New Caledonia

New Caledonia and Vanuatu sign memorandum for marine cable

Interchange Limited (ICL) General Manager Willie Karie says the signing is a big step towards internet connectivity, internet security and overseas expansion.

Karie said the agreement showed the backing of both governments to facilitate ICL's second marine cable to Lifou, New Caledonia.

ICL will work with the Office des Postes et Télécommunications de Nouvelle-Calédonie (OPT-NC) towards the initiative.

Both governments put pen to paper, witnessed by government officials and other stakeholders.

MOU paves the way for second submarine cable in Vanuatu

Interchange Limited (ICL) General Manager (GM), Willie Karie, confirmed that an MOU signing will take place between Prime Minister Bob Loughman, New Caledonia President Louis Mapou, ICL and the Office des Postes et Télécommunications de Nouvelle-Calédonie (OPT-NC).

Vanuatu Daily Post reports Karie said Vanuatu only has one submarine cable connected from Fiji.

This new initiative will be a backup to address Internet downfalls in the future.

Karie added that each government has given the green light and it is now a matter of putting pen to paper.

Qantas resumes flights to New Caledonia

The first flight at the weekend came from Brisbane which is a popular destination for Noumea residents.

Qantas is also restarting flights from Sydney to Noumea, where passengers need to take a Covid-19 test two days after arrival.

Aircalin, which is New Caledonia's international carrier, had restarted flights to Australia in February and to New Zealand in May.

Qantas has been flying to New Caledonia for 80 years.

     

New Caledonia's Covid rates hit nearly 300

The latest figure, covering the past week, brings the total number of cases since September to 61,049.

The incidence of the virus is slightly higher than a month ago but down sharply since the peak in February.

The death toll remains at 312 - all of them died after the Delta variant entered the community in September.

The official update makes no mention of any Covid-19 patient still in hospital care.

Most pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted, but vaccinated travellers must still take a test two days after arrival.

     

Vanuatu receives equipment to respond to Covid pandemic

The Crisis and Support Centre (CDCS) of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Solidarity and Health and the Government of New Caledonia, conducted a second operation Friday to deliver equipment to Vanuatu.

The equipment, partly financed by the Crisis and Support Centre of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and partly donated by the French Ministry of Solidarity and Health, includes 4 oxygen generators, 30,000 tests and medicines to treat severe forms of Covid-19.

Cyclone Fili upgraded to a category 2 tropical cyclone

Cyclone Fili is located 220km north-west of New Caledonia making its way south at six kilometres an hour.

New Caledonian authorities have placed one northern district on alert level two for cyclone preparedness, while five other northern districts are at alert level one.

In the next 24 hours forecasters expect Cyclone Fili to move south south-east, 180km from Belep.

     

Tsunami warning lifted after big quake near New Caledonia

The magnitude 7.0 quake, which had initially been put at 7.2, was at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to the United States Geological Survey.

It occurred about 5pm New Caledonia time and followed a 6.9 magnitude quake, also at the depth of 10 kilometres, 279km southeast of the Loyalty Islands about 8am.

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake occurred an hour and a half after that.

Two earthquakes hit New Caledonia

A 6.9 magnitude at the depth of 10 kilometres and was located 279km southeast of the Loyalty Islands around 8am local time.

A second 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck about an hour and a half later, 263km southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

No tsunami alert has been launched and no injuries or damage has been reported.

The first earthquake was originally reported to be a 6.7 magnitude earthquake but the USGS upgraded it to a 6.9 not long after.

     

Doctor in New Caledonia denies planning to kill love rival

Olivier Peres, who oversaw the orthopaedic department at Noumea's public hospital, gunned down Eric Martinez on a golf course four years ago.

Peres said Martinez had an affair with his wife, had threatened his family and boasted that as a member of the French military commando, he had killed people, including children.

The court heard however that Martinez didn't belong to any such unit.

Days before the killing, Peres and his wife had contacted the police, expressing fear after undue pressure from Martinez, whom Peres described in court as a narcissistic pervert.

New Caledonia records 1441 Covid cases

After another rise in the incidence of the virus last week, the numbers are again on a decline, but there are still about 11,000 active cases.

The number of hospitalised Covid-19 patients is unchanged at 43, of whom six are in intensive care.

Since September, when the Delta variant first hit the territory, more than 45,000 people contracted the virus and 287 died.

Since last Tuesday, the health pass, which is needed to access a range of venues, is only valid for people who have received the booster shot.