8 h. ago Caught in the contest between China and the west, the Cook Islands asks where its future lies

After the Pacific nation struck deals with Beijing, New Zealand abruptly cut off millions of dollars in critical aid and fundingOn a remote stretch of land in the Cook Islands lies a second world war airstrip. Once used as a wartime supply route by American forces, the narrow runway is in dire need of resealing to allow larger tourist jets to land. Leaders on the northern island of Penrhyn have asked New Zealand, Australia and the US to help, but none have come through. Now, they hope China will step in and fund it.“That is the dream,” says Penrhyn’s executive director, Puna John Vano. “We want to maintain our traditional partners, but if not, we’re going to get assistance from elsewhere.”On the Cook Islands’ main island of Rarotonga, many people are angry over the damage caused to relations with New Zealand. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Xabi Alonso comments on future of £70m Arsenal transfer target after latest absence

Rodrygo's future appears to lie away from Real Madrid after boss Xabi Alonso said he didn't bring him on in their 4-0 loss to PSG because he preferred other players - with Arsenal said to be interested

Economics

6 d. ago Could Putin and Xi really invade Taiwan and Europe at the same time? Experts explain why a simultaneous attack is unlikely despite NATO chief's WW3 warning

Analysts argue that even if Putin is unwilling to sacrifice his military for Xi's sake, the two powers are now locked in a new Cold War with the West and preparing in tandem to reshape the global order

Events

1 week ago Free agent XI as star Arsenal didn't want to lose and two Man Utd veterans make the cut

A massive 51 Premier League stars saw their contracts end on Monday and not all of those players know where their futures now lie with players from Arsenal and Man Utd without clubs

Politics

2 w. ago STEPHEN GLOVER: Mock Jeff Bezos and Lauren if you wish. But he's one of the most dynamic entrepreneurs on the planet and the future lies with people like him

What are we to make of the wedding between Jeff Bezos - the creator of Amazon and said to be the world's third richest man - and Lauren Sanchez , due to take place here in Venice tomorrow?

Politics

3 w. ago Tensions rise as New Zealand freezes millions of dollars in aid to Cook Islands over China deals

New Zealand says funding won’t resume until Pacific nation takes ‘concrete steps to repair relationship and restore trust’

Economics

3 w. ago New Zealand freezes millions in aid to Cook Islands over China ties

New Zealand has halted millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands over agreements the smaller Pacific nation made with China, officials in Wellington said Thursday

Politics

3 w. ago New Zealand halts millions of dollars in aid to Cook Islands over deals struck with China

Wellington says it has paused payment of some funding until Pacific island nation takes steps to ‘repair the relationship and restore trust’New Zealand has halted millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands over the “breadth and content” of agreements the smaller Pacific nation made with China, officials from the New Zealand foreign minister’s office has said.New Zealand, which is the Cook Islands biggest funder, won’t consider any new money for the nation until the relationship improves, a spokesperson for foreign minister Winston Peters told the Associated Press on Thursday. Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago New Zealand, the Cook Islands' biggest funder, halts money to the Pacific nation over its China ties

New Zealand has halted millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands over agreements the smaller Pacific nation made with China, officials in Wellington said Thursday

Economics

3 w. ago Bryan Mbeumo told where his future lies amid Man Utd and Tottenham transfer battle

Manchester United were thought to be in the driving seat to sign Bryan Mbeumo but former Brentford boss Thomas Frank now wants to convince the forward to join him at Tottenham

Events