Cook Islands

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Gulf oil states on a Pacific charm offensive

Gulf oil states are using their vast wealth to build influence across the far-flung South Pacific, experts have told AFP, tearing a page straight out of China's Belt and Road playbook.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two of the world's biggest crude oil producers, have been ramping up efforts to shed their reputations as global climate laggards.

Lonely Planet names Slovenia among top 10 countries for 2022

Ljubljana – Slovenia has placed fifth on Lonely Planet’s list of top 10 countries to visit in 2022 as the travel brand highlights the country’s diverse gastronomy and numerous possibilities of active experiences.

Apart from Norway, Slovenia is the only European country to have made it to the annual round-up of must-visit countries worldwide, which is topped by the Cook Islands.

The 20 most obese places in the world (interactive map)

Obesity is a worldwide problem, but is especially prevalent in the developed countries with the sedentary lifestyle and the nature of work. The most obese people in the world reside in America. But surprisingly, it’s not the America most might think. In fact the fattest people live in the nation of the American Samoa – an unincorporated territory of the United States in the South Pacific.

Bizarre Marriage rituals! (pics)

There are number of diverse cultural practices around the world when it comes to marriage. We just listed some of the most bizarre, at least to a westerner’s eye, form around the globe:

1. East Africa
In some East African tribes girls stitch everything but a small opening to urinate. This is to prevent sex before marriage!

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