The death toll in the New York city of Buffalo has risen to 28, with thousands still without power amid a monster winter storm that has battered North America. Across the US, at least 62 people have died in weather-related incidents. In Buffalo, a state official said that military police are being brought in to help manage traffic in the city, where a driving ban remains in place. Looting has been reported in parts of the city during the emergency. The winter storm has also forced the cancellation of thousands of flights, including about 4,800 on Tuesday morning alone. Thousands of passengers have been left stranded at airports across the country. Conditions are now expected to improve, with very little snowfall on Tuesday and slightly warmer weather on the way. At a news conference on Tuesday, officials in New York's Erie County - which includes Buffalo - said that the death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue. The 28 confirmed dead were all in Buffalo. "All of the numbers have not caught up at this time," Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said. "We know that the [Erie] county number is larger." More than 4,000 people in the area remain without power after the storm, which Mr Brown said was "probably" the worst of most residents' lifetimes. At the peak of the storm, about 20,000 people were without power. Mr Brown added that there had been an "improvement" in the city, with very little snowfall and an absence of whiteout conditions allowing officials "significant progress" as they clear vehicles and restore power. Officials warned that the warming temperatures in the region might lead to additional problems, including flooding as snow thaws. In Erie County, city authorities on Tuesday were removing ice and blockages from storm drains ahead of what officials referred to as a "rapid melt". Mark Poloncarz, executive of Erie County where Buffalo is located, said that 100 military police officers and additional state police were being brought in to help control traffic in the area, where conditions remained "ugly" on many local roads. Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gragmalia said that looting is "still going on". Four people have so far been arrested. "This isn't people stealing food and medicine and diapers," he said. "They're destroying stores. They're stealing televisions, couches, whatever else they can get their hands on. They're opportunists." On Monday, US President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration allowing federal support for New York State. "My heart is with those who lost loved ones this holiday weekend," he tweeted. Neighbouring state New Jersey also sent emergency services to New York state to provide further assistance. State Governor Kathy Hochul, a native of Buffalo, described the storm as "the blizzard of the century". "It is [like] going to a war zone, and the vehicles along the sides of the roads are shocking." Officials in New York have said that emergency personnel were forced to go from car to car searching for survivors of the storm, sometimes finding bodies in cars and snow banks. Mr Poloncarz said that some of the fatalities died from cardiac arrest while ploughing snow, with Buffalo state issuing a "Shovel Smart" warning, notifying people that over-exertion from shovelling snow can cause heart attacks or back injuries. While three additional deaths were confirmed by Tuesday morning, two deaths that had been reported earlier were deemed a "non-storm related", he added. Harrowing tales Some local residents recounted harrowing escapes from the storm over the last several days. One local family with young children - aged two to six - had to wait for 11 hours before being rescued in the early hours of Christmas Day (Sunday). "I was basically just hopeless," the father, Zila Santiago, told CBS News. He said he managed to stay warm by keeping the engine running, and kept distress at bay by playing games with the children. Ditjak Ilunga from Gaithersburg, Maryland, told CBS News he was on his way to visit relatives in Hamilton, Ontario, with his daughters when their SUV was trapped in Buffalo. After spending hours with the engine running he made the desperate choice to risk the howling storm to reach a nearby shelter. He carried six-year-old Destiny on his back while 16-year-old Cindy clutched their Pomeranian puppy, and followed his footprints in the snow drifts. "If I stay in this car I'm going to die here with my kids," Mr Ilunga recalled thinking. He said he cried when the family walked through the shelter doors. "It's something I will never forget in my life," he said. While the largest death toll has been reported in New York, storm-related deaths have been reported across the US, including Vermont, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Colorado. Over the weekend, an estimated 250,000 homes and businesses experienced blackouts, although power has steadily been restored. Still, tens of thousands of people remained without power on Tuesday. Source: BBC

