Europe's southern arc, spanning the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahel, is increasingly viewed as a potential arena for renewed great-power rivalry, with some observers contending that such competition is already underway. In parallel with the European Union's broad engagement in the region, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has, since its founding, developed a range of initiatives aimed at its southern periphery, to deepen situational awareness, strengthen its regional presence and assist partner countries. This approach is grounded in the understanding that instability, armed conflict, terrorism, demographic growth, climate change, irregular migration, and intensifying geopolitical contestation across the southern flank carry direct consequences for Euro-Atlantic security and NATO's defence posture. As actors such as Russia and China promote alternative governance and security models in the region, the Alliance faces growing incentives to deepen its engagement in the southern neighbourhood. Strengthening existing cooperation frameworks would enable NATO to contribute to addressing shared security challenges while responding to the concrete needs and threat perceptions identified by its southern partners. NATO's heightened attention to the southern neighbourhood(s) has been progressively reflected in successive Strategic Concepts and reinforced in recent summit declarations. The Alliance has also relied on established partnership framework mechanisms, notably the Mediterranean Dialogue and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, to advance political dialogue, capacity building and tailored cooperation on mutually relevant issues, consistent with its comprehensive 360-degree approach to defence and security. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The United States' 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS) continues the foreign-policy reorientation set out in the 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS). It frames the United States (US) as confronting intensified threats at home and abroad and sets four lines of effort: defending the homeland, deterring China in the Indo-Pacific, increasing allied burden-sharing, and 'supercharging' the United States' defence industrial base. Russia is portrayed as a persistent yet 'manageable' threat, mostly to NATO's eastern members, and the strategy argues that European allies should assume primary responsibility for their conventional defence with 'critical but more limited' US support. It presents this approach as 'flexible realism', and a deliberate shift away from earlier US strategy. The NDS has prompted divergent expert opinions. While some argue that it introduces more focused prioritisation and seeks to prevent 'strategic overstretch', others warn that its approach to alliances could actually increase strategic risks. Other concerns include the lack of clarity on implementation, the emphasis on burden-sharing without specifying consequences for shortfalls, and the possibility that a stronger focus on the Western Hemisphere could detract from preparing for major conflict contingencies relevant to allies and partners. The European Parliament views the evolving US posture as reinforcing the need for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own security. This includes taking concrete steps to build a stronger and more credible European pillar within NATO. It reaffirms NATO's central role in collective defence, and calls for deeper EU-NATO cooperation, enhanced European capabilities, and contingency planning in case of a reduced US military presence in Europe. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

À Papeete, 757 personnes ont dormi dans la rue en 2023. Une centaine y vit encore au quotidien, malgré les dispositifs d'accueil existants. Parmi eux, le centre de Fare Ute, installé dans un hangar depuis décembre 2024 et géré par l'association Te Torea.

Deux semaines après le début de la saison 2026 du World Championship Tour (championnats du monde) qui a démarré en Australie, la surfeuse de Huahine n'a pas réussi à franchir le cap des huitièmes de finale lors de la deuxième étape de la Margaret River Pro. Dans une mer agitée, elle s'incline face à l'Américaine Caitlin Simmers.

À Tautira, berceau du va’a, s’est tenu ce samedi 18 avril une journée portes ouvertes dédiée à la navigation ancestrale. Au programme : plusieurs ateliers autour de l’océan dédié au public. L’occasion aussi de célébrer un an de navigation pour Rapa-Atea, un projet familial qui renoue avec la pirogue à voile traditionnelle.

La gendarmerie nationale recrute. Mais avant de s'engager, les candidats connaissent-ils véritablement les missions qui les attendent ? Pour la deuxième année consécutive, la brigade de Faa'a ouvrait ses portes au public pour la matinée du samedi 18 avril. L'occasion de découvrir les quelque 300 métiers de la gendarmerie. Entre l'État-Major, les unités opérationnelles ou les réservistes, le choix est vaste. Parmi les temps forts de la matinée, une opération musclée de la compagnie des îles du vent.

C'est une nouvelle étape pour le transport aérien inter-îles. La compagnie Air Moana accueille ce samedi 18 avril son quatrième avion, baptisé Poerava. Un renfort attendu pour améliorer les dessertes locales et répondre à une demande en hausse.

Au Moyen-Orient, l'éclaircie aura été de courte durée. Ce samedi 18 avril au matin, l'Iran annonce la fermeture du stratégique détroit d'Ormuz alors que la veille, il avait été complètement rouvert pour les navires commerciaux. Un revirement de Téhéran, en réaction au maintien du blocus américain des ports iraniens.

