Based on advice from Civil Defence authorities, Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has formally extended the local state of emergency, but expects it will be lifted early. The mayor was advised at 9am today by Civil Defence Emergency Management, to extend the state of local emergency. He considered the advice and signed the declaration at 11.30am, ahead of the existing declaration expiring this evening. While the rain has eased up somewhat, a week on from the record-breaking downpour that caused widespread damage across the city, it continues to fall. "We are hoping for a better weekend so we can continue the clean-up, but there is still a bit of bad weather on the way today," Desley Simpson, the deputy mayor, told RNZ's Morning Report. The city is "fully waterlogged", its infrastructure struggling to handle the ongoing wet weather. "Even the areas that are designed to carry water and hold water," Simpson said. "We've got aquifers underneath Eden Park that are challenged… we're doing as much as we can. We're just hoping that this rain is temporary." Despite the ongoing conditions, building assessors have managed to inspect about 3500 homes across the region. So far about 200 have been red-stickered, meaning they're off-limits, and nearly 800 yellow-stickered. The most red-stickered areas are Mt Albert/Mt Eden (54) and the North Shore (32). "We think we'll have the majority of rapid building assessments we need to do completed by Sunday, but that's really only the beginning of the process," Auckland Council general manager building consents Ian McCormick told Morning Report. He said it was the second-largest operation of its type ever conducted in New Zealand, after the Christchurch quakes. [caption id="attachment_35513" align="alignnone" width="788"] These two homes on Scenic Drive in West Auckland's Swanson have been given red stickers. Photo: RNZ / Mohammad Alafeshat[/caption] "I reached out to colleagues from Hamilton and Tauranga. By Saturday we had inspectors from Hamilton and Tauranga arriving, and we've subsequently had staff turning up from Dunedin, Wellington, Otorohonga, Christchurch, all around the country." Next week his team will be getting in touch with homeowners whose properties have red or yellow stickers, checking what their plans are and whether they need any assistance or advice. "There's a lot of flooding… sodden carpets, potentially electrical systems being affected, impact on internal wall linings… cases where the floodwaters have lifted houses off their foundations. "And of course then we've got situations where there's been landslips which have impacted on houses, sometimes with fatal consequences." Simpson said the mayor was getting advice on whether to extend the state of emergency, and a decision would be released later on Friday. Even if the state of emergency is allowed to expire on Friday evening, council building staff will still be able do what they need to, to ensure affected properties are safe. The Auckland region on Monday was "designated" under the Building Act 2004, giving the council "a number of powers that may be exercised in respect to all buildings within the designated area", including entry, ordering evacuations and directing works to be carried out. As for Mayor Wayne Brown's claim hundreds of people were trapped in high-rise buildings due to broken lifts, Simpson said her "understanding is Auckland Emergency Management are not aware of anyone trapped". Asked if the mayor was misinformed, Simpson said she didn't think so. "Look, I think the mayor lives in a multistorey apartment himself and his lift isn't working, so I think he has a personal experience of that. But I just don't know any further details." Source: rnz.com

Air Niugini management is working hard to reduce some recent effects on the airlines schedule which has been affected by several external factors. While the airline ended 2022 on a high note with excellent OTP (On Time Performance) the new year has to date not continued this trend. Air Niugini’s General Manager, Commercial Paul Abbot said that several factors have combined and as a result has unfortunately meant customers are seeing a higher number of disrupted or downgraded flights than the airline would like. Urgent runway repair work being conducted by National Airports Corporation in Mount Hagen has meant that flights have had to be downgraded from Fokker 100 to smaller Fokker 70 and Dash 8 aircraft without advance notice, and with up to 5 flights a day into Mt Hagen this had meant a backlog of passengers affected by the airline having to operate these smaller aircraft. In the past 3 days alone, this has seen 22 flights to Mt Hagen affected by aircraft downgrades. In addition, the Dash 8 fleets (Q400 and Classic) which make up more than 30 flights of the daily schedule have been undergoing unscheduled airworthiness reviews as mandated by De Havilland, the aircraft manufacturer, with the flow on effect to the schedule being quite significant. Air Niugini is also working with NAC to reactivate the runway lights at Nadzab and Kavieng which will enable the airline to resume night operations to both of these critical airports. The airline apologises to its customers for the reduction in service levels. “This is not a situation we are happy with but rest assured we continue to work hard on the elements we can control in order to minimise the impact on our customers”. On a more positive note, Air Niugini will run two Monthly Madness sales in February, noting the massive interest last week’s sale created and the opportunity that these low fares provide to enable Papua New Guineans to travel. The travel periods for these sales fares will be in the next month or so when the current operational issues with Mt Hagen and the Dash 8 fleets will have been resolved.

