighting operation by the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) Fire Service.

Among more than 200 graduates celebrating their achievement at the National University of Vanuatu (NUV) yesterday, one story stood out quietly in the crowd, shaped by distance, family sacrifice and years of persistence.

Minister of Internal Affairs Andrew Solomon Napuat has denied allegations that he directed or influenced the deployment of Police officers to the Port Vila City Council (PVCC) chambers on Thursday, saying the claims are misleading and inaccurate.

Prime Minister (PM) Jotham Napat says the constitutional reforms under Articles 17A and 17B are helping restore political stability in Vanuatu after years of instability that affected the economy and public confidence.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works, Xavier Emmanuel Harry, said the rehabilitation of the Efate Ring Road prioritised only some damaged sections because there was not enough funding to complete the entire road.

The Vanuatu Government says it remains committed to rebuilding national carrier Air Vanuatu, but warns that future financial support must come with major structural reforms to avoid repeating past losses.

Vanuatu’s Acting Director for the Department of Oceans and Maritime Affairs, Tony Tevi, has said culture and traditional governance must remain at the centre of ocean management and policy implementation across the Pacific.