New Caledonia

Ramon Noraro was wanted by police on suspicion of having used a firearm in repeated and violent clashes which left five police officers with gunshot wounds.

The public broadcaster said details were sketchy but it suggests a fight broke out amid disagreements over how to respond to a judicial probe of the death of William Decoire, a man who was shot dead by police in October.

In the ensuing firefight, another person has been injured.

Police were reportedly also shot at.

Two people have been detained.

This follows a meeting of Glencore, which is a major investor in the multi-billion dollar plant.

However, the planned dismissal of about 140 employees is still to go ahead.

The $US70 billion plant was shut for weeks after Christmas 2014 after about 500 tonnes of liquid nickel was spilled from one of the furnaces, incurring the company millions of US dollars of damage.

The downpour again affected the area near Houilaou where last week eight people were killed in mudslides and flooding.

People from Gouareu et de Ouakaya, which were the worst hit villages last week, were moved to a boarding school.

The rain prompted many schools in the northern half of the main island to close yesterday and will remain closed for days.

The government released $US18, 000 to the Red Cross to help last week's victims.

The body of 60-year old woman was discovered near Huoailou on the main island's east coast which was worst hit by the torrential rain.

An eight-year old girl was found in a landslide which left her mother injured.

In the same area, a 30-year-old woman and a seven-year-old child were killed in landslides.

The Kanak villages of Ouakaya and Gouareu were hit by landslides.

Communications have been difficult and roads have been blocked in many places, with rescue services having trouble to be able to assist.

Government’s Public Relations Officer, Hilaire Bule says the New Caledonian delegation is headed by the Minister for Transport, Mr Tuienon.

Bule said the delegation will be meeting Prime Minister Charlot Salwai today to discuss future development cooperation in the areas of air and maritime transport, civil aviation and Air Vanuatu with Air Calin.

PM Salwai, Vanuatu's Minister of Transport and his counterpart from New Caledonia are expected to deliver statements.

Public Relations Officer long Office blong Prime Minista long Vanuatu, Hilaire Bule i tok gavman blong Franis i bin oraitim dispela visa-free travel long wik igo pinis. 

Em i tok aninit longen, ol pipol blong Vanuatu husat igat passport, i no nidim visa long go stap long New Caledonia insait long tripela mun long wanwan taim. 

Mr Bule i tok, long pastaim, em i had tru long ol Ni-Vanuatu long go long New Caledonia. 

 The 26 year old made his professional debut 18 months ago at the New Zealand PGA Championship and also competed on home soil at the Fiji International.

But after missing out at qualifying school he has spent the bulk of 2016 at home reshaping his game.

"I''ve had a few ups and downs...I've had just a lot of time just to really figure things out and work out and get my game back to where I want it," he said.

Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai  said New Caledonia's president Philippe Germain last visited Post Vila he promised such an arrangement.

He says this has not happened yet.

Mr Salwai says for supporting New Caledonia's bid for full Pacific Islands Forum membership, Vanuatu now expects New Caledonia to relax its protectionism and accept Vanuatu exports.

He says he was lobbied by the New Caledonian government and the French High Commissioner to support New Caledonia's Forum application.

New Caledonia topped the pool by defeating Papua New Guinea 4-1, while Vanuatu edged defending champions Fiji 1-0 in the other match on Saturday and should they both win again against Fiji and Papua New Guinea respectively they would wrap up the top two places with a game to spare.

Confirming a place in the final four of the eight nation is a step closer to qualifying for next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup, which for the first time welcomes two teams from the OFC qualifying tournament, specifically the winners of each semi-final.

In the second half it was all New Caledonia as PNG tried to survive chances to Watrone and Ausu to preserve their lead.

In the 56^th minute New Caledonia found a perfect combination when Lakae failed to collect a loose ball as New Caledonians leveled the scores at 1 all.

Minutes later New Caledonia found a chance to extend their lead from a direct penalty when Bran Ausu was brought down in the box before Thomas Gope-Fenepej duly converted the penalty as NCL took the lead for the first time, 1-2 in the second half.