Vanuatu police and immigration staff implicated in illegal procurement of documents
Over 90 Law Enforcement Officers in Vanuatu have been accused of involvement in an alleged "illegal procurement of immigration documents".
The Vanuatu Daily Post estimates the illegal activity could have lost the government nearly 200 thousand U dollars in lost revenue.
Operation, named India Delta, has involved police and immigration officers.
A spokesman for the operation says the scheme is ongoing and his investigators are searching homes and offices for false documents and forging equipment or tools.
Cook Islands environmental group suggests using an Asian grass to absorb water treatment chemicals and save the streams
Vetiver Grass Photo: from facebook
Instead of discharging chemically contaminated water in Rarotonga's streams, an environmental group suggests using an Asian grass that can absorb the chemicals.
To Tatou Vai, the company running the new water system on the Cook Islands main island, is looking for a way to get rid of the chemical ridden sludge left over after the water is filtered.
But Te Vai Ora Maori said it's got a much better way than draining this waste water into the streams.
Spokeman, Andy Kirkwood, said they believe the grass, Vetiver, will work wonders.
"You can actually grow it on the water directly, for water treatment similar to water hyacinths - those are the plants you use in septic ponds. It can be grown over water like that. We are proposing that it is used around the perimeter, the outside edge of the ponds, for its ability to open the soil up and also to contain and treat the aluminium content of the water," he said
Tonga extends emergency
Tonga's state of emergency to keep Covid-19 out of the country has been renewed for another month.
It has now been in place since March 2020.
While there is no Covid-19 in Tonga limits on the population continue to apply, including a midnight to 5:00am curfew.
Limits on mass gatherings also still apply.
Solomon Islands marks independence day quietly
It was a public holiday in Solomon Islands yesterday as the country celebrated its 43rd anniversary of independence.
Festivities were muted though for a second consecutive year by the cancellation of the customary independence day float parade through the capital Honiara.
The ministry of home affairs announced the cancellation on Tuesday because of the state of public emergency in effect due to Covid-19.
In his independence speech, Solomon Islands' prime minister Manasseh Sogavare thanked citizens for working with the government to help keep Covid-19 out of the community.
In place of the independence day parade a string band concert and cultural performances are being broadcast by the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Commission and streamed live on its Facebook page.
Mr Sogavare also said the Solomons is reviewing its timetable for graduation from Least Developed Country or LDC status.
The country is scheduled to graduate to developing status by 2024.
But Mr Sogavare said, given the impacts of Covid-19, his government is re-considering its position.