The National Examinations for grades 8, 10 & 12 students in the general education system, including private permitted schools will begin in the second week of October. The published dates for the examinations are; Grade 10 (LSSCE) Exam Dates: 11 – 15 October (One Week), Grade 12 (USSCE) Exam, 18 – 22 October (One Week) and Grade 8 (COBE) Exam 25-28 October, 2021 (4 days). A total of 31, 817 Grade 12, 74, 982 Grade10, and 137,769 Grade 8 students are expected to sit the national examinations. This data includes a few students with special needs especially in grade 8 and 10. “I expect all examinations this year to be mal-practices free as was the case in the last few years. Every child entering our schools should be allowed an even ‘playing field’ to grow and become the person that they deserve to be”, Dr. Kombra said. The Department is urging all citizens to work together to eliminate cheating in the national examinations as cheating and other mal-practices discredit our efforts to improve our country’s education system, thus bringing our country’s  examination and certification system into disrepute. Dr. Kombra said that he is confident that the students have prepared well, as there was minimal disruptions to teaching and learning this year compared to last year. “I thank and appreciate all our Parents, Teachers, School Inspectors, Guidance Officers, Schools Governing Board Members, Provincial Education Advisors and other Stake holders for your dedication and commitment towards the successful completion of the school year,” the Secretary said. The Grade 10 results will be released to the Grade 11 Selection Conference on the 5th of December and the Grade 12 results will be released to the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) on the 12th of December. Grade 8 results will be taken care of by the respective Provinces and the Certificates will be sent to the schools/provinces by the 3rd week of December, 2021. “I wish every grade 10, 12 and 8 student all the best in the coming national examinations, and also in their future endeavors,” Dr. Kombra said.

Lifting rugby Union to be as good as or even better and more popular than rugby league; getting PNG Pukpuks and Palais 7s into the next Olympics and winning the gold medal at the Olympics are the dreams and goals NCD Governor Powes Parkop has set clearly when meeting the newly elected Members of the PNG Rugby Union (PNGRU) and some representatives of its affiliate associations on Friday evening. He hosted the dinner in his capacity as newly-appointed Patron of the PNGRU. Governor Parkop said he was honored and privileged to be appointed as patron, assuring the newly-elected Board of the Union led by Mr. Paul Siwi that he will use all his best endeavors, influence and energy to support the new executive and the affiliates to take this global and Olympic Games to another level in PNG, the region and also at international level. “Rugby Union is a global game and an Olympic sport so it has great potential to achieve a win-win for the code and for the country. It has done wonders for Fiji both in terms of promoting the code, using the games as a platform to promote a positive pathway for young men and women, and also promoting their country in all aspects. If the Fijians can do it, I don’t see any reason why PNG can’t do the same or even better.” On Saturday the 25th September the 17 affiliates of the PNGRU met and elected a new board comprising of Mr. Paul Siwi as President, Mr. Andy Ani from East New Britain Union as Vice President; Mrs Cybele Druma and Mr. Norrie Kepsin as Members of Board of Governors and Ms Mathilda Tigilai who is the President of Alotau Rugby Union as a Committee Member. Noting the many differences that have affected the code in the past, Governor Parkop called on everyone to work together, build bridges and to always remember that the game is more important than anyone. The dinner meeting hosted by Patron Governor Parkop, was also attended by Minister for Housing and Urbanization, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, CEO of Kumul Petroleum, Mr. Wapu Sonk, CEO of Steamship Group, Mr. Rupert Bray, CEO of Jmart Mr. Justin Tan and other guests invited by Governor Parkop. Complimenting Governor Parkop’s commitment to rugby union, Minister Tkatchenko said he would give full support for the good of sport itself and the country as a whole. “Rugby union has suffered for the last nearly ten years because of some personal egos but we must know that sport is bigger than all of us. This sport has a huge future ahead of us we are all here now to take it to the next level.” Said Tkatchenko. PNGRU President Paul Siwi thanked NCD Governor Parkop for his leadership and accepting the role of being the patron for PNGRU. “I believe we now have a good management team in place that will work together and be the change to take the code to the next level,” said Siwi. He said he would work with his executives for the betterment of the sport itself in the country where there are plans to reclassify rugby union so that the sport is played throughout the length and breadth of the country.

