Effective management, eradication, and prevention of invasive species in the Pacific Islands region require a robust, coordinated, and collaborative regional approach. This was the resounding message and commitment made by over 100 representatives from across the Pacific region at the inaugural Pacific Ecological Security Conference (PESC) that took place from October 3-5 in Palau. The conference was hosted by the Government of Palau, the East-West Center, The Pacific Community (SPC), the Global Environment Facility, the Nature Conservancy, the US Office of Insular Affairs, and the US Forest Service. Biosecurity experts, development partners, regional organizations, agricultural and natural resource managers, researchers, government, and national ministers came together to identify and discuss how to address the critical threat of invasive species. “This first PESC has reminded us that invasive species impact every aspect of Pacific Island life and security. While we have many of the tools we need for their prevention, control, and eradication, we also recognize that no country can do it alone. This has given us the opportunity to align regional strategies and build off our successes to tackle the problem of invasive species in a comprehensive way across our whole Blue Pacific Continent,” said Dr. Laura Brewington, Research Fellow at the East-West Center. Strategic action plans developed by expert working groups on coconut rhinoceros beetles, invasive ants, and biological control approaches were presented and discussed during the three-day conference. Participants endorsed the action plans and committed to further coordination to address these key priorities. “The Pacific is made up of small island fragile ecosystems and is home to some of the richest biodiversity in the world, which is now being threatened by invasive species. Now more than ever, addressing invasive species should be at the forefront of our priorities and this meeting was a positive step forward to jointly ensure there is a strong regional coordinated approach to these critical threats,” said Gibson Susumu, The Pacific Community (SPC) Programme Leader for Sustainable Agriculture. “It’s important to recognize the vulnerabilities of our region and how invasive species exacerbate existing issues,” Mr. Susumu continued, “For example, the Pacific is at the frontline of the climate crisis, and invasive species only further undermine the resilience of our ecosystems. SPC is already working closely with our members and will continue this commitment to address these key concerns. This conference has provided a great opportunity to explore and strengthen partnerships to collaborate further.” Participants shared stories from across the region about the multi-faceted and devastating impact of invasive species on the Pacific. The loss of endemic and vital plants and trees, such as the coconut tree, has deep cultural significance to the people of the Pacific Islands, whose identities and livelihoods are often tied closely to their land and seas. From their experiences, participants were also able to share strategies for successfully controlling and eradicating invasive species. Conference participants represented more than 16 Pacific countries and territories, including Australia, New Zealand, and development partners from Japan, Taiwan, and the United States. Recordings of the plenary sessions will be available for public viewing after the conference. 

Billionaire Elon Musk has said he aims to complete his purchase of Twitter by the end of the month, but the company "will not take yes for an answer". In a court filing, he said the social media platform had raised concerns about the "theoretical possibility of a future failure to obtain debt financing" to pay for the deal. Twitter said it did not trust that the offer would come through. Twitter sued Mr Musk in July after he tried to back out of buying the firm. The judge overseeing the case gave the two sides until 28 October to work out a deal, agreeing to put legal proceedings on hold at the request of Mr Musk. Mr Musk said litigation was no longer necessary, after he said in a surprise move this week that he was prepared to go forward with the original takeover plan, pending receipt of the financing and an end to the legal battle. "There is no need for an expedited trial to order defendants to do what they are already doing," Mr Musk's attorneys wrote in a filing. "Yet, Twitter will not take yes for an answer. Astonishingly they have insisted on proceeding with this litigation, recklessly putting the deal at risk and gambling with their stockholders interests." In its own filing for Delaware Chancery Court on Thursday, Twitter said it was opposed to suspending litigation, calling such a move "an invitation to further mischief and delay." It said it did not trust Mr Musk's promises, noting that one bank helping to finance the deal had testified this week that it had not received any notice from Mr Musk about plans to move forward. "Defendants can and should close next week," the company wrote. "Until defendants commit to close as required, Twitter is entitled to its day in court." Mr Musk announced a plan to buy Twitter for $54.20 per share in April. But he backed away from the deal just a few weeks later saying he was concerned that spam accounts on the platform were higher than Twitter had claimed. Twitter ultimately sued to force Mr Musk to complete the deal. In its lawsuit, Twitter argued Mr Musk was worried about the price he had agreed to pay, after a sharp downturn in the value of tech shares, including Tesla, the electric car company he leads and is the base of much of his wealth. Mr Musk was due to be questioned this week as part of the preparation for the trial, which was scheduled to begin 17 October. The trial is now postponed to 28 October to allow a deal to close, according to a court filing. Shares in Twitter ended the day down more than 3%, amid investor doubts the deal will go through. Source: BBC