PNG will host the First Edition of OFC Women’s Champions League in Port Moresby from March 7-18, 2023. The Women’s Champion League will see top club around the region contesting for prestigious Women’s Champions tag. Teams confirmed are Labasa (Fiji), AS Academy Feminine (New Caledonia), Eastern Suburbs AFC (New Zealand), Hekari United (Papua New Guinea), Kiwi FC (Samoa), To be Confirmed ( Solomon Islands).

New recruit Lachlan Miller has signaled his intent to hit the ground running with the Knights by playing in the first trial game against his former club. With the Knights officially confirming the three-year deal on Wednesday, the Coffs Harbour product said it was a “surreal” feeling to arrive in the Hunter as the earmarked No. 1 after playing most of the 2022 season in reserve grade for the Newtown Jets. “12 months ago I wouldn’t have dreamed of being in this situation but I’m lucky to be here and I’m very grateful for both clubs for that,” Miller said. “If you go back to this time last season, I didn’t have much of an idea of what I was doing or what I was getting into. [Now] I feel settled, I feel good and I feel like we’re in for a big year. “That opportunity to play fullback was pretty appealing. I have a young family so the three-year deal secures our future.” After representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics, Miller caught the attention of the Sharks and signed a contract in late 2021 before making his NRL debut in April last year. Ironically, the fleet-footed fullback will not only face his ex-teammates in Newcastle's first Pre-season Challenge match on February 10 but play in front of a home crowd in Gosford at Industree Group Stadium. “There’s obviously mixed emotions, I’ll get to play in front of my friends and family hopefully but then also play against some of my good mates,” he said. “I got to go back [to Gosford] last year but I just didn’t get on the field which was unfortunate so hopefully this year I’m fit and healthy and I get picked. “I still trained down there, obviously I wanted to keep fit and I wanted to keep my skills up to get here and hit the ground running.” With the new signing all but confirming Ponga’s switch to the halves for the 2023 season, 28-year-old Miller said fans will be "shocked" to see what the Maroons star is capable of in the No. 6 jersey. “Everyone knows how good of a fullback he is but just what I picked up when I watched him was his playmaking ability and his decision-making is obviously a very high level,” he said. “I think he’s going to shock a couple of people if he switches to five-eighth; he looks really good and to play off the back of that is pretty exciting. “My strength is my running game so hopefully I can just hover around the ruck and hopefully get some playmaking in there too.” Newcastle hooker Jayden Brailey said his brother Blayke endorsed Miller as a good addition to Adam O'Brien's roster and is excited to see what the new recruit will bring to a new-look Knights spine. “He’s going to be a real asset to the spine and to us as a team. He’s got great speed, great footwork and I saw at training he’s got great skill as well. “He’s definitely a handful. Watching him from afar he’s definitely a tackle-breaker, he completes really hard. “Blayke has spoken really highly of Lachie, more of the person he is and how good of a bloke he is. “He was pretty upset to see him leave the Shire but we're excited to have him and build that combination with him.” Source: NRL.Com