Sept nouvelles personnes positives au VIH (virus de l'immunodéficience humaine) ont été recensées depuis le début de cette année. Pour faire face, le Pays lance une campagne de prévention. Les autorités sanitaires notent une « multiplication des rencontres anonymisées via les réseaux sociaux ou les sites de rencontre ». Des traitement existent, mais il n'est toujours pas possible de guérir du VIH.

Ce vendredi 17 avril, la cour d’assises de Papeete ouvre un nouveau procès. Un dossier lourd, intime, et tragique. Pendant deux jours, les jurés vont se pencher sur la mort d’une femme de 51 ans, poignardée par son conjoint à Bora Bora, en août 2022. Il encourt la réclusion criminelle à perpétuité.

Troisième et dernier jour du procès du second meurtrier présumé de Manoa, devant la cour d’assises des mineurs. Manoa avait été tué à coups de marteau par deux frères mineurs au moment des faits, en septembre 2024. Après la condamnation du cadet début mars, c’est au tour de l’ainé d’être jugé. Le fait qu’il ait changé de version en se défaussant sur son petit frère, a alourdi sa peine.

Troisième et dernier jour du procès du second meurtrier présumé de Manoa, devant la cour d’assises des mineurs. Manoa avait été tué à coups de marteau par deux frères mineurs au moment des faits, en septembre 2024. Après la condamnation du cadet début mars, c’est au tour de l’ainé d’être jugé. Le fait qu’il ait changé de version en se défaussant sur son petit frère, pourrait alourdir sa peine.

Au lendemain de sa violente rencontre avec un requin non loin du littoral de la Côte-Blanche, le rameur attaqué, président d'un club de va'a, a transmis à NC la 1ère son témoignage. À la fois édifiant, courageux et résilient.

Battu à 0,37 point par l'Australien Jack Robinson au Margaret River Pro, Kauli Vaast quitte la compétition de surf dès le round 1. Le champion olympique polynésien, vainqueur de Robinson aux JO 2024 de Teahupo'o, s'incline malgré un total de 13,60. Vahine Fierro, elle, se qualifie pour le round suivant.

Several EU countries possess islands and insular territories. Various EU islands constitute world famous tourist destinations as they are home to considerable natural, heritage and cultural wealth. Certain islands also produce renowned agricultural products and handcrafts. However, islands also face considerable challenges. They struggle for adequate transport links with the nearest mainland. Their ecosystems are vulnerable, and natural resources are often scarce. Some of them are small and mountainous. Many are located on the periphery of a Member State, or constitute border regions, placing considerable limitations on their potential for economic growth. Islands are usually too small to allow economies of scale. They may lack human capital and possess limited public resources in health, education, research and innovation. In most cases, islands are not self-sufficient in agricultural and industrial products or tertiary-sector services. They are usually reliant on imported fossil fuels and dependent on mainland energy networks. As most products and services are transported to islands, prices are usually considerably higher, adding to the cost of living in insular territories. In recent years, the EU's southern islands have seen an influx of migrants, whilst lacking the resources needed for their accommodation and integration. However, although the state of insularity creates many problems, various studies suggest that islands can become 'lands of opportunities' by investing in their relative strengths. Solar, sea and wind energy opportunities can be explored to create sustainable energy communities. Tourism, agriculture and fisheries, as well as the high quality of life that many EU islands offer, in combination with the digitalisation of work bring more opportunities for their growth. Recent geopolitical uncertainties have also elevated the strategic role of islands, as many of them are based in strategic locations and host important military bases. The European Commission has declared that it will present in the near future a strategy on islands and coastal territories, as well as an updated strategy on outermost regions, which include insular territories. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On 3 February 2026, the European Commission adopted the first delegated regulation supplementing the Union certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products with its first methodology for certification. Covering permanent carbon removals, the methodology paves the way for three types of removal activities to become EU certified: direct air capture with carbon storage (DACCS); biogenic emissions capture with carbon storage (BioCCS); and biochar carbon removal (BCR). With permanent carbon removals due to play a role in the post-2030 climate policy frameworks, the potential release in late 2026 or 2027 of EU certified carbon removal units is an important step. From the Commission's adoption of the delegated regulation, a two-month period starts, during which the European Parliament and the Council can object to the text. Parliament's Committee on the Environment Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) considered two motions for a resolution to object to the delegated act. Neither were successful. With no objection from the Council, the delegated regulation is awaiting publication in the Official Journal; it will enter into force 20 days after publication. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Après l’incendie survenu le 1er janvier 2026 dans un bar de Crans-Montana en Suisse, une semaine d’hommage est organisée à partir du 18 avril. Baptisée « opération papillon », cette initiative vise à commémorer les victimes et à rassembler leurs proches, même depuis les Marquises. 

