New Caledonia

New Caledonia make it two wins from two with Victory over Vanuatu

A flurry of three goals in 12 first-half minutes set them on their way to victory, including one of the strikes of the tournament so far from Julia Honakoko.

Having narrowly overcome Samoa in their opening Group A match, New Caledonia knew victory today would surely confirm their progression to the quarter-finals in Suva next week and they wasted no time in ensuring their stay in Fiji would be an extended one.

No tsunami threat after second large quake near Loyalty Islands in two days

The 7.1 magnitude earthquake was felt shortly before 2pm and was at a depth of 45 kilometres. A second 6.5 earthquake was recorded 18 minutes later.

After evaluating the risk, NEMA said there was no tsunami threat to New Zealand reports RNZ Pacific.

NEMA spokesperson Anthony Frith said today's quake was significantly smaller than yesterday's 7.7 quake, which saw a tsunami warning issued for in New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuatu Friday.

 

Magnitude 7.7 earthquake near Loyalty Islands triggers tsunami threat for Vanuatu, Fiji, New Caledonia

The warnings were issued just after 3pm by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre

The National Emergency Management Agency is currently assessing whether a large earthquake in the Pacific is a tsunami threat to New Zealand.

The earthquake was nearly 38 kilometres deep.

RNZ Pacific senior reporter Walter Zweifel said the warning broadcast for New Caledonia on RRB, a commercial radio station, applied to all islands, with people being asked to evacuate coastal areas for higher ground.

France removes visa requirement for Vanuatu passport holders travelling to New Caledonia

The change was announced by the French interior minister Gerald Darmanin when he visited the Vanuatu capital on Sunday.

He said the liberalisation has come at the behest of the French president.

RNZ Pacific reports the minister said in a next step Paris will lobby the European Union to restore freedom of movement.

The restrictions were imposed because Vanuatu sells its citizenship, which raised concerns in Europe about the identity of the buyers.

     

Vanuatu and New Caledonia discuss free visa access

The news comes after a meeting between Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade with a delegation from New Caledonia, led by the President of New Caledonia government, Louis Mapou.

Drama in Suva as New Caledonia qualifies for Oceania football final

By winning their respective semi-finals, both New Caledonia and New Zealand have been guaranteed a spot at FIFA's U-17 men's World Cup in Peru later this year.

The first team to do so was New Caledonia which won a dramatic match against Tahiti in a penalty shoot-out in Suva.

The two sides were locked 1-1 at full-time with both goals coming in the first half; Nathan Albacete netting on 14 minutes for New Caledonia and Titouan Guillemant grabbing an equaliser on 30 minutes.

Dog cull begins in Cook Islands

The Cook Islands News reports the Police Commissioner, who is also the chairman of the Dog Registration and Animal Control Committee, is looking at adding extra support to manage the dog problem.

Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt said there is broad support to engage at least two people nominated by the head of the Cook Islands Security company, Chris Denny, to work with two police dog rangers.

Pitt said the initiative is being financially supported by Cook Islands Tourism.

He said they've received reports of menacing dogs.

     

Vanuatu backs New Caledonia plan for expanded air connections

Napat's assurance came when the President of the Congress, Roch Wamytan, visited Port Vila and said the people of Vanuatu and the Kanaks of New Caledonia are brothers and sisters.

The aim is to strengthen the movement of passengers between Vanuatu and New Caledonia, especially during the festive season.

Meanwhile, Virgin Australia has confirmed it is resuming its service from Brisbane to Vanuatu from March 2023 with five flights a week.

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New Caledonia reaches unwanted Covid landmark

The latest figure, covering the past week, brings the total number of cases since September 2021 to 70,937.

The death toll remains at 314 - all of them died after the Delta variant entered the community in that same month.

Pandemic-related restrictions have now been lifted.

     

New Caledonia signs trade deal with Vanuatu

Import tax on 15 products between Vanuatu and New Caledonia will be lowered by 2023.

The New Caledonian president Louis Mapou told La Premiere the deal is a historic moment as New Caledonia is acting autonomously.

"This is a big stage for New Caledonia because it is not independent but its status, allows it to tie trade deals on its own. Thanks to the Noumea accord, we will be able to open other negotiations with other countries for further intergration in the Pacific region. "