New Caledonia

The march held this afternoon in Noumea was organised by a group of pro-independence supporters and nationalists and went from the seat of the government to the French High Commission.

The campaign is being backed by some politicians, unionists and clergy.

To be eligible, voters need have to been in the territory since 1998 and be registered.

Kanaks claim they should be automatically inscribed on the roll but the electoral law stipulates that voters need to register to cast a ballot.

The Pacific Games Council confirmed Tonga's withdrawal from hosting the event earlier this month, and asked for expressions of interest from "experienced" hosts.

Fiji and Papua New Guinea declined to make a bid with Samoa the only country confirming its desire to stage the games.

New Caledonia also ruled itself out, having last hosted the games six years ago.

Chief executive of the territory's Olympic Committee, Michel Quintin, said whoever does take on the hosting mantle needed strong financial backing.

It was the second goals galore for New Zealand.

In their opening match against the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2016 hosts Papua New Guinea, New Zealand defeated them with the same goal margin.

The game was a one-sided affair with New Caledonia having little chances of breaking through New Zealand.

Although the game was an easy ride for them, they had to fight hard for 15 minutes before Samantha Tawharu opened the goals galore with a goal she sent past New Caledonia goal keeper Karine Xozame after a rapid New Zealand counter attack.

Director of agriculture, Antoine Ravo told about 40 investors from New Caledonia of a number of projects underway in the department.

One of the initiatives is the setting up of the Vanuatu Farmers Associations (VFA) to facilitate and assist farmers to access market information, provide logistical support, coordinate farmer activities in order to improve, strengthen and sustain the supply side and also to provide support to farmers’ organisations to increase production.

Ravo said seed and machinery centres for mass production of agriculture have been established.

This is after the Games Council confirmed Tonga's withdrawal earlier this month, and asked for expressions of interest from "experienced" hosts.

Fiji and Papua New Guinea have already declined to make a bid with Samoa the only country confirming their desire to stage the Games.

Guam said it would only consider stepping forward if there were no other contenders.

Noumea has hosted the Pacific Games three times - the last occasion being six years ago and the CEO of the Territory's Olympic Committee, Michel Quintin said 2019 was not a good time for them.

The stoppage was called on Thursday without giving notice over a simmering employment dispute.

The action was taken to protest against the airline for adopting disciplinary measures against three pilots.

The strike has affected hundreds of travellers, disrupting flight plans for the long weekend as the territory today marks France's Bastille Day.

It's not known when flights will resume.

Passengers have been advised of cancellations directly through text messages.

Air Caledonie issued a statement, saying until further notice there are no flights because of a strike by technical staff.

It said passengers concerned by the stoppage have been advised directly through text messages.

There was no indication when the strike will end.

Photo: Thomas Cuelho/CC BY 2.0 (An Air Calédonie aircraft landing at Nouméa Magenta Airport in New Caledonia).  

Kicking off just over a year after the 2016 OFC U-17 Championship – and only a few months after the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea – there are many familiar faces coming to Auckland this July.

Defending champions New Zealand have recruited an army of international experience for their attempt at a sixth-consecutive title including Malia Steinmetz, Grace Jale, and goalkeeper Anna Leat – who will offer senior international football experience to Gareth Turnball’s squad having already been in the mix for the New Zealand national women’s team.

The local newspaper said the boy found a rifle at home, took it out on the terrace to play with, pulled the trigger and fatally wounded his sister.

Police have opened an inquiry.

The paper said last year, a seven-year old on Lifou shot dead a four-year old while playing with a gun.

Four children have lost their lives in firearm accidents in New Caledonia in the past decade.

Mone Wamowe was behind a pair of impressive strikes to give New Caledonia the lead, receiving a cross then calmly placing the ball in the net in the 13thminute of the game, then timing a diving header perfectly to score at the front post only 11 minutes later.

The two goals put pressure on the young Fijian squad, however, they managed it well and began to play a calmer and more structured game in the latter minutes of the second half.