Everything you need to know about Cocos (Keeling) Islands: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Cocos (Keeling) Islands: Australian Overseas Territory in Indian
The Keeling or the Cocos Islands are a group of 27 islands and 2 atolls in the Indian Ocean and part of Australian territory. The islands were discovered in 1609 by Captain William Keeling and named after him. It was only in the 19th century when slaves were brought from Indonesia and Cape of Good Hope that these islands first became inhabited. The sparsely populated Coco Islands offers the perfect foil for surfing and scuba diving to the tourist who might want to experience its pristine beauty.
Facts and Stats of Cocos (Keeling) Islands:
The Keeling Islands enjoys a peasant climate that is moderated by the southeast trade winds and receives moderate rainfall.
Economy and Government of Cocos (Keeling) Islands:
Coconut Plantation and Copra are the two major crops of Keeling Islands and fresh Coconuts are the major export on which the livelihood of the majority depends. Fishing supplements the economy. However, nearly all food items have to be imported from Australia by the islands.
The Coco Islands Governance depends heavily on Australian laws, particularly the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955. Neil Lucas is the current administrator of the Cocos Islands and also the administrator of the Christmas Island.
Tourist Attractions in Cocos (Keeling) Islands:
The Keeling Islands off the Australian Coasts are not to be confused with the Cocos Islands of Guam, which are many miles apart. But the Keeling Islands offer the same range of breathtaking scenery and bountiful beaches to the tourists.
The North Keeling Island forms the Pulu Keeling National Park, which is home to the only surviving and endangered Cocos Buff-banded Rail. The Cocos Islands offers excellent Scuba diving, fishing and surfing opportunities as well.
Washington, May 22 (ANI): Emerging evidence continues to point to a major cosmic impact 12,800 years ago as the primary cause for the tragic loss of nearly all of the remarkable large animals that had survived the stresses of many ice age periods, including mammoths, mastodons, giant ground sloths, American camel and horse, and saber- toothed cats.
Sydney, May 21 (IANS) Fiji's National Federation Party (NFP), comprising mostly of Indian-origin members, says it is ready for the elections scheduled for 2014 in that south pacific island nation.
Beijing, May 18 (Xinhua-ANI): China's Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai on Friday urged Washington to remain "truly neutral" on the Sino-Japanese territorial dispute in East China Sea by honoring its promise to "take no side."
New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Thursday approved the continued allocation of subsidised grain to above poverty line families during 2013-14 under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), an official statement said.
Havana, May 15 (IANS) Boxers from 15 countries and regions, including Cuba, will compete in the 43rd Giraldo Cordova Cardin International Boxing Tournament to be held here June 4-9 at Ramon Fonst Arena.
New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) Defence Minister A.K. Antony Tuesday called upon the top brass of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard to ensure timely implementation of measures envisaged under Phase-II of Coastal Security Plan and said construction of additional bases was necessary in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Laskshadweep to extend the country's operational reach.
New Delhi, May 14 (ANI): Defence Minister A.K. Antony today called upon the top brass of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard to ensure timely implementation of measures envisaged under Phase - II of Coastal Security Plan.
The Spice Boyz, crowned Windward Islands' football champions last month, climbed 20 spots to 121 in the global rankings and 16 in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF).
London, May 11 (ANI): For the first time in human history, the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere has passed the milestone level of 400 parts per million (ppm).
Tokyo, May 9 (ANI): Two scholars from a Chinese research center have suggested re-examining the ownership of the Japanese island chain that includes Okinawa.
Kingston, May 9 (IANS) Six-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt won the 100 metres in an invitational track meet in the Cayman Islands.
Beijing, May 9 (IANS) China has reiterated its claim over disputed Diaoyu islands, stating that they are its "inherent territory".
New York, May 06 (ANI): Selita Ebanks, has revealed that her mother relied on food stamps and the food pantry so that her kids never went hungry.
Beijing, May 5 (IANS) Chinese ships carried out their routine patrolling Sunday around the disputed Diaoyu Islands that are also claimed by Japan.
Kingston (Jamaica), May 2 (IANS/CMC) Sprint icon Usain Bolt has pulled out of this weekend's Jamaica Invitational with a hamstring strain.
Beijing, May 1 (Xinhua-ANI): Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai said Tuesday that it is Japan, not China, that is taking "unilateral or coercive actions" on their islands dispute.
Beijing, Apr. 29 (Xinhua-ANI): Two cargo ships collided early Monday off southwestern Greece, with 10 crew members missing, the Greek coastguard said.
Moscow, April 29 (IANS/RIA Novosti) In a first visit by a Japanese premier to Russia in a decade, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be undertaking an official visit from April 28-30 on an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Tokyo, Apr. 27 (ANI): China has regarded the Japanese administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea as its core interest, China's foreign ministry has announced for the first time.
