A New York state Supreme Court ordered all New York City employees who were fired for not being vaccinated to be reinstated with back pay. The court found that "being vaccinated does not prevent an individual from contracting or transmitting COVID-19." New York City Mayor Eric Adams claimed earlier this year that his administration would not rehire employees who had been fired over their vaccination status. NYC fired roughly 1,700 employees for being unvaccinated earlier this year after the city adopted a vaccine mandate under former Mayor Bill de Blasio. FDNY-Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andrew Ansbro and FDNY-Uniformed Fire Officers Association President Lt. James McCarthy condemned Adams earlier this year after the mayor allowed an exception to the vaccine mandate for athletes and performers, even as firefighters were still being fired over their status. The pair called on the city to expand the exception to all New Yorkers. NYC WON'T REHIRE UNVACCINATED WORKERS, MAYOR SAYS "We're here to say that we support the revocation of the vaccine mandate that the mayor announced on Thursday," McCarthy said. "We think that it should be extended as well. We support the revocation of the mandate for the athletes and performers that work in New York City. We think that the people that work for New York City should also have the mandate relocated for them." "If you're going to remove the vaccine mandate for certain people in the city, you need to remove it for everybody in the city," Ansbro said. "If you're going to follow the science, science is going to tell you there isn't any danger right now, and putting hundreds of firefighters, police officers and other emergency workers out of work is not in the best interest of the city. It's not safe." Source: Fox News

A Police Criminal Investigation team has been deployed to Kiriwina in the Milne Bay Province to investigate and prepare for a coronial inquest into the fight on October 24 which has since resulted in the deaths of 24 people. Milne Bay Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Peter Barkie said 22 people were killed initially in a three-hour fight that broke out after an argument between the coastal and inland villages over a soccer match. Two recently succumbed to the wounds they received during the fight thereby increasing the death toll to 24. Mr Barkie said the police CID investigation team was deployed after the Quick Reaction Force (QRP) completed its assessment of the situation on the ground on Kiriwina Island. Mr Barkie said he wants the coroner to be involved because of the large number of deaths. He said this is a first of its kind on the island so he wants the court to be involved and not just the police. “I have spoken to the senior provincial magistrate about that. My team is up in Kiriwina doing that now. Hopefully they will get all the necessary paperwork done within 14 days,” Mr Barkie said. Mr Barkie said the people from the affected villages in Kiriwina are cooperating well. Police have discussed with the villagers the need to have all the suspects surrender and they have agreed to do so. Mr Barkie said the villages did not destroy any government, private properties or business houses when they fought and the fight did not involve the entire Kiriwina Island. He said the villages affected were from the Southern part of Kiriwina Island and around Losuia station. The Central and Northern part of Kiriwina were not involved. Mr Barkie said that normalcy has been restored, all shops are open, government businesses continue and people are carrying on with their usual daily chores.

