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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 7 November 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "There are some six appeals over the Bribery Case and the Appeals Court begins to meet Monday, firstly to decide on the order of hearings. There is no indication as to how early the bribery appeals may be considered. Meanwhile the minority government's le" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 7 November 2015 by bobmakin There are some six appeals over the Bribery Case and the Appeals Court begins to meet Monday, firstly to decide on the order of hearings. There is no indication as to how early the bribery appeals may be considered. Meanwhile the minority government's leader, PM Kilman, has stated that he has asked the President to dissolve Parliament. However, he wants those convicted who are appealing against the judgement or sentencing of them in the Bribery Case to have their appeals heard first of all. Kilman also finds his government's draft budget "is not reflective of the Nation's priorities and the Government's policies and wants the Budget amended to cater for the needs of the country." (Daily Post) He therefore sees it possible to debate the Budget early next year. For its part, the Opposition now reports a readiness to participate in a Government of National Unity (GNU) as was suggested exactly a week ago. In order for the GNU to be properly and proportionally representative, the Opposition points out, the Government having 13 MPs and the Opposition 25 dictates 9 of the 14 positions (13 ministries and Speaker) should go to the present Opposition. Five would go to the present Government. This would also reflect the eight parties in Opposition and six in Government. This is the Opposition's proposal to the Prime Minister. Unfortunately most of the news space and time recently has had to be given over to bribery and corruption matters and the fallout therefrom. There are, however, interesting and beneficial things happening, from Unelco reassuring over drinking water in the capital whilst there is so much concern for water everywhere ... to work proceeding in the Vanuatu Tourism Infrastructure Project (VTIP). This has seen acquisition of the Port Vila Seafront petanque court and envisages a walkway along the seafront all the way from the market place to Fatumauru Bay.The Port Vila Urban Development Project is also going to see a lot of work in just a few months on the Kalsakau Drive. The Digest had to take a day off yesterday for various reasons. But there were no major conflagrations to report. There never were two Cost Less fires I must admit or add, the first being where Cost Less had been for many years and the second on the other side of town where it was - at least until a few days ago. To get all the news in detail, buy all the papers and listen to - and watch - the national broadcaster, VBTC. And it's back on the air again. It hasn't yet paid off all of its obligation to Unelco, for which it gets a grant each year, but that brings us back to Budget natters. Anyway, it is trying to do so. Gud wiken. bobmakin | November 7, 2015 at 11:52 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-EP Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1S4UrJF Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 5 November 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Another Costless goes up in flames. Over the weekend we had Costless and Vila Handprints at the Nambatu roundabout burned down rapidly. Now it's the Costless at Melcofe gone, just like that, leaving only the blackened wreckage this morning. Daily Post loc" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 5 November 2015 by bobmakin Another Costless goes up in flames. Over the weekend we had Costless and Vila Handprints at the Nambatu roundabout burned down rapidly. Now it's the Costless at Melcofe gone, just like that, leaving only the blackened wreckage this morning. Daily Post located nearby says the fire began behind the building around 6 pm last night. The fire service arrived but could not put the blaze out owing to the absence of any hydrant nearby. Flames were still to be seen in the building this morning. Now we have a seemingly time-wasting answer concerning an early - even immediate - meeting of Parliament from the deputy Speaker, Samson Samsen. Remember, the Opposition has said it wants thecountry's national Parliament to meet whilst there is still time for a budget to be debated and approved for 2016. Deputy Speaker Samsen has been given an Opposition deadline of until 4.30 pm today to consult with the Prime Minister. However, he responds rather tediously: "The challenge of Parliament through the bribery case has affected all the country and it seems proper to reflect and consult with the office of the Prime Minister on the agenda of budget which is the Executive prerogative but not the legislative prerogative before the calling of the second ordinary session." It is to be hoped Deputy Speaker Samsen and PM Kilman can reflect and consult rather more rapidly than this suggests. In Daily Post he is calling on both sides to "work together towards an amicable solution for the good of the nation." bobmakin | November 5, 2015 at 11:27 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-EO Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1Qegdw7 Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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Melanesia Weekly update ⋅ November 4, 2015 NEWS Bisnis.com Festival Kebudayaan Melanesia Di NTT Lahirkan Kupang Message Bisnis.com Bisnis.com, JAKARTA--Festival Kebudayaan Melanesia di Nusa Tenggara Timur melahirkan Kupang Message yang merupakan dokumen bersama ... Flag as irrelevant Tempo.co Melanesian Festival Celebrates Cultural Diversity ANTARA Jakarta (Antara News) - The Melanesian Cultural Festival is being held in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on October 27-30, 2015, to celebrate cultural ... Flag as irrelevant See more results | Edit this alert You have received this email because you have subscribed to Google Alerts. Unsubscribe | View all your alerts Receive this alert as RSS feed Send Feedback

