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RNZ News
5 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
French politicians in New Caledonia this week
Leader of Rassemblement National (RN), Marine Le Pen in New Caledonia. Photo: Marine Le Pen Facebook French national politicians have been in New Caledonia as the territory's future remains undecided. This week, leaders from both right-wing Les Républicains (LR) and Rassemblement National (RN), vice-president François-Xavier Bellamy and Marine Le Pen respectively, are in the French Pacific territory. They expressed their respective views with regards to New Caledonia's political, economic and social situation, one year after insurrectional riots broke out in May 2024. Since then, latest attempts to hold political talks between all stakeholders and France have been met with fluctuating responses, but the latest round of discussions, earlier this month, ended in a stalemate . This was because hard-line pro-France parties considered the project of a "sovereignty with France", brought forward by French minister for Overseas Manuel Valls, was not acceptable, because three self-determination referendums have been held in 2018, 2020 and 2021 and all of the three consultations resulted in a rejection of independence. The last referendum, in December 2021, was however largely boycotted by the pro-independence movement and its followers due to cultural concerns around covid-19. The pro-France camp is accusing Valls of siding with the pro-independence FLNKS bloc and other more moderate parties such as PALIKA (Kanak Liberation Party) and UPM (Union Progressiste en Mélanésie), who want independence from France, albeit at varying degrees. Valls is considering transferring key French powers to New Caledonia, introducing a double French/New Caledonian citizenship and an international standing. The pro-France camp is adamant that this ignores the three no votes. Speaking to a crowd of several hundred supporters in Nouméa on Tuesday evening, Bellamy said he now favoured going ahead with modifying conditions of eligibility for voters at local provincial elections. The same attempts to change the locked local electoral roll - which is restricted to people residing in New Caledonia from before November 1998 - was widely perceived as the main cause for the May 2024 riots, which left 14 dead. Bellamy said giving in to violence that erupted last year was out of the question, because it was "an attempt to topple a democratic process". Les Républicains, to which the Rassemblement-LR local party is affiliated, is one of the major parties in the French Parliament. Its newly-elected president Bruno Retailleau is the Minister for Home Affairs in French President Emmanuel Macron's coalition government. Bellamy told a crowd of supporters in Nouméa that in his view, the decolonisation process prescribed by the 1998 Nouméa Accord "is now over". "New Caledonians have democratically decided, three times, that they belong to France. And this should be respected," he told a crowd during a political rally. In Nouméa, Bellamy said if the three referendum results were ignored as part of a future political agreement, then LR could go as far as pulling out of the French government. Marine Le Pen, this week, also expressed her views on New Caledonia's situation, saying instead of focusing on New Caledonia's institutional future, the priority should be placed on its economy, which is still reeling from the devastation caused during the 2024 riots. The efforts included diversifying the economy. A Paris court convicted Le Pen and two dozen (RN) party members of embezzling EU funds last month, and imposed a sentence that will prevent her from standing in France's 2027 presidential election unless she can get the ruling overturned within 18 months. The high-profile visits to New Caledonia from mainland French leaders come within two years of France's scheduled presidential elections. And it looks like New Caledonia could become a significant issue in the pre-poll debates and campaign. LFI (La France Insoumise), a major party in the French Parliament, and its caucus leader Mathilde Panot also visited New Caledonia from 9-17 May, this time mainly focusing on supporting the pro-independence camp's views. On Tuesday 27 May, the French President's office issued a brief statement indicating that it had decided to