On a day of firsts for the club, the Dolphins held their first pre-season training session with plenty of interest in how the side would shape up in 2023. With many of the club’s more established recruits like Anthony Milford (Samoa), Felise Kaufusi (Tonga) and the Bromwich brothers Jesse and Kenny (New Zealand) still in England for the Rugby League World Cup, it was club’s fresh faces and train and trialists who were on show on the training paddock as excitement continue to build for the club's inaugural season. Coach Wayne Bennett, however, had his eye firmly fixed on one key first – his club’s opening round game. “Terry [Reader – Dolphins CEO] has made the point about all the starts and how many times I have been asked about being a part of something [new]; let’s just get to the kick off in three months’ time," Bennett said. "We’ll all be in a better place [then] and have an understanding of what’s in front of us." Bennett was looking forward to the first session he'd have with his full squad next year with the club welcoming more players into the fold over the coming weeks. When all hands are back on deck, including assistant coach Kristian Woolf who has also been at the World Cup with Tonga, Bennett said that only then would the club be able to fully turn their focus to the 2023 campaign and beyond. “The bottom line is, we start the competition with everyone else next year, and we’ll have a plan in place about how we want to be, how we want to be perceived, and it will be a matter of buying into that,” Bennett said. “It will be a process, if it takes five years or 10 years, who knows. But get the process right, and you’re a lot closer to success. “[The pre-season will be] pretty chaotic. There is really not much you can do except get some guys fit and do a little bit of work with them, but nothing is really going to happen at the club until January 5 when everyone arrives.” One of the players who will be in action then is halfback Milford, who turned in a player of the match performance to see Samoa edge Tonga in their quarter-final. “I was just pleased they won, but I was disappointed for Tonga and Kristian, and I have a few good friends in Ben Hornby and Dean Young who are part the coaching staff who are great guys,” Bennett said at the club’s press conference launching a new sponsor. “But on the other side, I was pleased for Milford, because I just thought it gives him another game and playing with a bit more confidence. "A semi-final is pretty much full on... he’ll come back with a lot of confidence.” With an announcement for the 2023 NRL Draw expected in the near future, Bennett didn't hide his excitement about the rivalry that would inevitably build with his former club and cross-town rivals in the Broncos. “That’ll be just natural, it will be driven by the fans,” Bennett said. “It’ll be two Brisbane clubs together, will be a bit like Manchester City and Manchester United and some of those competitions around the world that have that type of situation. I hope it is [like that] — I want it to be that way as there’s great interest. “When the Crushers were here, we had 40-odd thousand people turn up when the Crushers played and they hadn’t even won a game at one stage... it’s good, it’s healthy.” Source: NRL.com

The National Health Service Standards is running a one week workshop at Jais Aben resort in Madang to train senior medical officers, CEO's and senior executive management staff throughout the Momase region to enhance the standard of health services required in their clinics, aid-post and hospitals throughout their provinces. A total of over fifty plus participants are taking part in this workshop across the region from East Sepik, Madang and Morobe Provincial Health Authorities. The National Health Services team who are coordinating this workshop comprises of the Acting Deputy Secretary for National Health Services, Dr Goa Tau, Clinical Head Chief's in PNG and also the representatives of the Department of Health Sectors to carry out a check list throughout all the facility levels to ensure all the facilities are operating on standards as required. Director Curative Health Services for Madang Provincial Health Authority, Dr Jiuth Gawi stressed that currently with the National Health service standards plan which is in line with the National Health plan 2021-2030, in order to achieve the best care to the disadvantaged rural and urban population when delivering basic health services required at the health centers. "This is to see how we as the health leaders are carrying out health services at individual sections whether at district or provincial hospital, to carry out the check list to ensure health facilities are at a standard that will deliver appropriate health care in the provinces to meet the national standards throughout PNG and international standards as well," Gawi said. Dr. Gawi adds that the one week workshop will conclude on Friday after the team makes a visit to the Modilon Provincial specialist hospital and then to health facilities from Bogia to Madang, and from Madang to Gusap along the Madang to Lae Highway.

