China has reported 60,000 Covid-related deaths in just over a month, the first major death toll released since the country stopped its zero-Covid policy. China has been widely accused of underreporting coronavirus deaths, despite evidence of hospitals and crematoriums being overrun. According to officials, China recorded 59,938 Covid-related deaths between 8 December and 12 January. Most of those who died were over 80, with most having underlying conditions. The figures, include 5,503 deaths caused by respiratory failure directly due to the virus, and 54,435 caused by underlying conditions combined with the virus. The real total is likely to be higher because which the figures refer only to deaths recorded at medical facilities. Last month, Beijing changed the way it categorizes Covid deaths, only counting towards its total those who died of respiratory failure directly induced by the virus. The World Health Organization criticized the definition, describing it as "too narrow". Beijing has always contended that its figures are accurate, calling on the WHO to "uphold a scientific, objective and just position". Officials said that the peak of patients hospitalized with severe Covid was in early January, although the number subsequently remained high. They said that they would continue to monitor the situation in rural areas, focusing on early detection and prioritizing treatment of the most vulnerable.     Source: BBC

A song by Shakira about her ex-partner Gerard Pique cheating on her has broken YouTube records. The video for Out of Your League has been watched more than 63 million times in 24 hours, making it the most-watched Latin song in that time period. Shakira, 45, separated from former Barcelona footballer Pique, 35, in 2022 after more than 10 years together. The pair also have two children together. The BBC has contacted Pique for comment . This four-minute pop song is the first time Shakira and Argentinian producer and DJ Bizarrap have worked together. Shakira joins a hallowed list of Latin performers to break YouTube records - including J Balvin, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. It's not her first song about the breakup - Monotonia came out three months ago, but was more of a heartbreak song than one vying for revenge. In the diss track, Shakira sings about Pique's new alleged 23-year-old partner. She says she is "worth two 22-year-olds" and compares the relationship to swapping "a Ferrari for a [Renault] Twingo" and a "Rolex for a Casio" in Spanish. The Colombian singer also references her run-in with the Spanish authorities, who claim she has failed to pay €14.5m (£12.8m) in income tax. Shakira appears to say in the song that Pique left her whilst all this was going on, with her in-laws as neighbours. She criticises his workout technique too - singing "lots of time at the gym, but your brain needs a little work too". Gerard Pique has not responded to the song online, but has been posting about his new seven-a-side project, King's League. The pair released a statement when they split in June last year, saying they were focusing on co-parenting their children Milan, nine, and Sasha, aged seven. Source: BBC

Japan says it will release more than a million tonnes of water into the sea from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant this year. After treatment the levels of most radioactive particles meet the national standard, the operator said. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says the proposal is safe, but neighboring countries have voiced concern. The 2011 Fukushima disaster was the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. Decommissioning has already started but could take four decades. "We expect the timing of the release would be sometime during this spring or summer," said chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno on Friday, adding that the government will wait for a "comprehensive report" from IAEA before the release. Every day, the plant produces 100 cubic metres of contaminated water, which is a mixture of groundwater, seawater and water used to keep the reactors cool. It is then filtered and stored in tanks. With more than 1.3 million cubic metres on site, space is running out. The water is filtered for most radioactive isotopes, but the level of tritium is above the national standard, operator Tepco said. Experts say tritium is very difficult to remove from water and is only harmful to humans in large doses. However, neighbouring countries and local fishermen oppose the proposal, which was approved by the Japanese government in 2021. The Pacific Islands Forum has criticised Japan for the lack of transparency. "Pacific peoples are coastal peoples, and the ocean continues to be an integral part of their subsistence living," Forum Secretary General Henry Puna told news website Stuff. "Japan is breaking the commitment that their leaders have arrived at when we held our high level summit in 2021. "It was agreed that we would have access to all independent scientific and verifiable scientific evidence before this discharge takes place. Unfortunately, Japan has not been co-operating." North-eastern Japan was rocked by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake on 11 March 2011, which then triggered a giant tsunami. The waves hit the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, flooding three reactors and sparking a major disaster. Authorities set up an exclusion zone which grew larger and larger as radiation leaked from the plant, forcing more than 150,000 people to evacuate from the area. The zone remains in place.   Source: BBC

Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited today announced that it is hosting its annual charity golf challenge in Lae, this year specifically in order to acquire very necessary chemotherapy drugs and other consumables used in cancer treatment. Luke Liria, EGM Corporate Services at Kumul Petroleum said, “KPHL has for many years had a focus on assisting the health sector in PNG, and in particular facilitating the construction of infrastructure and acquisition of services in relation to the treatment of cancer and heart disease.” “In 2020, Kumul Petroleum made a K15 million commitment over 3 years to support the Cancer Services unit of the ANGAU Memorial Hospital and additional commitment to sponsor eight radiation therapy graduates to help boost the National Cancer Services.. We now wish to enhance this ongoing support with proceeds of our annual charity golf event in February.” Mr. Liria explained that the Charity Golf Challenge proceeds would be used to acquire chemotherapy drugs for use by Lae’s ANGAU Memorial Hospital at their cancer services unit. “Today I am calling on business houses who are based in Lae or have operations in the city to join with us in supporting this charity golf event, through entering teams and meeting some of the costs of catering, entertainment and donating prizes.” “Already we have received a commitment from Travel Services, who have generously donated an airfare to Brisbane as a prize for the event.” Mr. Liria, outlined that KPHL was already providing significant support to the PNG health sector around the country, not just in Port Moresby and Lae but also to hospitals in Kiunga, Mendi and Nonga in East New Britain Province. Mr. Liria concluded, “I would like to thank the management of Lae Golf Club and ANGAU Hospital for working with the Kumul Petroleum working committee in organising this event. I look forward to receiving applications from business houses in Lae to enter teams in the golf challenge, which will be held on 3rd February.”

The Fraud and Anti-Corruption section of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) in Kokopo East New Britain have been equipped with new desktops and laptops to do their work. The assistance came from the East New Britain provincial administration under the law and order sector. The items were presented to the OIC Fraud Senior Constable Brian Kundi and witnessed by the Acting Divisional Commander chief inspector Gordon Magun, Provincial police commander chief inspector Januarius Vosivai and other police officers in the headquarter. Presenting the items on behalf of the provincial government deputy administrator Social Services Marakan Uvano said that the officers in Fraud office need laptops and desktops to do their work and it is timely it is the beginning of a new year and with the assistance it will greatly help the officers. He said there are other sections under the police that also need similar assistance however with the partnership of police and the ENBPA more help will come not only with vehicle but with such items in their officers. “There are so many aspects of police apart from police operation if we assist officers in identifying other areas of weakness we can minimise the law and order issues in the province not only here but also in the court system,” said Mr. Uvano. He encouraged the four districts in the province to also work closely with police establishments in each district in this way we help each other in curbing law and order issues. The deputy PA urged that police and the ENBPA plus other stakeholders need to strengthen the partnership and move forward as there are many other issues that are challenging us and will keep challenging us. He added that this is not the last but this is the first of such assistance to the small units in the police department in the province. Drug is also in the rise in the province and the criminal investigation unit is also an important unit as needed to the supported. PPC Vosivai thanked ENBPA for the assistance stating that since the operation of the unit in 2019 there was no such items but with this support they are thankful and urged the unit to take good care of the items.

The people of Ratubu in West Coast Namatanai of New Ireland province uprooted a total of 680 marijuana plants in the past week. This follows a 7 days operation which ended on Friday 13, Jan. This was a grace period to allow those involved to uproot plants with the support of community leaders. After the grace period, police will be involved and any plants found not uprooted, then arrests will be made. From the 680 marijuana plants, 34 were matured enough and ready for sale while the rest were young and medium plants. Ratubu ward elder Tomuga Malagen said youths were heavily involved in drug cultivation and were growing marijuana like any other ordinary plant around their homes and food gardens. “There is lack of police presence in our area including government officers to do more awareness on such illegal activities. Youths no longer have respect for ward leaders,” he said. “Our youths that are using marijuana cultivation to make a living must be aware of the destruction this herbal plant is causing. It will destroy the future generation,” Mr Malagen said. Meantime village court chairman for West Coast Patar Mission Balamaris said marijuana cultivation is widespread with youths planting and smoking at the same time. “Even some families are making money from this illegal business such as growing and selling marijuana, which is very sad, because there are other positive options to look into,” Mr Bulumaris said. As village court chairman, he gave a stern warning to people cultivating and selling marijuana to stop what they are doing because it is illegal and affects people’s health. Mr Bulumaris has recently referred two drug suspects to Namatanai police but nothing has been done about it. Two gas cylinders used for producing homebrew were brought in. All the uprooted plants have since been burnt. A committee is now in place to monitor this illegal activity.