Melbourne, Apr 24 (ANI): The world's most expensive holiday will take two years and cost a staggering 1.5 million dollars, and one lucky traveller is about to embark on this very memorable trip.
New York, April 18 (ANI): Shakira has asked a judge to throw out a lawsuit from a former boyfriend, who has claimed that he was responsible for some of her songs and her brand.
London, April 17 (IANS) The funeral of Margaret Thatcher, Britain's only woman prime minister, was held Wednesday and was attended by Queen Elizabeth II, two heads of state and 11 prime ministers from across the world.
Miami, April 17 (IANS/CMC) Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Captain Horace Burrell will head a number of committees in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association (CONCACAF), including the important Legal and Finance Group of Committees.
Beijing, April 16 (IANS) China Tuesday issued a white paper on national defence, elaborating on its new security challenges in times of peace and the diversified employment of its armed forces to cope with these challenges.
Beijing, April 16 (Xinhua-ANI): Japan must stop infringing upon Chinese territorial sovereignty, a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense said on Tuesday.
Washington, Apr. 15 (ANI): The story of Kon-Tiki, a ship that sailed to prove the conventional migration theory wrong, is set to be told in a new film.
London, Apr. 12 (ANI): Argentina has reacted furiously at calls for the capital of the Falkland Islands to be renamed Port Margaret in honour of its liberator.
London, Apr 12 (ANI): Internet search engine Google has invited a new feature that would let people to contribute to its Map service.
Margaret Thatcher, the first woman prime minister of Britain died on Monday at the age of 87 after suffering a stroke. Margaret Thatcher was admired as the "Iron Lady" and served Britain as Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990 and was keeping herself away from public appearances due to degrading health. The news of her death came early morning.
London, April 8 (IANS) Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first woman prime minister who was admired as the "Iron Lady", died Monday after suffering a stroke. She was 87, media reports said.
Washington, April 5 (IANS) A group of international journalists which claims to have exposed hidden dealings of politicians, con artists and the mega-rich in more than 170 countries has so far revealed only one name from India.
Washington, April 4 (IANS) Hidden dealings of politicians, con artists and the mega-rich in more than 170 countries, including India, have been exposed by a group of international journalists sifting through a trove of 2.5 million secret files,
Tokyo, Apr. 4 (ANI): China has demanded that a trilateral summit it was scheduled to attend in late May in Seoul with Japan and South Korea be postponed.
Washington, April 4 (IANS) Drawing from a trove of 2.5 million secret files, a group of international journalists has exposed hidden dealings of politicians, con artists and the mega-rich in more than 170 countries, including India.
Washington, Apr. 3 (ANI): Samoa Air has become the first airline in the world to charge passengers by weight.
Bridgetown (Barbados), March 28 (IANS/CMC) Jamaican businessman Dave Cameron has been elected president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), beating incumbent Julian Hunte in a close vote at the Annual General Meeting here.
Washington, Mar. 26 (ANI): Falkland Islands lawmakers have said they will not back down in the face of Argentina's efforts to claim the South Atlantic territory.
London, Mar. 22 (ANI): Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's papers have revealed that there was a wide division within the Conservative Party over how the government should respond to Argentina's invasion of the Falkland Islands.
London, Mar.20 (ANI): Marine biologists have, for the first time, found a whale skeleton on the ocean floor near Antarctica, giving new insights into life in the sea depths. The discovery was made almost a mile below the surface in an undersea crater and includes the find of at least nine new species of deep-sea organisms thriving on the bones.
St. John's (Antigua) March 19 (IANS/CMC) Windward Islands opening batsman Devon Smith remains the leading run scorer ahead of the next round of matches in the Caribbean's four-day and Super 50 competitions.
Washington, Mar 15 (ANI): Brown bears on an Alaskan archipelago are the descendants of an ancient polar bear population rather than being the ancestors of modern polar bears, a new study has found.
London, Mar. 13 (ANI): Argentinean President, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner's government has blasted the vote in Britain over Falkland Islands, saying it is 'pointless' and has no validity in law.
London, Mar. 11 (ANI): Danielle Lloyd, who is expecting her third child with footie ace Jamie O'Hara, was seen showing off her pregnant body while strolling around a pool in Canary Islands - where the family is vacationing.
London, Mar. 11 (ANI): Britain's 'special relationship' with the US is in 'jeopardy' after President Barack Obama refused to wholeheartedly endorse the right of Falkland Islanders to determine their own destiny, a senior US Congressman has warned.
London, Mar. 10 (ANI): Only 15 percent of Argentinians think Falkland Islanders should have a say in their own future, and a quarter still believe that the islands will one day be governed from Buenos Aires, a recent poll has revealed.
