Hundreds protest in Cook Islands over PM's handling of deal with China

Hundreds of protesters have marched on Cook Islands' parliament to oppose prime minister Mark Brown's recent decisions, including a failure to properly consult its closest partner New Zealand over a deal to deepen ties with China. Roughly 400 protesters - led by opposition parties - gathered outside the capital city of Avarua on Tuesday, RNZ reported, with some holding signs reading "Stay connected with New Zealand". Others waved placards showing the New Zealand passport in opposition to Brown's now-abandoned controversial proposal to introduce a separate Cook Islands passport, which New Zealand warned would require holders to renounce their New Zealand…