France

French President Emmanuel Macron has cleared a major hurdle on the path to re-election with a combative TV debate performance against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen.

There has been a cool response in New Caledonia to a suggestion for a fourth referendum on independence from France after last December's controversial vote.

France has intercepted and impounded a Russian-flagged cargo ship suspected of breaching sanctions imposed because of the invasion of Ukraine.

France says the UN decolonisation committee has welcomed an invitation to New Caledonia following the territory's third rejection of independence from France in December.

Investigators in French Polynesia have reassessed their case against the pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru, who has challenged the seizure of his $US100,000 savings.

French Polynesia has signed an agreement with France to borrow an additional $US337 million to help reform the territory's social security system.

Negotiations on New Caledonia's future won't begin until after April, after a landmark referendum on independence from France - but the process remains controversial.

Analysis - New Caledonia had a contentious independence referendum, marred by low voter turn out. Pacific expert [David Robie examines the result.

A law professor in Noumea says New Caledonia is now faced with a period of high uncertainty, be it political, economic or institutional.

Analysis - Africa Programme's Paul Melly break down where things gone have wrong for France in West Africa and why the European nation appears so unpopular in Africa.

Sam Cane is back in the All Blacks starting lineup for Sunday morning's Test against France in Paris.

The All Blacks won't be flushing away the Ireland result too quickly and will use to to get prepare for this weekend's tour finale against France.

New Caledonia's pro-independence parties say they won't respect the result of the independence referendum if France maintains December 12 as the date of the vote.

French Polynesia's pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira party has joined a march against the new law making Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for healthcare staff and those working with the public.

New Caledonia's pro-independence FLNKS party has called for "non-participation" in the independence referendum on December 12.

France has recalled its ambassadors from the USA and Australia for consultations in a unprecedented move over a row about a security bargain.