New Delhi, March 9 (IANS) On the third day of the Asian Cycling Championship, Deborah from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, assured India a historic second medal in the Asian Cycling Championship Saturday.
Beijing, March 9 (IANS) A marine surveillance fleet departed from China's Sanya city in Hainan province Friday for regular patrols in the South China Sea, Xinhua reported.
Washington, March 8 (ANI): An asteroid the size of a city block, will make its closest approach to Earth on Saturday, March 9th, less than 7 days after it was discovered, it has been revealed.
New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) Tsunai survivor Deborah brought India's first medal in the Asian Cycling Championships by winning a bronze in the 500 metre time trial at the Indira Gandhi velodrome here Thursday.
Hanoi, March 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Moscow will proceed with plans this year to help Vietnam launch a new submarine fleet and train the crews, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.
London, March 6 (ANI): Scientists may have at last found evidence to believe that the Viking "sunstone" used to navigate the seas did indeed exist.
London, Mar. 5 (ANI): Argentina will continue to assert its claim over the Falkland Islands despite the 'illegal' referendum on the territory's sovereignty due next week, the country's ambassador to London has said.
Moscow, March 5 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia's defence ministry has confirmed reports of vermin found in food stocks at a military unit on the Kurils Islands in the far east, but denied the food had been given to servicemen.
Guangzhou, March 4 (IANS) A Chinese maritime helicopter carried out the first-ever patrol mission in the South China Sea Monday, reported Xinhua, citing the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration.
London, Feb 28 (ANI): A restaurant in Beijing restaurant has refused to serve Japanese, Filipino and Vietnamese customers as these three Asian neighbours are currently involved in simmering maritime disputes with China.
New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will set up missile test ranges in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Andhra Pradesh and the process has been initiated to acquire land, the government said Wednesday.
London, February 26 (ANI): Using the latest carbon emissions scenarios and climate models, researchers have shown how rising sea temperatures are likely are likely to result in more frequent and severe coral bleaching events.
London, Feb. 26 (ANI): New US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has declined to back Britain in the battle with Argentina over the future of the Falkland Islands.
Washington, February 22 (ANI): Spanish researchers have shed light on the birth of asteroid trail, suggesting that internal rupture or collision with another asteroid might be behind it.
New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) Tsunami survivor Deborah is making rapid strides in cycling and has emerged as one of India's best bet in the Asian Championships scheduled here March 7-17.
Washington, Feb 20 (IANS) A new species of scorpion, Vaejovis brysoni, has been discovered in the Santa Catalina Mountains of southern Arizona in the US.
London, February 19 (ANI): Harry Styles has broken his silence on his short-lived romance with Taylor Swift, explaining there is no bad blood between the pair.
Washington, Feb. 17 (ANI): China has been waging a quiet campaign, using ancient documents, academic research, maps and technical data to bolster its territorial claims in the East China Sea.
Washington, Feb 16 (ANI): With the aid of a 5-million-dollar grant from NASA, a University of Hawaii team of astronomers is developing ATLAS, a system to identify dangerous asteroids before their final plunge to Earth.
Santa Cruz (Spain), Feb 11 (IANS/EFE) Five crewmen from a British cruise ship docked in Santa Cruz de La Palma, a city in Spain's Canary Islands, were killed and three injured Sunday when a lifeboat plunged into the water during an evacuation drill, authorities said.
Washington, Feb 9 (ANI): The number of Chinese tourists travelling to Japan during the Lunar New Year holiday has dropped more than 50 percent as compared to a year earlier following the territorial dispute between China and Japan over the Senkaku Islands.
Los Angeles, Feb 8 (IANS) Singer Harry Styles doesn't care if his ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift writes songs about their failed relationship.
Washington, Feb. 8 (ANI): Japan has claimed Russian fighter jets intruded on its airspace for the first time in five years, raising tensions between the two countries.
Moscow, Feb 7 (IANS) A Russian military spokesman Thursday said two Russian fighter jets acted within international rules and did not violate Japanese airspace as Tokyo claimed.
Tokyo, Feb 7 (IANS) Two Russian Su-27 fighter jets Thursday entered Japanese airspace over Hokkaido island, forcing the Japanese government to lodge a protest on the issue with Russia, Xinhua reported.
London, Feb. 7 (ANI): Argentina has stirred up the row over the Falklands after claiming that its people do not exist as a nation and are just British citizens living on disputed land.
Sydney, Feb. 6 (Xinhua-ANI): A powerful 8.0-magnitude earthquake off Solomon Islands has generated a tsunami and destroyed three remote villages on the Santa Cruz Islands in the Pacific Ocean, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Wednesday.
London, Feb. 6 (ANI): Argentina will regain control of the Falkland Islands within '20 years', the country's foreign minister Hector Timerman has said.
