An independent commission looking into the sexual abuse of minors in the Catholic Church said on Tuesday it had documented cases pointing to at least 4,815 victims. Set up by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference to examine abuse in recent decades, the commission added this was the tip of the iceberg. Presenting the report, the commission's president, child psychiatrist Pedro Strecht, described its objective as "giving voice to the silence" of victims. He paid tribute to the hundreds who contacted its staff to provide testimony. "They have a voice; they have a name," he said. In all, the commission documented 564 experiences of people who said they had been victims of abuse by priests or other Church officials. The exercise looked at cases dating back to 1950. In many cases, testimony pointed to other minors having been abused - hence the estimate of thousands of further victims. Throughout his presentation, Mr Strecht quoted victims' testimony, stressing the impact the abuse had on them. He cited the "black hole" in which one victim said that he had been living. The president of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference, José Ornelas, Bishop of Leiria-Fátima, is due to make a statement later. On Sunday, he said he had received the report "with gratitude", and that an extraordinary session scheduled for 3 March would ponder the best way to offer "justice" to victims. According to the commission, a total of 25 cases have been passed to public prosecutors. Many others fell outside the statute of limitations. Among the recommendations the report makes is that, in cases of alleged sexual abuse of minors, the existing provision for victims to be able make a criminal complaint until the age of 25, even if the statute of limitation applies, should be raised to 30.   Source: BBC

US workplace safety regulators have fined a Pennsylvania factory after two workers fell into a vat of chocolate and had to be rescued. The Mars Wrigley factory in the city of Elizabethtown was fined more than $14,500 (£12,000) by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The workers were contractors who did not work full-time for the factory. The incident happened in June 2022. A hole had to be cut into the bottom of the partly-full tank to get them out. More than two dozen rescuers responded, and one worker was transported to hospital by helicopter, according to local reports. The regulator's report labelled the incident "serious". It says the workers were hired to clean tanks, and were not provided with proper safety training. It noted that the workers fell into a batching tank - a tank used to mix ingredients - for Dove chocolate, a brand sold in the US. In the UK and elsewhere, Dove is sold as Galaxy. A representative for Mars Wrigley welcomed the outcome of the investigation. "The safety of our associates and outside contractors is a top priority for our business," said the spokesperson. "As always, we appreciate [the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's] collaborative approach to working with us to conduct the after-action review." Mars and Wrigley - both American confectioners that are each over a century old - merged in 2008. In addition to Dove, the company produces several popular sweets such as M&Ms, Snickers and Twix. Source: BBC

New Zealand's prime minister says Cyclone Gabrielle, which has pummelled much of the North Island, is a weather event not seen "in a generation". Chris Hipkins' government has declared a state of emergency - only the third in New Zealand's history. About a third of the country's population of five million people live in affected areas. Many people are displaced and some were forced to swim from their homes to safety after rivers burst their banks. Others have been rescued from rooftops. About a quarter of a million people are without power. Falling trees have smashed houses, and landslides have carried others away and blocked roads. The storm's damage has been most extensive in coastal communities on the far north and east coast of the North Island - with areas like Hawke's Bay, Coromandel and Northland among the worst hit. Communications to one town in the region have been completely cut after a river burst its banks. Civil defence authorities in Hawke's Bay said they couldn't cope with the scale of the damage. Australia and the UK have pledged to help. A firefighter remains missing after being caught in a landslide in Muriwai, west of Auckland. A second firefighter involved was critically injured, rescue agencies said. Marcelle Smith, whose family lives in a cliff-front property in Parua Bay on the east coast of the North Island, told the BBC she had fled inland with her two young children on Monday night. Her husband remained behind to set up protections for their home. Some embankments set up had already been washed away and they were still battling wild weather on Tuesday. "We are trying to do everything we can to protect what we have put our lives into. It's man versus nature at this point," she told the BBC. Local media have reported that some residents in Hawke's Bay had to swim through bedroom windows to escape as waters flooded their homes. People have been warned they could be without power for weeks. Aerial pictures of flooded regions showed people stranded on rooftops waiting for rescue. The vast scale of the damage includes uprooted trees, bent street lights and poles, and row after row of flooded homes. New Zealand's Defence Force released dramatic pictures of officials rescuing a stranded sailor, whose yacht was swept out to sea when its anchor cable snapped amid strong winds. "The severity and the damage that we are seeing has not been experienced in a generation," Mr Hipkins said on Tuesday. "We are still building a picture of the effects of the cyclone as it continues to unfold. But what we do know is the impact is significant and it is widespread." He has pledged NZ$11.5m (£6m; US$7.3m) in aid to support those affected by the disaster. Declaring the national state of emergency on Tuesday morning, the Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty, described the storm as "unprecedented". The emergency order enables the government to streamline its response to the disaster. It has been applied to the Northland, Auckland, Tairawhiti, Tararua, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Hawke's Bay regions. New Zealand has only previously declared a national state of emergency on two occasions - during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. The government has attributed the scale of the disaster to climate change. "The severity of it, of course, [is] made worse by the fact that our global temperatures have already increased by 1.1 degrees," said climate change minister James Shaw. "We need to stop making excuses for inaction. We cannot put our heads in the sand when the beach is flooding. We must act now." Cyclone Gabrielle has hit New Zealand just two weeks after unprecedented downpours and flooding in the same region, which killed four people. The MetService says conditions are expected to clear in coming days, and heavy rain warnings are being lifted for some parts of the country. But it has warned that wind could still cause further damage.     Source: BBC

