Mon Jul 14 06:50:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**France and New Caledonia Reach Agreement on Enhanced Autonomy After Violent Protests**

**Nouméa, New Caledonia** – France and New Caledonia have announced an agreement to grant the Pacific territory greater autonomy within the French Republic, more than a year after deadly protests rocked the islands. The deal, revealed on Saturday, proposes the creation of the “State of New Caledonia” enshrined within the French Constitution.

The agreement, which comes after tense negotiations involving both pro- and anti-independence factions in New Caledonia, aims to quell tensions that erupted last year. Violent protests, sparked by a proposed amendment to the French Constitution that Indigenous Kanak people feared would marginalize their voting power and hinder their independence aspirations, left seven dead, scores injured, and caused extensive damage to businesses. The unrest prompted France to declare a state of emergency and deploy hundreds of armed police officers.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the agreement as “a bet on trust,” stating it would allow other nations to recognize New Caledonia as a state within France. However, the deal is contingent on approval from both the French Parliament and the people of New Caledonia, a collection of Pacific islands home to approximately 270,000 people.

The outcome of the vote will be crucial for the future of New Caledonia, a territory with significant nickel reserves and strategic importance to France in the face of growing Chinese influence in the region.

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