Air Niugini’s Boeing 737 aircraft operated to Kavieng airport for the first time on Thursday 03rd November, coinciding with the opening of the new Kavieng terminal building. It will soon be a regular sight for the people of New Ireland once the B737 commences on its regular schedule. The new Kavieng terminal facility was officially opened by Prime Minister James Marape, witnessed by local MPs and dignitaries including CEOs of State Owned Enterprises and the people of New Ireland. The new facility costs K125.72million and is part of the airport upgrade works implemented by the National Airports Corporation(NAC) through the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program(CADIP), which is funded by the Government of PNG in partnership with the Asian Development Bank. Air Niugini passengers traveling to and from Kavieng can now enjoy newest airport and terminal facilities and at the same time enjoy the fast, spacious and smooth ride of the B737 aircraft. Under CADIP, three new terminal buildings have been completed so far including Manus, Vanimo and now Kavieng. Other airport upgrades currently underway include Madang, Lae, Mendi and Wapenamanda. Source: Destinations Air Niugini

The PNG Ministry for Community Development Youth and Religion and Autonomous Bougainville Government Minister for Community Development and his Technical Team held a mandatory meeting to fast track the transfer of powers and functions to the ABG Ministry for Community Development on Friday in Port Moresby. The Autonomous Bougainville Government being the custodian of the drawdown of Powers and Functions coordinates the process through the ABG Department of Community Development in close consultation with the National Department for Community Development Youth and Religion. The drawdown of powers and functions was issued in recognition to section 295 of the National Constitution "Dispensation of Constitutional Requirement relating to the Process of Transfer of functions and powers" as agreed in Bougainville Peace Agreement 2001 and the SHARP Agreement 2021. The Joint Community Development Ministerial meeting further reaffirms commitment and gives immediate effect through a joint ministerial directive to accelerate the implementation of transfer of functions and powers to ABG Ministry and its Department of Community Development forthwith. ABG Minister for Community Development, Moris Opeti present during the occasion acknowledged the efforts put forth from the joint technical team in being able to come up with a Joint Ministerial Implementation plan 2022 – 2025 and the Joint Ministerial Statement. Minister Opeti said being a first timer in the ABG political arena and to take up this ministerial portfolio is a mammoth task especially in-regards to the draw down of its 290 powers. He urged to work closely with the technical team to fully understand each of the ministerial agencies roles and its administrative functions in a cordial fashion and to ensure the remaining draw-downs are completed within the agreed timeframes. NYDA Director General, Mr. Joe Itaki alluded the functions and powers transferred is a living document and all responsible agencies within the Ministry for Youth, Religion and Community Development must commit to making the draw-downs happen. He further said everyone must be on transfer mode now and beyond. The Joint Technical Team comprised of senior technical officers from ABG Department of Community Development, Department for Community Development and Religion, Civil Registry, Censorship, National Youth Development Authority and Child and Family Services. The two department Secretaries will Co-Chair the Joint Technical Team and they both will report to their respective Ministers both for ABG and the National Government. The Joint Ministerial Statement was signed by the Minister for Community Development ABG, Hon. Moris Opeti MP and National Minister for the Department of Youth, Religion and Community Development Hon. Jason Peter MP, National Department for Community Development and Religion Secretary, Mr. Jerry Ubase and ABG Department of Community Development Secretary Mrs Mana Kakarouts. The two Ministers with their department secretaries will further sign a Memorundum Of Agreement before end of November 2022 to cement their commitments to implement responsibilities outlined in the Joint Implementation Plan 2022 – 2025. Participants witnessing the signing are ABG Community Development Secretary, Mrs Mana Kakarouts, Director Mr Karaho Siwa and Manager Mandatory and Special Services Mr Desmond Ponpon, NYDA Director General, Mr. Joe Itaki and senior staff, Civil Registry Registra General, Mr. Dickson Kiragi and Deputy Registra, Department for Community Development and Religion Secretary Mr Jerry Ubase, Deputy Secretary Ms Nancy Kavop and senior staff, Chief Censor Mr Abane and senior staff from Censorship Office and Child and Family Welfare Service CEO Mr Wap

“Debates are a significant feature of the National Youth Parliament - make sure it is respectful and informed, even when you are tired and frustrated”. This was the advice given to delegates at the opening of the National Mock Youth Parliament by UN Resident Coordinator a.i. Marielle Sander. “Managing how you disagree and keeping your composure is very important during debates. Respectfully debate.” Facilitated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), in partnership with the National Youth Development Authority and European Union, the National Mock Youth Parliament 2022 officially opened today at the National Parliament House with young leaders from Port Moresby and across the country. The National Mock Youth Parliament is hosted in Parliament House and will introduce participants to the processes and procedures involved in being a leader in the National House. From 7th November to 11th November, these 60 young leaders will have the opportunity to discover and discuss international and national instruments related to human rights, health, and peace, including international human rights frameworks, relating to gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health rights, and national policy and legislative frameworks such as the Adolescent Health Policy, National Youth Policy, and