Rain and flooding forced more than 45,000 people into evacuation centres, most of the missing believed to be fishers. The death toll from Christmas day rains and flooding in the southern Philippines has risen to 13, according to the country’s disaster management council, with a further 23 people still missing. Most of the deaths were caused by flash floods after two days of heavy rains over Christmas, which affected more than 166,000 people and forced more than 45,000 to take shelter in evacuation centres, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Tuesday. Images on social media show coast guard, police and firefighters wading through waist-deep floods and carrying residents along landslide-hit areas and out of inundated villages and streets. Twelve roads were flooded by overflowing rivers, and more than 20 areas in the affected region were still without power on Tuesday, according to local news outlet Inquirer.net. [caption id="attachment_33197" align="alignnone" width="966"] Rescue workers help a resident affected by floods in Plaridel, Misamis Occidental Province, Philippines, on December 26, 2022 [Philippine Coast Guard via Reuters][/caption] Unlike previous disaster brought on by tropical storms in the Philippines, the latest torrential rains and flooding was the result of a shear line — an area where warm and cold winds meet and cause huge rain clouds to form. The fatalities included a one-year-old girl and a 64-year-old man who drowned in separate incidents in Camarines Sur province, about 270km (168 miles) southeast of Manila. Four more were reported killed in the southern province of Misamis Occidental, including a 68-year-old woman who suffered a heart attack after being rescued. Those still missing are mostly fishers who went out to sea despite the dangers associated with bad weather, the disaster agency said. Rescue operations are continuing, and damage to agriculture is being assessed, Carmelito Heray, head of the disaster agency in Clarin town in Misamis Occidental province, told DZBB radio station. “The big damage here is livestock,” Clarin town Mayor Emeterio Roa said on the radio. The country’s weather bureau, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said on Tuesday that the shear line persists and will see heavy rainfall continue in parts of the country, and rain-induced landslides are likely in some areas. “The public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property,” PAGASA said. Source: Aljareeza.com

It has been a homecoming of sorts for Brisbane-born Edrick Lee, who has returned to Queensland to continue his NRL career with the Dolphins next season. Lee said he was still trying to get used to training in the heat of the Sunshine State after spending the past decade in slightly cooler pre-season climes during stints at the Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights. The 30-year-old made his NRL debut for the Raiders in 2012 after performing well for the club's under 20s side. However, the chance to return home to where it all started at this stage of his career was appealing for Lee, despite having to make small adjustments. “It's enjoyable, but tough, having to adjust to the Queensland weather,” Lee told NRL.com. “I am from here, but have never done a pre-season here, so that's the biggest adjustment. “But it's been good getting to know all the new faces and players, so everyone's gelling nicely. “I haven't been home since probably just over a decade, and I left straight after high school, so to come back home and play in front of friends and family on a day-to-day basis is something that attracted me as well.” While the pull of home was strong, the biggest factor drawing Lee to the Dolphins – where his cousin Brenko Lee is also contracted – was the chance to reunite with head coach Wayne Bennett, who he got to work during Queensland’s successful State of Origin campaign in 2020. A past Indigenous All Stars team representative, Lee has signed on with the NRL's newest team for two seasons, and has been embracing the chance to be part of forming the identity of the competition’s latest team. New Dolphins teammate Sean O’Sullivan recently praised Lee for his energy in and immediate effect he's had on the playing group. It marks an incredible 12-month turnaround for the former Knight, who made a remarkable comeback to the game after missing the 2021 season due to a series of foot injuries. With his career in limbo, he made a return to the field in Round 6 and later entered the record books when he became the first Knight to ever score five tries in a game. The 132-gamer was eager to build on that form at the Dolphins after overcoming a series of setbacks. “Just to be a more consistent player and fingers crossed, touch wood, just to stay injury free,” Lee said when asked what his goals for 2023 were. “I've had a big run of injury the last two years, so this is my first pre-season that I've completed in two years. “[I am] just trying to continue to get better every day and not look too far, and to just focus on the now and hopefully steer in the right direction.” Source: NRL.Com

