Pacific moves to secure banking lifeline as correspondent links dry up

By Pita Ligaiula in Honiara, Solomon Islands The Pacific Islands Forum has stepped up efforts to protect the region’s economies from the loss of Correspondent Banking Relations (CBR), a vital financial link that enables trade, remittances, and...

MoS Pabitra Margherita Calls On Papua New Guinea PM James Marape

Port Moresby: Union Minister of State for External Affairs (MoS) Pabitra Margherita called on Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape on Monday, conveying greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people of India on the occasion of...

Niuean designers make historic debut at New Zealand Fashion Week

Niuean fashion is breaking new ground this week as designs and textiles from The Rock will shine at Pacific Fusion Fashion Show (PFFS), part of New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) 2025. This marks the first time Niuean designs have ever graced the...

More Obese Than Undernourished Kids Worldwide: UNICEF

UNICEF warns that obese kids worldwide now outnumber those who are undernourished. Credit: Corwinhee/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0 Obese kids now outnumber undernourished children worldwide, UNICEF warned Tuesday. Childhood and adolescent obesity...

Sister Lashes wins big, paving the way for future Pacific representation in the lash industry

Sister Lashes owner, Zandalee Matene pictured with her TAIEA award (R). Photos: Provided. Ann-Tauilo Motuga | Reporter/Videographer Sister Lashes owner, Zandalee Matene made history at the 2025 NZ Lash Industry Awards, becoming the first Pacific...

Make sure you deliver – message from Niue women and youth

The women and youth of Niue are the champions of Loss and Damage in Niue, says Felicia Pihigia Talagi, the Director of the Project Management Coordination Unit in Niue. Addressing delegates attending the Regional Loss and Damage Dialogue in Samoa,...

FFA receives US$6m from US under Economic Assistance Agreement

HONIARA: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) on Friday received the US$60 million payment for 2024, under the Economic Assistance Agreement (EAA) associated with the Treaty on Fisheries with the Government of the United States of...

PM Marape Launches Landmark Fisheries Strategies, Calls for Pacific to Harness Ocean Wealth

Prime Minister James Marape has urged Papua New Guinea and its Pacific neighbours to take full control of their ocean resources, declaring that the region must no longer remain a “beggar” while foreign powers exploit its fisheries wealth. He was...

PM launches landmark Fisheries Strategies, calls for Pacific to harness ocean wealth

Prime Minister James Marape has urged Papua New Guinea and its Pacific neighbours to take full control of their ocean resources, declaring that the region must no longer remain a “beggar” while foreign powers exploit its fisheries wealth. He was...

Judge Schuster Questions Professionalism of Law Firms on Frivolous and Vexatious Applications

Judge Mata’utia Raymond Schuster of Samoa’s District Court has questioned the professionalism of individual law firms involved as counsels for the Human Rights Protection Party, following the frivolous and/or vexatious applications to recount the...

MoS Margherita To Attend Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Day Celebrations

Port Moresby/New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita will be visiting Papua New Guinea (PNG) on September 16 to represent Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the commemorative events marking the country’s 50th anniversary...

More children now obese than underweight for first time ever

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Obesity exceeds underweight for the first time among school-age children and

NEW YORK, 10 September 2025 – Obesity surpassed underweight as the more prevalent form of malnutrition this year, affecting 1 in 10 – or 188 million – school-aged children and adolescents, and placing them at risk of life-threatening disease,...

New Zealand LA28 rights race hots up as Sky NZ confirms talks

Sky NZ, the country’s pay-tv giant, has confirmed that it is in discussion to secure broadcast rights for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28). The broadcaster confirmed this week that it is in “constructive discussions” with the...

Unicef report: Childhood obesity surpasses underweight for first time globally

A new UNICEF report shows that obesity has overtaken underweight as the most common form of malnutrition among school-aged children and adolescents worldwide. The condition now affects 1 in 10 young people—188 million in total—putting them at...

A Scuba Diver’s Guide to the Best Places in the World to Explore Underwater

Ever since I took a scuba diving course as an undergrad, I’ve been hooked on the wondrous experiences that lie in wait below the ocean surfaces. Now, more than half a lifetime since my first dive course—and several PADI (Professional Association...

Tuna revenue fund education & health

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU Government revenues from licensing and access fees remain strong at around US$500 million annually funding vital services such as education and health. Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director General Noan Pakop stressed this during...

UNICEF Reports Worldwide Surge In Overweight And Obesity

While undernutrition remains a significant concern among children under 5 in most low- and middle-income countries, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing among school-aged children and adolescents. A major culprit: widespread...

UNICEF Report Warns Of Growing Crisis Affecting 10% Of The World’s Children

Last Updated:September 11, 2025, 11:47 IST A major global crisis is affecting 1 in 10 children, warns UNICEF. A common modern habit may be to blame, and the long-term health risks are alarming. One of the key drivers behind this alarming trend is...

Obesity surpasses undernourishment among world's young population for the first time; What this means for children

Imagine a world where being overweight is now more common in kids than being underfed. Seems pretty impossible, right? But that’s today’s reality.For the first time in history, more children and teens around the world are facing obesity than...