Prime Minister James Marape assures Roselyn Alog and all students, either national or international who received acceptance letters to study at the University of Papua New Guinea that they (UPNG) are not in the business of turning away students and will not be turning away students this year. Prime Minister Marape says the University of Papua New Guinea will honour the acceptance letter that was sent to Roselyn and they will also assist her and her family to come up with a plan to meet her tuition requirements. He said in fact, the registration team at the University did not turn Roselyn away even after they found out that she has decided to honour her Filipina heritage by choosing to hold a passport for the Republic of Philippines. Prime Minister Marape said because the student’s family is not here in country at the moment, the University has put aside the issue of full payment of her tuition fee and have assisted her secure lodging and she will be able to formally register today for classes. He said, however, as Roselyn holds a Philippines passport, that makes her a Philippines citizen despite being born and raised in Papua New Guinea. Therefore, as per the university’s guidelines on national and international students, she now falls under the category of International Student and will have to pay the tuition fee of an international student. Prime Minister Marape says he knows that the erroneous headline and story on the front page of the Post Courier of the 2nd of February 2023 has caused so much distress for all students who are registering at the University of Papua New Guinea and assures them that all students, including Roselyn, who have received an acceptance letter from the University will be registered and where possible, assistance will be given to find other ways to pay off your tuition fees. He emphasised that Roselyn was never turned away nor was she discriminated against. All citizens of all nationalities who meet our institutions entry requirements are welcome to come and study in Papua New Guinea.

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) hosted a combined graduation ceremony in Tabubil on 27th January for 25 trainees under its Graduate Development Scheme (GDS) and Preferred Area Development (PAD) programs. A total of 15 trainees from various disciplines of Accounting, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Health, Geology, Human Resource Management, Information & Communications Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Mineral Processing and Surveying graduated from the GDS program, while 10 graduated from the PAD program. The PAD graduands were from Business Studies, Power Operations, and Process Plant Operations. Apart from the GDS and PAD trainees that received their certificates, five Trade Test Candidates also received their Trade Test Level 1 – 3 Certificates in Business Studies. The certificates were presented by members of the OTML Executive Leadership Team (ELT). Acting CEO and General Manager Mining, Derrick Kelly, congratulated those who graduated and urged them to put to good use what they have learnt at OTML. “Every class you’ve taken, every skill you’ve learned, and every certification you’ve earned, they’ve all been preparing you to adapt to change and challenges. But as you know it’s a tough world out there, nothing will be handed to you; you have to earn it,” said Mr Kelly. Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Graduate Geologist, Dauba Dauba, thanked OTML for investing its time, money, and expertise to develop the trainees into world class professionals. Manager Training & Organisation Development, Ian Strachan, thanked OTML management for supporting the training programs. “Today is yet again a testimony to your commitment to the development of PNG’s most valuable resource, which is our future leaders. To the graduates, this is a moment in your life’s journey where one door opens, and another closes. I strongly encourage you to make the most of this opportunity,” said Mr. Strachan. Ten trainees from both the GDS and the PAD programs that graduated have been offered permanent roles with OTML. Since 1982 OTML has graduated 579 GDS trainees, 1,139 tradesmen and women from its Apprenticeship Training (AT) Program and 679 PAD trainees.

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Martin Taupau who officially began his time with the Brisbane Broncos yesterday. After returning to Australia following Samoa’s ground-breaking performance at last year’s Rugby League World Cup, Taupau was unsigned by an NRL club despite plenty of interest in his services – but only recently put pen to paper with the Broncos where he has been signed on a one-year deal. The 32-year-old, who has played 222 NRL games from his time with Canterbury Bulldogs, Wests Tigers and more recently seven seasons with the Sea Eagles, brings experience and aggression to the young Broncos pack. “We weighed up every pro and con, but we believe the Broncos was a great fit and obviously coming here, it’s just an amazing feeling, (I have been) welcomed with open arms,” Taupau told assembled media about his move to Queensland following the club’s Tuesday morning training session at Red Hill. “Everything is professional far beyond and great measure here, so it's been amazing from the players and the staff, top to bottom, it's been an absolutely amazing experience. And for me personally, I just have to strap on the boots and get to work. Round 1 is obviously just around the corner.” Saying he was “technically unemployed” for a few months before making the move to the Broncos, Taupau said he leant on his friends and family during that period of uncertainty, with his wife Michelle taking on a new 'job' to make sure he’d be fit and firing upon joining up with a new NRL club. “I had to strap on the boots, give the whistle my wife and she was my S&C, so she definitely cracked the whip the last couple of months, and I believe it's helped immensely, as well as the honest conversations of the pros and cons of life, both off and on the field,” Taupau said. “And I guess, everything all happens for a reason, and this is the path that I'm on at the moment and I just have to capitalise on every opportunity.” In announcing his signing, Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said he was counting on Taupau to help the club’s forwards in particular “grow and be better players”, a task the veteran of 33 Tests for New Zealand and Samoa said he was looking forward to taking on. “The great thing with our playing group is that they're just eager to learn and they're very open; they ask the honest questions and obviously with my experience in the game, I'm happy to share that,” Taupau said. “With the leadership; there's some growing leaders in this great squad, and definitely some ones who have really instilled their place here. “It's a great ecosystem here, I'm just very proud and honoured to be a part of this playing group. “I don't want to single out anyone, but Payne Haas, young Thomas Flegler, (Adam) Reynolds, Patty Carrigan, honestly, these are born leaders. “I played a couple of these players last year as well as on the international stage and it's just phenomenal to put on the jersey and being able to have the opportunity to play with them.” Source: NRL.Com