Prime Minister James Marape, MP, handed over K17 million in cheques to Western Province South Fly District for several projects during a brief stopover, in Daru Town, while on a tour of rural areas of the province. Prime Minister Marape announced before the handover of the cheques that K7 million of the cheques presented is for the upgrading and sealing of the road works in Daru, the provincial capital of Western Province. This cheque was presented to a locally based contractor. He said another K5 million cheque will go towards the start of punching in a new road from Oriomo to Wiem. Another five million kina will go towards improving the Daru General Hospital, therefore he asked the AUSAID team based in Daru, who are coordinating work being done at the hospital, to discuss with the provincial areas that they can contribute towards improving so both the government of Australia and Papua New Guinea can work together for the good of the people. The Prime Minister also presented another cheque of K5 million to the Governor of Western Province, for other impact projects that he would like to implement for the province. PM Marape is touring the Western Province to identify areas that agricultural and livestock projects can be established so that when the missing link of Trans-Fly is built, the people of Western Province and Papua New Guinea can trade with the people of Indonesia. “Western Province has a huge agricultural and livestock and tourism potential that has not been tapped into for many years,” he said. “We have been hypnotized by the thought that mining and petroleum will have an abundance of money to make us all rich yet we remain poor and live in poverty in our own land we have become lazy and unproductive and not doing anything in our land of abundance.” The Prime Minister told the people of Western Province that there are many ways to make money and not only from oil, gold and gas. There is tourism, fisheries, agriculture and livestock. He said going into business in these areas also have the potential for people to earn a living to improve living standards but that will only come about if people work and not just sit around waiting for free handouts. Prime Minister Marape said the Government is working to open access to the Indonesian market for beef, agricultural products, fisheries products and even tourism by building a road link that will go from Daru to Oriomo, then to Wiem and then onto Kiunga and then connecting to Telefomin, connecting the road to the Momase corridor linking Western Province to the PNG – Indonesia Border Post at Wutung and also connecting Western Province to the rest of Papua New Guinea. In supporting the Prime Minister’s commitments to connect Papua New Guinea in the next 20 years, Minister for Works and Highways Solan Mirisim told the people of Western Province that the Trans-Fly missing links are part of the Government’s flagship program called the ‘Connect PNG Program’, which will see 5.6 percent of the Countries annual budget over the next 20 years go towards upgrading exiting roads and building new ones to connect the whole country to the main road that will go from Wutung all the way to Alotau in the Milne Bay Province. The Prime Minister did not travel alone, with him was the Minister for Livestock and Member for South Fly Saki Agisa, Minister for Works and Highways and Member for Telefomin, Solan Mirisim and senior officials from the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council and the Department of National Planning, who were specifically there to do a site inspection of major impact projects, the government has identified for implementation in Western Province. Prime Minister Marape said the officials are there to ensure work is done and progress is being made on the impact projects. He also appealed again to public servants to keep working if they are called upon during the holidays because there is more work to be done for our people and country to take us where we want to be in the next twenty years and that is everyone becoming financially independent and having access to quality services. The Prime Minister said our country needs to be connected in as far as development is concerned and that no province must be left behind in that area.

Health issues are insurmountable anywhere in this world . All nations have issues peculiar to them and their standards of living. Health can also be seen as a general Economic Indicator, according to Health Minister, Dr. Lino Tom who says PNG on all fronts is struggling to reach its targets. “We have a good health plan and hopefully all stakeholders do their part so we reach our targets by 2030. All plans are only as good as the funding they require and off course implementation on the part of the department." Since 2020, the health sector has seen an increase in its budget by about 30%. Even then, Dr. DR Lino says it’s not the ideal level that the health department envisage but in terms of appropriation per sector, the health sector has gotten the biggest slice, thanks to Prime Minister James Marape and Treasurer Ian Ling Stuckey. “However, we will still face a shortfall of over K120 million for medical supplies from outstanding arrears over the last few years. In order to address this issue, we will have to source the cheapest options in our region without compromising quality.” The only way to do this will be to go into State to State Agreements so that the health sector can deal straight with the factories and get the lowest price possible at least for basic drugs and supplies, says Dr Lino. He added that this approach is supported by WHO and other development agencies. “Our SMEs and businesses can supply the nonessential medical consumables. Our people must not suffer at the expense of profiteering enterprises. Health services must be affordable to everyone regardless, as envisaged by our Government.” Dr Lino has addressed the rise of lifestyle diseases stating that the four biggest killers are Cancer; Heart Diseases with Stroke and Kidney diseases. A fully functional Intervention Cardiology Unit has been established to address heart and other Ischaemic diseases like stroke. It is now doing very complex cases only done in highly specialized centres throughout the world. He also said that new specialized theatres must be built to complement this service.

The total number of babies born on Christmas Day at the Port Moresby General Hospital Labour Ward stands at a total of 32. Of the 32, 12 were girls and 20 were boys. A pair of twin boys were among the 32 born. Three of the births were via Cesarean-section, two via vacuum process and the rest were normal. In addition, on Boxing Day, about 37 babies were born. Of the 37, 22 were boys and 14 were baby girls. Three of the births were through Cesarean-section, one via vacuum and the rest were normal. A pair of twins were also part of the number of babies born on Boxing Day. Team Leader Sr. Glennys Naisy-Param said it has been relatively quiet at the Labour Ward compared to previous years. She explained that the number of mothers coming in to deliver is manageable so it hasn't been quite hectic for the staff.