convene "all stakeholders" to fresh talks in Paris some time in mid-June. The talks would aim at "clarifying" New Caledonia's economic, political and institutional situation with a view to "reach a shared agreement". Depending on New Caledonia's often opposing political camps, Macron's announcement is perceived either as a dismissal of Valls' approach or a mere continuation of the overseas minister's efforts, but at a higher level. New Caledonia's pro-France parties, on their side, are adamant that Macron's proposal is entirely new and that it signifies Valls' approach has been disavowed at the highest level. Minister for Overseas France Manuel Valls, former congress president Roch Wamytan, RDO president and founder Aloisio Sako. Photo: Delphine Mayeur / Hans Lucas / AFP Valls himself wrote to New Caledonia's political stakeholders last weekend, insisting on the need to pursue talks through a so-called "follow-up committee". It is not clear whether the "follow-up committee" format is what Macron has in mind. But at the weekend, Valls made statements on several French national media outlets, stressing that he was still the one in charge of New Caledonia's case. "The one who is taking care of New Caledonia's case, at the request of French Prime Minister François Bayrou, that's me and no one else," Valls told French National news channel LCI on 25 May. "I'm not being disavowed by anyone." Most parties have since reacted swiftly to Macron's call, saying they were ready to take part in further discussions. Rassemblement-LR leader Virginie Ruffenach said this was "necessary to clarify the French state's position". She said the clarification was needed, since Valls, during his last visit, "offered an independence solution that goes way beyond what the pro-independence camp was even asking". Local pro-France figure and New Caledonia's elected MP at the French National Assembly, Nicolas Metzdorf, met Macron in Paris on Friday last week. He said at the time that an "initiative" from the French president was to be expected. Pro-independence bloc FLNKS, on its part, said Valls' proposal, nothing lower, was now "the foundation stone". Spokesman Dominique Fochi said the invitation is however scheduled to be discussed at a special FLNKS convention at the weekend. A woman in Paris carries a placard with the text '170 years of French colonisation is enough. Independence for New Caledonia and support for the Kanak people'. Photo: AFP / Eric Broncard/Hans Lucas Because of the signals it sends, New Caledonia's proposed political future plans are also causing concern in other French overseas territories, including their elected MPs in Paris. In the French Senate on Wednesday (28 May), French Polynesia's MP Lana Tetuanui, who is pro-France, asked during question time for French foreign affairs minister Jean-Noël Barrot to explain what France was doing in the Pacific region, in the face of growing influence from such major powers as China. She told the minister she still had doubts, "unless of course France is considering sinking its own aircraft carrier ships named New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis-and-Futuna". French president Emmanuel Macron is this week on a south-east Asian tour that takes him to Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore, where he will be the keynote speaker of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. He delivers his speech on Friday local time to mark the opening of the 22nd edition of the Dialogue, Asia's premier defence summit. The event brings together defence ministers, military leaders and senior defence officials, as well as business leaders and security experts, from across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and beyond to discuss critical security and geopolitical challenges. More specifically on the Pacific region, Macron also said one of France's future challenges included speeding up efforts to "build a new strategy in New Caledonia and French Polynesia". As part of Macron's Indo-Pacific doctrine, developed since 2017, France has earlier this year deployed significant forces in the region, including its naval and air strike group and its only aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle . The multinational exercise, codenamed "Clémenceau 25", involved joint exercises with allied forces from Australia, Japan and the United States.
