New Caledonia

No tsunami threat after second large quake near Loyalty Islands in two days

The 7.1 magnitude earthquake was felt shortly before 2pm and was at a depth of 45 kilometres. A second 6.5 earthquake was recorded 18 minutes later.

After evaluating the risk, NEMA said there was no tsunami threat to New Zealand reports RNZ Pacific.

NEMA spokesperson Anthony Frith said today's quake was significantly smaller than yesterday's 7.7 quake, which saw a tsunami warning issued for in New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuatu Friday.

 

Drama in Suva as New Caledonia qualifies for Oceania football final

By winning their respective semi-finals, both New Caledonia and New Zealand have been guaranteed a spot at FIFA's U-17 men's World Cup in Peru later this year.

The first team to do so was New Caledonia which won a dramatic match against Tahiti in a penalty shoot-out in Suva.

The two sides were locked 1-1 at full-time with both goals coming in the first half; Nathan Albacete netting on 14 minutes for New Caledonia and Titouan Guillemant grabbing an equaliser on 30 minutes.

Dog cull begins in Cook Islands

The Cook Islands News reports the Police Commissioner, who is also the chairman of the Dog Registration and Animal Control Committee, is looking at adding extra support to manage the dog problem.

Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt said there is broad support to engage at least two people nominated by the head of the Cook Islands Security company, Chris Denny, to work with two police dog rangers.

Pitt said the initiative is being financially supported by Cook Islands Tourism.

He said they've received reports of menacing dogs.

     

New Caledonia reaches unwanted Covid landmark

The latest figure, covering the past week, brings the total number of cases since September 2021 to 70,937.

The death toll remains at 314 - all of them died after the Delta variant entered the community in that same month.

Pandemic-related restrictions have now been lifted.

     

Qantas resumes flights to New Caledonia

The first flight at the weekend came from Brisbane which is a popular destination for Noumea residents.

Qantas is also restarting flights from Sydney to Noumea, where passengers need to take a Covid-19 test two days after arrival.

Aircalin, which is New Caledonia's international carrier, had restarted flights to Australia in February and to New Zealand in May.

Qantas has been flying to New Caledonia for 80 years.

     

New Caledonia's Covid rates hit nearly 300

The latest figure, covering the past week, brings the total number of cases since September to 61,049.

The incidence of the virus is slightly higher than a month ago but down sharply since the peak in February.

The death toll remains at 312 - all of them died after the Delta variant entered the community in September.

The official update makes no mention of any Covid-19 patient still in hospital care.

Most pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted, but vaccinated travellers must still take a test two days after arrival.

     

Cyclone Fili upgraded to a category 2 tropical cyclone

Cyclone Fili is located 220km north-west of New Caledonia making its way south at six kilometres an hour.

New Caledonian authorities have placed one northern district on alert level two for cyclone preparedness, while five other northern districts are at alert level one.

In the next 24 hours forecasters expect Cyclone Fili to move south south-east, 180km from Belep.

     

Two earthquakes hit New Caledonia

A 6.9 magnitude at the depth of 10 kilometres and was located 279km southeast of the Loyalty Islands around 8am local time.

A second 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck about an hour and a half later, 263km southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

No tsunami alert has been launched and no injuries or damage has been reported.

The first earthquake was originally reported to be a 6.7 magnitude earthquake but the USGS upgraded it to a 6.9 not long after.

     

Doctor in New Caledonia denies planning to kill love rival

Olivier Peres, who oversaw the orthopaedic department at Noumea's public hospital, gunned down Eric Martinez on a golf course four years ago.

Peres said Martinez had an affair with his wife, had threatened his family and boasted that as a member of the French military commando, he had killed people, including children.

The court heard however that Martinez didn't belong to any such unit.

Days before the killing, Peres and his wife had contacted the police, expressing fear after undue pressure from Martinez, whom Peres described in court as a narcissistic pervert.

New Caledonia records 1441 Covid cases

After another rise in the incidence of the virus last week, the numbers are again on a decline, but there are still about 11,000 active cases.

The number of hospitalised Covid-19 patients is unchanged at 43, of whom six are in intensive care.

Since September, when the Delta variant first hit the territory, more than 45,000 people contracted the virus and 287 died.

Since last Tuesday, the health pass, which is needed to access a range of venues, is only valid for people who have received the booster shot.