New Caledonia

New Caledonia pilots' strike ends

An agreement has been reached between the territory's international carrier Air Calin and the pilots' union which sought better conditions.

Reports said a key demand was not met but a solution was found by reorganising their work.

Pay rates remain unchanged, with senior pilots earning a maximum of $US 20000 a month.

The strike threw into disarray travel plans for many, disrupting the tourism sector.

 

Photo: AFP

Vanuatu, New Caledonia to discuss maritime boundary

The meeting will take place in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

It has been decided between the two countries that the high level talk to take place on neutral ground.

Since the independence of Vanuatu in 1980, it has been a long standing issue between the two governments to agree on their maritime boundary.

Vanuatu and Solomon Islands signed an agreement known as Motalava Agreement on their maritime boundary last year.

 

Photo supplied 

     

New Caledonia again fails to elect president

This morning the 11 ministers chosen by Congress to form a new administration again failed to elect a president, leaving the territory without a properly constituted government.

The impasse means that the previous administration headed by Philippe Germain will continue as a caretaker administration.

Two years ago, New Caledonia had no proper government for months because of a similar impasse.

A fresh election was made necessary because the budget minister resigned last month to take up a seat in the French National Assembly.

 

FFA seeks clarification on implication French territories membership

Concerns have been raised by some quarters that FFA strategic and confidential positions on the management and conservation of tuna have been compromised with the inclusion of France – through its Pacific territories -- into its membership. 

When questioned at a regional media workshop in Apia, Director General of Forum Fisheries Agency, James Movick said any new member of the Pacific Islands Forum qualifies to become a member of FFA.

NZ and New Caledonia into final

Both teams secured their final spot after defeating their opponents in the semi-final yesterday.

New Zealand secured their place earlier with a strong win, dominating Cook Islands 9-0 despite an impressive game from the knockout debutants.

The defending champions had to struggle to find a gap in the crowded Cook Islands backline in the early minutes before Kelli Brown broke through to open the scoring in the 18th minute.

Not long after Maggie Jenkins extended it up with two quick goals and Brown slotted in two more to bring New Zealand’s tally to five.

NZ defeats New Caledonia 7-0

An early goal from Aniala Jensen motivated the All Whites girls to dominate and claim the game.

From the start New Calenonia got the game underway but New Zealand quickly took position and made their first attempt when Grace Wisnewski connected a cross from Britney Cunningham-Lee but it went over the crossbar.

A minute later they had a second chance from Maggies Jenkins who attempted to dribble into the New Calendonia box but it was cleared away in time.

They kept hunting for the opening goal but the New Caledonia backline always denied their chances.

New Caledonia to allow in non-French veterinarians

To comply with European Union regulations, Congress voted to broaden the field to vets from all EU countries.

The new rules also recognise vets from Australia and New Zealand if they are French speakers.

The local newspaper says the pro-independence Congress members abstained for a number of reasons.

They say the system remains France-centric and could have been opened to vets from more countries, including Cuba.

A loyalist member pointed out that Australian vets are more attuned to the tropical diseases of New Caledonia than French vets.

 

North Korea missile tests impact Air France routes

That follows reports that last week's ballistic missile flew within about 100 kilometres of an Air France flight between Paris and Tokyo.

RNZI reports the Tokyo route is the standard way for travel between France and Noumea.

Air France said it was the first time it faced such a risk and had therefore widened the security zone around North Korea

     

Alleged cocaine smugglers to be tried in New Caledonia

The Lithuanian and Latvian men were intercepted by the French navy last week when they were sailing from South America towards Australia.

The 1.4 tonnes of cocaine have since been destroyed in the high-capacity furnace of the SLN nickel smelter in Noumea.

The four could face jail of up to 30 years.

They reportedly said they were unaware the drugs were on their Gibraltar-registered yacht.

 

Photo: AFP French Navy vessel Le Vendémiaire 

Record cocaine haul burnt in Noumea

A mission involving France, the US, Australia and Britain seized one point four tons of the drug in dozens of packets a week ago from a Gibraltar-flagged boat.

The yacht was intercepted by the French navy, and four crew members hailing from the Baltic were arrested and brought to the New Caledonian capital Noumea.

The cocaine, which is presumed to have been destined for the Australian market, was destroyed under tight security on Tuesday night in the furnaces of Noumea's SLN nickel factory.