Wests Tigers recruit David Klemmer is confident the style in which Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall want to bring to the NRL side will help turn recent results around in 2023. Klemmer is adamant he is walking into a club on the rise as the representative front-rower spoke openly about his departure from Newcastle. The trade deal that involved Klemmer and Knights halfback Jackson Hastings is expected to pay off evenly after both clubs missed the finals in 2022. Klemmer will provide vital experience for a young forward pack that will also be led by former Eel Isaiah Papali'i and premiership-winner Api Koroisau. The 29-year-old joins the Wests Tigers on a four-year deal, giving him long-term security he wasn't guaranteed at the Knights. "Clubs have different cultures and I just wanted to make sure I came down here and brought a good standard to the group," Klemmer told Ask the Boss. "It’s been eye-opening seeing how this club operates and the vision Benji [Marshall] and Sheensy [Tim Sheens] have brought to the squad so far, it’s a breath of fresh air for myself. "I know the Tigers didn’t have a good year last year, Knights didn’t have a good year either. But the way [we] played against the top eight and top four teams last year was really appealing. "And the way Benji and Sheensy want to play footy, it’s going to suit this team a lot. We’ve just got to make sure we’ve got the calibre on the field and do it for a whole year not just a couple of weeks. "I see a lot of potential. As soon as I made the decision, I was pretty content with it and pretty happy. I made the right one." Klemmer will have familiar faces around him with Sheens among those who have played a part in his NRL career previously. Sheens handed Klemmer his international debut for the Kangaroos while assistant coaches Robbie Farah (Origin) and David Furner (Knights assistant) have previously worked with the former Blues hardman. "How I go about my business in and around training and off the field and making sure I’m doing the right things [is how I want to be judged]," Klemmer said. "I just want to help the boys coming through and make sure I’m a good role model for them. A lot of them are between just starting and only a couple years of experience so if they do take anything from what I do, I’ll be stoked. "They’ve been trying to make it since they were little fellas as well so if I can help them in any way I’ll be stoked." Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe also explained why the club agreed to the Klemmer-Hastings trade deal to and the former Knights forward. "It’s a pretty young squad so we were obviously looking for someone who had international experience, State of Origin experience and someone who’s a leader," Pascoe said. "All the conversations we’ve had with people about [Klemmer] has been about the high standard and the values he's had. "Obviously we spoke about the family values which are really strong to this club but also the leadership qualities and the fact that you don’t accept people not operating to the standard that you will buy into. "So for us it was pretty easy…we were ecstatic when [he] decided to commit to the club." Source: NRL.Com

K19, 000.00 in total was used to fly home Samarai-Murua District Tertiary students across the country to spend time with their families during this festive season. The Office of the Member for Samarai Murua confirms that 14 tertiary students will benefit from this exercise. MP Isi Henry Leonard has prioritized education as an important sector for the district and even during the festive period, pushed for all students to be flown home to Alotau then to the district from there on. “It is important that our tertiary students go home to spend time with their families, recoup and prepare again for the new year." “Education is a sector we are constantly working on to improve in our district and one way is to ensure our tertiary students are home during the festive period to help their families." Two students have flown home already but 12 remaining students will fly home this week in time to spend New Year January 1st celebrations with MP Mr Leonard and his officials at Bwagaoia Station on Misima island. This sponsorship of the tertiary students was made possible through the District Development Authority education program. This school fee support helps a lot of parents who are simple fishermen and subsistence farmers in the district. Mr Leonard added this will continue for the coming new year 2023 as well.

Congratulations to the eight Papua New Guinean clinicians who successfully completed the Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) instructor training course in Port Moresby recently. The three-day instructor training course provided interactive and hands-on learning on the emergency management of ill and injured children. Participants included Paediatric and Emergency physicians, Anaesthetists as well as one General Practitioner from hospitals across PNG including Port Moresby General Hospital, Goroka, ANGAU Memorial Provincial Hospital and Nonga. With these eight new instructors, PNG now has a total of 16 APLS instructors who have the knowledge and skills to train other clinicians and health care professionals to provide high quality care to children with life threatening emergencies. This instructor training course was delivered by APLS Faculty members from Australia and PNG through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, funded through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

