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photo: AFP/Delphine Meyer
New Caledonia’s parliament votes to approve emergency fund to save its social security system
New Caledonia’s parliament approved on Thursday a special emergency fund to save its troubled social security system (CAFAT) totaling about $54 million U.S. dollars.
The special program is intended to inject enough cash to enable CAFAT to implement a recently announced plan to help those who lost their jobs as a result of the riots that broke out in New Caledonia on May 13, 2024, which resulted in the destruction of businesses, looting and arson.
Beneficiaries will receive a temporary allowance equivalent to 70 to 100 percent of their original salary.
But French aid is considered insufficient and last week President Louis Mapou wrote to Paris asking for further $He said the $280 million would give New Caledonia enough cash flow to sustain operations for the next two months.
Budget Minister Yannick Slamé told parliament that New Caledonia was on the verge of bankruptcy.
This was the first meeting of Parliament since civil unrest broke out in New Caledonia five weeks ago. Before the debate, all members observed a minute of silence to mourn the nine people who died in the riots and conflict.
Court acquits father of using marijuana to treat son
A French Polynesian court has acquitted Ariimatani Vairaaroa, 47, who was charged with using cannabis to treat his disabled son.
photo: Photo Broadcast 1
A court in French Polynesia has acquitted a 47-year-old man who was charged with using marijuana to treat his disabled son.
Ariimatani Vairaaroa was charged with growing about a hundred cannabis plants for the extraction of cannabis oil after police raided his home.
Vairaroa told the court last week the move was to ease the suffering of his 10-year-old son, who suffers from epilepsy.
He said he has been using the oil therapy with great results and it has helped reduce his son’s epileptic seizures.
“I know it’s against the law, but I would do anything for my son,” he said.
The French Polynesian government is currently working to legalize cannabis for therapeutic purposes and, at a later stage, for recreational use.
Olympics surfing fan zone location changed due to delays
The location of Riri Point (Tahiti), originally planned to host the 2024 Olympic Games Surfing Fan Zone, has been changed
photo: Polynesian One
The location of the 2024 Olympic Games surfing fan zone, initially planned for Riri Point (Tahiti), has been moved due to delays.
The work began last year but will not be completed in time to host a fan zone for the Tahitian Olympic surfing event (late July 2024) in nearby Teahupoo (on the west coast of Tahiti’s main island).
The architects said the main reason for the delay was heavy rainfall earlier this year.
Olympic organizers subsequently decided to move the Olympic fan zone to another location.
But locals will still benefit from new infrastructure including restaurants and a sports and leisure park, with the $15 million project set to be completed and delivered by the end of the year.
‘Bula Paris 2024’ celebrates Pacific culture
‘Bula Paris 2024’ performance to celebrate Pacific cultures during Olympics
photo: supply
The French Embassy in Suva (Fiji) said in a press release that a music show dedicated to Pacific music will be held during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The event is expected to take place on July 26, 2024, coinciding with the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Organisers said artists including Ratu, Billy T, Lesi Fiji, Miles Manulevu and Kylie Fisher would perform “a captivating fusion of traditional Fijian music and contemporary island rhythms” and a “Fijian-style barbecue”.
The paid event was held at the “Taki Bar” in Paris and was targeted at “the many guests supporting the Pacific Islands team competing in the Paris Olympics.”
Tahitian icon John Gabilou awarded French medal
80-year-old Tahitian singer John Gabilou (left) is awarded the title of Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by French High Commissioner Eric Spitz in recognition of his career spanning more than 60 years
photo: Radio 1
Tahitian singer John Gabilou, 80, has been named Chevalier of France’s Order of Arts and Letters in recognition of a career that has spanned more than 60 years.
The ceremony took place this week at a ceremony at the French High Commission in Papeete.
“I’m not just singing in Tahiti, I’m singing all over the world. I feel honored,” the singer, whose real name is Gabriel Lewis Laughlin, told local media.
He also represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981, singing the song “Humanahum” The album ranked third in sales, with approximately one million copies.
This year, Gabilou, who specializes in performing Tahitian-style songs, plans to release a new album titled “Island Home.”
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