Stories by Patrick Decloitre

The much-awaited travel has now been agreed to take place from 27 to 29 October, New Caledonia's President Louis Mapou confirmed on Sunday.

France's Minister for Overseas François-Noël Buffet said on top of the some €400 million already disbursed in emergency assistance, France remains committed to New Caledonia.

France's new Minister for Overseas, François-Noël Buffet, arrived in New Caledonia on Wednesday, five months after violent riots broke out.

The 111-page report covers a whole range of issues ranging from recommended clarifications on the French Pacific territory's powers under its current autonomy status, to other matters of concern.

The deal signed with Azerbaijan caused outrage at the time within the Congress's loyalists ranks.

The putrid remains have once again prompted a local warning to mariners and seafarers in the densely-populated area.

The company said the extracting operations were no longer possible due to numerous, "massive", continuous blockades and attacks over the past six months.

Marine mammals protection associations are denouncing the fatal incident which they say was probably caused by a commercial ferry. Audio

François-Noël Buffet said the visit comes in support of all players in New Caledonia in the wake of the crisis triggered by riots.

French Polynesia and New Caledonia are this week sending delegations to New York to attend the UN's 4th committee on decolonisation.

Analysis - Michel Barnier's announcements Tuesday on New Caledonia has triggered a series of mixed reactions across the French Pacific archipelago's political spectrum.

Michel Barnier also confirmed that the provincial elections, initially scheduled to take place in New Caledonia not later than mid-December 2024, will be postponed until late 2025. Audio

Five individuals wanted by French authorities have surrendered in besieged New Caledonia's pro-independence stronghold of Saint Louis.

The ballistic missile test was reported to have ended its path some 700 kilometres away from French Polynesia's Marquesas Islands, albeit outside its Exclusive Economic Zone. Audio

François-Noël Buffet as the new minister for French Overseas has been mostly welcomed in the French Pacific.

Analysis - In an atmosphere of uneasy calm, the highly symbolic day of 24 September was marked by events throughout New Caledonia. Audio

François Noël Buffet is France's new "minister responsible to the Prime Minister, in charge of Overseas".

Two people are confirmed dead after clashes between police and dwellers in the village of Saint Louis, near Nouméa, local media report on Thursday.

A round up of French Pacific news in brief, including New Caledonia's rugby union targeted by arson for the second time.

Parties within the pro-independence FLNKS have denounced what they term "assassinations" and "barbaric methods" but public prosecutor Yves Dupas swiftly denied the claim. Audio

Fears of potential unrest on New Caledonia's symbolic date of 24 September have prompted stronger restrictions. Audio

Local government President Louis Mapou has declared a level 2 emergency on the communes of Koumac and Kaala-Gomen, where fire and emergency services have been struggling to extinguish several blazes.

Southern Province President Sonia Backès had already hinted last week that one buyer had now been found and that one bidder had successfully reached advanced stages in the due diligence process.

A local consortium in New Caledonia is reported to have made an eleventh-hour offer to take over and restart activity at the Koniambo nickel plant.

A delegation from New Caledonia is scheduled to travel to Paris next week to meet high level officials, including the presidents of both Houses of Parliament.