New Caledonia

Experts predict continuing dry for much of the Pacific

This comes after up to six months of well below normal rainfall had been received.

The forecast from New Zealand's NIWA and the Pacific Islands Meteorological Services says in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, after three months of very dry conditions, below normal rainfall can be expected through to the end of the year.

U20 World Cup spot up for grabs for Oceania women

PNG replaced South Africa as World Cup hosts in March, gifting them automatic qualification and a second berth for Oceania.

Hosts Tonga face a tough test in today's opening match against defending Oceania champions New Zealand, who have been on an unbeaten run since 2002.

Coach Penateti Feke was a part of the Tongan team at July's Pacific Games.

She's selected four of her teammates from that event, while nine have experience from last year's Under 20 tournament.

France orders New Caledonia Congress meeting

The overseas ministry says Paris is invoking its rights under the organic law after the Congress leadership rejected a bid by the territorial government to debate the issue.

A court in Noumea has upheld a Congress complaint that the government's call for a meeting was formally flawed.

However, the French government says this is not the time for a useless extension of a legal debate.

It says it is now time for a quick resumption of a substantial dialogue with all the political forces in New Caledonia.

Two New Caledonia policemen injured in latest attack

A police spokesperson says four officers were in the town of Mont-Dore at about 2 o'clock in the morning when they challenged a man accused of stealing a motorcycle.

The spokesperson says a car then deliberately hit the officers, injuring two of them.

The driver and the alleged motorcycle thief were then able to escape, and a large police operation has been launched to try and find them.

This morning's incident is the latest in a series of cases of police being targetted in New Caledonia.

Signs New Caledonia blockade could resume

In August, the drivers established blockades in and arround Noumea and other key access points in the territory over the government's policy to not approve exports of low grade ore to China after a decline in exports to Australia.

The drivers were aligned with small miners and the territory's veteran miner SLN who opposed the stance on the issue by the government's leading party, Caledonia Together.

Mediation efforts began in Noumea, late last month, after the president of the Caledonian Union, Daniel Goa, stepped in to mediate.

New Caledonian govt to hear nickel drivers' demands

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the drivers' union Contrakmine and the government last Friday, putting an end to 24 days of chaos in Noumea, during which drivers had used their trucks to block key access roads.

Although not providing any concrete response to the issue, the MoU says the territorial government will consider the drivers' demands on September 11th.

The nickel carriers and some miners had been protesting at the government's refusal to allow exports of ore to China after a slump in demand from Australia.

Resolution reached in New Caledonia nickel dispute

Truck drivers, contracted to mining entities and nickel carriers, have been protesting a decision by the territory's government not to allow exports of ore to China after a decline in exports to Australia.

Negotiations had reached a stalemate last week when the drivers blockaded Noumea, causing days of traffic chaos in the city of just under 100,000 people.

But late on Friday night, a breakthrough was reached when a Memorandum of Understand was signed between the drivers' union and the New Caledonia government.

New Caledonian blockade set to continue

Several access sites are expected to be blocked from early this morning by truck drivers frustrated by a decision not to allow low grade ore exports to China.

Last week they blocked all main routes into the city for days, allowing only emergency vehicles through, and many businesses on Friday opten to close for the day.

On Friday night, a young man died in a car accident involving one of the blockades, prompting the president of the New Caledonian government, Philippe Germain, to call for a return to order, to give respect to the grieving family.

Czech firm wins New Caledonia coal contract

The plants are for the French territory's leading nickel mining company SLN which is looking to replace its existing power plants because they will soon no longer comply with stricter European Union pollution rules.

Radio Prague reports the New Caledonia contract represents a rare excursion for Vítkovice outside the European sphere where it usually wins major contracts.

Vítkovice says the contract to the tune of around 350 million US dollars should provide work and orders for other Czech companies as well.

PNG leading 1-0 in gold medal play off

PNG threatened to score in the opening minutes of play when Marie Kaipu was set up metres out from the goal but rushed her kick which went straight into the hands of goal keeper Honorine Pouidja.

New Caledonia’s Marielle Haocas nearly scored not long after when her penalty kick beat PNG’s goal keeper Fidelma Watpore but bounced off the top bar and was quickly cleared away.

PNG got another chance in the 21st minute of play and Kaipu this time did not waste it as she slotted a ball past Pouidja to take a 1-0 lead.