New Caledonia

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". 

73-year-old missing after Cyclone Cook

The man went missing from Kouaoua on the east coast and late yesterday a police search was still underway.

Reports say the man went to look for keys to a house during the cyclone and never returned.

Four people were slightly injured in the category three storm which is moving south away from the territory.

The president Philippe Germain said New Caledonia was left relatively unscathed by the cyclone.

He said Houailou on the east coast where Cook made landfall on the main island was among the most damaged areas.

All alerts lifted in New Caledonia following Cyclone Cook

Public services have gradually re-opened this morning in the New Caledonian capital Noumea after the territory was battered by the cyclone.

The cyclone was now a category two storm after hitting the island as a category three and is heading south.

The latest warning advising people to limit their movements during the clear up was lifted at midday local time.

President of the government Philippe Germain praised New Caledonians for taking heed of the warnings which left the territory relatively unscathed.

Injuries reported as Cyclone Cook crosses New Caledonia

The storm struck as a category 3 system when it hit yesterday but has since weakened while moving away to the south.

The alert has been lifted and people are allowed out of their homes and shelters to assess the damage. Firefighters are now out clearing debris from the island's roads.

Power has been restored to some towns in the north.

Cyclone Cook crossed the main island between Houailou and Moindou.

The storm's centre passed about 100 kilometres to the west of Noumea, sparing the territory's most densely populated areas.

New Caledonia bracing for Cyclone Cook

The cyclone caused flooding in Vanuatu's central islands yesterday and is now set to hit New Caledonia's main island.

The storm's centre is forecast to pass to the west of the Loyalty Islands, before making landfall on the east coast of the main island Grand Terre.

Cyclone Cook will be the first to directly hit New Caledonia since 2003.

A level-one alert is in force for New Caledonia's north and outer island, meaning properties and livestock should be secured.

New Caledonia dengue outbreak shows signs of stablising

They declared a dengue epidemic in January and six people have died of the disease since then.

While there were more than 2000 cumulative cases of dengue in New Caledonia, Health and Social Affairs Directorate doctor Jean-Paul Grangeon said there were signs the outbreak was under control.