Singer Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of the late Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, died Thursday, hours after being hospitalized following an apparent cardiac arrest, her mother said. She was 54. “Priscilla Presley and the Presley family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie,” Priscilla Presley said in the statement, provided to CNN by a representative. “They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.” Lisa Marie Presley had been rushed to the hospital earlier in the day, her mother said on Instagram. “Please keep her and our family in your prayers. We feel the prayers from around the world, and ask for privacy during this time,” her statement said at the time. TMZ was first to report the news of Lisa Marie Presley’s hospitalization on Thursday. LA County Fire Department spokesperson Kaitlyn Aldana had told CNN that emergency responders were dispatched to a call in the 5000 block of Normandy Dr in Agoura Hills, California, at 10:37am local time for a cardiac arrest. Aldana would not confirm the name of the the patient, who could not be identified due to privacy laws, but said the patient was taken to a to a local hospital at 11:17am. A spokesperson for the LA County Sheriff told CNN they assisted fire officials on a medical call this morning, but also would not confirm the patient’s name. Lisa Marie Presley was most recently seen on Tuesday night at the Golden Globe Awards, which she attended with her mother to support the Baz Luhrmann film “Elvis,” about her late father. [caption id="attachment_34341" align="alignnone" width="1123"] Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley in 2013.[/caption] In 2020, Lisa Marie Presley’s son Benjamin Keough died by suicide at the age of 27. Last July, she marked the second anniversary of Keough’s death on Instagram, sharing a photo of their matching foot tattoos. Lisa Marie Presley, was previously married to Michael Lockwood, Nicolas Cage, Michael Jackson and Danny Keough. In addition to her late son, she was the mother of actress Riley Keough, Finley Aaron Love Lockwood and Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood. In September, Lisa Marie Presley wrote an essay for National Grief Awareness Day, in which she opened up about the loss of her son. “My and my three daughters’ lives as we knew it were completely detonated and destroyed by his death. We live in this every. Single. Day,” she wrote. “Grief is something you will have to carry with you for the rest of your life, in spite of what certain people or our culture wants us to believe. You do not ‘get over it,’ you do not ‘move on,’ period.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="3000"] Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood, Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, Riley Keough, and Finley Aaron Love Lockwood in 2022.[/caption] Lisa Marie Presley also said in the essay that she found comfort in the company of people who have faced similar tragedy, adding that her daughters help keep her going. “I keep going for my girls,” she wrote. “I keep going because my son made it very clear in his final moments that taking care of his little sisters and looking out for them were on the forefront of his concerns and his mind. He absolutely adored them and they him.” Source: CNN News

