New Caledonia

Strike at Air Caledonie affects hundreds of travellers

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.

Strikes halts domestic flights in New Caledonia

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).  

Samoa U 17 basketball side downs New Caledonia at Oceania Championship

The first half was dominated by Tahiti, but Marshall Islands made their presence known in the second by scoring 25 of their 36 points in the second half. Unfortunately, it was too late as they were unable to overcome the 31-point final deficit.

New Caledonia U 19 disrupts Samoa’s game to win

While Samoa seemed to continually be launching attacks from all over the field in the first half, New Caledonia made the most of what they had and put a high pressure attacking mentality to good use.

Clinical tackling and pressing high on the ball in packs, New Caledonia were able to disrupt the Samoan passing game.

Pacific squads confirmed for OFC U-19s Women’s Championship

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.

Boy in New Caledonia shoots dead sister

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.

     

Fiji fight back to catch New Caledonia

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.

New Caledonia braces for arrival of Cyclone Donna

The category three system is on track to hit the island of Ouvea with very destructive winds.

A level two alert has been in force for Ouvea and Lifou as well as coastal areas of the main island, which means that people have to be inside their homes or in shelters.

The maximum alert will be extended to the rest of the east coast and to the island of Mare at 5pm today.

Authorities have shut down the water supply in Hienghene, Poindimie and Canala to protect those communities from storm contamination.

New Caledonia releases funds to cyclone-hit areas

President Philippe Germain has released a million US dollars, which means that 23 communities will each receive $US4500 for urgent repairs.

The category 3 storm crossed the main island Grande Terre, damaging homes, uprooting trees, downing power lines and destroying crops.

Mr Germain said additional funding would be given by the three provincial governments while damage assessments are continuing.

He said he had also approached the French High Commission, asking for a declaration of natural disaster in order to trigger the release of more emergency assistance.

Vietnamese blue boat sinks in New Caledonia

The boat was seized earlier this month after being caught fishing illegally for beche de mer in the territory's north.

The intercepted boat was escorted to Noumea where it sank in port following a leak.

The authorities managed to contain a minor fuel spillage.

 

Photo: AFP A Vietnamese "blue boat".