Nicole Lynn bet on herself, and it is paying off tenfold. According to a post from Sports Business Journal, she is set to become the first Black female agent to represent a quarterback in the Super Bowl. The post Nicole Lynn Is The First Black Female Agent To Represent An NFL Quarterback In The Super Bowl appeared first on AfroTech. As AfroTech previously told you, Lynn represents Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is gearing up to play the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes II on Feb. 12. The opportunity wasn’t handed to her. Instead, Lynn took a chance by sending a direct message to Hurts. “Hey, have you picked an agent? If not, I’d love to link,” Lynn wrote on Instagram, according to Sports Illustrated. Hurts, who had not yet hired a sports agent, felt strongly that Lynn would be the right choice to step into that role due to her determination and her impressive work history. While considering the idea, Hurts was presented with concerns by those who questioned women’s success in the heavily male-dominated industry. Yet, none of that wavered his decision. “I know the agent world in the NFL, and all sports, is very male-dominated,” Hurts explained to Sports Illustrated. “But Nicole was really on top of her stuff. She was prepared. She knew what she was talking about. She was hungry. And she was determined. And I feel that determination like that never rests. Once you come across such a determined individual, that just hits me a little different.” Work History Lynn’s accomplishments in the sports world also include becoming the first female agent to represent NFL agency PlayersRep, which was later acquired by Lil Wayne’s Young Money APAA Sports Agency, in 2015. What’s more, she was just 26-years-old when she signed her first client. By 2021, Lynn had positioned herself as Klutch Sports Group’s President of Football Operations. She now represents over a dozen athletes, per Insider. “Any time someone thinks of an agent, they’re gonna think of me,” Lynn said, according to NBC News. “The first person that’s gonna come to their mind is a Black woman. I’m the Jerry Maguire — that is who I am.”   Source: Yahoo News!

