France Regains Control Over Noumea After Deadly Riots

Riots broke out in New Caledonia's capital Noumea over a planned voting reform, which indigenous Kanaks fear will marginalize them politically. The violence resulted in seven deaths, hundreds of injuries, and several hundred arrests. French security forces regained control of the city, with authorities deploying additional paramilitary gendarmes to the territory. A state of emergency was enforced, including a night curfew from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am and an alcohol sales ban. Police cleared barricades in the Riviere-Salee district, arresting 12 people. The violence has led to concerns about foreign interference, with suspicions that countries such as China and Azerbaijan might be using social media platforms like TikTok to influence the situation. However, a ban on TikTok was later lifted after the state of emergency ended.