After an 8.0-magnitude earthquake hit near Lata in Temotu province of Solomons Islands, a small tsunami of about 3 feet (0.9 metres) swept across the islands causing not much damage.
Quito, Feb 6 (IANS/EFE) A court handed down a four-year prison term to a German citizen caught trying to smuggle four iguanas out of the Galapagos islands, authorities at Ecuador's Galapagos National Park said.
Suva, Feb. 6 (Xinhua-ANI): Fiji issued a tsunami warning Wednesday afternoon after a magnitude 8.0 earthquake hit Santa Cruz Islands, urging residents, especially coastal low lying dwellers to take precautionary measures as "we have only one hour left for the first wave to hit our shores."
Tokyo, Feb. 3 (ANI): Japanese coast guard have arrested the captain of a Chinese boat on suspicion of illegally fishing for coral in Japan's exclusive economic zone near Miyako Island, Okinawa Prefecture.
Cape Town, Feb 3 (IANS) Ghana reached the semifinals of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after beating Cape Verde Islands 2-0.
Port of Spain (Trinidad), Feb 2 (IANS/CMC) Trinidad and Tobago captain Denesh Ramdin is planning to use the regional cricket season to press his claim for a recall to the West Indies side after he was overlooked for the current tour of Australia.
Los Angeles, Feb 1 (IANS) Singer Taylor Swift, who recently parted ways from singer Harry Styles, does not have any intention of remaining friends with him, Swift's friends say.
Tokyo, Feb. 1 (ANI): China has limited access to diplomatic documents at the Foreign Ministry's archives since early January, because a 1950 government paper describes the Senkaku Islands as part of Japanese territory, sources have said.
Barcelona, Jan 30 (IANS/EFE) Celebrity Paris Hilton is currently accompanying her boyfriend, Spanish model River Viiperi, as he takes to the runway to show off designer collections at 080 Barcelona Fashion.
London, Jan 26 (ANI): Dubai could soon become home to the world's largest underwater hotel.
Beijing, Jan. 25 (Xinhua-ANI): Xi Jinping on Friday said China and Japan should address "sensitive" issues between the two countries effectively and in a timely manner.
Washington, January 25 (ANI): A team of astronomers has reconstructed the journey of the gas emitted by a powerful explosion of GK Persei - that has not stopped growing and astonishing ever since - in 3D.
Beijing, Jan 21 (IANS) A Chinese marine surveillance fleet continued patrolling around the Diaoyu Islands Monday and monitored Japanese ships that entered the islands' waters.
Beijing, Jan. 21 (Xinhua-ANI): China is firmly opposed to comments made by the United States about the Diaoyu Islands, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said here Sunday.
Beijing, Jan 20 (IANS) China is firmly opposed to comments made by the US about the Diaoyu Islands, a foreign ministry official said here Sunday.
Tokyo, Jan.20 (ANI): The United States has warned China about staking claim to the Japan owned Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, saying that it will oppose any unilateral action in this regard.
London, Jan. 19 (ANI): Falklands government has set a date for a referendum on the future sovereignty of the islands.
Beijing, Jan 18 (IANS) China Friday accused Japan of creating tensions over the Diaoyu Islands, Xinhua reported.
London, Jan.17 (ANI): New research from a global group of scientists and engineers, including from the University of Southampton, has been published in a special issue journal of the Royal Society. The work is in support of tidal power, which has the potential to provide more than 20 per cent of the UK's electricity demand.
Beijing, Jan. 16 (Xinhua-ANI): Chinese authorities will survey the Diaoyu Islands in an aim to "safeguard China's marine rights," a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman told a routine press conference on Tuesday.
Beijing, Jan 15 (IANS) China is to survey the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea as part of a programme of mapping its territorial islands and reefs, it was revealed Tuesday.
London, Jan 14 (ANI): A yachtsman by the name of Steve Callahan sailed the Atlantic alone when his 21ft sloop was hit by a whale and sank in a storm a week after leaving the Canary Islands.
Tokyo, Jan. 14 (ANI): Japan is preparing long-term responses to Chinese provocations that are challenging its administrative control of the disputed Senkaku Islands.
London, Jan. 13 (ANI): Britain's defence chiefs have drawn up new contingency plans to prevent hostile action by Argentina towards the Falkland Islands.
Panaji, Jan 12 (IANS) The political hand in Goa's drug mafia nexus has resurfaced. Only, this time, the Congress has alleged that two BJP ministers, including a former state party president, were involved in the drug trade in north Goa.
London, Jan 12 (ANI): New Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has criticised China for 'wrong handling' of the territorial row over East China Sea Islands.
Tokyo, Jan. 11 (ANI): China's trade with Japan fell 3.9 percent in 2012 to 329 billion dollars, the first drop in three years, the General Administration of Customs has said.