Michael Marum, Governor of East New Britain, hosted a successful farewell dinner for delegates of the Pacific ICT Dialogue on behalf of the government and people of ENB. The Pacific ICT Dialogue was a high-level event that brought together representatives from across the Pacific region to discuss common challenges and opportunities in the field of information and communication technology. The event was a success, thanks in part to invaluable support of Governor Marum and his team, and stake holders. The farewell dinner provided an opportunity for attendees to reflect on the productive discussions and resolutions made during the event, and to forge new relationships that will be of benefit to the region. Minister for ICT Timothy Masiu, and NICTA CEO and Chairman of the Dialogue Mr Kila Gulo-Vui presented the delegates and the government leaders of ENB with gifts as a token of appreciation for their participation in this significant meeting. It was a fitting conclusion to the Pacific ICT Dialogue and a demonstration of the warm hospitality and generosity of the people of East New Britain.

From the moment Craig Young’s Saints marched in to Redfern Oval on February 13, 1982 and whacked their way to a 9-7 win over Souths in the inaugural Charity Shield, the annual pre-season clash has packed more punch than your average trial game. For four decades these two fierce rivals have squared off with one goal in mind – making a statement of intent for the season. And if you can make that statement at the expense of a sworn enemy, then all the sweeter. Back in 1982, the Rabbitohs and Dragons played for a $2000 purse, with the rest of the gate receipts donated to the South Sydney and St George hospitals. With hardheads like Young, Rod Reddy, John Jansen and Pat Jarvis squaring off against Tony Rampling, Gary Hambly and Ken Stewart, that two grand cheque was the only charity on show. In his first year as head coach of St George, Roy Masters inherited a side that had won just 11 games in ’81 and finished behind the Bunnies on the ladder, but that wasn’t going to stop him talking up the Red V. “We’ll beat Souths for sure,” Masters said, despite the form guide showing a loss to Easts in a trial earlier in the week. And beat the Bunnies they did in a torrid tussle that had referee Denis Braybrook on his toes and the raucous Redfern crowd on their feet as the tone was set for the 38 Charity Shields that have followed. From South Sydney heartland to ANZ Stadium to picturesque Mudgee, the ‘unfriendly friendly’ has produced 17 wins apiece and five draws, including the emotion charged 2002 encounter which marked the Rabbitohs' return to the NRL after two years in exile. In front of 36,804 true believers at Aussie Stadium, a Rabbitohs side cobbled together for readmission to the competition was expected to be easy fodder for a Dragons team coming off a semi-final finish in 2001. Feeding off the energy of their delirious fans, Craig Coleman's men did the famous jersey proud, twice clawing back from 10 points down to walk away with a 20-20 draw which was celebrated with all the gusto of a premiership. A month later the Rabbitohs crashed back to earth with a 40-6 loss to the Roosters in the opening game of the NRL season, setting the tone for a gruelling campaign that produced just five wins. The next decade would deliver three wooden spoons and a lone finals appearance in 2007 before the arrival of Michael Maguire signalled the beginning of a new era. He may have lost his first Charity Shield clash as Souths mentor in 2012 but big wins followed in 2013-14 as the Big Four of Inglis, Reynolds, Burgess and Sutton laid the pre-season groundwork for a trip to the preliminary final in '13 and the decider a year later, where they broke a 43-year drought in emphatic fashion.\ Fresh off that 30-6 grand final win over Canterbury, the Rabbitohs returned to the scene of that triumph four months later and slugged it our for a 12-12 draw with the Dragons before winning six on the trot between 2016-21. Try as they might, the Dragons couldn’t find a way to stem the tide, the Rabbitohs racking up 182 points to 98 across those six matches to keep the shield firmly in their possession. The highlights would come thick and fast for the Rabbitohs, from Damien Cook’s magical chip kick for Braidon Burns to score wide out in a 32-14 win in 2017 to the Latrell Mitchell-Cody Walker double act in Mudgee in 2021, when Souths cruised home 48-16. To the Dragons’ credit they broke the drought in 2022 when the left edge of Ben Hunt, Jack Bird, Moses Suli and Cody Ramsey clicked into gear in a 16-10 win. In their fifth visit to Glen Willow Stadium the Red V finally tasted success to square the Charity Shield ledger at 17 wins apiece as we head into the 2023 edition. "It was a real level up on last week, which we thought it was going to be. Souths are obviously a fantastic side so for our blokes to do that tonight will give them a bit of confidence,” Dragons coach Anthony Griffin told media post-match. Like each and every Charity Shield since ’82, the step up in intensity from other trial games let the Dragons and Rabbitohs know the real thing was just around the corner. And so it is again in 2023 as Mudgee plays host to its sixth Charity Shield and both clubs bring out the big guns in a bid to fine tune combinations just two weeks before the NRL season kicks off… and make a statement! Source: NRL.Com

