French surfer Fierro crowned in Tahiti Surf Event ahead of Paris 2024

French Olympic surfer, Vahine Fierro, became the first Frenchwoman to win the women’s Tahiti Pro on the waves of Teahupo’o on Wednesday, just two months before the Olympic surfing events to be held on the French

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The complexities of undersea cables

While outside actors may see undersea cable infrastructure through a lens of geopolitical competition, political leaders in the Pacific Islands region are geared towards providing digital connectivity to the islands, an

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WHO watches for new covid variants

Three years since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been more than 774 million confirmed cases and more than seven million reported deaths globally, according to recent statistics by the World Health

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A virtual solution to the environmental controversy of surfing in Tahiti

The International Surfing Association (ISA) has proposed Olympic events without a physical judge tower but with remote judges for the upcoming Olympic Games, aiming to appease local ecological resistance.  Back and

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No alternative to Olympic surfing in Tahiti, says French minister

France’s Minister for Sport, Amelie Oudea-Castera, on Thursday ruled out the possibility of moving the Olympic surfing events away from Tahiti following the environmental damage caused during testing last week.

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French Polynesia tourism arrivals back to pre-Covid levels

French Polynesia’s tourism arrivals have returned to pre-Covid levels, with a specifically high spending by international visitors, latest statistics revealed. Figures for the whole year 2022 show the number of

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Moetai Brotherson at the Forum: “We all share this Moana Nui a Hiva”

For Moetai Brotherson, the newly elected President of French Polynesia, this week’s Pacific Islands Forum is a time to share ideas with the leaders of state from neighbouring island nations. “It’s necessary to

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Fiji PM announces partnership with Google to establish major cable project

Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced the South Pacific Connect Initiative a significant milestone in reducing the digital divide and enhancing the capacity, resilience and reliability of digital

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French criticism of nuclear ban treaty highlights Canberra’s dilemma

Can Australia rebuild a strategic military partnership with France at the same time as independence movements claim Pacific support? On 28 September, the Assembly of French Polynesia unanimously passed a resolution

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Macron begins Melanesia tour in New Caledonia

French President Emmanuel Macron has begun his five-day visit to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, outlining his “economic, environmental and geopolitical program.” Arriving at Tontouta airport in New

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Independence party wins French Polynesia elections

Moetai Brotherson is the new President of French Polynesia, after the stunning electoral victory of the independence party Tavini Huira’atira no Te Ao Mao’hi in elections for the Assembly of French Polynesia. Voters

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Four women feature in new French Polynesian government

French Polynesia’s newly-elected president Moetai Brotherson has presented a 10-member government, which includes four women. Brotherson has confirmed his pre-election choice of Eliane Tevahitua as vice-president

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