Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Where can Indians travel visa-free in 2025? Full list
Gulf News
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India’s rising passport strength India has climbed to the 77th position on the Henley Passport Index, up from 80th in 2024 and 85th the year before. It now shares this rank with Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal — all granting visa-free or...
‘Get your hands dirty’: Heather advocates for practical agriculture over imports
Cook Island News
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July 7, 2025
Cook Islands United Party leader Teariki Heather, with fellow United Party MPs Robert Heather and Tim Varu in Parliament on June 21, 2025. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/25062102 It is important that people balance their focus on technology with hands-on...
Philippine passport jumps 3 places in global rankings
Gulf News
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Why passport rankings differ Different passport indices report slightly varying ranks and visa-free counts — for instance, one source (the Passport Index) ranks the Philippine passport 69th with access to 79 countries. The Henley Passport Index...
An exciting opportunity for Marine Protected Areas professionals in the Pacific
Pacific News Service
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An opportunity exists for an early to mid-career professional in the Pacific, working in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), to attend the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) in Vancouver, Canada. The global forum, which brings...
Aitutaki outreach visit strengthens public sector collaboration and capacity
Cook Island News
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July 22, 2025
The Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC) recently completed a successful two-phase outreach visit to Aitutaki. OPSC/25072127 The Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC) recently completed a successful two-phase outreach visit...
Nauru could earn millions after backing US deep sea mining pathway
RNZ
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July 17, 2025
The Metals Company Photo: Facebook / The Metals Company Nauru is a step closer to mining in international waters under highly contentious United States legislation. The path has been set out in the nation's new agreement with Canadian mining group...
Pacific islands push back against growing climate threats
Climate Home News
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July 10, 2025
The Cook Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia are separated by around 6,000 kilometres of Pacific Ocean. Despite the vast stretch of water between them, the two small island nations share a common challenge: how to protect their people...
45 years of ‘quiet service’
Cook Island News
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July 5, 2025
Cook Islands’ chief statistician and chief electoral officer Taggy Tangimetua was honoured with a Certificate of Recognition for her 45 years of service. MFEM/ 25070334 Honoured for 45 years of service, Taggy Tangimetua has been instrumental in...
Between Partnership and Primacy: Australia’s Diplomatic Posture in Southeast Asia and the Pacific
The Diplomat
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July 21, 2025
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong recently remarked in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, that Australia seeks “a region in which no country dominates, and no country is dominated.” It is a carefully crafted formulation that is intended to resonate with...
U.S lawmaker alarmed over China’s headway in race for ocean minerals…
Pacific News Service
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A powerful committee of the U.S House of Representatives is examining the Department of Defence’s efforts to counter China’s initiatives to mine critical minerals in deep-sea waters, raising concerns that the communist nation is outpacing the U.S...
‘The Biggest Climate Case in History’: Behind the Campaign That Inspired the ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change
Earth.Org
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July 22, 2025
As the International Court of Justice is set to present its long-awaited advisory opinion on climate change on Wednesday, Earth.Org recaps how we got here and what we can expect from the court’s opinion. — “Young people around the world stepped...
U.S lawmaker alarmed over China’s headway in race for ocean minerals in the Pacific
Papua New Guinea Post Courier
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July 22, 2025
BY PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES A powerful committee of the U.S House of Representatives is examining the Department of Defence’s efforts to counter China’s initiatives to mine critical minerals in deep-sea waters, raising concerns that the communist...
Letter: Way down on the ‘totem pole’
Cook Island News
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July 11, 2025
Dear Editor, In a letter to the Cook Islands News on 9-7-2025, Trevor Clarke and Brian Mason highlighted that under the Solid and Hazardous Waste Act that a director or senior official of an incorporated body who has no knowledge of a criminal...
Paddle-out group protests deep-sea mining
Honolulu Star-Advertiser - Hawaii
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July 21, 2025
1/2 Swipe or click to see more MARCO GARCIA / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER People prepared to paddle out Sunday at Ala Moana Regional Park in protest of deep-sea mining. 2/2 Swipe or click to see more MARCO GARCIA / SPECIAL TO THE...
Rarotonga stocks up as visitors flock for Te Maeva Nui celebrations
Cook Island News
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July 10, 2025
Cargo vessel MV Olomana docking at the Avatiu Harbour yesterday morning, delivering goods, including fuel, destined for local businesses on the island. 25070917/25070918/ 25070919 With hundreds arriving from the outer islands and abroad for the...
Pacific, the moral voice in global plastic negotiations
Pacific News Service
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As custodians of the world’s largest Ocean, the Pacific like in the climate change negotiations have the moral authority to speak out and lead international negotiations on plastic waste. The Pacific is disproportionately affected by global...
PNG demolish Cooks, book OFC semis spot
The National
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PAPUA New Guinea made a bold statement yesterday, putting the OFC Women’s Nations Cup on notice when demolishing the Cook Islands 8-0 in their final Group A match in Lautoka, Fiji. The defending champions (PNG) and Samoa, who locked in on the...
Pacific news in brief for 10 July
RNZ
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July 9, 2025
Photo: Photo Illustration / Nik Dirga Cook Islands - plastic Cook Islands has banned plastic shopping bags, with retailers facing a fine of up to NZ$20,000 for supplying them. This provision, alongside others, was passed in Parliament last week as...
Voyaging foundation navigates challenges
Cook Island News
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July 10, 2025
Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation is facing delays in one of its key cultural education projects - the establishment of a star compass in Aitutaki. TE PUNA MARAMA/25070901 Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation, a Cook Islands nonprofit dedicated to...
Letter: Ditching the Kiwi for the Dragon?
Cook Island News
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July 9, 2025
Dear Editor, There’s been a lot of noise lately. Social media threads, barbershop debates, and coconut wireless conversations about whether the Cook Islands should continue accepting aid from New Zealand. Some call it “dependence.” Others call it...