Papua New Guinea will be sending 1000 seasonal workers for employment under the Labour Mobility Program in New Zealand, which represents a massive quota increase from the 81 who are currently employed. Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko MP announced this after his virtual conference meeting with the authorities of the New Zealand Government today. Minister Tkatchenko, who is currently in Auckland after accepting an official invitation by his New Zealand Counterpart Hanaia Mahuta MP, said the objective of increasing the number of Papua New Guinean seasonal workers has been achieved. He acknowledged the New Zealand Government for the support in offering 1000 spaces which had become vacant when Samoa was removed from the supply line. Minister Tkatchenko said Papua New Guinea is ready to participate in a bigger and better way to fill that employment gap. “We have the necessary systems and processes in place through our Labour Mobility Unit and we are confident that we can meet the labour demand in New Zealand.” “Just tell us what you want and we can make it happen, a win-win situation for both our people and our countries,” Minister Tkatchenko said. The meeting agreed to commence preparations for PNG workers to be sent to New Zealand as soon as practicable given Papua New Guinea’s keen interest to increase its numbers in the Recognized Seasonal Employers (RSE) Scheme. It was agreed in the virtual conference that an officer would be assigned and based at the New Zealand High Commission in Port Moresby to be responsible for processing the travel arrangements of workers. The conference also highlighted concerns about travel arrangements with consideration for further discussions with relevant authorities from Papua New Guinea to introduce direct flights to New Zealand.  