Women's Health Protection Bill. Ms. Marielle Sander told the young leaders that it is important to think about the qualities of leadership. “You have to think about the type of leader you want to be and the qualities you want to see in your leaders. Think about the people that you represent who are back home and, more than that, the issues that matter to your people and how it is relevant to the good of the whole Papua New Guinea,” Ms. Sander stated. “The Parliament represents a united Papua New Guinea and not just a fraction and that is why we need collaboration and commitment to cooperation.” Ms. Sander closed her remarks by telling the young leaders that solution does not come from those that yell the loudest but are achieved by the leaders that bring the people with them in their vision for change. UNDP Resident Representative Dirk Wagener emphasized the importance of ethical leadership. "You will each serve your country in some capacity. It is important that you lead with a moral compass. This means demonstrating qualities of honesty, humility, and accountability." UNDP will lead delegates through a session on ethical leadership and host a panel on youth-led anti-corruption initiatives. Mr. Morgan Gwangilo, Director for Education and Civics, National Parliament, on behalf of the Clerk of the Parliament, told the delegates that this is an immersion into the processes and the shoes of the leaders of this nation. “All power belongs to the people. This is your parliament and your opportunity to ensure that you learn as much as you can.” The Mock Youth Parliament continues this week and ends on November 11.

Santos PNG Orchids scrum half Lilah Malabag is one of several players in the current team who took up rugby league as a direct result of watching the Orchids’ first Rugby League World Cup appearance in 2017. Lilah explains: “Back in 2017 I was an AFL player, and I played for PNG Flames (the national women’s Australian Rules Football team) in the AFL International Cup in Melbourne that year. But then I watched the Orchids on TV in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and decided I wanted to be part of that. “I had played touch and rugby 7s before, but I started rugby league in 2018, playing with the Hanuabada Hawks club in Port Moresby (alongside Orchids player Maima Wei). I liked the fact I could use my kicking skills in rugby league, as well as the structure of the game.” Lilah enjoyed a rapid rise to national team honours, being selected to play a friendly against the Brisbane Broncos, and in the Prime Minister’s XIII clash, later in 2018. She played her first tests for the Orchids against England in 2019. The 22-year-old, who hails from Western, Central, Gulf and Sepik, credits friend and former PNG national rugby union representative Iga Kere with supporting her to reach the highest level in rugby league. “I look up to her and she motivates me and gives me advice. “I’m so happy and proud that I’ve come this far. My family and community in Gordons (Port Moresby) have been getting together to watch the games. They put the TV outside the house and everyone comes to watch. They’ve also been sending videos of support to me and my roommate, Shae (de la Cruz).” Lilah says one of the highlights of being with the Orchids at RLWC2021 has been the spirit of togetherness in the camp. “We are all together as one family. Even though we’re in a new environment and have left our families behind, it feels like we are all one family here in England, supporting each other, and that makes me happy.” Source: Santos PNG Orchids 

Papua New Guinean’s campaign at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup saw the PNG LNG Kumuls bow out after the quarter final match against hosts England on Sunday morning, the Kumuls took a 46-6 beating. The Santos PNG Orchids on the other hand thrashed Brazil 70-nil on Sunday morning as Belinda Gwasamun scored four tries to be named player of the match. PNG Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) Chairman Sandis Tsaka said that it wasn’t the result anticipated for the Kumuls however he commended the PNG men’s team for their overall performance. “A disappointing result but proud of the boys’ overall performance at the tournament. They have been great ambassadors of our sport and country, both on and off the field.” “The girls were outstanding and let's hope they do well in the semi-final and lock a place in the grand final,” Mr Tsaka said. “One major positive is that both national teams have qualified for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup in France. Yes, it will be back to the drawing board post-World Cup and continuing our investment in our juniors and pathways to expand these programs.” [caption id="attachment_29884" align="alignnone" width="906"] HULL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Carol Humeu of Papua New Guinea breaks with the ball during the Women's Rugby League World Cup Group A match between Papua New Guinea Women and Brazil Women at MKM Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Hull, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images for RLWC)[/caption] PNGRFL Chief Executive Office Mr Stanley Hondina added that positive comments have come from the Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) organisers on the conduct of the Kumulsboth on and off the field. “The standards they have abided by are the highest in the sport and that is something we are proud of,” Mr Hondina said. “I commend team manager John Wilshere, head coach Stanley Tepend and the entire coaching staff on a job well done.” Mr Hondina further added that preparations for the 2025 RLWC in France will commence with a strategic plan in place for that. “Our girls have also created history after a 2/3 victory with a third one to come and qualifying for the semi finals as well as the 2025 RLWC in France. We wish head coach Ben Jeffries, team manager Cassie Davis and the entire Orchids coaching staff and players all the very best in the remaining games,” he said. The Orchids will take on hosts England at the Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds this Thursday 10th November 2022 at 5.30am local time, to determine who finishes on top in Group A.