India Gazette
19-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
"Major step forward in boosting citizen friendly digital governance": PM Modi lauds the launch of Revamped OCI Portal
New Delhi [India], May 19 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the launch of the revamped Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) portal as a major step towards boosting citizen-friendly digital governance. 'With enhanced features and improved functionality, the new OCI Portal marks a major step forward in boosting citizen friendly digital governance,' PM Modi said in a post on X. He was responding to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's post, who launched the portal earlier in the day. 'Today, launched the revamped OCI Portal with an up-to-date user interface to make registration of Overseas Citizens seamless. The new features will include improved functionality, enhanced security, and a user-friendly experience,' Shah wrote on X. Earlier on Monday, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a revamped Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) portal here in the national capital to improve the digital experience for OCI cardholders. The launch marks a significant step in the government's efforts to modernise citizen services for the Indian diaspora. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the new portal has been developed in response to rapid technological advancements over the past decade and feedback from existing OCI cardholders regarding issues with the previous system. 'Union Home Minister Amit Shah today launched the new Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) portal in New Delhi. In light of significant technological advancements over the past decade and feedback received from OCI cardholders, a new OCI portal has been developed to address existing shortcomings and enhance the user experience,' said the MHA in a statement. Officials stated that the revamped platform addresses existing shortcomings and is designed to offer a more user-friendly, efficient, and seamless interface for individuals of Indian origin residing overseas. The OCI card is issued to people of Indian origin who have obtained citizenship in another country, allowing them lifelong visa-free travel to India and certain economic and educational rights. Over the years, the demand for improved digital services and more responsive systems has grown with the increasing number of OCI holders globally. With this launch, the Ministry of Home Affairs continues its push toward a digitally empowered governance framework, especially for Indians living abroad. (ANI)
Filipino Times
18-05-2025
- General
- Filipino Times
MWO-Dubai urges Al Barsha 1 fire victims to register for next batch of aid despite temporary suspension
The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai has announced that emergency assistance for Filipinos affected by the fire in Al Barsha 1 will be temporarily suspended while the office replenishes its Standby AKSYON Funds. However, the office assures the public that support will continue through the next batch of aid once more resources are secured. 'In the interest of service, MWO-Dubai informs the public that the provision of emergency assistance for the affected Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) during the fire in Al Barsha 1 last 13 May 2025 will be temporarily suspended effective 17 May 2025 until further notice, pending replenishment of Standby AKSYON Funds,' MWO-Dubai said. To date, MWO-Dubai has provided financial help to 198 individuals, while the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has extended aid to 147 more. MWO-Dubai encourages those who have not yet received support to fill out the new registration form provided. This will ensure they are considered for the next round of assistance. However, individuals who are not victims of the fire or who have already received help should not fill out the form. 'Please refrain from filling out the form if you are not a victim of the Al Barsha fire or if you have already received financial assistance from MWO-Dubai. All submissions will undergo strict evaluation and verification to ensure appropriate distribution of aid,' MWO-Dubai reminds the public. MWO-Dubai also strongly advises against spreading false information and urges the public to rely only on official announcements. 'MWO-Dubai strongly urges everyone not to spread misinformation or encourage mass gatherings in Al Barsha 1, as this is a violation of UAE laws,' it added.
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ministry musings: BCCI wants to adopt Olympic sports; Govt mulling approval to OCI athletes
New Delhi, The BCCI is "keen on adopting two to three Olympic disciplines" in the sports ministry's ambitious plan to have corporate-backed individual Centres of Excellence, the work for which will begin this year. This was conveyed by the cash-rich cricket body in a meeting with sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya here on Thursday. The gathering also featured "representatives from 58 corporate houses". "Mr Rajeev Shukla, who represented the BCCI in this meeting, said that the Board is willing to adopt two to three Olympic disciplines and would leave it on the ministry to decide what those disciplines would be," a source in the sports ministry said. "The ministry welcomes this. Our plan is to build Olympic Centres for each sport, which would train 100 to 200 of the very best in the country keeping in mind the current and the next Olympic cycle. "There were 58 corporates in today's meeting and all of them were keen to support this plan," the source added. Currently, India has 23 National Centres of