The Board and Management of landowner owned companies operating in Southern Highlands, Hela and Gulf Provinces have been vaccinated against COVID-19, sending a strong and clear message of solidarity in the fight against a life-threatening disease. The landowner owned companies who provide essential camp management, catering, security, construction, and logistics support to Oil Search include Kutubu Security Services (KSS), Gobe Field Engineering (GFE), KutMor, PNG Mining and Petroleum Hospitality Services (PNGMPHS), Gigira Development Corporation (GDC), Mananda Umbrella Joint Venture (MUJV) and Trans Wonderland Limited (TWL). John Kapi-Natto, KSS Chairman was vaccinated in Kutubu by the Oil Search Medical Team said KSS recognises the HSES impact of COVID-19 and stands together with Oil Search to support the response to this pandemic. “I made the choice to get vaccinated to protect myself and to ensure continued business operation. We support the Company’s response plan which is in line with the National Government’s Niupela Pasin guidelines.” Benjamin Wabua, GFE Chairman was one of the first leaders to get vaccinated at the Oil Search National Football Stadium vaccination site in Port Moresby. Chairman Wabua said: “It was a personal decision and as a company Chairman, I am setting an example for my management and staff. Vaccination is the only way to protect myself, my employees and our business against more serious impacts of COVID-19”. Larry Andagali, TWL Managing Director, has also demonstrated ongoing commitment and leadership in the fight against COVID-19. Mr Andagali who was one of the first to be vaccinated when the vaccines became available to the public said: “COVID is deadly as it has killed a lot of people around the world and it continues to claim more lives. We need to believe in science and not conspiracy theories and get vaccinated.” Other vaccinated landowner owned company leaders include Sakai Kei, KutMor Chairman, Nathan Nason, KutMor General Manager, Peter Heno, PNGMPHS Chairman, Jonathan Corotan, CEO PNGMPHS, Peterson Pipi, GDC Managing Director and Ipape Hulijeli, MUJV Chairman. All leaders called upon their employees and other contractors to take up vaccination. “In addition, measures such as ongoing testing and quarantine can be relaxed. Prolonged quarantine also takes away valuable time you could be spending with your families,” Chairman Wabua added. Leon Buskens, Oil Search Executive Vice President & Co-Head PNG highly commended each of the landowner owned company leaders for demonstrating shared responsibility for the collective health and safety of all employees and contractors. “Your leadership and duty of care are exemplary. We thank you for contributing to a safe workplace and community.”

Goroka Base Hospital in Eastern Highlands Province is struggling the meet the oxygen demand for the increased number of Covid-19 patients coming in to receive treatment  at the hospital. “The hospital is doing very good but with the demand for oxygen increasing lately, we are trying to meet the demand of patients needing oxygen.” “Because of the respiratory infection Covid-19 has brought about that causes patients to go into severe respiratory distress, the number of the oxygen demand now is more so we have to supply them more oxygen,” said a doctor from the Emergency Department of the Goroka Base Hospital. He made a call on social media asking for assistance from anyone willing to help them with oxygen cylinders for the patients at the hospital. He said that hours after he pleaded for assistance, he received very good response from the business houses who provided nine (9) oxygen cylinders that were delivered to the hospital on Saturday and another eight (8) cylinders on Sunday. Goroka Base Hospital had scaled down its operations since the surge in Covid-19 cases at the end of last month. The Doctor added that they are only receiving Covid-19 Patients and so far the Covid-19 isolation facility is full as well as the emergency department with covid-19 patients hence the high demand of oxygen. He further added that hopefully the oxygen cylinders that they have received from the donations can last and supplement the patients until Tuesday when they receive their next supply of Oxygen which is brought in from Lae.

