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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Stunning electoral victory for independence party in French Polynesia

In an unprecedented electoral victory, the independence party Tavini Huira’atira has won all three seats allocated to French Polynesia in the French National Assembly. Voters across French Polynesia turned out on

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Macron wins re-election, but most New Caledonian voters stay home

President Emmanuel Macron has won re-election in the second round of the French Presidential poll, held on Sunday. Macron is the youngest President in French history and the first to win a second term of office in 20

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Macron in the lead, as contest for French President impacts Pacific

In a contest with significant implications for the Pacific, French President, Emmanuel Macron topped the poll in the first round of voting on

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France, the oceans and seabed mining

Pacific leaders have joined a major oceans summit hosted by the French government in the port city of Brest, addressing climate change, illegal fishing, ocean acidification and plastics pollution.

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What comes next in New Caledonia?

By Nic Maclellan New Caledonia’s third referendum on self-determination under the Noumea Accord has returned an overwhelming majority against independence: 96.5% of people who went to the polls voted No to

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Analysis: Many voters to boycott New Caledonia referendum

Many New Caledonians will go to church this Sunday, or visit family or go fishing, and some of them will also drop into the local town hall to vote in the New Caledonia referendum to decide on its political status. But

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France expands Pacific reach

The French government is expanding its engagement with Pacific Island nations, following the fifth France-Oceania summit, a visit by President Emmanuel Macron to French Polynesia, and increased support by France and the

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Neighbours: Australia and New Caledonia boost diplomatic and defence ties

Eighty years ago, fearful of Japan, Australia sent a diplomat and a warship to New Caledonia. Today, Australia is mobilising defence and diplomacy against another rising Asian power. On the morning of 19 September 1940,

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French nuclear tests: ‘I bury people nearly every day, what was our sin?’

The day began with a video, showing a disparate collection of arresting images – the drowned Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira, camera in hand and a huge smile on his face. Mugshots of two captured French DGSE

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New team in Paris faces urgent Pacific crises

Just three months before New Caledonia’s next referendum on self-determination, French President Emmanuel Macron has reshuffled his Cabinet in Paris, appointing a new Prime Minister and ministers responsible for

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Vanuatu calls Fiji ‘recalcitrant’ over disputed islands

(Pacnews) Vanuatu is ready to meet with Fiji to discuss a long standing maritime border treaty agreement that Fiji signed with France just after Vanuatu gained independence in 1980. Foreign Affairs Minister Ralph

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