Across the world, plants and flowers are increasingly reaching the brink of extinction. We get the chance the hold one of the rarest plants in the world, find out how invasive species are killing precious forests in New Caledonia, and check out a controversial scheme to keep back the encroaching sands of the Sahara desert.
We meet Edouard, a visual artist in the archipelago of the Saints in Guadeloupe who uses driftwood to make his works. Then, in New Caledonia, we check out the sailing school in Nouméa, whose sailors have picked up a raft of awards around the world.
France's former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has announced he'll run for president in next year's election. Meanwhile, divisions are starting to appear within the Socialist Party over a corruption scandal. Finally, controversy over a new film reveals deep divisions over the thorny question of independence in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia.
On his first state visit to New Caledonia, French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday urged rival factions to show restraint in the wake of August 6’s deadly protests over rising air fares, calling the violence unjustified.
New Caledonia is hit by a deadly uprising, as protests over rising airfares turn violent in the French overseas territory. Also, French firemen are up in arms over a new European directive which may be about to change their status. Finally, the Elysée Palace gets a summer facelift, just in time for the return of the president and his cabinet.
Four people were killed and 23 others wounded Saturday on the island of Mare in the South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia during violent protests over airfare increases after local residents and protesters at the airport clashed, officials say.
In this edition: As it recovers from its worst riots in years, New Caledonia grapples with an outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1); alliance or not? The Socialist Party ripped apart once more; and focus on France's Muslims during Ramadan.
The swine flu death toll in the French territory of New Caledonia has risen to five after the death of a 46-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, officials have said. Neither had pre-existing conditions putting them at a greater risk from the virus.
In this edition: a week of violence in New Caledonia left 28 gendarmes injured; toxic algae dangers are back in the news after a horse and its rider died in Brittany; is it the end of cheap rents for civil servants?
