IMODE News

The management at a primary and secondary school on the Vanuatu island of Malekula sent 300 students home on Tuesday (October 20) following a protest by custom land owners.
The landowners closed down the school claiming the Government owes them 90 million vatu, or $USD940,000, in outstanding rent.

The Government is negotiating with the landowners to allow the children continue their studies.

The Director-General of lands, Russel Nari, said the government can’t release the money because the land is still in dispute and the issue is now before the land court.

Mr Nari said the government would pay it after the court confirms the true custom owners.

The present term is particularly important for many students because they have examinations which determine whether they can progress to higher classes next year.

A tsunami warning has been issued in the Pacific after a powerful earthquake struck 35km below sea level between Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

The epicentre of the seven point eight magnitude quake was 295 kilometres from Luganville in Vanuatu, and 260 kilometres south of the Santa Cruz islands in Solomon Islands.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says a tsunami warning is in effect for Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Kiribati, Kosrae, Wallis-Futuna, and Howland Baker island.
A tsunami watch is in effect for Marshall Islands, Tokelau, New Zealand, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Australia, Niue, Cook Islands, Chuuk, Kermadec Island, Pohnpei, Indonesia, Wake Island, Jarvis Island, Palmyra Island, Guam, Northern Marianas, Johnston Island, Yap, Marcus Island, and Palau. ( rnz 7/10)

Philippines Quake
A powerful earthquake has hit in the Celebes Sea area between the southern Philippines and Indonesia, but no tsunami warning has been issued.

The US Geological Survey says the six point seven magnitude quake occurred at a depth of almost 600 kilometres, more than 280 kilometres south of the Sulu archipelago.