England saw the highest excess mortality figure from heatwaves this year since records began in 2004, health officials said on Friday, after a hot summer that saw temperatures rise to all-time highs. England recorded 2,803 excess deaths among those aged 65 and over during summer heat waves this year, possibly due to complications arising from extreme heat, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in a statement. The figures exclude deaths from Covid-19. That number rose to 3,271 when including the nation of Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland were not included in the statistics. “These estimates show clearly that high temperatures can lead to premature death for those who are vulnerable,” UKHSA Chief Scientific Officer Isabel Oliver said. “Prolonged periods of hot weather are a particular risk for elderly people, those with heart and lung conditions or people who are unable to keep themselves cool such as people with learning disabilities and Alzheimer’s disease.” The figures highlight just how dangerous heat can be, particularly in places like the UK, which is largely ill-equipped for long heat waves. Experts often call heat a “silent killer” because it can be just as deadly as other extreme weather events, like hurricanes, or even moreso, yet awareness of its threat level can be low. Britain recorded its highest ever temperature, of just above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in eastern England on July 19. The heat wave, which contributed to fires across large grass areas, destroyed property and pressured transport infrastructure, was made at least 10 times more likely because of climate change, scientists said. Around 1,000 excess deaths were recorded among those over 65 between July 17-20, the UKHSA said, while the Aug. 8-17 period recorded an estimated 1,458 excess deaths. Statisticians use “excess deaths” — a term that became more commonplace during the coronavirus pandemic to describe the number of fatalities in excess of normally observed mortality numbers for a particular time of year. Despite peaks in mortality during heat waves, the majority of days in the winter usually show a higher number of deaths than in the summer, ONS Head of Mortality Analysis Sarah Caul said. Source: BBC

The Ukrainian military has recaptured 2,400 square kilometers of territory in Kherson region in the south of the country “since the beginning of the full-scale war,” a senior Ukrainian official said Friday. Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the president’s office said six settlements had been liberated in the Kherson district as well as 61 in the Beryslav district. Tymoshenko said the evacuation of civilians continued amid massive destruction to critical infrastructure in towns like Arkhanhelske, Vysokopillia and Osokorivka, all of which saw weeks of heavy fighting and indirect fire. Demining is in progress, he added. Ukrainian forces have been making steady progress in Kherson since beginning an offensive at the end of last month, and their successes have sparked rare criticism of Moscow’s war effort among pro-Russian figures. On Thursday, Kirill Stremousov, the Russian-appointed deputy leader of occupied Kherson, blamed “gaps” on the battlefield in the Kherson region on “incompetent commanders.” “Indeed, many say that the Minister of Defense [Sergei Shoigu], who allowed this situation to happen, could, as an officer, shoot himself. But, you know, the word officer is an unfamiliar word for many,” Stremousov said in a video posted on Telegram. Stremousov’s comments come as Kyiv is successfully pushing ahead in its campaign to retake parts of southern and eastern Ukraine that Russia captured in the initial weeks of the war. Pro-Russian propagandists and military analysts have blamed the string of losses on what they see as mistakes by the Russian military, but few Russian-installed officials on Ukrainian soil have so publicly skewered Moscow’s flailing war effort. Members of Russia’s parliament and regional officials have begun to level similar criticisms at the country’s military, alleging that insufficient troops were deployed to hold the parts of eastern and southern Ukraine that Moscow’s forces captured in the initial weeks of the conflict. Col. Gen. Andrei Kartapolov, the head of Russia’s State Duma defense committee, said Thursday officials need to “stop lying” about developments on the ground. “People know. Our people are not stupid,” Kartapolov said in an interview with a Russian journalist. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised his forces’ counteroffensive in his evening address on Tuesday. “The Ukrainian army is making a rather fast and powerful advance in the south of our country in the course of the ongoing defensive operation,” Zelensky said in his evening address. “Our warriors do not stop. And it is only a matter of time when we will expel the occupier from all our land.” Source: CNN

