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Local authorities remind boaters to keep emergency gear

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Feb. 6, 2013) – A search and rescue operation is underway in Kiribati as another report of a lost fishing crew was made on Tuesday.

The fishing crew set out Monday morning from Tarawa Atoll and headed towards the atoll of Maiana, to the south, and were due back by sunset.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand has been notified and is assisting with the mission, coordinated from Marine Search and Rescue in Tarawa.

Director of Marine Captain Ruoikabuti Tioon says aircraft are searching for the crew. He says he is trying to send a message to the public about marine safety, after repeated incidents of missing crews.

"Should they have any problems when they go and fish, we know that they can be still found if they use these flares and all those things. I encourage the public to have these sorts of equipment for now, even though it’s...

FLNKS delegation members grateful for realization of goals

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (Vanuatu Daily Post, Feb. 6, 2013) – Members of the Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak Socialiste (FLNKS) Political Bureau of New Caledonia, the Kanak Community from Vanuatu and New Caledonia and the staff of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat witnessed the official Opening of the FLNKS Unit at the MSG Secretariat headquarters in Port Vila, Vanuatu by the Spokesperson of the FLNKS to the MSG, Mr. Victor Tutugoro and the Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Mr. Peter Forau last Tuesday.

Mr. Forau explained among other functions this Unit will allow the MSG Secretariat to provide policy advice on political developments in Kanaky/New Caledonia; monitor the implementation of the Noumea Accord; liaise with the FLNKS Political Bureau on MSG issues; coordinate and manage MSG constituent body meetings on FLNKS matters; manage high level technical and Ministerial Missions to New...

Education official calls to support funding for security systems

By Louella Losinio

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Marianas Variety Guam, Feb. 8, 2013) – School break-ins and vandalism over the course of three years cost the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) approximately $1.6 million, accounting for loss and replacement of property as well as labor and materials for facility repairs.

Robert Malay, GDOE deputy superintendent for Assessment and Accountability, reported the figures during a recent public hearing on Bill 1, which authorizes the Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) to procure security systems for public schools.

If enacted into law, the bill will allow the government to enter into an agreement with a contractor for the financing, design and purchase as well as installation and maintenance of electronic security systems for public schools.

Most of the incidents over a period of three years, 46 percent, took place in schools under the Lagu or...

8-year study of 800 babies reveals ‘extremely shocking’ statistics

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, Feb. 7, 2013) – A new study has found that up to 23 percent of babies in American Samoa are obese.

The research was conducted by Brown University in the United States and published in the journal Paediatric Obesity.

To conduct the study, researchers examined the medical records of nearly 800 American Samoan babies born between 2001 and 2008.

The team tracked the babies' growth, weight gain, and whether they were breastfed, given formula, or a mix of both.

Lead author Nicola Hawley says about 23 percent of boys and 16 percent of girls in American Samoa are obese by 15 months of age.

"It was actually extremely shocking. We know that adult obesity the Samoas is particularly high - around 70 percent of Samoan women are obese," she told...