New Caledonia unrest highlights complications of Macron's Asia vision

AUCKLAND -- Upheaval over voting rights in a mineral-rich French South Pacific territory is posing risks to French President Emmanuel Macron's vision for expanding his country's influence in the region.

Four people have been killed and extensive damage and looting has been reported in Noumea, capital of New Caledonia, spurring Paris to declare a state of emergency and to fly in police. France has also banned TikTok, claiming posts on the social media app were inciting violence.