Rich world’s leaders fail to commit to Paris global financing summit

Two weeks ahead of a highly-anticipated climate finance summit, most developed country leaders have not confirmed their attendance, sparking concerns they are not taking it seriously. In sharp contrast, the leaders of

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New Caledonia’s FLNKS wants ICJ advice on contested vote

A New Caledonian pro-independence leader says the advice of the International Court of Justice is being sought over the contested 2021 referendum on independence from France. Roch Wamytan, who is the president of New

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The Dixmude visits Suva port

It has been 22 years since France did a circumnavigation training around the world, and yesterday a vessel undertaking this exercise docked at the Suva harbour with the aim of strengthening regional partnerships and

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What’s next for New Caledonia?

25 years after the Noumea Accord Twenty-five years ago, the French government joined supporters and opponents of independence in New Caledonia to adopt the Noumea Accord – a political agreement that mapped out a

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FLNKS joins bilateral talks in Paris

A delegation from the Kanak independence movement Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) travels to Paris this week, for discussions with the French government on New Caledonia’s political status.

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Darmanin back in New Caledonia in March to work on a new statute

French interior minister Gerald Darmanin is due back in New Caledonia in early March to advance work on a new statute for the territory. The news agency AFP reports the minister will be in Noumea between 2 and 8 March.

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Officials apply to have Marquesas Islands a World Heritage Site

French Polynesia has filed an application to make the Marquesas Islands a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Speaking in Paris, the culture minister Heremoana Maamaatuaiahutapu said the bid is the most complicated ever

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France rules out New Caledonia referendums for five years

The French government says it won’t organise another referendum in New Caledonia during the president’s current five-year term. A year ago, then-overseas minister Sebastien Lecornu said he planned to have a

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Deadline abandoned to re-start New Caledonia dialogue

In a major policy shift for New Caledonia, France’s new Overseas Minister has abandoned the 18-month deadline for a referendum to replace the Noumea Accord. During a five-day visit to New Caledonia between 11-15

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France defers referendum on new statute for New Caledonia

Plans to hold a referendum in New Caledonia next year on a new statute for the territory are being abandoned. The French Junior Overseas Minister, Jean-Francois Carenco, told the television station Caledonia that there

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Fabien Galthié in tears as Virimi Vakatawa reveals career-ending heart condition

Coach Fabien Galthié could not hold back tears as Racing 92 confirmed that star centre, Fiji-born Virimi Vakatawa had been forced to end his rugby career “for cardiological reasons”. At an emotional press

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French Polynesia president says election win ‘catastrophic’

French Polynesia’s president Edouard Fritch has described the election of three candidates of the pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira party to the French National Assembly as catastrophic. They won all three seats

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