The National Trust Cymru will allow a shrine to Dobby the house elf — a character in the Harry Potter series— to remain at a Welsh beach after floating the idea of removing it. Fans created a memorial to the beloved character at Freshwater West beach, which is part of a protected conservation area, where scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I and Part II were filmed. Dobby is killed towards the end of the first instalment and is buried up on a dune overlooking the Welsh beach. The beginning of the second film features a scene showing the elf's grave marked with a tombstone that reads "HERE LIES DOBBY, A FREE ELF". Since the final film's release in 2011, fans have trekked to the beach to lay tributes to the fictional character. Many leave pebbles with messages such as "RIP Dobby" and "we love you Dobby" written on them in permanent marker, others are painted in bright colors. A Wales Online report said the elf's resting place was also adorned with "hundreds of socks". The socks are a reference to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, in which Harry tricks Dobby's then-master Lucius Malfoy into handing the house elf a sock — which frees him from servitude. Tens of thousands of visitors each year The National Trust Cymru said the popularity of the beach with tourists was putting pressure on the area, according to a BBC report. Freshwater West is part of a protected area, classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a European Designations of Special Protection Area and a Special Area of Conservation The area is home to large grey seals, harbour porpoise, and some of the largest populations of seabirds in the world, the Trust said. It said about 75,000 people visited the car park each year, with numbers regularly exceeding capacity. In May, the Trust launched a survey about how the landscape should be looked after. Two questions focused on the Dobby tribute site, with participants asked whether the memorial should be removed or transferred. 'Leave no trace' policy Eight months later, the National Trust Cymru said the shrine could stay. "The memorial to Dobby will remain at Freshwater West in the immediate term for people to enjoy," a trust press release said. "The trust is asking visitors to only take photos when visiting the memorial to help protect the wider landscape. "Items like socks, trinkets, and paint chips from painted pebbles could enter the marine environment and food chain and put wildlife at risk." An executive summary of a report prepared for the trust said the site would need to be managed in line with a "leave no trace" policy in the future. "The management of Dobby's grave requires further liaison between relevant stakeholders to reach a middle ground which allows access but provides a more sensitive solution for the local environment," it said. "The involvement of one or more local charities or groups is suggested in terms of adopting a role in overseeing the site in future." Source: ABC News

South Korea’s prime minister has called deadly Halloween crush in Seoul a “disastrous accident that should not have happened”, as authorities responded to growing public anger with a series of apologies. Expressing sorrow to bereaved families as the first memorial services were held, Han Duck-soo admitted that institutional failures in managing crowds played a role in the disaster, and said the government would work with all ministries, agencies and medical institutions to ensure such problems during spontaneous events never happened again. The country’s police chief, Yoon Hee-keun, apologised for an “inadequate” emerency response. “We’ve judged that the response to the emergency calls was inadequate,” he said, noting the large number of calls placed before the disaster unfolded. Announcing an independent investigation, Yoon said: “We will thoroughly check the facts to see whether we took proper actions after receiving emergency reports informing us of the danger in advance.” The crowd surge was South Korea’s deadliest disaster since the Sewol ferry sinking in 2014, which killed 304 people and exposed lax safety rules and regulatory failures. Saturday’s crush has raised public questions about what South Korea has done since then to prevent human-made disasters. “I deeply apologise to the people to whom the recent accident occurred despite the state bearing infinite responsibility for the people’s safety,” the interior and safety minister, Lee Sang-min, told a parliamentary session on Tuesday. Seoul’s mayor, Oh Se-hoon, also tearfully apologised during a media briefing and said the city government would put all available administrative resources “until every citizen can return to their normal lives”. The death toll from Saturday’s crowd crush during Halloween celebrations in