En Nouvelle Calédonie, un homme qui pratiquait le va’a en club dans le Sud de Nouméa a été hospitalisé dans un état grave, ce mercredi soir, après avoir été blessé par un requin vers la Côte-Blanche. L'alerte a été donnée par ses coéquipiers, qui l'ont ramené en pirogue sur le littoral.

Obstacles to businesses' cross-border operations and expansion constitute a major hurdle to an effective single market. The International Monetary Fund estimates that persistent barriers to the single market represent the equivalent of a 44 % and 110 % tariff on goods and services, respectively. The Letta report emphasised that a single business code would be a 'game-changer', making all business procedures – from establishment to end of activity – smoother and more transparent. To address this issue, the European Commission published a proposal on 18 March 2026 for a regulation establishing the 28th regime corporate legal framework that introduces a new legal entity, EU Inc. Any company would be able to register in any Member State and opt in to the EU Inc. company form. The framework would allow quick, fully digital registration that is automatically valid across the whole EU, thereby benefiting the operations and expansion of EU Inc. businesses. In addition, the proposal provides for a single tax treatment of employee remuneration through stocks and enables employee participation schemes. It also provides for fast-track termination of solvent companies, and a legal framework for winding up insolvent small and young innovative companies, known as start-ups. Parliament adopted a resolution in January 2026 supporting the approach but remained cautious about its chances of success. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Dans le cadre des actions de prévention en santé publique, les sages-femmes du Centre de Protection Maternelle (CPM) de Taravao, en collaboration avec l’équipe des formations sanitaires de Tahiti-Iti, organisent une campagne de vaccination temporaire contre le papillomavirus humain (HPV) dans la commune de Tautira.

Roger Changuy, bénévole investi au sein de la Fédération tahitienne de va'a et du Comité Hawaiki Nui, est décédé, a-t-on appris auprès du Comité Hawaiki Nui Va'a.

C’est une page qui tourne dans le transport maritime entre Tahiti et Moorea. Le ferry Terevau, en service depuis 2012, a été placé en liquidation judiciaire ce lundi 13 avril. Malgré un mois supplémentaire accordé par le tribunal de commerce pour présenter un plan solide avec des garanties financières, aucune solution n’a aboutit. Les 35 salariés seront licenciés.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This digest provides a collection of documents prepared by the academia, think tanks, other EU institutions and bodies, as well as stakeholders that can be useful for Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets to stay informed about the debate concerning the next Multiannual Financial Framework, starting in 2028. The document is produced monthly by the Budgetary Support Unit of DG BUDG and the European Parliamentary Research Service. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

C'est le chiffre alarmant avancé par Charles Renvoyé, de la Fédération citoyenne de lutte contre les drogues : treize suicides liés à la méthamphétamine depuis le début de l'année. Ce collectif ne cesse d'interpeller les pouvoirs publics. Si certains pensent qu'il en fait trop, sur le terrain, l'urgence est réelle.

Jeanne Chane, dite «mamie vanille» est décédée, à l'âge de 90 ans, à Raiatea. Figure emblématique de la vanille, elle était préparatrice depuis plus de 70 ans et largement reconnue dans la profession.

Treize suicides liés à la méthamphétamine depuis le début de l’année : c’est le chiffre alarmant avancé par Charles Renvoyé, de la Fédération citoyenne de lutte contre les drogues. Ce collectif ne cesse d’interpeller les pouvoirs publics. Si certains pensent qu’il en fait trop, sur le terrain, l’urgence est réelle.

A Papeete, comme dans la plupart des 164 barreaux de France, une mobilisation symbolique des avocats ce lundi, marque leur opposition au projet de loi SURE, porté par Gérald Darmanin et visant à réformer la justice pénale. Le texte cherche à accélérer les sanctions pour réduire les délais judiciaires.

La direction d'Air Tahiti et le syndicat des personnels navigants techniques de Polynésie française (SPNTPF) ont signé un protocole d'accord de fin de grève dimanche tard dans la nuit. Les vols vont reprendre progressivement dès ce lundi matin.

