Exploring Vanuatu’s Vibrant Seascape in Support of Ocean Protection

National Geographic Pristine Seas will study Vanuatu’s ocean ecosystems — which are known for their high biodiversity and at-risk species — in a bid to safeguard one of the most climate vulnerable regions in the world. National Geographic Pristine...

National broadcaster, BCN officially opens new studios and office after 2020 fire

Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi this morning thanked the Government of Australia for the support to rebuild and refurbish the BCN studios and new offices after the devastating fire in May 2020. This morning the AU$2 million project was officially...

More children now obese than underweight for first time ever

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

High on Health: Child Obesity Hits a New Record

A new UNICEF report reveals a dramatic shift in global child nutrition. For the first time, there are now more overweight and obese school-age children and adolescents than those who are underweight. Child obesity has become a worldwide problem,...

UNICEF blames global childhood obesity epidemic on trend toward ultra-processed foods

Key Points A new UNICEF report finds that more school-age children are now obese than underweight, with 188 million affected worldwide. Rates of childhood obesity have more than tripled since 2000, driven largely by ultra-processed foods replacing...

Ultra-Processed Foods Are Driving a Global Childhood Obesity Epidemic, UNICEF Finds

A new UNICEF report finds that more school-age children are now obese than underweight, with 188 million affected worldwide. Rates of childhood obesity have more than tripled since 2000, driven largely by ultra-processed foods replacing...

Bezos Earth Fund invests $37.5M to accelerate Pacific-led ocean protection

Grants will safeguard 835,000 square miles (2.16 million km²) of ocean across 12 countries and territories Washington, D.C. — A groundbreaking effort led by Pacific Island leaders to safeguard the ocean took a major step forward today, with the...

More children now living with obesity — UNICE

One in five children and adolescents aged five to 19 years globally, numbering 391 million, are overweight, with a large proportion of them now classified as living with obesity, UNICEF has warned in a new report. The Child Nutrition Report 2025,...

Marape successfully concludes round of meetings with visiting dignitaries

Prime Minister James Marape successfully concluded a long round of back-to-back meetings with heads of governments who arrived in the country to participate in the celebrations marking PNG’s 50th Independence anniversary. The hectic schedule of...

Bezos Earth Fund invests AUD57 million to accelerate Pacific-led ocean protection

Grants will safeguard 835,000 square miles (2.16 million km²) of ocean across 12 countries and territories WASHINGTON, D.C –A groundbreaking effort led by Pacific Island leaders to safeguard the ocean took a major step forward today, with the...

Pacific Leaders arrive for 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting

The first of the Pacific Leaders and delegations for the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM54) arrived in Honiara today. Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Peter Shanel Agovaka, this afternoon officially welcomed four...

Pacific quarantine-free travel expands

One-way quarantine-free travel to New Zealand will be extended to include Nauru, Tuvalu and American Samoa, Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Health Aupito William Sio announced today. “I am pleased to announce that from 11.59 pm 27...

New Zealand tightens international adoptions, Samoa most affected

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The New Zealand government is pausing the recognition of some international adoptions, primarily affecting Samoa, due to concerns over child abuse in cases involving adoptions from overseas. Associate Justice Minister...

New Zealand tightens international adoptions, Sāmoa most affected

The New Zealand Government is pausing the recognition of some international adoptions, primarily affecting Sāmoa, due to concerns over child abuse in cases involving adoptions from overseas. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says efforts are...

Pacific leaders secure ocean protection funding

A landmark regional initiative to safeguard the Pacific Ocean has received a major boost, with the Bezos Earth Fund announcing over $84 million in grants to support marine protection across 12 countries and territories. The funding will help...

Unprecedented gathering of regional leaders congratulates PNG

Papua New Guinea has received strong, supportive congratulatory messages from all visiting heads of government, and from around the world, including a personal video message from His Majesty King Charles III. The messages, received by Prime...

PIF leaders agrees to revitalize engagements with US

By Alfred Pagepitu Pacific Islands Forum leaders have agreed to revitalize engagements with the United States on nuclear legacy issues and the continuation of annual payments under the U.S. Tuna Treaty. Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Prime...

UNICEF: Childhood Obesity Surpasses Underweight Worldwide

Join more than 5,000 readers who receive the latest news from THE VOICE in their inbox! Key Takeaways: Childhood obesity has doubled in 25 years, now topping 188M cases. Obesity exceeds underweight in nearly every region but Africa and South Asia....

How to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal: live Champions League 2025/26 game, free streams

Eberechi Eze looks set to make his Champions League debut on Tuesday, and although Athletic Bilbao will be without key man Nico Williams, they have a superb record at home, especially in European competition. Lehoiak are back in the UCL after 10...

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...