Once bitten, never shy. Penrith have prevailed in one of the great gruelling grand finals, with Stephen Crichton's athletic intercept proving the difference as South Sydney threatened to pinch the ultimate rear-guard premiership. The Panthers' 2020 grand final night misery at the hands of Melbourne morphed into a shoot-out, but their 14-12 triumph before 39,000 screaming Suncorp Stadium fans on Sunday night typified defence at its finest in a year where points have flown thick and fast. Redfern favourite Adam Reynolds twice had the toughest of chances – off the tee and with a 40-metre-plus, two-point field goal attempt – to pen his own farewell fairytale. Nathan Cleary's own masterclass off the boot forced all five dropouts a thrilling contest saw, kicking the Rabbitohs to the kerb and earning him the Clive Churchill Medal. But fittingly, Crichton's all or nothing play without the ball proved pivotal. Especially when Penrith were so wounded – Cleary, Dylan Edwards, James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Brian To'o were just the injuries we know about – Ivan Cleary woke in a cold, 2am sweat on game day. "Three or four of them could be gone by 10 minutes," the coach's unhelpful midnight monologue went. At 8-all and having been that way for most all of the second half, Rabbitohs talisman Cody Walker swung left with a long ball in the 66th minute. Had it hit its mark, Alex Johnston would've been on his way. Instead it was Crichton streaking in the opposite direction, pinching the Steeden on damn near the same blade of grass that Matty Bowen burned Brett Kimmorley in the 2005 State of Origin opener. "I got hammered from the defensive coach (Cameron Ciraldo) all week," Crichton said on Nine. "Having Walker there he is one of the best in the league and eyes for the footy and space to put their players in. We did video on that during the week and I was there at the right time." "We trained for it," Cleary added. Via nrl.com

"Twelve hours on your feet, flying to Kyiv to Zanzibar and back. If you wear high heels, you are hardly able to walk afterwards," says flight attendant Daria Solomennaya, 27. "That includes four hours of security checks and cleaning." She works for SkyUp Airlines, one of the youngest low-cost airlines in Europe, but one of the biggest in Ukraine. It has now decided to replace the old uniform from next month with a far more comfortable alternative. It isn't the first in Europe to do so, but for Ukrainians it is a sign that some of the old traditions are being swept away. An icy wind buffets the tarmac of Kyiv's Boryspil International Airport and this stewardess for one is happy there is about to a revolution in her company's dress code. When SkyUp surveyed its crews, it turned out that its female employees were fed up with their high heels, tight blouses and pencil skirts. "Many of my colleagues are permanent clients of podologists; their toes and toe-nails are constantly damaged by high heels," she complains. Varicose and spider veins are other frequent ailments. Several other airlines have already ditched elements of their dress codes that were previously considered standard in the industry, among them: Virgin Atlantic allowed their flight attendants to give up make-up Japan Airlines scrapped obligatory high heels, giving their employees the option of trousers instead of pencil skirts Norwegian Air allowed flat shoes and dropped the requirement for women to have mandatory cosmetics on board. Ukraine's low-cost flier has gone further: out go the high heels, skirts and tight blouses, in come trainers, loose orange jackets and trousers. "A flight attendant's work is not that romantic. It's hard," explains SkyUp head of marketing Marianna Grygorash. "We realised that our female flight attendants didn't want to be seen as "sexualised and playful'." For decades airlines took advantage of women's looks to aid their business, often at the cost of their basic comfort and health. "The typical image of a stewardess is probably more sexualised and associated with the femininity than any other," says gender expert Olena Strelnyk. And that was particularly the case in Ukraine, where the stereotype has long been of women more focused on their physical appearance than Western women. But Ukraine has changed dramatically in recent years and Olena Strelnyk believes it has begun shedding many of its sexist traditions. That does not mean SkyUp's Ukrainian competitors are necessarily following suit in shaking up their uniform policies. Ukraine International Airlines has a big share of the market, and after 30 years of flying it sees no reason to change. "Our flight attendants have enough time for breaks and their heels aren't that high at all: they're rather token," says the airline. UIA is determined to cling on to traditions in the airline industry and believes each company should decide its own future. For Daria Solomennaya, the problems with heels and pencil skirts are obvious. What if an aircraft made an emergency landing on