New Caledonia

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Horrified Onlookers at Popular Beach Witness Shark Attack

Aussie tourist dies after encounter in waters off French territory of New Caledonia in South Pacific

(Newser) - An Australian man's swim over the weekend in a tropical resort city ended in tragedy, causing the closure of most of the beaches in the area. The 59-year-old tourist was about 500 feet offshore on Sunday when he was attacked by a shark at the popular Chateau Royal beach...

New Caledonia Overwhelmingly Votes to Stick With France

Macron praises result, though independence supporters sat referendum out

(Newser) - Voters in the French island territory of New Caledonia chose overwhelmingly Sunday to stay part of France, in a referendum boycotted by pro-independence forces and closely watched around the South Pacific. French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the result as a resounding confirmation of France's role in the Indo-Pacific, the...

New Caledonia Voters Stick With France

Movement was sparked by tensions among residents

(Newser) - A majority of voters in New Caledonia, an archipelago in the South Pacific, chose Sunday to remain part of France instead of backing independence. The referendum marked a milestone moment in a three-decade-long decolonization effort, the AP reports. In a televised address from Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed "...

Snorkeling Seniors Reveal Surprise About Deadly Snakes

'Fantastic grandmothers' document large population in popular New Caledonia bay

(Newser) - A particular bay in the French territory of New Caledonia is a popular swimming spot for locals and tourists alike. However, the swimmers at the Baie des Citrons in Noumea may not be thrilled to learn they've been sharing the water with a surprisingly large number of venomous sea...

Tsunami Warning Issued After Massive Pacific Quake

7.5-magnitude quake struck near New Caledonia

(Newser) - A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck in the southern Pacific Ocean near New Caledonia on Wednesday, prompting authorities to warn of a tsunami threat to nearby islands, the AP reports. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami waves of between 3 and 10 feet were possible along some coasts...

In Historic Vote, French Territory Rejects Independence

Turnout hit 80% in New Caledonia

(Newser) - A majority of voters in the South Pacific territory of New Caledonia chose to remain part of France instead of backing independence Sunday, a watershed moment that led French President Emmanuel Macron to promise a full dialogue on the archipelago's future. Final results had 56.4% of the voters...

French Territory Could Become Newest Country

New Caledonia votes on Sunday

(Newser) - New Caledonia, a French archipelago in the South Pacific, is preparing for an independence referendum—the last step in a three-decades-long decolonization effort. Sunday's vote is key to settling tensions between the native Kanaks, who once suffered from strict segregation policies, and descendants of European colonizers. It is also...

Solved: Case of the Missing Island
 Solved: 
 Case of the 
 Missing Island 
in case you missed it
Dec 8, 2012 10:45 AM CST

Solved: Case of the Missing Island

'Sandy Island' error blamed on 19th-century chart

(Newser) - There was some consternation last month when researchers sailed out to a Pacific island only to find that it wasn't there . Now, a New Zealand researcher says he can explain how the nonexistent Sandy Island got onto many maps. It all comes down to a whaling ship that passed...

Whoops: Much-Mapped Island Doesn't Actually Exist
 Whoops: 
 Much-Mapped 
 Island Doesn't 
 Actually Exist 
in case you missed it
Nov 25, 2012 9:40 AM CST

Whoops: Much-Mapped Island Doesn't Actually Exist

Scientists head to Sandy Island, find nothing

(Newser) - Planning an island vacation? A word to the wise: Don't visit Sandy Island, supposedly off Australia's northeast coast. It's simply not there. Scientists at the University of Sydney journeyed to the spot where the island is supposed to be according to many maps (including Google's). Between...

Triple-Tool Crows Stun Scientists
 Triple-Tool-Wielding Crows 
 Stun Scientists 
in case you missed it
Apr 25, 2010 2:30 PM CDT

Triple-Tool-Wielding Crows Stun Scientists

Problem-solving ability rivals that of primates

(Newser) - The crows of New Caledonia are astounding masters at making and using tools and can solve problems that would flummox many primates, say researchers. Three wild crows, presented with a problem requiring them to use a short tool attached to string to retrieve a larger tool from a box and...

No Bird Brains, Crows Reveal 'Human-Like' Reasoning

Use multiple tools to solve challenge

(Newser) - Crows on a South Pacific island showed human-like reasoning in solving a complex problem that required two tools, according to a study. The birds used a short twig to access a longer twig which could then be used to reach a treat. "What's most amazing is that most of...

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