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Shrinking jury pool puts trial system under strain

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National

There is scepticism among legal eagles about jury trials in the Cook Islands following the release of a judgement in an aborted case.

Woman pleads guilty to child assault in Court

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National

A woman has pleaded guilty to assaulting a child.

New Aitutaki crane boosts cargo capacity

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands

The Cook Islands Ports Authority’s new crane in Aitutaki will lift the current weight restriction of 20 tonne to 25 tonne, allowing importers and the people of the island to add more tonnage of goods to containers.

PAC chair Elikana demands transparency on public funds

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament

The chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for stricter accountability and transparency in the use of public funds by government entities, state-owned enterprises, and Crown agencies.

MFAI offices to close for day as staff get time off following ‘heavy year’

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Local, National

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) offices will close on Monday as staff take the day off.

High growth, high prices: Economy bounces back, but inflation bites hard

Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament

Cook Islands’ resurgent economic growth post-Covid-19 has been overshadowed by an unprecedented surge in inflation, with prices rising by 13 per cent over the past year. Rashneel Kumar and Losirene Lacanivalu reports.

Kata: Bank employee- court

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion

Titikaveka tide takes over grassroots finals

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Football, Sports

Although Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) staff were skeptical of the weather forecast on Wednesday ahead of the grassroots knock finals at the CIFA complex, a tide of electric blue washed over the complex as parents and supporters of the Titikaveka Teams, turned out in force to cheer on their young prodigies.

Marshall Islands election puts opposition in driver’s seat

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Marshall Islands, Regional

The Marshall Islands national election results show the current parliamentary opposition to be in the driver’s seat to form a new government when the body meets for the first time in early January.

Church Talk: Christmas celebrates God’s love

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features

Christmas is more than just a holiday or tradition. At its heart, Christmas is about love; the love that our Heavenly Father has for all of us, writes Tamatoa Jonassen of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Green light for relief : Parliament passes medicinal cannabis import bill

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National, Parliament

Cook Islanders who require medicinal cannabis for their health’s wellbeing can now import or bring the item into the country, provided the product is being prescribed by an overseas medical practitioner.

Small school, big dreams: Rutaki celebrates success at annual awards

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National

Apii Rutaki, the small school with a big heart out in the west, celebrated their school prize giving day with a vibrant occasion and a huge turnout of parents and family on Thursday.

Statistics attachment boosts Maritime’s data management

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National

The Maritime Safety Authority databases will now be managed and used more effectively, thanks to upskilling attachment training within government agencies.

Browne struggles to get answers over $640,000 vessel charter

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Parliament

Opposition leader and Rakahanga MP Tina Browne has made little progress over the course of two days, in trying to get answers from Pukapuka MP Tingika Elikana about a $640,000 charter vessel which left Rarotonga on Wednesday bound for Pukapuka.

Parliament sets 42 sitting days for 2024 session

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament

Cook Islands Parliament approved 42 sitting days for 2024 yesterday, having managed to meet just over half the number of days allocated for 2023.

Former bank employee admits to stealing $125,000

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National

A woman has admitted to stealing $125,000 over a five-year period from Bank South Pacific (BSP) on Rarotonga – entering guilty pleas to eight charges of theft as a servant.

Christmas in the Park spreads joy

Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Entertainment, Local, National

Festive spirit and joy took over the National Auditorium last night as Leilani Sadaraka, along with her daughters Vaihere and Hinania, and niece Hereata, joined the crowd at the annual Rotaract Christmas in the Park event.

Kata: Cannabis reform

Thursday 14 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Kata, Opinion