New Caledonia

The Pacific Games Council confirmed Tonga's withdrawal from hosting the event earlier this month, and asked for expressions of interest from "experienced" hosts.

Fiji and Papua New Guinea declined to make a bid with Samoa the only country confirming its desire to stage the games.

New Caledonia also ruled itself out, having last hosted the games six years ago.

Chief executive of the territory's Olympic Committee, Michel Quintin, said whoever does take on the hosting mantle needed strong financial backing.

It was the second goals galore for New Zealand.

In their opening match against the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2016 hosts Papua New Guinea, New Zealand defeated them with the same goal margin.

The game was a one-sided affair with New Caledonia having little chances of breaking through New Zealand.

Although the game was an easy ride for them, they had to fight hard for 15 minutes before Samantha Tawharu opened the goals galore with a goal she sent past New Caledonia goal keeper Karine Xozame after a rapid New Zealand counter attack.

This is after the Games Council confirmed Tonga's withdrawal earlier this month, and asked for expressions of interest from "experienced" hosts.

Fiji and Papua New Guinea have already declined to make a bid with Samoa the only country confirming their desire to stage the Games.

Guam said it would only consider stepping forward if there were no other contenders.

Noumea has hosted the Pacific Games three times - the last occasion being six years ago and the CEO of the Territory's Olympic Committee, Michel Quintin said 2019 was not a good time for them.

The stoppage was called on Thursday without giving notice over a simmering employment dispute.

The action was taken to protest against the airline for adopting disciplinary measures against three pilots.

The strike has affected hundreds of travellers, disrupting flight plans for the long weekend as the territory today marks France's Bastille Day.

It's not known when flights will resume.

Passengers have been advised of cancellations directly through text messages.

Air Caledonie issued a statement, saying until further notice there are no flights because of a strike by technical staff.

It said passengers concerned by the stoppage have been advised directly through text messages.

There was no indication when the strike will end.

Photo: Thomas Cuelho/CC BY 2.0 (An Air Calédonie aircraft landing at Nouméa Magenta Airport in New Caledonia).  

Kicking off just over a year after the 2016 OFC U-17 Championship – and only a few months after the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea – there are many familiar faces coming to Auckland this July.

Defending champions New Zealand have recruited an army of international experience for their attempt at a sixth-consecutive title including Malia Steinmetz, Grace Jale, and goalkeeper Anna Leat – who will offer senior international football experience to Gareth Turnball’s squad having already been in the mix for the New Zealand national women’s team.

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.

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.

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.

AS Magenta’s Nicolas Marin booted the first and only goal of the first half from a penalty kick in the 25^th minute to give the home side a 1-0 lead.

The flood gates opened up in the second half starting from the 60 minute mark when Shene Jean Francois Welepane latched onto a cross from Marin to slot the ball past Madang’s Glen Agat.

AS Magenta scored again in the 69^th and 73^rd minute before finishing it off with a powerful strike from Joseph Athale that beat Agat in the 85^th minute and cap off an easy win.