Entering his ninth season in the NRL this year, Kodi Nikorima is excited for what lies ahead and is looking to make history with the Dolphins. Signed in July last year from the Rabbitohs to be a foundation player with the club, the move sees him reunite with head coach Wayne Bennett, who he played under when at the Brisbane Broncos. Nikorima is another of the Dolphins players who has embraced the opportunity to return “home”, with the utility hooker / halfback having spent his formative years growing up in Queensland. “(It’s) history; being back with Wayne and then, it's sort of like a homecoming for myself,” Nikorima said of the appeal of signing with the Dolphins. “Although I was born in in New Zealand, I’ve got all my family here and when we first moved over here, this is where we moved, so it's nice.” With all players – including the various Rugby League World Cup representatives – having now joined the squad for preseason training, preparations are in full swing for the year ahead, with the former Warrior holding high hopes for his side, despite them taking part in their inaugural season. [caption id="attachment_34310" align="alignnone" width="1005"] Kodi Nikorima in action for the Brisbane Broncos.[/caption] “Well, my goal every year is to win a premiership,” Nikorima told NRL.com. “I think that should be everyone's goal, but obviously, smaller steps would be to get into top eight first and it all starts now. “It all starts there on the training paddock, so I'm doing all little things that I believe me as an individual can help this team moving forward. “One hundred percent (we can aim for the top eight); we can't have the mindset of just making up the numbers. And I know Wayne will instill that into this group … and obviously, with Wayne, there's high standards there … but that's up to us as a team to buy into whatever he wants and apply that onto the field.” While there is plenty of hard work on the horizon, the season ahead also presents opportunity, with Nikorima hoping the stars align and he can get the chance to face off against his brother Jayden when the Dolphins play the Melbourne Storm in Round 12. The younger Nikorima has turned his life around in recent years after being serving a suspension from the game, and was last year signed by the Storm, making his return to the NRL. The pair also played together at the start of the 2022 season, with Jayden joining team co-captain Kodi in the Māori All Stars line-up. “It's pretty exciting, because I've never played against my brother before,” Nikorima said of the prospect of a future face off. “We actually played together last year for the first time in Māori’s ... we played 20s together, but at NRL level, it was the first time so that's pretty cool. “I'm super proud of his turn-around, obviously spending two-and-a-half, three years out of the game to then come back and apply himself, because game changes every year I believe, and he hasn't looked out of place since he's been back. “My only advice, which I tell him all the time, is just continue to work hard and opportunities will come. “We're obviously really close; we've actually started our own personal business called the Nikorima Bros and it's designed for us to give back to kids similar to us who had nothing growing up. “We'll try and get out in the communities whenever we can and with me being back here where I sort of started my career, I want to try to get out and help out some young kids as well.” Another opportunity both brothers will be hoping arises for them is the upcoming NRL Harvey Norman All Stars match which will be held in New Zealand for the first time next month. “It's more than a game when we go into these camps,” Nikorima said of being part of the Māori All Stars team. “Obviously, learning more about my culture and just getting back to the Māori community and Indigenous community; being in Australia the last couple of years we've been able to learn about their culture too. “I love just being in those camps during the week, it’s always special, and hopefully I can get picked. “I haven't spoken to Wayne about it yet, but I'm hoping that he'll let me play!” Source: NRL.Com

It’s not all the time you get to meet up with prominent Papua New Guineans especially medical professionals who are very busy people. NCSL was pleased to have a visit from Professor Sir Isi Kevau at its Head Office at Harbor City, calling on the Chief Executive Officer Mr. Vari Lahui, for some financial advice. Having passed the retirement age and still working, our first national medical and renowned cardiologist decided to call in and seek advice on the options available to him as he prepares to finally retire. He has reached retirement age however still provides consultancy services given his vast knowledge and is also heavily involved in church work in his village of Pari in NCD. Professor Sir Isi was presented with a NCSL bag of merchandise after the meeting as a token of appreciation for his surprise visit. He is believed to be the first Papua New Guinean to get a medical degree and was awarded a PHD in medicine, specialising in the workings of the human heart. He was also recognized by the Queen with a knighthood for his services to health and the community. Mr Lahui thanked Professor Sir Isi for his visit and wished him well in his retirement and encouraged non contributors like the esteemed Professor who wish to save with NCSL.

Papua New Guinea’s biggest rugby league off-season competition, the Coca Cola Ipatas Cup (CICC) has received a huge funding support from the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB). The sponsorship of K300, 000.00 to the largest off-season national competition stiffens NGCB’s progressive support towards the competition since 2012. Minister Responsible for NGCB, Manasseh Makiba while presenting the cheque to the CICC Patron and Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, said rugby league in PNG has evolved over the years and this competition has contributed significantly to the growth of this sporting code since its inception. “This year marks NGCB’s eleventh year of ongoing support to the Ipatas Cup because we believe in the competition’s vision in creating opportunities and identifying raw talents in the rural and suburban areas and developing individuals to become good role models. “We also acknowledge the enduring efforts of CICC led by the visionary patron and Enga Governor  Sir Peter Ipatas in giving second chances to youths to showcase their talents in the off season competition so that they may have the golden opportunity to be selected in the Digicel Cup competition. “The NGCB is pleased to support CICC and through our ‘Give Back Program’, we will continue to support community-based impact projects and programs that will directly impact the lives of people and sports is one area we continue to support. “I would like to thank the Prime Minister James Marape, Board Chairman Clemence Kanau, the board of trustees and CEO Imelda Agon for making funding available to CICC”, Minister Makiba said. The NGCB through its ‘Give Back Program’ has supported all sporting codes around the country including rugby league, soccer, basketball, volleyball, golf, rugby union, netball, softball, and other sporting codes. More so, the NGCB has also supported other sectors in Agriculture, education, health, SME programs, fashion, law and order, infrastructure development, disaster relief support programs and many others. Minister Makiba said the NGCB is committed to the government and the people of PNG to develop the country because NGCB is owned by the eight million plus people of PNG.