Haiti's government national military assistance as it grapples with interlocked health, energy and security crises, according to a statement from Jean-Junior Joseph, advisor to Haiti’s Prime Minister. “After serious reflections, facing a dire humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where hospitals are not having enough energy to function, cholera is back inside the shanties, it was decided in the Council of Ministers last night, October 7th to request military assistance from the international community to deal with such unbelievable humanitarian crisis,” reads the statement sent to CNN on Thursday. It was not clear which countries the government requested military assistance from. The request came after Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry called for international help during a televised speech to the nation on Wednesday night. “I am calling the international community to help us, to support us in every necessary way to avoid the situation worsening. We need to be able to distribute water, and medicine as cholera is making a comeback,” said Henry. “We need to reopen businesses and clear the roads for doctors and nurses to be able to do work. We asking for their help to be able to distribute the fuel and for school to reopen,” he added. Dozens more cases of cholera have been diagnosed in Haiti, adding new urgency to warnings of the Caribbean nation’s descent into chaos amid political and economic crises. The deadly infection has already killed eight people, according to Haiti’s health ministry, and 68 new cases have been identified in the first week of October according to the medical humanitarian group, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The burgeoning new public health emergency could hardly come at a worse time. Anti-government protests – now in their seventh week – have paralyzed the country, with schools, businesses, and public transportation across the country mostly shuttered. Since August 22, Haitians have been demonstrating against chronic gang violence, poverty, food insecurity, inflation, and fuel shortages. Their fury was further fueled last month when Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced that he would cut fuel subsidies in order to fund the government – a move that would double prices at the pump. Haiti’s powerful gangs have exacerbated the fuel crisis by blocking the country’s main port in the capital city Port-au-Prince. Thousands of Haitian people continue to protest in various cities across the country, calling on the government to step down. Source: CNN

Defence Force Bowling Club has received more support as the host of the annual Takuru 4s Tournament at Murray Barracks Bowling Green in Port Moresby that started today. City Pharmacy Limited Foundation this morning (06/10/22) presented one-thousand-two hundred-kina worth of K50 gift vouchers for individual consolation prizes and cartons of bottled water for the bowlers during the two-day event. President of Defence Force Bowling Club, Lieutenant Colonel Robby Tanfa expressed his gratitude for the timely support from CPL Foundation. “I thank you for responding to our request for sponsorship, Lt Col Tanfa said. CPL is a company with outlets in almost all parts of the country and if our visiting bowlers find themselves lucky to receive some of these gift cards as consolation prize, they certainly will not be disadvantaged.” This is the first time CPL Foundation has come onboard to support the annual Takuru Men’s 4s. The tournament is slated for the 8-9 October. Clubs from Lae, Bulolo, Mt Hagen, Goroka and Madang are taking part in the two-day event with the Metro Bowling Club and the host, Defence Force Bowling Club from Saturday to Sunday.

