New Caledonia

The decision comes amid a large number of incidents of excessive air pollution in the Noumea area which have been measured by the organisation Scal Air.

At the behest of the Caledonia Together Party, the Congress agreed to limits similar to those in force in the European Union and in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation.

The decision will give businesses two years to lower emissions.

The public broadcaster said the blue fishing boats, each with more than a dozen sailors on board, were caught off Belep in the very north.

It said maritime police impaired the boats' ability to fish for several weeks.

The catch has been seized and will be sold to the public.

Unlike in other countries, the law in New Caledonia doesn't allow for the destruction of poachers' boats.

The authorities hope their operations will succeed in curbing illegal fishing.

Photo: Copyright: aquafun / 123RF Stock Photo

Aircalin said the 179 passengers have been put up in hotels while efforts are underway to find alternatives for them to reach Noumea.

The airline's schedule is expected to have disruptions over the next two days.

Last year, Aircalin had repeated technical problems with its Airbus A330s.

It ordered two new such wide-body planes which will be delivered for 2019.

The programme has been developed with Australia's Monash University and entails releasing mosquitoes with the Wolbachia bacteria.

A statement issued by the authorities of Noumea says once the mosquitoes carry this bacteria they can no longer pass on dengue, chikungunya and Zika.

It says gradually the bacteria will spread to all the disease-carrying mosquitoes, hoping to eliminate the problem within about four years.

The method has reportedly been tested in five countries, with transmission rates plummeting.

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.

 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.

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.