New Caledonia independance?

[tllwd]

Leaders from New Caledonia, one of Australia's closest neighbours, emerged from marathon talks near Paris on Saturday with a proposal aiming to settle its recent conflict over the question of independence from France.

The deal would create a "state of New Caledonia" within France, and a New Caledonian nationality.

New Caledonian public set to vote on it in a February referendum.

[Jasin]

France is falling. Self preservation in France itself, is now it's priority.

[tllwd]

PARIS, July 15 (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou proposed scrapping two public holidays and freezing most public spending as part of a 43.8 billion euro ($50.88 billion) budget squeeze he outlined on Tuesday.

France saw its budget deficit hit 5.8% of gross domestic product last year, nearly double the official EU limit of 3% of GDP, as a political crisis left four successive governments paralysed and incapable of tackling an unexpected drop in tax income and surge in spending for a second year.

Two public holidays Easter Monday and May 8, which commemorates the end of the Second World War in Europe are earmarked for scrapping.