People in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia have narrowly rejected independence from France in a referendum.  The archipelago voted to remain French with 53.26% of votes, according to final results reported by AFP news agency. Turnout – at 85.6% – was high. In a similar vote two years ago, the margin was slightly wider, with 56.7% voting to stay French. New Caledonia has been a French territory for nearly 170 years. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the result as a “sign of confidence in the republic”, adding he also felt “humility” in view of the results. The referendum was part of a series of votes agreed two decades ago, following bouts of violence in the 1980s over the issue of independence between the islands’ indigenous Kanak people and descendants of European settlers. Kanaks represent around 40% of the population, while Europeans, mostly born in the territory, make up about a third. Others come from other Pacific islands or are of mixed heritage.(BBC)…[+]