The Latest Breaking News from French Guiana

Europe's Vega-C Rocket Launches Satellite Into Orbit After Delays

Europe's new Vega-C rocket launched Thursday from French Guiana and put a satellite into orbit in its first takeoff since a failed flight two years ago.

International Business Times · Dec 6, 2024

Handle on history: Knives embedded with rocket parts honor 45 years of Ariane launches

A company that crafts knife handles from leftover rocket metal and the wood from trees surrounding the launch pad has created a limited piece celebrating the anniversary of Europe's venerable Ariane.

Space · Dec 3, 2024

An agreement ends resistance to a renewable energy plant in French Guiana… but is it energy justice?

In French Guiana, a community of indigenous Kali’na began actively resisting plans for the world’s first baseload renewable power plant using hydrogen technology – the CEOG project – in November 2022. The energy company, Hydrogene de France (HDF Energy), had touted the plans as an initiative that would deliver jobs for…

The Conversation · Nov 12, 2024

Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket set for inaugural launch from French Guiana

The Ariane 6, Europe's latest heavy-lift launch vehicle, is scheduled for its maiden voyage on 9 July from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This debut mission will carry a payload of eight satellites and various experimental instruments.

Radio France Internationale · Jul 9, 2024

France’s overseas territories cast first votes in high-stakes legislative elections

Voting got underway on Saturday in France's overseas territories located off the coast of Canada, in the Caribbean and the South American territory of French Guiana. Some 49 million French are eligible to vote in the snap parliamentary elections, which could change the country's trajectory.

France 24 · Jun 29, 2024

Butterflies cross Atlantic ocean on 2,600-mile non-stop flight never recorded in any insect before

Painted lady butterflies discovered in French Guiana — thousands of miles from their usual habitats — got there through a Herculean transoceanic flight.

LiveScience · Jun 26, 2024

Macron returns to French Guiana for thorny talks on autonomy and illegal mining

France's President Emmanuel Macron arrived in the overseas department of French Guiana on Monday for a two-day visit, to discuss poverty, crime and greater autonomy – a prickly topic between Cayenne and Paris. The trip will be followed by a visit to neighbouring Brazil, where Macron will address the issue…

Radio France Internationale · Mar 25, 2024

Unicef sounds alarm over child poverty in French overseas departments

Children in French overseas territories lack the access to healthcare, housing and education that kids in mainland France can rely on, a new report by Unicef highlights. The UN children's agency is calling on the French government to address what it calls "alarming inequalities" and protect basic rights across the…

Radio France Internationale · Nov 20, 2023

Why do France's overseas territories have a diabetes problem?

A study by the national public health institute reveals alarming rates of type 2 diabetes among residents of France's overseas territories, where the chronic illness is two times as common as it is on the French mainland. What explains the disparity?

Radio France Internationale · Nov 18, 2023

Rainforest villages in French Guiana cut off after loss of airline

Residents in the overseas department of French Guiana say they urgently need new roads after its only private airline, Air Guyane, was placed in liquidation in October. This loss left a tenth of the population cut off from urban areas.

Radio France Internationale · Oct 31, 2023