Three islands of Lihir- Mali, Masahet and Mahur communities, health center’s/ aid post and schools have been lit up with Solar power and lights under the New Ireland policy of Lighting Up New Ireland as a development initiative of Governor  Sir Julius Chan. Contractor JWK Ltd completed installation of six (6) 3KVA Solar System, one (1) 5KVA Solar System, thirteen (13) Solar Street Lights and six hundred and thirty two (632) Household Solar Kit on Mali and Masahet Island on the Lihir group of islands as of 8th December 2022. In early January 2023, the contractor JWK Ltd will re- commence work on Mahur Island to install one (1) 5KVA Solar System, three (3) 3KVA Solar System and eight (8) Solar Street Lights. Acting Governor and Tikana LLG President Sammy Missen on behalf of the New Ireland Government congratulated the Nimamar LLG for putting to good use their Special Support Grants ( SSG ). “It is no easy feat delivering such a project. We thank the leaders of Nimamar LLG  for having the vision and foresight to deliver  this Solar project. We also acknowledge the diligent work of contractor JWK Ltd. We call on Newcrest mining to partner with the LLG to carryout more community impact projects like this one. It should automatically come as an obligation because you are operating on their land.” said Sammy Missen. Locals from the project areas expressed gratitude for the Solar System and Lightings. They said, “It will now transform our local environment by lighting up the schools, health centers & aid post, churches and villages. Our community meetings and special events can also be held in the evenings.” Acting Governor Sammy Missen said the New Ireland Government has always maintained good working relations with all LLG's and Development partners and will continue to do so for the betterment of all New Irelanders. “We must work together to transform NIP. Having Tripartite cooperation’s is the way to go especially where there is a resource company in the LLG. Every New Irelander, from new born’s to Lapuns,  deserves a better quality of life and it is our duty as a government, development partners and businesses to provide that,” said Sammy Missen.

Air Niugini has again successfully passed the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) giving the airline validation for the next two years. The IOSA certificate is a global industry standard for airline operational safety auditing. For two decades, IOSA has become the industry benchmark in safety auditing, contributing to improving safety performance. IOSA certification ensures airlines are compliant with safety requirements and recommended practices determined by IATA and is an internationally recognized and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. Under IOSA, accredited auditors assess Air Niugini’s operational management and control systems, including the areas of corporate organization and management, flight operations, operational control, flight dispatch, aircraft engineering and maintenance, cabin operations, aircraft ground handling, cargo operations and operational security Air Niugini’s Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Alabaster said this achievement provides continued assurance that Air Niugini meets world class safety and security standards as measured against IATA’s global benchmark. “At Air Niugini, safety is always our highest priority. It is expressed in everything we do and we are pleased to be one of the few airlines and the only one in PNG audited and certified under the IOSA program, and we remain very proud of maintaining that safety record yet again this year.” Certification enables airlines to review safety processes using a worldwide standard that has become the single internationally accepted safety and security audit process for airlines. Mr Alabaster added “With IOSA certification and auditing, passengers can have comfort in knowing that an IOSA certified airline complies with the most stringent of rules and practices governing aviation safety. It is also one of the prerequisites for codeshare agreements with other international carriers” IOSA certification renewal is every two years with Air Niugini’s latest expiring in October 2024. Air Niugini has successfully passed 9 IOSA audits since 2009 and with every audit, the airline has continuously endeavoured to improve its systems and processes and build the safety conscience of its staff.

Deputy Governor of NCD, Hon Dadi Toka has confirmed that NCD Governor, Hon. Powes Parkop has had a recent health concern that resulted in his hospitalization last week. The health issue was described as complications arising from a cardiac procedure performed recently that led to internal bleeding. Toka confirmed Governor Parkop is currently in a stable condition and recovering. Toka added Governor Parkop was admitted to Port Moresby General Hospital and then Pacific International Hospital here in the Nation’s Capital for treatment. He was then medevacked to Gold Coast University Hospital on 23rd December. Toka went on to say that he is receiving regular medical updates from the care givers at the Gold Coast University Hospital. The comprehensive health screening conducted in the last two days confirmed Governor Parkop is recovering well. Toka in a media statement praised the level of intervention by the team of health professionals at Port Moresby General Hospital and Pacific International Hospital. “We have medevacked him to Australia as per medical advice from the hospital team and consultation with the Parkop family. The medical services required to stabilize his condition are not available in country, and he requires a specialized facility to recover and minimize any further medical risks”. NCDC is grateful and appreciative of the medical teams both from Port Moresby General Hospital and Pacific International Hospital including the Medical Rescue International medevac team for providing intensive care to Governor Parkop. Deputy Governor Toka thanked all residents of Port Moresby and everyone throughout the country for holding the Governor in their prayers and we ask that you to continue to keep our Governor in your prayers during his road to recovery.