Our nearest neighbour, New Caledonia, has a very different political economy. Will it vote for full independence from France in 2018 – also leaving the European Union?
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World News Brief, Thursday June 25
Greek bailout falters; ethnic clash kills 18 in China; Australia joins Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as founding member; more than 800 die in Karachi heatwave; US spied on France, according to Wikileaks; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 7
Obama to push for regional defense system in Gulf; China to impose harsher punishments for pollution; Japan and Philippines hold anti-piracy exercises in waters off Manila Bay; France expands spy powers; ferry between Florida and Cuba approved; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 2
Japan eases restrictions on aiding allies under attack; demonstrators in Hong Kong rally for democratic reforms; Chinese military rally behind President after military leader forced from Communist Party; Israel vows retribution after teens' bodies found; French burqa ban upheld; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday April 10
Indonesia counts votes in parliamentary election; Japan and US trade officials meet; 24 killed in Islamabad shopping mall terror attack; new French PM passes confidence vote; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 27
Japan-China air zone rift deepens; China to place limits on interbank lending; Scottish government publishes blueprint for achieving independence; France to send troops to Central African Republic; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 22
France urges West to stand firm on Iran's nuclear programme; Australia-Indonesia spying row continues; elderly US tourist detained in North Korea; US and Afghanistan reach security agreement; fracking approved in Botswana but not used; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 22
France demands explanation for NSA tapping Frenxh phones; China seeks to clarify scope of government debt; China and South Korea plan consultative body to address North Korea's nuclear programme; Ukraine close to signing shale gas deal with Chevron; vigilantes defeat Boko Haram; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday May 31
Syria received Russian arms, says Assad; Japan's Nikkei takes another plunge; Burma reaches cease-fire accord with ethnic Kachin rebels; Ghana's president warns of regional instability due to Islamist threat; France must cut spending, says EU
Read MoreHow political parties get stuck in opposition
Here's a radical idea for politicians hoping to make an impact: tell the truth instead of offering false hope, like France's Manuel Valls.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday November 15
France becomes first Western country to recognise Syria's new opposition coalition; China wraps up National Party Congress; Japanese Prime Minister would hold elections next month if opposition supports electoral reform bill; Sri Lanka denies intimidating UN staff; UN denounces US 50-year embargo on Cuba; and more
Read MoreWorld news Brief, Friday September 21
France to close embassies, consulates, cultural centres and schools in 20 Muslim countries; Aung San Suu Kyi receives Congressional Medal in US; software millionaire entrepreneur to run for South Korean presidency; Israeli airstrike kills two in Gaza; Greece to sell off palaces, airports and islands to stem debt; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 20
Relations between Russia and US chill; US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta meets with Chinese Vice President Xi Jingping; more mine protests in South Africa; France boosts security at embassies and schools following publication of Prophet Mohammed cartoons; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday September 11
Iraqi vice president sentenced to death; Japan confirms purchase plan for disputed islands; China reports weaker economic growth for August as imports drop; US hands control of Bagram prison over to Afghan officials; Hollande outlines new austerity plan for France; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday August 29
Spain's recession deepens as GDP contracts; Burmese president reshuffles cabinet; two Tibetan teenagers set themselves on fire in protest; France will recognise interim Syrian government, says Hollande; Colombia in talks with FARC rebels; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday August 24
Eurogroup warns Greece it is facing "last chance" to make budget cuts; US planning to expand missile defense systems in Asia to counter threats from North Korea; Australia to increase refugee quota by 45 percent; clashes in Tripoli breach truce; France eases work restrictions for Roma immigrants; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday August 10
Gu Kailai does not contest charges, found guilty of murdering British businessman in China; US begins cleanup of Agent Orange-contaminated site in Vietnam 37 years after war ended; Libya hands power to newly-elected assembly; France heads back into recession; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 27
No solution yet for US debt--Obama and Boehner both seek support from American people via TV addresses; US will default on loans if compromise not reached by Aug 2; territorial feud between China and Philippines heats up; Britain and France come to agreement on Qaddafi; US military funds meant for transportation contract diverted to Taliban; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday July 22
France and Germany have agreed to a bailout plan for debt-struck Greece; Moody's have downgraded Irish and Portuguese debt to "junk" status; China and Philippines in territorial dispute; Japan posts unexpected trade surplus as exports to China and Europe return to normal levels; famine spreads to Southern Somalia; Obama open to temporary debt rise if congressional leaders commit to significant debt-reduction plan; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 2
Obama ends Iraq war stressing "huge price" paid by US as al-Maliki hails Iraqi freedom (+ analysis); Greens do deal with Gillard; Chinese manufacturing rebounds, easing Asian economic fears; Four dead as Hamas targets peace talks; and more
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