the nightlife district of Itaewon increased to 156 on Tuesday, amid public anger over what some have called a human-made disaster. A Buddhist ceremony was held at a funeral hall in Suwon on Tuesday for an office worker who died. The victim’s mother and sister held hands and comforted each other while listening to chants and the sound of a wooden bell. The previous day, students in school uniforms had come to pray for their classmate, a middle-school student who had joined the Halloween festivities with her mother and aunt. None of them survived. After paying their respects, some students sat on the floor in the hallway and sobbed. A visual guide to how the Seoul Halloween crowd crush unfolded At a makeshift altar in front of Seoul’s city hall, several citizens heckled government officials and politicians as they came to pay their respects. Many young people came to the memorial site. Choi Ji-yoon, 22, told the Guardian that most of the victims were her age or younger, so they did not feel like strangers. “I wanted to commemorate them,” she said. The majority of those killed were young women. Several factors are being blamed for the disaster, including a lack of preventive measures and crowd control owing to the absence of an organising body for Halloween. That night, an estimated 100,000 people descended on Itaewon in Seoul’s Yongsan district. Only 137 officers were on the scene, mostly for traffic and crime prevention. The Hankyoreh newspaper said in an editorial on Tuesday that the Itaewon disaster was “predictable”, stemming from “a lack of a safety management manual in the event of a crowd crushing accident and authorities’ complacent response”. While South Korea has a safety manual for festivals with more than 1,000 attendees, the manual assumes an organising body is in charge of safety planning, which was not the case on Saturday. In a Yongsan district meeting held days before the disaster, the conservative newspaper Chosun Ilbo said “virtually no safety measures were prepared”. “The damage could have been minimised and crowds spread out had the police and local government set up safety plans to block traffic to Itaewon-ro [the main street], which connects to the alleyway where the accident occurred. It could have also taken measures to make the subway not stop [at Itaewon station].” South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol has instructed the government to come up with a crowd control system for spontaneous events that have no organisers. He also called on his cabinet to take “heavy responsibility”. ‘I don’t know how to live’: grief over loved ones lost in Seoul’s deadly Halloween crowd crush The interior minister expressed regret on Tuesday for previously stating that more police would not have prevented the tragedy. Collective trauma is setting in as South Koreans come to terms with what has happened. On Tuesday, the prime minister promised that the government would provide psychological support to all citizens affected by the tragedy, regardless of whether they were in Itaewon at the time. A high school teacher in Gyeonggi province, who did not wish to be identified, told the Guardian that she recently taught a class about various holidays such as Halloween so students could learn about cultural diversity. On Monday morning, the students removed all Halloween decorations they had put up last Friday, even though no one had asked them to. “Everyone, both students and teachers, are extremely sad,” she said, saying that it reminded her of the 2014 ferry disaster, in which most of the dead were high school students. “I am sorry and feel guilty that our promise to create a safe country was not kept.” The death toll from Saturday’s crowd crush during Halloween celebrations in the nightlife district of Itaewon increased to 156 on Tuesday, amid public anger over what some have called a human-made disaster. A Buddhist ceremony was held at a funeral hall in Suwon on Tuesday for an office worker who died. The victim’s mother and sister held hands and comforted each other while listening to chants and the sound of a wooden bell. The previous day, students in school uniforms had come to pray for their classmate, a middle-school student who had joined the Halloween festivities with her mother and aunt. None of them survived. After paying their respects, some students sat on the floor in the hallway and sobbed. The Hankyoreh newspaper said in an editorial on Tuesday that the Itaewon disaster was “predictable”, stemming from “a lack of a safety management manual in the event of a crowd crushing accident and authorities’ complacent response”. While South Korea has a safety manual for festivals with more than 1,000 attendees, the manual assumes an organising body is in charge of safety planning, which was not the