Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Trump’s move to fast-track deep-sea mining poses serious ecological, climate risks
Green Left
·
May 31, 2025
Transnational companies, finding an ally in United States President Donald Trump and his extractivist agenda, are pushing to mine the seafloor for valuable minerals — despite widespread concerns about the potential ecological and climate impacts....
Cook Islands strikes deal with China on seabed minerals
RNZ
·
February 22, 2025
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown Photo: RNZ Pacific / Caleb Fotheringham The Cook Islands said Saturday it has struck a five-year agreement with China to cooperate in exploring and researching the Pacific nation's seabed mineral riches. A...
Vaka Puaikura electrifies Te Maeva Nui with powerful tribute to leaders
Cook Island News
·
July 31, 2025
Vaka Toa Puaikura thrilled the audience with their fantastic ura pa’u on Tuesday night at the Are Karioi Nui. MELINA ETCHES/25073049/25073057/25073059 Vaka Toa Puaikura electrified the stage on Tuesday night with a power-packed performance that...
Cook Islands deal with China on economy, seabed mining spurs protest
The Straits Times
·
February 17, 2025
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown told reporters that Wellington should not have any concerns after it reviews the deal.PHOTO: REUTERS SYDNEY – A strategic partnership deal between China and the Cook Islands spans areas from deep-sea mining...
Cook Islands deal opens up Pacific to China - expert
RNZ
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February 23, 2025
Photo: LIU BIN China will be able to establish a "significant strategic presence" in the Pacific following its new agreement with the Cook Islands, a security studies professor says. The Cook Islands has signed a memorandum of understanding with...
Cook Islands eyes China investment in blue economy
Cook Island News
·
February 22, 2025
Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 14, 2025. Brown is here for the closing ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)/25021438...
Cook Islands announces deep sea minerals deal with China
Deutsche Welle
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February 22, 2025
The government of the Cook Islands said on Saturday that it had struck a five-year agreement with China to explore deep-sea minerals. The deal has raised eyebrows in nearby New Zealand. The Cook Islands is a self-governing archipelago in the...
Cook Islands and China Sign Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Ocean Mining Intel - Florida
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Prime Minister Mark Brown and his delegation visit the National Deep Sea Centre in China. (Image credit: OPM) Cook Islands signed a Joint Action Plan for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with China on Friday, February 14, 2025. The...
Cook Islands’ China deal spurs protest
Taipei Times
·
February 18, 2025
A strategic partnership deal between China and the Cook Islands spans areas from deep-sea mining to education scholarships, but excludes security ties, a document released by the Pacific nation’s government showed. Western nations that...
Cook Islands and China go halves in $6 million inter-island vessel purchase
Cook Island News
·
February 21, 2025
There are only two domestic shipping providers in the Cook Islands. Taio Shipping and Cook Islands General Transport - “Taunga Nui”. MELINA ETCHES / 22042104 Government has allocated $3 million in its supplementary budget to co-fund a new shipping...
Cook Islands releases terms of deal with China amid protests about lack of transparency
Maize n Brew - Michigan
·
February 18, 2025
A strategic partnership deal between China and the Cook Islands spans areas from deep-sea mining to education scholarships but excludes security ties, a document released by the Pacific island nation’s government showed. Western nations that...
Letter: Questioning seabed mining
Cook Island News
·
May 29, 2025
Dear Editor, The United Nations Declaration on the. Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) says that people have the right to full consultation to enable them to give free, prior, informed consent for an activity. Quoting from NZ guide – A...
Cook Islands signs strategic agreement with China
World Socialist Web Site
·
February 19, 2025
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown completed a week-long state visit to China on February 14, signing a “comprehensive strategic partnership” to boost relations with Beijing. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown speaks during a plenary...
Cook Islands to seal partnership with China as NZ bristles
TerraDaily
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Cook Islands to seal partnership with China as NZ bristles by AFP Staff Writers Sydney (AFP) Feb 6, 2025 The Cook Islands prime minister will agree on a plan for a strategic partnership with China on a state visit starting Monday, his office has...
Cook Islands Tourism prepares for Takurua culinary celebration
Cook Island News
·
February 20, 2025
The hosts for the 2025 Cook Islands Tourism Takurua - Taste of the Season Mystery Taste Tour are Danny Mataroa (left), Papatua Papatua and Jeremy Goodwin. COOK ISLANDS TOURISM/25021905 Cook Islands Tourism chief executive Karla Eggelton says the...
Cook Islands must chart its own course, while honouring ties with…
Pacific News Service
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The Cook Islands must take bold steps to secure its future while honouring its 60-year relationship with New Zealand, Foreign Minister Tingika Elikana told Parliament on Monday. Addressing the 12th Meeting of the 18th Parliament, Elikana reflected...
Cook Islands’ China Shock: A ‘Frog in the Pot’ Moment for Pacific Security
The Diplomat
·
February 18, 2025
Last week the Cook Island government’s plan to upgrade its strategic relationship with the People’s Republic of China made global headlines. The deal will open the way for dual-use infrastructure facilities in the Cook Islands. The new deal has...
Researchers find active volcanic hotspot in Cook Islands seabed
Cook Island News
·
March 25, 2025
From left, Ngatupuna Kae of the National Environment Service, Dr. John Parianos - Knowledge Management Director (SBMA), Edward Herman - Partnerships & Cooperations Director (SBMA) and Keanu Harawira (NES Ranger). Moana Minerals/ 25032414...
Cook Islands gives some detail of its China deal that has upset close partner New Zealand
Associated Press
·
February 18, 2025
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The South Pacific country of Cook Islands on Tuesday unveiled the details of a deal with China to boost cooperation on matters including mining seabed minerals, after the pact provoked a rare diplomatic clash with...
Cook Islands PM defends pact with China, urges Pacific nation not to depend on ‘big brother’ New Zealand
Hong Kong Free Press
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February 18, 2025
The Cook Islands’ prime minister on Tuesday defended a new partnership pact with China and urged his country not to depend on handouts from “big brother” New Zealand. The Cook Islands’ Prime Minister Mark Brown. File Photo: The Office of the Prime...