Excellence operated by the Sports Authority of India . Of these, only three are single-sport facilities dedicated to boxing , swimming and shooting . The two biggest NCOEs catering to multiple sports are in Patiala and Bengaluru. Mandaviya has time and again reiterated his commitment to the idea of individual Olympic centres, saying that the inspiration for it has come after observing the functioning of training facilities in Japan, the USA, and Australia. The BCCI has supported Olympic sports in the past by providing financial assistance to the National Sports Development Fund and to the Indian Olympic Association . The Board had also given ₹four crore in cash prize to medal winners of the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, including one crore to gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. However, it would be the first time that the Board gets involved in shaping talent if the modalities work out. A senior BCCI office-bearer did not dwell on the details of Thursday's meeting with Mandaviya, merely saying that, "things would be communicated if anything crystallises." The OCI conundrum ============= India's lack of growth in sports like football and tennis has often led to a debate on whether it was a good idea to ban Overseas Citizens of India card-holders from representing the country in 2008. Only Indian passport-holders are allowed to compete for the nation. A ministry source said a revocation of that ban is being considered to ensure that "India's sporting ecosystem can be strengthened". The discussion is, however, at a very early stage and would involve thorough "exchange of ideas" between the stakeholders. The deliberation has mainly revolved around football and tennis. The All India Football Federation has been particularly keen on allowing OCIs even though there are no major names who can be considered for India even if the ban is revoked. "It is just a preliminary discussion at this point, it would take a lot of time for anything to move on this front," the source said. In tennis, the legendary Vijay Amritraj's son Prakash was among the prominent US passport-holders who could not play for India because of the ban on OCI card-holders. "There is no harm in reconsidering because we would like the best of our talent to be able to represent us. But again, it's a very long road," the source said. Federations should put house in order ======================= The ministry's thrust on keeping judiciary out of sports governance has continued and it is learnt that Mandaviya has been busy meeting rival factions across different federations to sort their differences. "The idea is to ensure that judges do not govern sports. That's not the solution. The federation has to be in charge and the ministry is trying its best that infighting doesn't harm athletes or cause litigation," the ministry source stated citing the recent resolution of wrestling's administrative mess that was dragging in court and preventing athletes from competing. Khelo India Beach Games from May 18 ======================== The inaugural Khelo India Beach Games will be held in Diu May 19 to 24. Over 1000 athletes from 36 States and Union Territories are expected to compete here.
Stuff.tv
14-05-2025
- General
- Stuff.tv
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Grand Complication is the brand's first sporty minute repeater
Vacheron Constantin has just done something it's never done before: slipped a minute repeater into its sporty Overseas collection. Say hello to the Overseas Grand Complication Openface – an unapologetically complex, technically brilliant watch that doesn't mind getting its lugs wet. Housed in a 44.5mm grade 5 titanium case, this is the first Overseas to feature a minute repeater. That alone is big news. But Vacheron didn't stop there – they also packed in a perpetual calendar, a tourbillon, and a power reserve indicator. All this mechanical magic runs on Calibre 2755 QP, a hand-wound movement just 7.9mm thick. The design is just as clever. A transparent sapphire dial shows off the beautiful movement – bridges with NAC treatment in grey, rhodium-plated wheels in silver, and floating white gold hour markers suspended above blue metallised counters. Pulling off a water-resistant minute repeater is no small feat. The sliding mechanism needed to chime the hours, quarters, and minutes usually leaves cases vulnerable. Vacheron solved it with a year and a half of R&D, reworking the caseback to keep the Overseas' sleek lines while protecting the mechanism inside. The result is a 13.1mm thick case that's water-resistant to 30 metres. Not best dive watch territory, but a notable achievement for such a delicate movement. The minute repeater itself is governed by a proprietary centripetal regulator – silent, precise, and visually striking. Even the repeater hammers are mirror-polished. Peek through the caseback and you'll spot an engraved tribute to Jean-Marc Vacheron, who founded the brand in 1755. Like all Overseas models, it's designed for versatility. The titanium bracelet has a comfort adjustment system and quick-release function. Two extra straps – blue alligator and blue rubber – come in the box. The 'Openface' dial style taps into a long Vacheron tradition that dates back to the 1920s. But the execution here is ultra-modern, blending transparency, floating elements, and contrasting textures. The result is more than complex watchmaking – it's mechanical artwork. The price of the Overseas Grand Complication Openface is available on application, and production is strictly limited. For more information, head to Vacheron Constantin's website. Liked this? The Swatch Scubaqua dive watch is water resistant and ready for summer