The Pacific ICT Dialogue held at the Gazelle International Hotel in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea was officially concluded on Monday (13/02/23) by Prime Minister James Marape. The Prime Minister was accompanied by a delegation of high-level Government officials, including the Minister for Treasury Ian Ling-Stuckey, Vice Minister for State Enterprise Raphael Tonpi, Governor for ENB Michael Marum, Member for Kokopo Hon. Ereman Tobaining Jr and Member for Rabaul Graham Piniau. The Pacific ICT Dialogue was a gathering of Pacific leaders and experts in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), aimed at discussing the common challenges and opportunities facing the Pacific region. The meeting was led by the Minister for ICT, Timothy Masiu, who called for greater collaboration among Pacific nations to drive progress in ICT. With the Prime Minister's arrival, the high-level discussion reached new heights and great progress was made towards collaboration in the field of ICT among Pacific nations. The Prime Minister's presence reinforced the commitment of the government of Papua New Guinea to drive progress in the field of ICT and to work closely with other Pacific nations to achieve common goals. The outcome of the Pacific ICT Dialogue will be documented and submitted to the respective Ministers in the Pacific region, with the hope of achieving concrete actions and initiatives to improve ICT in the Pacific. In conclusion, the Pacific ICT Dialogue was a resounding success, bringing together key leaders and experts in the field of ICT to discuss the common challenges and opportunities facing the Pacific region. The meeting has set the stage for further discussions and collaboration in the future, and the future looks bright for the Pacific with such a strong and united front.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko MP says the Government of Papua New Guinea will support The World Indigenous Business Forum to be held in Papua New Guinea in October this year. Office of The Minister for Foreign Affairs & National Events Hon. Justin W. Tkatchenko CBE BEM OL, MP Minister Tkatchenko, speaking from Auckland today where he is currently on a four-day visit said, Papua New Guinea has plenty to learn from New Zealand as the country hosted the Forum in 2018. In a meeting with the Co-Chair for Te Ohu Wai Ao Trust (a traditional Maori indigenous association) Ms. Rachel Petero today, Minister Tkatchenko stressed the gradual decay of Papua New Guinea’s indigenous cultural history and the need for its preservation. “We have always been poised looking at the Western way because of Australia and other external influences, but it’s still very much that in tune within the rural areas of Papua New Guinea.” “The indigenous way is nearly forgotten in many aspects, because Western side of things are becoming superior.” Ms. Petero said Papua New Guinea had always been a part of the Indigenous nations and would always be part of the forums that are aimed at fostering cultural identity. “I am getting a big group Indigenous Women and Industry in Auckland in 2023 and we are looking at government to sponsor a delegation of women to come this year.” “This event was hosted in 2018 where about 1000 people from about 21 countries attended in New Zealand when we hosted it.” “We’ve got a lot of work to do in protecting our indigenous culture and society,” Ms. Petero said. Ms. Petero highlighted the vast advancements of today’s technology and its influences, and concurred with Minister Tkatchenko on the preservation of indigenous culture. “I must commend our government, it has taken on board our indigenous ways of thinking, that’s central to all of government practices.” Office of The Minister for Foreign Affairs & National Events Hon. Justin W. Tkatchenko CBE BEM OL, MP “When you hear non indigenous people speaking your language you know things have changed. New Zealand can support by embracing those indigenous ways that help us because they take care of the land, sea, and our people.” Meanwhile, Minister Tkatchenko will be travelling to Wellington on Wednesday where he will hold meetings with the New Zealand government officials. He and his delegation will then head to Canberra, Australia for the Ministerial Forum.

The Rescue Fire Fighting (RFF) Team at Nadzab Airport in Lae Morobe Province is now operating out of the newly built Fire Station. The RFF Team started using the new Fire Station after it was recently commissioned by NAC Acting Managing Director Joseph Tupiri and the NAC Senior Management Team. This newly constructed fire station was built as part of the Nadzab Airport Redevelopment Project (NARP) which is jointly funded by the Government of Papua New Guinea and Japanese International Cooperation Agency-ODA Loan.   Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting is an invaluable service in PNG’s aviation industry provided by the NAC at major airports in the country. The fire station has been built with modern design and optimized systems to boost firefighting operations. Once the NARP is completed, the Nadzab airport will serve as an alternative international airport to Jacksons International Airport. It is therefore crucial that rescue and fire-fighting capabilities are operational and up to standards, to handle any emergencies. Meanwhile, during the commissioning of the newly built fire station, the Contractor, Dai Nippon-Nippo Joint Venture, also officially handed over the new Airport Rescue Fire Truck which was also purchased as part of the Nadzab Airport Project. The Rescue 3 firefighting vehicle complements the operations of the newly built fire station. This would then enable Nadzab firefighting personnel to respond faster and more efficiently to protect lives and aircraft in an emergency. Investment in this facility and asset underscores NAC Management’s commitment to its core business of providing safe operations and remaining compliant with regulatory requirements.

