The revelation that the total economic cost of violence against children in Fiji is estimated to be $460million or 4 per cent of Fiji’s GDP is a shocking reminder for us all about our state of affairs! We are talking about violence here, and abuse! We are talking about vulnerable members of society. We are talking about the future of our nation. When you get down to the base of negativity and how that is supposed to impact us as a nation in the future, it can get scary. The statistics were revealed in a joint survey by UNICEF and the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection survey. The study – Economic Costs of Violence Against Children in Fiji – revealed that 81 per cent of children between one and 14 years experience some form of violent discipline, 65 per cent experience psychological aggression while 68 per cent experience some form of physical punishment in their lifetime. In saying that, we also reflect on the sensitive issue of child discipline. That comes with its fair share of expectations, and opinions. There are different views about child discipline out there, and they are connected to laws and expectations now ingrained in society. Anyway, this latest report, endorsed by Minister Lynda Tabuya, explains how children in Fiji experience abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence on a daily basis. This not only affects their physical and mental health, the study suggested, but also leads to challenges in education, social services and their overall quality of life. It notes the long-term impacts are well documented. Children who suffer abuse, it warned, are more likely to become violent adults, perpetuating a cycle that negatively impacts the economic wellbeing of families for generations. Through this study, we learn about the total economic cost of violence against children in Fiji. When you break that down, the costs include $19.33m in direct medical costs, $14.96m in direct non-medical costs, $140.41m in indirect tangible costs and $285.12m in indirect intangible costs. The study also picks on interventions. It suggests that while significant, this large economic burden could be averted through targeted investments in interventions that prevent and respond to violence against children. In Parliament last week, Ms Tabuya said the report provided a basis for their 2022 to 2027 Action Plan. What we have here is a wake-up call because it represents the impact of violence, as we point out, on our vulnerable members of society! We have to confront this challenge head on. Ignoring this could affect the very fabric of society. So we can either keep quiet about it, or work together to break the cycle of violence, for our future wellbeing. So let’s take meaningful steps to create a supportive environment for our children. And while we are at it, let’s try to also navigate the sensitive topic of child discipline. We have been talking about this for some time, and we have writers to the Letters to the Editor column expressing their views. We accept that the issue brims with expectations and opinions. Let’s face it, societal norms, cultural perspectives, and legal frameworks can shape our understanding of discipline and violence. We realise there are complexities, but we have to start somewhere! And while we are at it, let’s talk about how we can navigate our way through the complex situations we are facing now!
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Saquon Barkley ninth player with 2,000-yard rushing seasonIndianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen seemed to sense the question might arise after his club was eliminated from playoff consideration Sunday with a ghastly 45-33 loss to the host New York Giants in East Rutheford, N.J. The Giants were 2-13 and had lost a franchise-record 10 straight games entering the contest and their season-high point total Sunday more than tripled their season average of 14.3 points per game. It was the type of bad loss that leads to head coaches being asked about their job security. "I control what I can control," Steichen said of the employment situation. The Colts (7-9) were outplayed all contest by the team that entered the day with the worst record in the NFL -- and with their playoff hopes on the line. Last season, Steichen's first as Indianapolis coach, the Colts also fell short, losing to the Houston Texans in the final week of the season to miss the playoffs. "It was as disappointing as it gets," Steichen said of the setback against the Giants. "As the leader of a football team, shoot, I always say I've got to be better, we've all got to be better. That's a group effort, everyone's got to chip in and do their part, so stuff like that doesn't happen." Giants quarterback Drew Lock passed for 309 yards and tied his career high of four touchdowns while also running for a score. Meanwhile, the Colts also went with a reserve quarterback in veteran Joe Flacco and he turned the ball over three times on two interceptions and a fumble. He also passed for 330 yards. Flacco started because rookie Anthony Richardson couldn't play due to back and foot injuries. Indianapolis completes the season next weekend at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. "I know it's a tough situation, obviously, when you're out of the playoff hunt, but again, I told (the team) we've got to be professional about it," Steichen said. "That's the biggest thing. We've got to show up and do our job still with one week left." The Colts last made the playoffs in the 2020 season. Their last playoff win was two seasons earlier. --Field Level Media
