New Caledonia

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.

In the second half it was all New Caledonia as PNG tried to survive chances to Watrone and Ausu to preserve their lead.

In the 56^th minute New Caledonia found a perfect combination when Lakae failed to collect a loose ball as New Caledonians leveled the scores at 1 all.

Minutes later New Caledonia found a chance to extend their lead from a direct penalty when Bran Ausu was brought down in the box before Thomas Gope-Fenepej duly converted the penalty as NCL took the lead for the first time, 1-2 in the second half.

New Caledonians gave All whites a tough battle until a penalty in the 48th minute right after time broke the deadlock.

Woods fired a banana kick just outside the 18 yards over the NCL  defence that slipped off the goal keepers hands and into the net behind.

New Zealand now secures the first spot for the finals as they await the winner of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Island encounter tonight at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.

Kapuls held off the New Caledonian’s strong side in the opening minutes through goalkeeper Ronald Warisan, despite their rivals’ many attempts to score.

Warrisan worked hard to defend the goal before a dangerous jump outside the box got him a yellow card.

However, PNG regrouped and it was once again a quick footy from skipper David Muta, with just 10 minutes before half-time, that sends in PNG’s utility Tommy Semmy who moved past the NC stopper Judikael Ixoee, to power a right foot to the back of the net.

The vice president of the southern province, Martine Lagneau, says the island had 114,000 visitors in 2015, the highest on record and an increase of 7,000 visitors since 2014.

RN ZI reports most visitors came from nearby Australia and New Zealand, which recorded increases of 15.8 percent and 25.8 percent respectively.

Meteorological authorities in the territory have warned of three metre high swells for the islands of Mare and Isle des Pins.

Ula was downgraded to a category three storm yesterday afternoon after leaving minimal damage on Vanuatu's southern group.