water and a colleague had to rush to open an exit door over the wing, she points out. She would have to clamber over seats while passengers lined up in the aisle. "Imagine how I could do that in a pencil skirt." High heels are equally of little use in an emergency, so she would have to go barefoot under strict security rules. DRESS CODES: What they mean for cabin crew But it isn't just during emergencies where the airline's old uniform feels inappropriate for what is a physically demanding job, involving irregular hours flying between different time and climate zones. There is that moment at the start of a journey when all eyes are on the flight attendant, demonstrating what to do in an emergency. "You put a life vest, a mask and a belt on the ground, as all the seats are occupied by passengers," Daria explains. "You bow down carefully in your tight skirt to pick up one item after another. Suddenly it's as if you're on a stage and your blouse has leapt up above your skirt." SOURCE: BBC NEWS Images courtesy: SKYUP AIRLINES PRESS SERVICE, GETTY IMAGES

Huonville Primary School in Lae, Morobe Province has just received a new 8 in 1 double classroom which has been made possible by tax payers through the Lae City Authority (LCA). Governor John Rosso who was present to officiate the opening of the classrooms said that the K1.2 million project was funded through the Lae DSIP education component and was managed by LCA through sourcing quality building design, materials and a reputable building contractor for the project. “Few years back several classrooms at Huonville Primary School were condemned by authorities and that really affected the learning of almost 2000 students at the school.” “I visited the school and made a commitment to build a new classroom and thanks to the LCA board who approved an appropriate funding for this brand-new classroom,” Governor Rosso said. Mr Rosso said that over the last four years they have built classrooms, teachers’ houses and provided funding support to schools that have a good record of prudent management. All these have been made possible through the annual K2million Lae DSIP education component. At the opening of the new classrooms, the Governor also handed over new vehicles to the District Education Manager and the District Administration to enable them to carry out their work effectively. “The next 8 in 1 classroom project will commence at Taraka Primary School and every year we will roll out classrooms and teachers’ houses to all the schools in Lae.” “We have 23 primary schools, 5 high schools and several TVET and elementary schools in our city and K2million annually is inadequate to attend to all schools at the same time,” Mr Rosso said. The Morobe Governor expressed his thanks to the LCA board, Ward Councilor Demas Michael, Lae Lord Mayor James Khay, Deputy Lord Mayor Jacob Maragau, Ahi LLG President Malcolm Kalo, District Administrator Robin Calistus and district officers, East Coast Contractors, teachers, parents and everyone who ensured that this project becomes a success.

Air New Zealand is introducing a 'no jab, no fly' policy for international travellers, starting in February next year. The airline will require customers travelling anywhere on its international network to be fully vaccinated. Chief executive Greg Foran says vaccination against Covid-19 is the new reality of international travel. He said many destinations New Zealanders wanted to travel to were already closed to unvaccinated visitors. The policy will apply to all passengers aged 18 and older, arriving or departing Aotearoa on an Air New Zealand aircraft. Anyone who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons will need to provide proof. Foran said the decision came through "loud and clear" in recent consultations with employees. "We want to do everything we can to protect them. Mandating vaccination on our international flights will give both customers and employees the peace of mind that everyone onboard meets the same health requirements as they do." All flight crew travelling internationally will also require full vaccination. "We know this is the right thing to do to protect our people, our customers and the wider New Zealand community. We'll spend the next few months making sure we get this right, ensuring it works as smoothly as possible for our customers. This also gives anyone wanting to travel from next year plenty of time to get their vaccination." Foran said the company was working on rolling out the International Air Transport Associations (IATA) Travel Pass app, which would check customers' health information against flight details to ensure they are meeting entry requirements for that destination. The Travel Agents Association said vaccination requirements for international travel will make it more complex, but the move was not a surprise. President Brent Thomas said it had been expected overseas travelling would be different. Thomas said the IATA app will make travelling easier for both customers and airlines.