Actor and producer Alec Baldwin has been criminally charged in connection with the 2021 fatal shooting on the set of the movie “Rust,” the Santa Fe County, New Mexico, district attorney’s office told CNN Tuesday. The charges against Baldwin and the set’s armorer, Hannah Guiterrez Reed, include two counts of involuntary manslaughter, the DA’s office said. Attorneys for both defendants previously insisted their respective clients are innocent. “Negligent use of a deadly weapon charges were also filed against ‘Rust’ assistant director David Halls, who has pleaded no contest and has entered into a plea agreement that is pending approval,” according to a media statement issued by the DA’s office. “Today we have taken another important step in securing justice for Halyna Hutchins,” District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday. “In New Mexico, no one is above the law and justice will be served.” Carmack-Altwies told CNN earlier this month she would charge Baldwin and the film’s armorer with involuntary manslaughter, accusing them of failing to perform safety procedures that could have prevented the accident that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Hutchins was struck and killed by a live round of ammunition fired from a prop gun being held by Baldwin, who maintains he did not pull the gun’s trigger. Director Joel Souza was also shot and injured. Baldwin did not take firearm training on the “Rust” movie set seriously, prosecutors said in probable cause documents outlining evidence in the case. “A training session for at least an hour or more in length was scheduled, but the actual training consisted of only approximately 30 minutes as according to (armorer Hannah Gutierrez) Reed, Baldwin was distracted and talking on his cell phone to his family during the training,” the document states. Gutierrez Reed is also charged with involuntary manslaughter, with prosecutors stating she did not insist on Baldwin’s safety training, did not check each round loaded into the firearms, and did not follow appropriate safety protocols in storing ammunition. “Gutierrez Reed was reckless in her responsibility to ensure set safety with the firearm. She failed to correct Baldwin from committing the dangerous and reckless safety violations by pointing the weapon at/towards people and by having his finger on the trigger,” according to the probable cause statement against Gutierrez Reed. “The photos and videos clearly show Baldwin, multiple times, with his finger inside of the trigger guard and on the trigger, while manipulating the hammer and while drawing, pointing, and holstering the revolver,” prosecutors said. Repeated FBI testing on the weapon determined it could not fire without the trigger being pressed. In interviews with CNN and ABC Baldwin has claimed he did not pull the trigger. CNN has reached out to representatives for both Baldwin and Gutierrrez Reed. Baldwin has maintained he was not aware the gun he fired during a rehearsal contained a live round. In a statement to CNN on Jan. 19, his attorney called the prosecutors’ decision “a terrible miscarriage of justice.” “This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set,” Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikas said in his statement. “He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win.” An attorney for Gutierrez Reed said he believes jurors will find his client not guilty. “We were expecting the charges but they’re absolutely wrong as to Hannah – we expect that she will be found not guilty by a jury and she did not commit manslaughter,” attorney Jason Bowles said in a statement to CNN earlier this month when the indictment was first released. “She has been emotional about the tragedy but has committed no crime.” Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed each face two counts of involuntary manslaughter so that a jury can decide which specific count may be more appropriate, Carmack-Altwies previously told CNN. If convicted, “they will only be sentenced to one count,” the prosecutor said. In either case, a conviction is punishable by up to 18 months in jail and up to a $5,000 fine, prosecutors said. But one count would involve a firearm enhancement, or an added penalty, because a firearm was involved. In that case, the crime could be punishable by up to five years in jail, prosecutors said. Source:CNN News

Prime Minister (PM)  James Marape, said that peace and unity must prevail amongst the leadership of Southern Highlands Province, in order for their people to maintain and promote peace and unity. He said the Government fully supports the move made by the leaders of Southern Highlands Province, to establish unity and peace for progress, in the province. Prime Minister Marape was present to witness the swearing-in ceremony of SHP Governor William Powi, as the Chairman of the Provincial Executive Council, in Mendi Township this morning. Following the swearing-in of Governor Powi, he continued the process by officially swearing-in the other SHP MPs, including Imbonggu MP, Pila Niningi, former PM and Ialibu-Pangia MP, Peter O’Neill, Nipa-Kutubu MP, Dr Billy Joseph and Mendi-Munihu MP, Raphael Tonpi. Kagua-Erave MP, Maina Pano, who was in his electorate to open a school with the Minister for Finance, Hon. Renbo Paita, could not make it to the ceremony on time, so he will be sworn-in at a later date. In addressing the people of SHP and neighboring provinces, PM Marape said he was pleased to see reconciliation between leaders of SHP, during the Provincial Assembly swearing-in of MPs and said this would enable our people to promote and maintain peace and unity in the province. He appealed to the leaders of SHP to come back home and promote vital sectors such as agriculture, health, infrastructure and education, among others. PM Marape also thanked his predecessor Hon. Peter O’Neill for putting his differences aside and attending the Provincial Assembly, expressing forgiveness, true leadership and maturity. “This is a form greater transformation to restore leadership in governance, for this province. “It is good to see our SHP leaders are now working with Governor Powi to transform this province, for the better,” PM Marape said. He said Governor Powi has brought back unity to SHP. “Let us all return as ‘One Mendi’ and move forward in rebuilding Mendi Township again. “I acknowledge Mendi-Munihu MP Tonpi in his vision to grow mendi in agriculture, infrastructure, education and health. “Enough of remaining stagnant. It is us the leaders who have caused so much unrest and now we have to work together to bring back peace and untiy to Mendi, especially,” PM Marape said. He said when Governor Powi returns to Mendi, I want you to welcome him and let bygones, be bygones, and work with him to improve and rebuild Mendi Township. “For impact projects, the National Government is giving a total of K53 million, to distribute amongst the five electorates of SHP, to assist them in completing outstanding projects,” PM Marape said. He also delivered K4m for the the completion of the Mendi Airport. He thanked Gov. Powi for the SHP Provincial Referral Hospital by 2027 and announced that the National Government stands ready to support the provincial government is completing high impact projects in SHP. “I further urge contractors to be true to our people and complete their contracts or their contracts will be terminated. “I expect local contractors to do their part and deliver what they owe us, as funding had already been released,” PM Marape said. He also said for unity to grow, we must adhere to rule of law. And, this starts with us the leaders. He advised public servants to work accordingly and lawfully. “For the next five years, I want all leaders to work together and lawfully, for our people’s benefit. “That’s the least we can do for our people,” PM Marape concluded.

