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The Latest Breaking News from French Polynesia

‘Coral houses’ are dotted throughout the Pacific. Now scientists know exactly when they were built

The Mangareva Islands are about 1,600 kilometres southeast of Tahiti in French Polynesia. They get their name (which means “floating mountains”) from the way the sea spray breaking on the surrounding coral atolls, or motu, causes the ancient volcanic peaks to appear as if they are floating above the waves.

The Conversation

France seizes 2.4 tonnes of cocaine in Pacific as drug seizures hit record highs

French authorities have seized 2.4 tonnes of cocaine from a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, marking the latest in a series of major drug interceptions near French Polynesia.

Radio France Internationale

The long half-life of France’s nuclear tests in Polynesia

Thirty years ago this week, on an island in the South Pacific, France conducted its final nuclear test – ending a programme that exposed thousands of people to radiation over decades. The islands of French Polynesia are still living with the fallout.

Radio France Internationale

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Podcast: Drug prices, Dry January, nuclear tests in French Polynesia

How France negotiates drug prices and the impact of US President Donald Trump's pressure to raise them. The Paris bar celebrating sobriety as more people embrace Dry January. And the radioactive legacy of nuclear testing in French Polynesia.

Radio France Internationale

I Thought I’d Seen Every Shade Of Blue, Until I Sailed Through French Polynesia

French Polynesia showed me that wonder doesn’t shout, it unfolds quietly, one shade of blue at a time.

Bored Panda

Outteridge goes from remote island to SailGP start line

Olympic gold medallist Nathan Outteridge was on a remote island in French Polynesia when he heeded a call to return to the SailGP competition.

AAP

Delfour delivers in canoe slalom world championships

French Polynesian-born paddler Lucien Delfour has competed on the Penrith course for almost 20 years and showed his local knowledge with an impressive K1 run.

AAP

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Record drug seizure in French Polynesia as overseas minister makes official visit

French customs officials have seized a record 900 kilogrammes of cocaine and 180 kilogrammes of methamphetamine aboard a sailing yacht off the Marquesas Islands – one of five archipelagos that make up French Polynesia. France's Overseas Minister Manuel Valls, on an official visit to the region, has said the "fight…

Radio France Internationale

French Polynesia declares increase in ocean protection

This week on The Sound Kitchen, you’ll hear the answer to the question about France’s maritime domains. There’s a poem by Pradip Basak read by RFI English journalist Amanda Morrow, “The Listener’s Corner”, and lots of good music. All that and the new quiz and bonus questions too, so click…

Radio France Internationale

China Downplayed Nuclear-capable Missile Test: Classified NZ Govt Papers

China tried to mislead foreign governments in 2024 by playing down the importance of a nuclear-capable missile test over the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand diplomats privately warned in documents obtained by AFP. Beijing sent shivers through the South Pacific in September 2024, when its elite Rocket Force fired a dummy…

International Business Times

French Polynesia unveils world's largest marine protected zone

French Polynesia's President Moetai Brotherson on Monday announced that his country is on track to create the world's largest marine protected area (MPA). The ambitious objective, spanning nearly 23 percent of the archipelago's waters, came on the first day of the UN Oceans Conference in Nice.

Radio France Internationale

Photographer Captures Breathtaking Underwater Scenes (30 Pics)

Rachel Moore is an award-winning underwater photographer, ocean advocate, and sailor currently living in French Polynesia.

Bored Panda

The health impact of nuclear tests in French Polynesia – archive, 1981

France spent €90,000 countering research into the effects of its Pacific nuclear tests in the 1960s and 70s. Learn how the Guardian reported early accounts of sickness and contamination

The Guardian - UK

France spent €90,000 countering research into impact of Pacific nuclear tests

Documents suggest campaign to discredit revelation that tests contaminated many more people than acknowledged

The Guardian - UK

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PetsRadar

29-year-old manager quits job to go sailing across the Pacific Ocean with his cat because ‘the world kind of sucks’

He’s on his way from Oregon to Hawaii and then to French Polynesia

Euronews

Some shark bites are ‘survival instinct’, researchers say in defence of threatened predator

This is the first time self-defence in sharks has been documented in detail.

The Guardian - AU

‘Playing gods with the cradle of life’: French Polynesia’s president issues warning over deep-sea mining

Exclusive: Moetai Brotherson fears environmental risks of controversial practice and says independence from France must not be ‘rushed’

The Guardian - AU

Whales ‘relentlessly pestered’: tourism boom sparks new rules in French Polynesia

Caps on the number of boats allowed to approach whales among measures to be introduced while experts say restrictions don’t go far enough

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Radio France Internationale

French Polynesia says Chinese missile landed 'not far' from its economic zone

French Polynesia said a Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launched into the Pacific landed near its exclusive economic zone, as Beijing's first such tests in four decades drew a chorus of protests.

International Business Times

In French Polynesia, Boom In Whale-based Tourism Sparks Concern

A giant whale stole the show at the Summer Olympic Games, shooting out of the water as athletes competed in women's surfing semi-finals on the French Pacific island of Tahiti last month.

Zenger

Rare Partula Snails Bred At Edinburgh Zoo Set For Release In French Polynesia‌ ‌

Thousands of nocturnal snails marked with UV paint to aid conservation efforts in historic reintroduction‌ ‌

The National (Scotland)

Extremely rare snails bred at Scottish zoo sent to South Pacific to boost population

THOUSANDS of extremely rare Partula snails bred at Edinburgh Zoo are to be released into the wild in French Polynesia to help restore the…

AAP

French Polynesia whacks France's New Caledonia approach

The president of French Polynesia says France needs to change tack in its diplomatic efforts over New Caledonia.

Radio France Internationale

Cultural treasures in Africa and French Polynesia join Unesco heritage list

The World Heritage Committee has this month inscribed 26 new cultural and natural properties to Unesco's World Heritage List, including five in Africa and one in French Polynesia.

Inverse

The Physic Behind The Waves Teahupo'o Is Olympic-Worthy

The waves in French Polynesia are icons of surfing. Here’s a look at the physics behind the Olympic wave at Teahupo'o.

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