With schools nationwide now into the last term of the 2022 academic year, schools in Rabaul District continue with adjusted timetables workable and flexible for both teachers and students during the prolonged drought weather, East New Britain province is currently facing. District Education Coordinator Markus Tipepe when giving a report on the third quarter academic year said although the province had a bit of rainfall recently, schools in Rabaul district are still facing water shortage with many facing challenges to continue operations. He said the past 4 months and current ongoing dry season forced most of the schools to go into adjusted programs where all play schools finish classes at 10 am, elementary schools at 12pm and all primary and secondary schools at 2pm, on a daily basis. “This month will see the Grades 8, 10 and 12 sitting for their National Examinations. Grade 10s will sit for their exams next week, followed by Grade 12 and Grade 8 and schools have informed parents to allow their children to attend weekend remedial classes in preparation for the examanations,” the DEC said. “This dry spell has negatively impacted on students’ attendance, punctuality, food, water and additional burden on searching for water,” he said. Mr Tipepe said water cartage took place in the last 3 to 4 weeks assisting schools with water. He thanked the Rabaul Disaster Coordinator Joshua Wowo and his team for successfully carting water and upgrading existing water supplies to benefit most wards and schools. “We are now in the fourth term and I encourage schools to utilize whatever resources they have to see the year through,” he said. Meantime he also highlighted that applications for students submitted to benefit from the Rabaul District Tertiary Tuition Free Subsidy this year will be paid off once issues with district funds and Ombudsman Commission are eventually sorted out.

The 35-year-old Paris St-Germain forward has played at four World Cups with Argentina, scoring six goals and making five assists in 19 appearances. He earned a runners-up medal in 2014, and after captaining his country to the Copa America title in 2021, the World Cup is the sole major trophy missing from Messi's illustrious collection. "It's my last World Cup, surely," he said. Speaking to ESPN, Messi added: "I'm counting down the days to the World Cup. There is anxiety and nerves at the same time. Wanting it to be now, what is going to happen, and ultimately, how is it going to go?" Messi made his international debut in 2005 and has gone on to make a total of 164 appearances for Argentina, scoring 90 goals. In reaching his fifth World Cup, he will surpass the previous record for an Argentina player he jointly held with Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano. Argentina are ranked third in the Fifa world rankings, and face Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C at the World Cup, which starts on 20 November. "In a World Cup, anything can happen. All the matches are very tough. The favourites don't always end up winning," Messi said. "I don't know if we're the favourites, but Argentina is always a candidate because of its history. Now even more so because of the moment we're in, but we are not the favourites. I think there are other teams that are above us." Source: BBC News

Rabaul District Administration under its road maintenance plan, intends to take ownership of all classification of roads in the electorate and have them fixed. District Works Engineer, Mellie Munulai when giving a progress report on roads said they are focusing on two locations to improve the road network system. This he said, are Origin District Roads which covers all areas within the origin areas including Rabaul Town Roads and roads in resettlement areas including Warena, Gelagela, Sikut/Talvat, Asing and Clifton areas. Mr Munulai said after the volcanic eruptions, new roads constructed in the resettlement areas have expanded the total road length for the district. He admitted this is a challenge to the district in terms of maintaining development infrastructure in terms of roads which allow accessibility for economic and social development. "Without proper road network there will be challenges in delivering services," he said "As it is, all road networks are deteriorating slowly but the Rabaul District Works Sector through its Maintenance Plan will be working very closely with all its appropriate stakeholders to ensure all roads of all classification-District, Provincial and National Roads, are being rehabilitated because at the end of the day, it is the people of the district that are using these public utilities," he said. "As the District Engineer, we will look at rehabilitating all classification of roads as we need to take ownership of projects that other developing partners through the provincial and national levels are bringing down to the wards,” Mr Munulai said.