Craig Fitzgibbon, who coached the Cronulla side to second position on the NRL ladder in 2022 in his first year as head coach, has signed a new long-term contract to remain at the Sharks until at least the end of the 2027 season. Already contracted for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the new deal will now see Fitzgibbon remain at the Sharks for a further three years. While focused on the upcoming NRL season, Fitzgibbon was excited about the opportunity presented and to what the future might hold. “This is a tremendous opportunity for us to build on what we started here at the Sharks last year,” Fitzgibbon said. “We have outstanding playing talent, backed by a Board led by Steve Mace who are supportive of what we are trying to achieve. “We enjoyed our first season, but our journey has just begun and we are looking to create an even stronger environment going forward,” Fitzgibbon added. Sharks Chairman Steve Mace, who had previously expressed a desire to lock down Fitzgibbon as the Club’s long term head coach, was excited to secure the services of a man he believes can deliver the Sharks their second NRL premiership. “Craig managed to create an immediate impression when appointed to the role of head coach, his results then spoke for themselves and we believe as a Board and Management that the sky is the limit for our football program under his leadership,” Mace said. [caption id="attachment_36186" align="alignnone" width="840"] From left, Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta, Head Coach Craig Fitzgibbon and Chairman Steve Mace[/caption] “I indicated some months ago that is was our goal to have Craig as our head coach long term and to get the deal done and to make it a reality, is extremely satisfying.” After a celebrated playing career, one which included 19 Tests for Australia, 11 matches for NSW, a Clive Churchill Medal and a premiership at the Sydney Roosters in 2002, following two years playing for Hull in the UK Super League, Fitzgibbon returned to Australia in 2012 to begin his coaching apprenticeship. Working as an assistant at the Roosters, Fitzgibbon was a member of the coaching staff which helped produce three NRL titles, in 2013, 2018 and 2019, making him a head coaching target for a handful of NRL clubs. Declining several offers as he continued to learn his craft, Fitzgibbon eventually agreed to join the Sharks as head coach for 2022, a year in which the team would win a club record 18 games and finish second on the ladder following the 25-round home and away season. CEO Dino Mezzatesta was involved in the initial approach and contract negotiations that landed Fitzgibbon at the Sharks and was thrilled to have also played a role in helping to secure this latest contract extension. “Our decision to offer this extension to Craig wasn’t just about on-field results, which were certainly impressive last year in his first season in charge. It is also about the culture he is attempting to instill, not only amongst the NRL playing group, but throughout the entire football program,” Mezzatesta said. “We believe Craig is setting our Club up for success, not only in the short term and for the upcoming season, but also for the years to come.” Source: NRL.Com

Papua New Guinea Women’s National Team coach Spencer Prior has named star midfielder Rayleen Bauelua as captain to lead the team against Panama on Sunday. The match to be played at North Shore Harbor Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, is the opening match for the FIFA Intercontinental Play-off. Prior said, the 28-year-old Loaua villager from Murat Local Level Government in New Ireland province is a hard worker both on and off the field. “Rayleen is going to captain the team given her output, work rate, and leadership qualities she has displayed in the team during camps in Australia and New Zealand,” the coach said. The Mussau lass was nervous when she was told to captain the team. “I was nervous but very honored and proud to lead my team. It’s a big role, but I am happy to lead,” the PNG midfielder said.  

Twenty thousand kina has already been raised by an ‘English Channel Swim’ fundraising event for Cheshire Disability Services. The K20,000 represents 20 percent of an overall K100,000 fundraising goal. The swim is being supported by the Steamships Group, with 100 percent of all sponsorship money going towards initiatives that will directly benefit people with disabilities and the families who support them. Swimmer Neil Papenfus, a General Manager in Steamships’ Logistics Division, is registered to swim the English Channel in October. “I love swimming, I love challenging myself physically, and I love the work that the team at Cheshire Disability Services do for people in our community who are living with disabilities” says Papenfus. The K20,000 already raised has been a mix of personal as well as business donations: · PNG Motors K10,000 · Carpenters Shipping K5,000 · David Doig K1,000 · Ashley Houston K1,000 · Greg Rudani K1,000 · Corey van Genderen · Sean Vincin K1,000 · Bill Crain K500 General Manager of Cheshire Disability Services, Benson Hahambu, says that he’s “extremely grateful” for the generosity of the businesses and people who have donated so far and that “every kina will make a real difference” in the lives of the people who turn to the charity for help. Papenfus is busy not just with raising money but also training. He’s currently swimming an average of 30km per week which includes a 12km swim on the weekends. As October approaches he will be swimming between 30-35km per week and will have completed longer swims of 26km including competitive long-distance events in Australia and New Zealand. Neil’s next international competitive swim will be in Sydney in March where he’ll swim the 26km ‘Palm to Shelly’ open ocean race. In the middle of the Australian winter Neil will attend a special ‘Cold Water Training Camp’ in Sydney which will include a 6-hour swim. Some Facts About Swimming the English Channel · It will take Neil about 16 hours (the world record is just under 7 hours) · He will swim between 34-40 km depending on the tides and currents · The water will be very cold (about 16⁰C) – Fairfax Harbour is around 26⁰C. · Neil will need to eat and drink as he swims – he’s not allowed to get out of the water · The English Channel is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes (an average of 600 tankers and 200 ferries pass through it every day) Steamships will ensure that 100 percent of all money raised will be given to Cheshire Disability Services.