An overview of the media in Cook Islands, as well as links to broadcasters and newspapers.

DJ Michael Bibi has revealed that he has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain and spinal cancer that is “moving fast”. The 32-year-old producer opened up about the diagnosis in a new Instagram post, more than two weeks since he last posted about discovering he had a “neurological problem” after a check-up for his tinnitus. Bibi, one of the most popular DJs in the UK’s dance music scene, told fans he has been diagnosed with primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. He posted a selfie showing a peace sign with a cannula in his hand on Monday night (5 June) and wrote: “Writing this post is a hard one. Last week I was diagnosed with CNS lymphoma. A very rare cancer that affects the brain and spine. “Unfortunately it’s moving fast and I have to stay in hospital starting treatment immediately. Typing this message doesn’t quite seem real and I’m sorry for the bad news. “I don’t know what lies ahead,” he continued. “I’m tired but I know I am strong and I won’t let this beat me. I will be back stronger for you all. Love Bibi.” Bibi was set to play at Manchester’s Parklife festival and Glastonbury this summer. It is unclear if he will be able to perform. Fellow DJs and others in the music industry sent him well wishes, including Steve Aoki, Paris Hilton, Tiesto and the electronic duo, Disclosure. Hilton wrote: “Sending you lots of love and light. Love you.” Aoki added: “Positive energy and healing to you legend. You’ll get through this.” His record label Solid Grooves also posted on Instagram in support of the founder, including a series of photographs of Bibi performing various DJ sets. It said: “The entire Solid Grooves team sends our love and support while he recovers, and we hope to have him back with us as soon as possible to make more memories.” According to Cancer Research UK, only two in every 100 brain or spinal cord tumours are lymphomas. Symptoms can include headaches, blurred vision, personality changes, seizures, and difficulty walking and balancing. Lymphoma means the cancer began in the lymphatic system, which is a system of thin tubes and lymph nodes that run throughout the body. Most lymphomas of the brain start in the front section of the brain but can also start in the spinal cord, eyes and layers of tissue that surround the organ. Read More Fitness fanatic, 26, diagnosed with stage 4 cancer after feeling dizzy Husband of non-smoker, 24, who died two weeks after lung cancer diagnosis reveals single telltale sign Sarah Beeny: Why I’m no longer scared of cancer My child is vaping – how bad is it? ‘Covid killed my taste buds – then my business’ Gemma Collins blasted for promoting headset as ‘magic’ cure for depression

Paediatricians have warned vaping is “fast becoming an epidemic among children” and are calling for disposable vapes to be banned. Many parents may be concerned about their own child’s health if they’re vaping. In May, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH ) warned there had been a 50% rise in the proportion of children vaping – from 7.7% of 11 to 17-year-olds trying e-cigarettes last year to 11.6% this year. And because vapes haven’t been around long (they’ve only been on sale in the UK since 2007) there haven’t been any long-term studies on the effect on health, and particularly on young lungs, hearts and brains. However, responding to a current Government consultation on e-cigarettes, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has warned e-cigarettes “are not a risk-free product and can be just as addictive, if not more so than traditional cigarettes”. The RCPCH’s vice president for policy and paediatric respiratory consultant, Dr Mike McKean, says: “Without a doubt, disposable e-cigarettes should be banned. Youth vaping is fast becoming an epidemic among children, and I fear that if action is not taken, we will find ourselves sleepwalking into a crisis.” But it’s a crisis many parents are ill-informed about – so here’s what the experts think parents should know… What are vapes?Hazel Cheeseman, deputy chief executive at ASH, describes vapes – also known as electronic cigarettes – as “a battery-powered heating element which heats a liquid – generally containing nicotine and other ingredients – that’s then inhaled as a vapour by users”. Some vapes are single -use and come in bright packaging, with exotic flavours and enticing, sweetie-type names like strawberry ice cream, cotton candy and cherry cola, others are rechargeable. Can children buy vapes? It’s illegal to sell vapes to under 18s in the UK. However, youngsters are clearly still getting their hands on them. McKean, who practises in the north-east of England, says he’s concerned to hear there’s been an increase in unregulated e-cigarettes hitting the UK market recently. He points out that in the north-east alone, more than 1.4 tonnes of illegal e-cigarettes – which Trading Standards said were often indistinguishable from regulated products – were seized from shops in the second half of last year. “It’s impossible to know what these products contain or how they might impact young people’s health,” he says. “The thought that these products are ending up in the hands of children is terrifying.” What do they contain? The crucial thing for parents to know is that they contain nicotine, which is harmful and addictive. Gurch Randhawa, professor of diversity in public health and director of the Institute for Health Research at the University of Bedfordshire, says: “E-cigarettes do not burn tobacco and do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, the most harmful aspects of smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes typically contain nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, and flavourings.” Are they addictive? Yes. McKean warns: “Vaping is far from risk-free, and in many cases can be very addictive.” Cheeseman adds: “It appears likely that people who have not smoked can become addicted to nicotine through vaping”. What are the health impacts long-term? Randhawa says that because vapes are a relatively new product, evidence on their health impacts isn’t clear. Experts are concerned though – especially because people under the age of 18 are still developing. Nicotine is known to cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, flow of blood to the heart and a narrowing of the arteries.Cheeseman says: “We don’t know what the health implications will be long-term. It seems likely there will be some, but until we have a population of people who have exclusively vaped without smoking for many decades it will be difficult to fully assess the impact.” Decades ago, no one knew about the devastating health impacts of smoking either. How can parents help children quit? Ensure your child has all the correct information and risks associated with vaping. Rather than setting strict punishments, try to be understanding and have a gentle discussion about peer pressure and having the confidence to say no. Cheeseman says nicotine replacement therapy can be used for children as young as 12. Randhawa points out that e-cigarettes should only be used to help people stop smoking. “If you haven’t smoked, you should not use e-cigarettes, as they contain nicotine, which is addictive. This message needs to be understood and articulated across society and schools to support children to not take up vaping.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Leah Williamson’s first fiction book inspired by women’s football ban protest Love Island 2023: Is having a ‘type’ holding back your dating life? 8 home repair jobs to tackle quickly – before they cost you a fortune

GOLDEN, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 6, 2023--

AVIGNON, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 6, 2023--

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 6, 2023--

Maria Sherman has been named The Associated Press’ music writer, a key position responsible for delivering news on a beat of global significance for the news cooperative

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 6, 2023--

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 6, 2023--

KATY, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 6, 2023--

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 6, 2023--

BELLEVUE, Wash. & MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 6, 2023--