Farmers from all over PNG enrolled in a rice farming training conducted and funded by Trukai Industries in partnership with the University of Technology. Trukai Industries’ Smart Farmer Program is a two-week certificate course that is currently taking place at the University of Technology’s Taraka Campus. A total of 100 participants from Morobe, Madang, Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Simbu, Easten Highlands and Central Province will undergo both practical and theory aspects of this program with the underlying aim to help farmers start their rice farming business. Rice Development Manager for Trukai Industries Aina Davis said participants will be taught using four modules. “We have already covered the first and second modules which were Introduction to Rice and Rice Environment and Irrigation Farming. By the last week of the program, we will complete modules three and four which are Rice Cultivation Cycle and Rice Farming Business and Management,” said Davis. She added that the participants were excited to be a part of the Smart Farmer Program as they will be certified farmers under the Agriculture Department of the University of Technology. CEO of Trukai Industries Alan Preston said this program is for farmers of all levels from elementary to commercial based farmers and demonstrates the company’s support for local rice farmers in PNG. “This program is our contribution towards rice development in PNG and we are looking forward to the positive outcome this will have on the livelihoods of the participants and their surrounding communities,” said Preston. “UNITECH have been a long time agriculture partner of Trukai Industries working collaboratively on rice farming projects in the past. Through this new program with the institution we aim to enable local rice farmers to become small holder farmers then transition into commercial farmers,” he added. Participants of the Smart Farmer Program will engage in work-integrated-learning experiences with Trukai Industries’ Agriculture team and learn hands on skills from professionals in the field. Unitech Agriculture Department’s Plant Breeder, Professor Tom Okpul, commended Trukai’s initiative in teaching valuable rice cultivation skills to local farmers. “Trukai is one of our major corporate contributors in it’s support in agriculture research and scholarship programs. “The Smart Farmer program will help local farmers acquire skills in irrigation farming, which will be beneficial for them in the long run.” This new partnership with the PNG University of Technology’s Agriculture Department will enable participating farmers of the Smart Farmer Program to share and access classrooms, research laboratories and farm or field facilities for farmer training as well as undergraduate and postgraduate student training, research and development and extension activities.

The SP PNG Hunters currently have four players undergoing fulltime preseason training with the Dolphins NRL squad in preparation for the 2023 season. This arrangement is part of a strategic partnership between the SP PNG Hunters and the Dolphins NRL club which aims to get more local players of Papua New Guinean heritage into the NRL competition. The four Hunters players – Judah Rimbu, Rodrick Tai, Sherwin Tanabi and Emmanuel Waine – began training with the Wayne Bennett-coached Dolphins this week and will be working towards earning a fulltime NRL contract over the next eight weeks of preseason. SP PNG Hunters CEO Scott Barker is genuinely excited by the opportunity afforded to the Hunters players. “This is a unique and exciting opportunity for some of our players to get elite level coaching and take their game to the next level,” said Barker. “We’re extremely thankful to be working so closely with the Dolphins NRL team and hopefully this is the first step to seeing more Papua New Guineans competing in the NRL.” Dolphins NRL CEO Terry Reader echoed Barker’s sentiments. “We are proud to host the four players from the SP PNG Hunters and to provide the opportunity for this pathway for Papua New Guinean Rugby League players. I look forward to seeing them compete with our newly formed squad during pre-season,” Reader said.