The Tinkoris Outpatient Ward was officially opened on Friday 1st October. Located in the Matalai LLG of the Namatanai District the opening will allow for the 40,000 plus population from surrounding LLG's, Tanir, Konoagil, Matalai and the whole of Namatanai District access to quality health service. A small but significant ceremony was held at the entrance of the hospital to mark the opening. Present to witness the occasion alongside Governor Sir Julius Chan was Provincial Administrator Lamiller Pawut, Provincial Executive Council members, Director of Curative Health Care Dr Charles Peni and staff of the Kavieng Provincial Health Authority. Dr Peni who confessed he was a skeptic at first said Sir J’s vision to bring down such health services only found in urban settings is in line with the overall Health plan of the country. “ By definition where there is a population of between 40,000 to 50,000 there is the qualification for a Rural Hospital. Namatanai alone has over 60,000 so this Hospital will run pallarel with the Namatanai Hospital. So we are privileged to have a leader who has a vision and driven by faith to implement such a world class Hospital in this part of New Ireland,” said Dr Peni. Sir J said the Hospital was built to honor the memory of his late mother Miriam Tinkoris who passed away 47 years ago come October 30th. “ This hospital is named after my mother because she was the best carer and she will look after you the same way she looked after me,” said Sir J. Sir J further conveyed that the outpatient ward opening was just a warm up, with the actual opening of the entire Hospital to be held on the 29th of October a day before his mother’s death anniversary. He has never failed to visit her grave site in Rabaul since she passed on. Despite political tensions in the Matalai LLG caused by a minority the Health staff said they are there to provide much needed health care to the people as per their job description. The total cost of the Tinkoris Hospital is K18 million that has been totally funded by the New Ireland Government and includes 4 stand-alone Doctor’s houses and two Nursing Apartments. It will have approximately 40 staff, including doctors, nurses and an administrative manager.

Some church leaders in Fiji want the Government to allow non-vaccinated people to enter their houses of worship. Only those fully vaccinated will be allowed into churches when places of worship open their doors on Monday. Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said last week once Fiji achieved 70 percent full vaccination, all workplaces, tertiary institutions, houses of worship, hotels, restaurants, cafés, cinemas, gyms, pools and tattoo parlours could operate at 70-percent capacity. According to the Health Ministry, 95.8 percent of the target population have received one dose, and 72.5 percent are fully vaccinated. There has been pressure on the clergy to get the injections since the Government's 'No jab, no job' policy for public servants was announced in June. The Christian Mission Fellowship Church confirmed about 10 of its pastors had quit because they did not want to get the vaccine. The church's media director, Joe Kurulo, said the ministers were not forced to resign but had done so of their own free will. He said the church respected their decision. The Government's policy is being supported by a majority of the churches, with some churches advising their followers to stay at home if they were not fully vaccinated. The Methodist Church said no one was spared from this requirement including divisional heads, ministers, stewards and other staff. Church president Reverend Ili Vunisuwai confirmed that a circular had been sent to all 59 divisional heads to collect data from the clergy to determine those who had been vaccinated and those who hadn't. He said the church would make further announcements on their fate when a decision is made. "Only those who have been fully vaccinated will be allowed into churches," Vunisuwai said. "If they have not been fully vaccinated, then they have to remain at home until they are fully vaccinated." [caption id="attachment_15546" align="alignnone" width="1030"] Sacred Heart Church in Levuka, Fiji Photo: Supplied[/caption] But the Assemblies of God Church said people should not be stopped from coming to church - whether they were vaccinated or not. General Secretary Reverend Filikesa Koroivueta urged the Government to review its decision. He said the church would propose unvaccinated people be allowed in church but with strict measures in place. "We still hope that our national leaders will at a point in time consider the unvaccinated people to enter our churches." Koroivueta said they had yet to account for their members including pastors who were not vaccinated. He said the AOG were not a member of the Fiji Council of Churches and it would make a separate proposal to the authorities. The Catholic Church also wants to have open churches for all worshippers Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said while they welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister, they would also push for dialogue to have an open church for its members. "We would request for a dialogue so that we can accommodate religious values and respect people's freedom of religion and also while we have our religious freedom, we also have a social responsibility that we support," Chong