Latvia is set to receive non-repayable financial support (grants) worth €1 969 million to implement its national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP), including for the REPowerEU chapter. These resources represent 0.3 % of the RRF, equal to 6.4 % of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019. Under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the original plan had an initial value of €1 826 million. In June 2022, Latvia's grant allocation was increased by €9 million. In September 2023, Latvia submitted a request to amend its NRRP, to which it added a REPowerEU chapter endowed with an additional grant allocation of €124 million. It also requested to transfer a portion of its share of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to its plan (€11 million). In December 2023, the Council adopted an amending implementing decision greenlighting the modified plan. In December 2024, Latvia submitted a second modified NRRP. In February 2025, the Council approved the revision of Latvia's plan. In November 2025, Latvia submitted a third modified NRRP. In December 2025, the Council approved the new revision of Latvia's plan. The current plan contains 24 reforms and 69 investment measures to be completed by 31 August 2026. Latvia has so far received 55.6 % of the resources, or €1 094 million, in the form of pre-financing, and three payments of grants (see annex to this briefing). The disbursements are below the current EU average of 69 %. A further two payments for grants will depend on progress made in implementing the plan. The European Parliament participates in discussions on the implementation of the RRF and continues to scrutinise the European Commission's work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Fifth edition. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This briefing provides a comparative analysis of anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks in five major financial jurisdictions: the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and Singapore. Although these jurisdictions broadly follow international standards developed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), their institutional architectures and supervisory approaches differ significantly. The analysis examines several key dimensions of AML governance framework, including the legal foundations of AML obligations, supervisory structures, beneficial ownership transparency, the scope of obliged entities, the regulation of crypto-assets, and enforcement mechanisms. Particular attention is given to how different institutional designs influence the credibility and effectiveness of AML supervision. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels (TAFF) is intended to mark a fresh start by providing a “safe harbour” for state and non-governmental actors that aim to advance the transition at the national and international level. Co-hosted by the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands, the conference aims to form a «coalition of the willing», establish a science-led coordination process, and produce a consolidated report on concrete transition solutions. International cooperation initiatives that do not require the agreement of all parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Paris Agreement are increasingly important for implementation. With this conference being the first of its kind, the briefing for the ENVI mission to the conference outlines the conference's methodology as well as central dynamics and processes: enablers and barriers, TAFF in the UNFCCC context, parallel initiatives, as well as EU actions in the field. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On 16 December 2025, the European Commission published the automotive omnibus as part of a broader automotive package aimed at supporting the sector in the transition to clean mobility. The automotive omnibus is the ninth set of simplification measures (also known as 'omnibus packages') that have been published by the Commission since 2025. Its purpose is to simplify the rules governing the EU automotive industry and improve coherence and consistency between different regulatory requirements. The two legislative proposals included in the package would amend the EU rules concerning tachograph obligations for electric light commercial vehicles (electric vans) and motor caravans, as well as those applying to speed limitation devices for electric vans. Additionally, the package would introduce a definition of a small electric car in motor vehicle legislation and authorise the Commission to adopt delegated acts to lay down the technical requirements for vehicle interoperability with charging infrastructure and grid. Furthermore, the proposals would simplify the rules for EU type-approval of new motor vehicles in terms of their sound level; remove some low- temperature laboratory tests from the Euro 7 Regulation; simplify Euro 7 rules for heavy-duty vehicles; and empower the Commission to adopt implementing acts on car data management. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The virtual, online world is a significant part of everyday life. As a reflection of modern society, it features a range of criminal behaviour. The internet is a complex system of interconnected computer networks allowing applications to communicate with one another. Through this complexity, it has a simplistic structure with a visible top layer, a deeper content layer and finally, a small but significant dark layer. This dark layer, known as the dark web, is a less explored and understood part of the web. It contains content that is not searchable and is accessed using a process to maintain anonymity. There are legitimate and appropriate reasons for accessing the dark web, such as activists and whistleblowers avoiding identification. However, it has a reputation for illicit content and activity. This notoriety can be justified, as the dark web, while not unlawful in itself, does contain websites providing access to illegal content and services such as drugs, firearms, stolen data and child sexual abuse material. This online space is being progressively scrutinised by law enforcement agencies, who have become increasingly specialised in countering certain aspects of the dark web, with some notable successes in dismantling cybercrime infrastructure and bringing criminals to justice. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP