French Pacific territories reacts to French government demise

As part of his visit to New Caledonia for the South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting, French Minister of Defence at the time, Sebastien Lecornu, performs the customary greeting at the customary senate of New Caledonia. 3 December 2023 Photo: AFP...

Pacific Islands News Roundup – September 5 – 11, 2025

Editor’s Note: We are undergoing a web host migration process and may need to make necessary modifications to our format and frequency over the next several weeks. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Political Leadership and Regionalism,...

Carrion crows can create, prepare, and use tools with great precision

Humans often consider tool use a mark of intelligence. Yet many animals find creative ways to solve problems. A new study reveals how carrion crows – which seldom use tools in the wild – can learn to master them when trained. Their performance...

Solomon Islands to showcase Melanesian Ocean Reserve at Climate Week

BY NED GAGAHE The Solomon Islands is gearing up to unveil the Melanesian Ocean Reserve (MOR) initiative at Climate Week in New York, a bold and transformative project that promises to set a new standard for ocean conservation. This unprecedented...

West Papua holds an important place on Pacific countries' agenda - former New Caledonia President Louis Mapou

New Caledonia President Louis Mapou in the Tonga island group of Vava'u. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Lydia Lewis Former New Caledonia President Louis Mapou says human rights and sovereignty are big issues facing not only Melanesia, but the wider Pacific....

French government falls as Bayrou loses confidence vote

PARIS – Prime Minister François Bayrou’s government collapsed on Monday night after deputies rejected his confidence motion by 364 votes to 194. The result prolongs France’s political crisis, making Bayrou the fourth prime minister in just over a...

Melanesian Ocean Reserve initiative takes major step forward at 54th PIFLM

BY NED GAGAHE Polycarp Paea, minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology, and MP for Malaita Outer Islands, has made a strong call to protect the oceans. He delivered an important update on the Melanesian Ocean...

Baku Initiative Group condemns killing of Kanak inmate in New Caledonia

Baku, September 5, AZERTAC The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has issued a statement condemning the death of a young Kanak inmate, known as "James," during the 2024 unrest in New Caledonia. The statement follows an article by a French newspaper “Le...

EU unveils multimillion-dollar Pacific aid package, including $70m to French territories

EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela addressing the first EU-Pacific Business Forum in Fiji on Friday 5 September 2025. Photo: Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific French Pacific Overseas Countries and Territories...

World’s first Indigenous-led ocean reserve a step closer to reality

A project to develop the world’s first Indigenous-led marine protected area operating across the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia is one step closer to reality, with resources now committed to the development of the...

French PM’s confidence vote hits New Caledonia’s political negotiations

By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk French Prime Minister François Bayrou’s surprise announcement yesterday that he will call for a parliamentary confidence vote in his government is set to further complicate...

Solomon Islands Commits Ministerial Resources To World’s First Indigenous-led, Multi-National Ocean Reserve

Press Release – Melanesian Ocean Reserve Led by the governments of the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatuand in partnership with the Islands Knowledge Institute (IKI) and Nia TeroPacific leaders will take the momentum to Climate Week in...

French PM’s confidence challenge further complicates New Caledonia’s political negotiations

The independence flag at the FLNKS press conference in Noumea. Photo: AFP / Delphine Mayeur French Prime Minister François Bayrou's surprise announcement on Monday that he will call for a parliament confidence vote in his government is set to...

Oceania Continental Championships to Return in 2026

At the close of the OTP Bank World Senior Championships, the Oceania Judo Union (OJU) announced that from April 2026, the OJU will formally recommence hosting its own stand-alone continental championship event. The most recent Oceania...

Matignon, Nouméa and Bougival Accords: Decolonization process in New Caledonia postponed

Baku, September 3, AZERTAC “France's colonial policy towards New Caledonia was reflected in the Matignon (1988), Nouméa (1998) and Bougival (2025) Accords. The aim is to protect the interests of the French settlers, maintain colonial control and...

France Won’t Take Emmanuel Macron’s Austerity Agenda

“When we return from the summer break, there’ll be a clash between reality and ideology.” Thus insisted French prime minister François Bayrou at yet another press conference to defend his austerity budget, which promises an extra €44 billion in...

Hostility rises as New Caledonia peace deal collapses

It was meant to be the deal that finally brought peace to a Pacific paradise, with big promises of hope and stability. The Bougival Accord, signed in the French town of the same name in July, was celebrated as historic by French President Emmanuel...

Current U.S. Travel Rules and Restrictions for September 2025

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Welcoming September, the details on current U.S. travel restrictions are necessary to keep many international travelers on loop. While some of these advisories don’t require trip cancellation, it’s also important to understand...

France reinforces presence in the Indian Ocean with third POM-class offshore patrol vessel Auguste Techer

The Auguste Techer was constructed in metropolitan France by Socarenam and designed by Mauric, and it is named after Auguste Techer, a Réunion-born Compagnon de la Libération. The unit was ordered under the 2019 contract for six Patrouilleurs...

PNG Squash to attend Oceania championships

PNG Squash Racquets Federation will be taking part at the 2025 Oceania Closed Championship in Samoa. This championship will be hosted at the Faleata Sports Complex, Apia, from September 22-27. PNG Squash will be represented by Joshua Porter, Chris...