said. [caption id="attachment_15547" align="aligncenter" width="1046"] Archbishop Peter Loy Chong. Photo: Supplied/Archdiocese of Suva[/caption] Chong said they could have an open church whether people were fully vaccinated or not, but everybody that comes into church must practice extremely strict Covid-safe protocols. "That is the possibility between respecting religious freedom and at the same time understanding everyone's social responsibility of the common good." Chong said he had received reports that all his priests had received the vaccine. But World Harvest Centre Associate Pastor Kolinio Boila said as law-abiding citizens, church members were also required to work within the law. "We also aware it is a temporary arrangement, and restrictions will be lifted in stages. So we have to learn to be flexible and adjust accordingly," Boila said. "We are excited about the opportunity to have church services again after seven months of not being able to do so. "We will work within the 70 percent capacity. We are glad it is better than the 50 percent when restrictions were uplifted last year. "The church is encouraging its members to follow Ministry of Health and Medical Services advice and get vaccinated," Boila said. He said those who were still yet to receive their Covid-19 vaccine dose would be able to access all church services live on Facebook and YouTube. SOURCE: RNZ NEWS

The Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Soroi Eoe says the Government will continue to support local Small to Medium Enterprise (SMEs) to remain in business, create employment and generate revenue for the economy. Minister Eoe said this on Friday (01/1021) when presenting a cheque of K55 000 to a local SME Kaoha Ltd involved in providing water purification and filtration services for his Kikori District in the Gulf province. He said the pandemic is here to stay and encouraged his people and local SMEs ∂to adhere to the Niupla Pasin COVID19 protocols and actively engage in their little businesses. “The National Government strongly encourages our local SMEs and those engaged in any form of income generating activity to continue what you are doing, but at the same time follow the Niupla Pasin and get vaccinated for the health and safety of yourself and families. ‘Funding to the tune of K200million has been released to the two commercial banks, BSP and National Development Bank-NDB to help struggling SMEs which were affected by the pandemic. That is part of the overall government’s financial policy intervention towards local businesses. “I am very thankful to Kaoha Ltd a local Papua New Guinean family owned SME that has come up with the technique and resource to filter dirty water and purify it for drinking and cooking in our Kikori District. “We are engaging their services because our people really need clean and safe drinking and to stop them from drinking contaminated ground water’’, said the Acting Prime Minister and Kikori MP. The Acting Prime Minister said his Kikori District is a riverine district and the people’s water wells and creeks are contaminated by flooding. “Our people are drinking water from the rivers, water wells and other sources from the ground and most times they become sick from water borne diseases like malaria as the creeks are infested with mosquito larva. “This water filtration buckets can and will certainly go a long way in helping our people drink water filtered and free of bacteria’’, he said. Minister Eoe says the waterways and creeks in the Kikori area is often dirty and contaminated by the many rivers that are flooded during heavy rains. “The flood waters go up the villages along the river banks and cover the entire area, destroy and contaminate our water wells and when our people drink those dirty water they get sick and are hospitalized. “The Kikori District Development Authority-KDDA in partnership with the Ihu Special Economic Zone-ISEZ has purchased water tanks to collect rainwater and supply to villages but this water purification and filtration technology using simple buckets will complement and help our people a lot in providing clean water. “We are also lucky to have water tanks for our clans in the Kikori District but sometimes communally owned water tanks are subject to abuse and we all know that so we are also looking at the water filtration buckets that you are providing. “So this particular water purification and filtration unit which your Kaoha is providing is more suited to families and households in our District as it is really practical and beneficial to our purposes’’, said Minister Eoe. The Acting Prime Minister on behalf of the Kikori District Development Authority-KDDA thanked the Ihu Special Economic Zone-ISEZ for supporting the water filtration program. “These are some of the projects that we are involved in terms of safety measures that will have a direct impact on the lives of people in his district. “The other program that were looking at purchasing 41 Lucas sawmills to cut and mill timber to help the local people build facilities like health centers, schools, churches and homes including logs for infrastructure projects like bridges and jetties that are of economic value. “’We will distribute depending on the size of the villages and households a Lucas sawmill unit to each ward to cut and mill timbers. “The other is the Chinese Government funded road projects from Bluff to Vailala