CPL Foundation has committed to another round of year support to Queenpads Menstrual Health programs in 2023 as Retail and Program Partner. Queenpads Founder Anne Shirley Korave, in thanking CPL Foundation Chairman, Sir Mahesh Patel said “We are extremely pleased to receive the on-going support of CPL Foundation for the Menstrual Health Programs 2023 targeting their employees, schoolgirls and women in communities and even extended to working individuals in PNG. She added “we hope to grow and strengthen the partnership and to continue to meet the silent needs, and care for the special days of menstruators in PNG also through its known pharmacies nationwide." Sir Mahesh Patel, commented “we are all about serving our communities and supporting local initiatives that adds value to our team members, and lives of people. Women’s Health is also important; we hope to see our team get more involved in getting the message out there and in doing so, allows them to give back to communities.” Queenpads MH Programs involves Menstrual Health and Hygiene Education and Awareness, distribution of reusable sanitary cloth-pads and other Queenpads products in Papua New Guinea. The Queenpads Awareness team will be conducting sessions commencing February and will end in October 2023. Through this collaboration, we hope to also make useful information on Menstrual Health and Hygiene accessible and convenience for shoppers in the City Pharmacy shops nationwide too. Thousands of school girls have missed class due to no access to decent sanitary facility and products to manage their special days – and because of the taboos and cultural barriers many do not seek support or assistance and end up staying home during school days affecting their learning performance. Thousands of young women, mothers in communities or suburbs are choosing alternative options due to no access of menstrual products or proper WASH/Change facility just to get home chores done or to fend for family needs selling at market or gardening. Even many working women due to a tight budget prioritize food and other necessities over menstrual needs. Queenpads aims to bridge this gaps one step at a time, prioritize Education and Menstrual Needs of school girls, women in communities and workplaces through such collaboration and thanks CPL Foundation in caring for special day’s needs”. Through CPL Foundation’s support and in collaboration with other partners, Queenpads hope to reach ten thousand (10,000) women and young girls sharing useful Menstrual Health and Hygiene information with them, and giving them an alternative PNG Owned and PNG Made sustainable product (Queenpads) that will be useful safe for up to 5 years. Menstruation is NOT a Choice! It is Everyone’s Business. Together let us prioritize the silent need that affects many women and young girls every month.

The Vanimo Power Station is intact and resume supply of electricity to consumers and the general public in Vanimo and surrounding villages yesterday (31/01/23) afternoon. PNG Power Chief Executive Officer, Obed Baita denied a report by NBC News on its Facebook page claiming that the Vanimo Power Station caught fire yesterday morning and destroyed all its generators, disrupting power supply in the township. The news report is misleading and not true. PNG Power switched-off the power station, following an unfortunate fire that started from the PNG Defence Forward Base, which shares the boundary with the power station and the fire quickly spread out to the power station yard. With quick action from our team and assistance from Vanimo Forest Products, the fire put off using water carts. It could have been catastrophic, but the quick action saved the power station and its fuel tanks. PNG power Vanimo team are awaiting clearance from our Safety Team, before starting up the generators to restore full power supply. PNG Power Safety Team will investigate the cause of the fire, and recommend appropriate action, to mitigate such, happening in the future.