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 4 November 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "November is, of course, the time when we hear of requirements for budgetary constraints, as the budget year is ending and suddenly, it seems, there is no more money for anything much. Of course it is worse when we have had governments able to act irrespon" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 4 November 2015 by bobmakin November is, of course, the time when we hear of requirements for budgetary constraints, as the budget year is ending and suddenly, it seems, there is no more money for anything much. Of course it is worse when we have had governments able to act irresponsibly. And now the Government has said it will reduce by VT 33 million its grant to each of the provinces. The Ministry for Internal Affairs is urging provincial authorities to look at investment opportunities the councils may have. This is reported in Daily Post today. A circular reported on Yumi Toktok Stret says that most ministries and constitutional agencies "no longer have a budget for the remaining year. The Gov't, it seems, has been on "spending spree" the circular of the Acting Director of Finance would suggest, but measures are being taken now to ensure no unnecessary spending. Radio Vanuatu News is back on the air after having an outstanding of VT 12 million to Unelco. GM Vurobaravu said steps were taken to pay their bills, and the matter has not been entirely resolved yet. The general public will note that this is at the beginning if the cyclone season when Radio Vanuatu weather warnings are of particular importance. More will be heard on this one if only from your Digest editor. bobmakin | November 4, 2015 at 4:25 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-EN Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1k9yS08 Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Opposition insists Parliament meet

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Vanuatu Opposition is calling on the First Deputy Speaker, Samson Samsen MP, to summon Parliament to meet in its Second Ordinary Session for 2015. Speaker Pipite being imprisoned and the Government having done nothing to require the session in August " Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Opposition insists Parliament meet by bobmakin The Vanuatu Opposition is calling on the First Deputy Speaker, Samson Samsen MP, to summon Parliament to meet in its Second Ordinary Session for 2015. Speaker Pipite being imprisoned and the Government having done nothing to require the session in August as required by law, the Opposition leaders are determined that the country's national Parliament will meet whilst there is still time for a budget to be debated and approved for 2016. Deputy Speaker Samsen is being given a deadline until 4.30 pm Thursday to consult with the Prime Minister and arrange a date according to Standing Orders. Failure to meet this requirement will mean a Constitutional case against the deputy. The Opposition in a press conference this afternoon also revealed that many of the self-styled chiefs from islands in the north, presently gathering in Port Vila, are also strong men and political cronies of Government MPs or politicians gaoled in reference to the Bribery Case. The parties UMP and VRP particularly are mentioned and the connection between the chief and an MP pointed out. The media representatives learned that funds of the Northern Islands Stevedoring Company were used to bring many of the so-called representative chiefs to Port Vila. bobmakin | November 3, 2015 at 4:13 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-EM Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1P73hc5 Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Radio Vanuatu News off

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "There was no bulletin on Radio Vanuatu FM 100, FM 98 or AM 1125 today. The Digest is trying to find out why." Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Radio Vanuatu News off by bobmakin There was no bulletin on Radio Vanuatu FM 100, FM 98 or AM 1125 today. The Digest is trying to find out why. bobmakin | November 2, 2015 at 1:53 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-EL Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1l2JIVT Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 2 November 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Two big news items today: - 1. high ranking chiefs from all provinces meeting with the Head of State who is also a highest ranking chief from Torba. As such he carries the title Womtelo. The chiefs say their main concern is the Government, which is their " Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 2 November 2015 by bobmakin Two big news items today: - 1. high ranking chiefs from all provinces meeting with the Head of State who is also a highest ranking chief from Torba. As such he carries the title Womtelo. The chiefs say their main concern is the Government, which is their government as leaders of their communities, and when their leaders of the country and government are in a state of disturbance something has to be done to right the wrongs. Whilst the Malvatumauri has never enjoyed an "upper house" status, the founding fathers, in writing the Constitution of the Republic, were determined it should hold a responsible position in the national character and it merits a position before that of the Head of State in the Constitution. 2. Also of major concern is the burning down of Vila Handprints and Cost Less with the loss of everything contained in the shop-fronted warehouse opposite the Au Bon Marché supermarket at Nambatu. The regular fire truck was not working and the Police fire service arrived after the entire building was engulfed in flames. The airport fire truck had to be brought into service from the other side of town. The Police Service Commission suspended 2 senior officers recently for failure to attend a VIP departure ceremony at the airport. With the Fire Service run by the Police (albeit greatly assisted with equipment provision from friend countries) there surely needs to be a proper assessment of this aspect of the Commission's duties. In the really good news department is the arrival of the barge of Sam Bell in the capital for a re-fit after servicing the clean water needs of the Shepherds since the beginning of the El Nino season. Wita Aid's water barge is capable of de-salinating sea water to generate 20,000 litres of clean water from the ocean daily. It is to be hoped the Bells' charitable relief organisation is able to obtain further sponsorship from wealthy businesses in Port Vila. bobmakin | November 2, 2015 at 11:40 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-EK Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1ShqgzQ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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