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By Stefan Armbruster, BenarNews French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson address the UN Decolonization Committee in New York, pictured on 7 October 2024. Photo: UNTV French Polynesia's president and civil society leaders have called on the United Nations to bring France to the negotiating table and set a timetable for the decolonization of the Pacific territory. More than a decade after the archipelago was re-listed for decolonization by the UN General Assembly, France has refused to acknowledge the world's peak diplomatic organization has a legitimate role. France's reputation has taken a battering as an out-of-touch colonial power since deadly violence erupted in New Caledonia in May, sparked by a now abandoned French government attempt to dilute the voting power of indigenous...

By Heloise Vyas for the ABC Children walk in flooded streets in Tampa, Florida. Photo: BRYAN R. SMITH / AFP In the days before its arrival, Hurricane Milton was spoken about as a historic weather event facing Florida in the south-eastern United States. It was set to be the first major storm to make a direct hit on the state's Gulf of Mexico-facing Tampa Bay - a region with a population of more than 3 million - since 1921. Meteorologists sounded the alarm about forthcoming storm surges, life-threatening flooding, and strong winds after Milton intensified from a category one storm to the highest level of five in under a day, warning those in the storm's path remaining in their homes was not an option. Much of the powerful storm surges (an abnormal rise in sea level) feared never materi...

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has met with India's leader Narendra Modi. Photo: Pool Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has emerged from his coveted meeting with India's leader Narendra Modi, wielding an official invite to New Delhi but little indication of progress toward a promised free trade deal. The two leaders met in the very early hours of Friday (NZT) while in Laos for the East Asia Summit. In opening remarks in Hindi, Modi offered Luxon "a very warm welcome", noting it was their first in-person meeting having previously spoken over the phone in July. "I'm very happy to have this opportunity of seeing you today [to] discuss some important issues," a spokesperson translated. Media were ushered out of the room before the end of Modi's remarks or Luxon's response. Speaking before ...

Hurricane Milton has moved off Florida's east coast, leaving widespread devastation. The death toll has been rising throughout Friday morning (NZT) and 15 people have been reported as killed so far. The full extent of the damage is not yet clear as some areas are not yet accessible due to weather conditions, flooding and debris. Follow RNZ's live updates: Source link