The tragedy of New Caledonia
On the night of Monday 13 May, Noumea exploded. Across many parts of New Caledonia’s capital, young people took to the streets, stoning French riot police, looting and burning shops, car yards and factories. The next
Violence
Award-winning playwright Sia Figiel on murder charge in Samoa
Details are emerging after a well-known Samoa playwright was charged with murder on Monday for allegedly stabbing a woman in Vaivase-uta last Saturday. Award-winning playwright Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, was earlier
France lifts state of emergency in New Caledonia, maintains curfew
France on Tuesday lifted a state of emergency in its Pacific territory of New Caledonia but is maintaining a curfew and sending hundreds of paramilitary reinforcements after two weeks of unrest in which seven people
Christian Karembeu says family killed in New Caledonia violence
Former footballer Christian Karembeu shared that he has tragically lost two family members amid the recent surge of violence in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia. Amid contentious voting reforms, seven
Macron flies home from New Caledonia without breakthrough
Following ten days of riots and clashes between protestors and police in New Caledonia, French President Emmanuel Macron travelled to Noumea to meet with politicians, community leaders and business associations.
France’s Macron delays New Caledonia voting reform after protests
French President Emmanuel Macron says he will delay a voting reform in New Caledonia that the Indigenous Kanak people on the French-ruled Pacific islands say would dilute their votes and undermine their struggle for
New Caledonia and Vanuatu withdraw from FestPAC amid deadly unrest
A festival planner announced Monday that a Pacific country and an island territory of France have withdrawn their participation in the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture. The announcement comes as Hawaii is
Opinion: Why is New Caledonia on fire? According to local women, the deadly riots are about more than voting rights
New Caledonia’s capital city, Noumea, has endured widespread violent rioting over the past 48 hours. This crisis intensified rapidly, taking local authorities by surprise. Peaceful protests had been occurring across
French authorities must uphold rights of the Indigenous Kanak people amid unrest
Responding to ongoing unrest in the non-self-governing French territory of Kanaky New Caledonia after the French Parliament adopted a bill changing the territory’s voting rules, Amnesty International’s Pacific
ADF ‘ready to fly’ as death toll rises in New Caledonia, NZDF Hercules awaits French approval
As Australians stranded in New Caledonia amid unrest beg for help to come home, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong says the defence force is “ready to fly” once commercial flights to the territory resume. Six
Violent clashes in Noumea as French National Assembly debates voting rights
As the French parliament in Paris considers legislation to reform voting rights in New Caledonia, there has been a night of rioting and arson in Noumea. On Monday, a series of peaceful protest rallies highlighted calls
Historic ceasefire signed in PNG
A historic ceasefire agreement was signed last night between two warring tribes from Enga Province in Papua New Guinea that will completely end killings in Middle Lai, Aiyale and Tsaka Valley of Wapenamanda
PNG PM Marape describes killings in Enga as act of terrorism
The killing in Enga is an act of domestic terrorism and the National Executive Council (NEC) will meet to decide on what will be done to address the situation, says Prime Minister James Marape. Marape said at a press
At least 53 men killed in PNG tribal fighting
Papua New Guinea police say at least 53 people have died in a massacre in the country’s Highlands. A ghastly sight as a picture of bodies piled high on top each other on a police vehicle was shared on online platforms
Black Wednesday: PNG’s Tinder Box explodes
Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, is recovering from looting and burning of businesses in its National Capital District (NCD) after members of the PNG Police Force went on strike last month. “Black
Country must never face repeat of civil unrest: PNG Business Council
Papua New Guinea Business Council President, Susil Nelson-Kongoi says there should not be a repeat of the 10 January civil unrest in Port Moresby and around the country. She told the Prime Minister’s back-to-business
Australian Defence Chief unaware of Commander Naliva’s torture allegation
Australia’s Defence Force Chief was unaware a Fijian officer who became a Deputy Commander of 3000 troops was alleged to have committed torture. Colonel Penioni Naliva was appointed the Deputy Commander of the 7th
Calls for confidence vote in PM Marape after deadly riots in PNG
The political fallout from the deadly riots in Papua New Guinea continues, including calls for a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister, James Marape. Six MPs in Marape’s government have resigned following
PNG counts cost of riots as PM vows Cabinet reshuffle
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister has promised a cabinet reshuffle as businesses reckon with the cost of looting and rioting last week that inflicted heavy damage on the impoverished Pacific Island country’s
Death toll in PNG riots jumps to 22
The national death toll from violent riots in Papua New Guinea has climbed to 22, with the remains of six people found in Port Moresby yesterday. It’s understood the remains of the six people were found at two
Deportation of Palauans from the U.S. hits record high in 2023
Nine Palauan citizens were deported from the United States in 2023, marking the highest number of deportees Palau has received in a single year. This significant increase, compared to the usual two or less deportees per
Chaos in Madang
Madang town in Papua New Guinea is in a state of lawlessness after policeman was killed on Wednesday, sparking a wave of violence and havoc which a senior police officer described as “chaotic”. Assistant
Culture not an excuse for violence: PNG Governor-General
Papua New Guinea cannot claim to be a Christian country because its society has many social ills highlighted by a disrespect for one another, says Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae. Speaking during the flag