case on Saturday. In a Yongsan district meeting held days before the disaster, the conservative newspaper Chosun Ilbo said “virtually no safety measures were prepared”. “The damage could have been minimised and crowds spread out had the police and local government set up safety plans to block traffic to Itaewon-ro [the main street], which connects to the alleyway where the accident occurred. It could have also taken measures to make the subway not stop [at Itaewon station].” South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol has instructed the government to come up with a crowd control system for spontaneous events that have no organisers. He also called on his cabinet to take “heavy responsibility”. The interior minister expressed regret on Tuesday for previously stating that more police would not have prevented the tragedy. Collective trauma is setting in as South Koreans come to terms with what has happened. On Tuesday, the prime minister promised that the government would provide psychological support to all citizens affected by the tragedy, regardless of whether they were in Itaewon at the time. A high school teacher in Gyeonggi province, who did not wish to be identified, told the Guardian that she recently taught a class about various holidays such as Halloween so students could learn about cultural diversity. On Monday morning, the students removed all Halloween decorations they had put up last Friday, even though no one had asked them to. “Everyone, both students and teachers, are extremely sad,” she said, saying that it reminded her of the 2014 ferry disaster, in which most of the dead were high school students. “I am sorry and feel guilty that our promise to create a safe country was not kept.” Source: The Guardian

A Tanzanian commercial flight operated by Precision Air crash-landed in bad weather in Lake Victoria on Sunday, killing 19 people. The country’s Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, said officials believe all bodies have been recovered from the airplane. “We’re starting to pull out the luggage and personal items from the aircraft. A team of doctors and security agencies have started the process of identifying the dead and notifying the families,” Majaliwa said. The airline confirmed the death toll and amended the number of survivors down to 24 in an updated statement on Sunday evening. Earlier, the carrier as well as local officials had said that 26 of the 43 people on board had been rescued. “Precision Air extends its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the passenger and crew involved in this tragic incident. The company will strive to provide them with information and whatever assistance they will require in their difficult time,” the airline said. “The names of passengers and crew on board the aircraft will not be released until all next-of-kin have been notified,” it added. The flight, including 39 passengers and four crew members, had taken off from Tanzania’s commercial capital of Dar es Salaam and was headed to the town of Bukoba before it plunged into Lake Victoria as it was preparing to land. Video circulating on social media taken by onlookers on the shores of Lake Victoria showed the aircraft submerged in the water with emergency responders coordinating rescue efforts from nearby boats. Precision Air CEO Patrick Mwanri appeared visibly distressed while speaking to reporters in Dar es Salaam Sunday. Mwanri’s voice broke and he had to pause to wipe away tears as he said the plane had departed around 6 a.m. local and had been expected in the northwestern lakeside town of Bukoba at 8.30 a.m. “But at 8.53 a.m. our Operations Control Center got a report that that aircraft had not arrived,” he said in a televised statement. The accident is believed to have happened on the final approach to the airport whose runway begins right next to Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake. Local officials suggested bad weather may have played a part in the accident, saying the area had been under heavy rainfall and strong winds at the time. The regional airline has opened a Crisis Management Center and established information areas in Bukoba and Dar es Salaam to communicate with families of the passengers. Following news of the crash, Tanzania’s President took to social media to call for calm while rescuers worked at the site of a downed plane. “I have received with sadness the information of the crash of the Precision Air flight at Lake Victoria, in the Kagera region,” President Samia Suluhu Hassan wrote on Twitter Sunday. “I send my condolences to all those affected by this incident. Let’s continue to be calm as the rescue operation continues and we pray to God to help us.” Precision Air is a Tanzanian airline based out of Dar es Salaam. Source: CNN News