in Kerema which has never been built over the last 46 years to link Ihu and Kikori to the main Kerema town. And on top of that we have the Ihu Special Economic Zone-ISEZ coming on. “So these are some of the things we are doing to get our people prepared for many projects and resource investments coming our way like the road linking Hela, Southern highlands and Gulf provinces into the capital Port Moresby which will bring huge economic benefits and we don’t want our people to miss out and or greatly affected’’, said Minister Eoe. The water filtration buckets are able to cure dirty sludgy water from any water borne diseases and they have been tried, tested and approved by the National Agriculture Research Institute-NARI. The Ihu Special Economic Zone-ISEZ project has purchased over 300 filtration buckets and will be distributed to selected communities in the Kikori District especially in the West Kikori LLG villages as well as Popo and Orokolo villages in the Ihu LLG. Minister Eoe says the purchase of the water filtration buckets compliments the efforts by the Kikori Districts to purchase water tanks for the district totaling K1million and the purchase of 41 sawmills for communities in the district to improve their livelihoods. The Member for Kikori also says the filtration buckets will be beneficial to communities that rely on well water and creeks which are often contaminated and destroyed by heavy flooding yearly. The filter is attached to a bucket and is purely gravity fed and is suitable for river, swamp and well water but not estuary saline water. It is called Sawyer Point One Filter Operation and to operate, one needs to fill the bucket with water and allow it to filter through to another container and the output is in excess of 1200 liters per day.

Worldwide deaths related to Covid-19 surpassed 5 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, with unvaccinated people particularly exposed to the virulent Delta strain. The variant has exposed the wide disparities in vaccination rates between rich and poor nations, and the upshot of vaccine hesitancy in some western nations. More than half of all global deaths reported on a seven-day average were in the United States, Russia, Brazil, Mexico and India. While it took just over a year for the Covid-19 death toll to hit 2.5 million, the next 2.5 million deaths were recorded in just under eight months, according to a Reuters analysis. An average of 8000 deaths were reported daily across the world over the last week, or around five deaths every minute. However, the global death rate has been slowing in recent weeks. There has been increasing focus in recent days on getting vaccines to poorer nations, where many people are yet to receive a first dose, even as their richer counterparts have begun giving booster shots. More than half of the world has yet to receive at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, according to Our World in Data. The World Health Organisation this week said its COVAX distribution programme would, for the first time, distribute shots only to countries with the lowest levels of coverage. Co-led by the WHO, COVAX has since January largely allocated doses proportionally among its 140-plus beneficiary states according to population size. "For the October supply we designed a different methodology, only covering participants with low sources of supply," Mariangela Simao, WHO assistant director general for access to vaccines, said in a recording of a conference presentation last week posted on the WHO's website. The United States, which has been battling vaccine misinformation that has caused about one-third of the population to avoid inoculations, surpassed 700,000 deaths on Friday, the highest toll of any country. [caption id="attachment_15536" align="aligncenter" width="965"] A US Army soldier prepares to vaccinate a person in Miami. Photo: 2021 Getty Images[/caption] US cases and hospitalisations have been trending lower, but health officials are bracing for a possible resurgence as cooler weather forces more activities indoors. Russia reported 887 coronavirus-related deaths on Friday, the largest single-day death toll it has recorded since the pandemic began and the fourth day in a row it has set that record. Only 33 percent of Russia's eligible population has received a first vaccine dose. As a region, South America has the highest death toll in the world accounting for 21 percent of all reported deaths, followed by North America and Eastern Europe contributing more than 14 percent of all fatalities each, according to Reuters analysis. However, India, one of the first countries ravaged by the Delta variant, has gone from an average of 4000 deaths a day to fewer than 300 as its vaccination campaign is rolled out. [caption id="attachment_15537" align="alignnone" width="976"] A health worker inoculates a woman with the jab of Covishield Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine at a temporary vaccination camp in Ahmedabad, India. Photo: AFP or licensors[/caption] About 47 percent of India's eligible population has received a first shot, with officials administering around 7,896,950 doses per day over the past week, a Reuters analysis of Our World in Data showed. The Delta variant is now the dominant strain around the globe and has been reported in 187 out of 194 World Health Organisation member countries. SOURCE: RNZ NEWS