An ex-policeman has killed at least 37 people, most of them children, in a gun and knife attack at a childcare centre in north-east Thailand. Police say he then killed himself and his family after a manhunt following the attack in Nong Bua Lamphu province. Children and adults are among the casualties at the nursery - police say the attacker mostly stabbed his victims before fleeing the scene. The former officer, aged 34, was sacked in June for drug use, police said. It is not clear if there was a motive for the attack. At least 23 children were among the dead in the mass killing in the town of Utthai Sawan. Some victims aged as young as two were attacked as they slept. A dozen people who were injured have been taken to Nong Bua Lamphu district hospital. Headteacher Nanticha Panchum said the attacker's son attended the centre but had not been there for a month. The man used to drop his child off, and was always polite and chatty, she said. Ms Panchum said there were usually more than 90 children at the school, but just over 20 were present on Thursday due to bad weather and a school bus breakdown. "The shooter came in around lunchtime and shot four or five officials at the childcare centre first," a local official, Jidapa Boonsom, who was working nearby, told Reuters news agency. One of them was a teacher who was eight months pregnant. "At first people thought it was fireworks," she said, adding that the man then forced entry to a locked room where children were sleeping. 'It's shocking' - witnesses describe nursery attack horror Thai pre-school attack: What we know Videos shared on social media appear to show the tears and distress of parents and relatives of those killed, as they gathered at a shelter outside the centre. Police officers arriving after the attack were confronted with horrific scenes, the bodies of adults and children, some of them very young, lying inside and outside the building. "After inspecting the crime scene, we found that the perpetrator tried to break in and he mainly used a knife to commit the crime by killing a number of small children," said Police Chief Damrongsak Kittiprapat. "Then he got out and started killing anyone he met along the way with a gun or the knife until he got home. We surrounded the house and then found that he committed suicide in his home." Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha described the incident as "a shocking event". Source: BBC News

Australian international Cameron Munster has signed a long-term contract extension with the Storm that will see him remain in Melbourne until at least the end of the 2027 season. The four-year deal will see Munster remain "a Storm player for life" with the 28-year-old saying he was delighted to remain in Melbourne long-term. “It is such an important decision for me, and in the end, Melbourne is where my heart is, Melbourne is where I want to play my footy, and Melbourne is the club I want to be a part of for the rest of my career," Munster said in a statement. “I’ve always wanted to be a one club player. Storm gave me the chance to play NRL and the club has become a second home for me since making my debut." Munster informed Storm management of his decision to remain in the purple jersey just hours prior to his departure with the Kangaroos team heading to England for the Rugby League World Cup, which kicks off against Fiji on October 16. Source: NRL.com

Samarai Murua District in Milne Bay province will be receiving district materials, machinery and items worth over Five-Million-Kina this weekend. This will be the district’s first major delivery for this term of parliament after the national elections ended three months ago in July. It is part of an ongoing program from the last term of parliament for delivery of goods and services in the district. Samarai Murua Member of Parliament and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Hon. Isi Henry Leonard was on hand to officially launch the release of the loaded barge at the Motukea Wharf in Port Moresby. The barge is loaded with the district materials and items which are committed for several ongoing projects at the District Centre on Misima Island including wards in surrounding islands. Some of the items loaded include eight PMV trucks for communities around Misima Island, with the other truck for Kulumudava Community School in Woodlark island to be loaded in the next voyage of the barge. Other items include eight copra dryers for the corpra farmers to be distributed to copra farmers in Rossel, Sudest and parts of the district with nine bales of copra bags. “We also have on board Misima Secondary School building materials for the building program. These were supposed to be delivered prior the elections but due to the fast approaching election time, but now it’s been delivered. “We also have with us on board United church materials for Liak community Ward and also the Pantava community church building. This voyage also includes the Women’s association Business arm, the Misima Guest House generator set for back up power, some water tanks and also materials for maintenance of the Tagula government outpost which needs a complete revamp,” Hon. Leonard said. He said these were some of the programs that were lined up in the district, indicating that there were more materials to deliver for the district so the barge would make this voyage and return to Port Moresby to load again and deliver the second lot for other programs. Mr Leonard confirmed that the net worth of the materials and items loaded for this voyage of goods and services to be delivered was over five million kina. He highlighted the struggles of maritime districts with logistics and transportation being a major challenge but was grateful that the district could charter a huge barge to load as much materials as possible. Mr Leonard said all these load of items and materials were from the District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) funds with logistics covered as well. He stressed the need for the government to factor a DSIP component for logistics alone for the most remote districts which continued to be a struggle for many leaders and their people. Adding that all districts received Ten-Million-Kina DSIP funding but in reality, the most remote districts had more challenges and expenses with logistics either by sea or air costing more compared to districts in urban cities and centres. He thanked his people of Samarai Murua for their patience and understanding in the delivery of good and services to a challenging maritime district. Mr Leonard will be travelling to the District to receive the barge at Bwagaoia Station on Misima Island this weekend.