New Caledonia

Firefighters in New Caledonia have been assured that armed police will now assist them if they consider a call-out to be too risky.

The Brazilian mining conglomerate Vale says a $US200 million loan from the French state has reduced the risk of it shutting its multi-billion dollar nickel plant in New Caledonia.

Plans are being drawn up in New Caledonia to build a new road south of Noumea because of repeated clashes along the existing road near St Louis.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group secretariat has a new proposed date for a leaders summit to discuss West Papuan membership.

An estimated 300 people have held a street meeting in New Caledonia amid concern for their safety after attacks on the main road south of Noumea.

A New Caledonian anti-independence party has called for the French army to be deployed to contain the lawlessness south of Noumea where gunmen have repeatedly attacked road users.

New Caledonia's pro-independence side has restated its demand that all indigenous Kanaks be automatically inscribed on the roll of those eligible to vote in the independence referendum due by 2018.

Samoa's first chocolate producer using original Samoan cocoa is back in business after 13 years.

Police in New Caledonia have reopened a road south of Noumea after it was blocked for just over a day.

All Whites captain Chris Wood expects New Caledonia to go to another level when they play in front of their home fans in Koné tonight.

A police attempt to try and break through a road block set up on the main road south of New Caledonia's capital, Noumea, has been halted. Audio

One of New Caledonia's main pro-independence parties has decided to boycott next year's French legislative elections.

A resident of New Caledonia's south says residents are getting sick of road blocks formed by clashes between police and armed Kanak men.

New Caledonian firefighters have abandoned work on a bushfire after being shot at north of Noumea.

Police in New Caledonia have closed the main road south of Noumea because of gunfire and attempts to intimidate drivers.

The price of New Caledonia's main export commodity, nickel, has gone up by four percent in an apparent response to the US election outcome.

New Caledonia's pro-independence parties have warned against using repressive measures to counter youth delinquency, saying they won't resolve anything in the long run.

New Caledonia's pro-independence parties have called on the French state to help the northern province with its Koniambo nickel plant.

The French government has decided to offer the Vale nickel plant in New Caledonia a $US220 million loan for ten years to prop up its production.