New Caledonia

Truck drivers, contracted to mining entities and nickel carriers, have been protesting a decision by the territory's government not to allow exports of ore to China after a decline in exports to Australia.

Negotiations had reached a stalemate last week when the drivers blockaded Noumea, causing days of traffic chaos in the city of just under 100,000 people.

But late on Friday night, a breakthrough was reached when a Memorandum of Understand was signed between the drivers' union and the New Caledonia government.

Most of the blockades, which had formed part of a protest by disgruntled nickel carriers, were removed yesterday, and access to Noumea has been re-established.

The truck drivers had been calling on the New Caledonian government to allow exports of ore to China after a decline in exports to Australia.

The school year had been deferred due to the conflict, but schools are expected to be back to normal today.

Several access sites are expected to be blocked from early this morning by truck drivers frustrated by a decision not to allow low grade ore exports to China.

Last week they blocked all main routes into the city for days, allowing only emergency vehicles through, and many businesses on Friday opten to close for the day.

On Friday night, a young man died in a car accident involving one of the blockades, prompting the president of the New Caledonian government, Philippe Germain, to call for a return to order, to give respect to the grieving family.

The drivers are protesting a decision by New Caledonia's committee for external mining trade not to approve requests to export low grade ore to China, submitted by the territory's veteran mining company SLN and several small miners.

The blockades began two weeks ago and ramped up earlier this week before being eased yesterday for talks between the government and the union representing the small mining entities whom the truck drivers contract to.

The blockades have been fully re-installed today after the negotiations failed to resolve the dispute.

It comes as unrest and fires broke out close to the southern town of Mt Dore which along with other roads in to nearby Noumea was effectively blocked by the protesting groups.

A policeman has reportedly been shot and wounded during an intervention to counter a fire that broke out near the area, in St Louis.

Ground reports indicate the unrest is a sequel to a protest by truck drivers about the territory's mining policy two weeks ago.

They want New Caledonia's government to begin exporting ore to China after a fall in exports to South Korea, Japan and Australia.

The French Territory completed a clean sweep of the five stand up paddle races, helping them claim the overall teams title, ending Vanuatu's three-year reign as champions.

Aotearoa Maori impressed in their first appearance at the event, which has been running since 2010.

The New Zealand team filled 21 of the 44 finals berths and claimed eight of 17 titles.

Public prosecutor Claire Lanet told local radio the policeman was injured when a shot was fired directly at a vehicle in Mont Dore near the capital Noumea during attempts to put out a roadside fire last night.

The officer was transferred to Gaston Bourret Hospital and the prosecutor says legal proceedings are underway.

Yesterday, a key road into New Caledonia's capital was blocked after truck drivers attached to nickel mining contractors staged another protest over nickel exports to China.

The plants are for the French territory's leading nickel mining company SLN which is looking to replace its existing power plants because they will soon no longer comply with stricter European Union pollution rules.

Radio Prague reports the New Caledonia contract represents a rare excursion for Vítkovice outside the European sphere where it usually wins major contracts.

Vítkovice says the contract to the tune of around 350 million US dollars should provide work and orders for other Czech companies as well.

PNG's Paul Moses won bronze while Maryanne Moses of Fiji won silver.

In the heavyweight 55kg female division, Ursula Martin bagged gold while PNG's Misa Avefa won silver and Haifa June Work won bronze.

 The men's middleweight under 85kg finals is underway.

New Caledonia was too strong for the home team PNG, taking out the first set 25-18.

The visitors maintained the lead in the second set 25-17 with their strong attack and placement of the ball.

PNG fought back in the third set, covering up on spaces and blocking well to win the round 25-23.