ECPD to spend $440K on new crime-fighting technology
Copy link Copied Copy link Copied Subscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Already a subscriber? Login It looks like a sparkling pét-nat-style wine in the glass: slightly hazy, pale pink, gently fizzy. It smells and tastes like a rosé prosecco spritz: herbal, spicy, refreshing but slightly bitter too. It’s just the thing you’ll want to drink over the looming hot summer holiday period. But it’s not made from grapes and it contains zero alcohol. In fact, the just-released new batch of Conscious Drink – a collaboration between bushfood company Kakadu Kitchen, food-rescue organisation OzHarvest, and non-alcoholic drinks producer ALTD Spirits – is made from blueberries that would otherwise have gone to landfill, and is flavoured with native botanicals from First Nations suppliers. Not only that, but some of the proceeds from the sale of the drink go to feed people in need and plant more native ingredients. Copy link Copied Copy link Copied Subscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Already a subscriber? Login Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Fetching latest articles
Jude Bellingham came to the defence of Kylian Mbappe after the forward's nightmare performance at Anfield in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Real Madrid . The France star missed a penalty at 1-0 to compound a miserable game on Merseyside in which he was shackled by Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate throughout. With Vinicius Junior missing due to injury, the pressure was on Mbappe to perform in his more favoured wide-left attacking role, but he looked a shadow of his best self as Liverpool claimed a convincing win through goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo. Former Real Madrid and Liverpool winger Steve McManaman accused Mbappe of failing to step up when his team needed him the most in the absence of several injured stars. MORE: All the latest soccer news | Real Madrid news | Explaining how 'socios' own Real Madrid "They needed him tonight," he told TNT Sport. "Without Vinicius, without some of the other stars, they needed him to do something. He flattered to deceive, and that was his moment. That was his moment. "The Madrid press, they'll be quite ruthless tomorrow, and they'll be ruthless about Kylian because he just didn't deliver again when they needed him to. "Madrid are going through a rough patch at the moment, and the big players are not playing well, so that shines a light on him even more. Vinicius is not here. Will Kylian step up tonight? No, he won't." Kylian Mbappé's first 1,500 minutes of competitive football in a Real Madrid shirt has been... underwhelming? pic.twitter.com/qDjJMaoAei Mbappe's teammates were quick to stand by him, though. Bellingham made it clear that the missed penalty was not the reason behind their defeat, even if it came at a critical moment. "It's a big moment in the game, but it can happen. He's a wonderful player, but the pressure given how good he is is huge," he told BT Sport. "The penalty's not the reason why we lost the game. As a collective, we weren't good enough. Kylian can keep his head high. I know for sure he'll produce many more moments that are huge for this club. "To be fair, from the first minute, they took control of the game. We never really maximised the spells we had in possession. They were more up for it than us, which is really disappointing to say. It's a bad result against the best-performing team in Europe. It's no disgrace, but it's a bad result." Luka Modric told Movistar that Mbappe is "training well and with confidence" and stressed that things would eventually click. "Sometimes, it doesn't work out, like today with the penalty," he said. "But we have confidence in him and I'm sure Kylian will end up doing what is expected of him."
Josko Gvardiol’s Man City disasterclass snatches ignominy from the jaws of victoryIn a message to the American people, the King expressed “great sadness” at the news of Mr Carter’s death, describing him as “a committed public servant” who “devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights”. He added: “His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977. “My thoughts and prayers are with President Carter’s family and the American people at this time.” Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981 and spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Carter had “lived his values in the service of others to the very end” through “decades of selfless public service”. Praising a “lifelong dedication to peace” that saw him win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Sir Keir added: “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad.” Tributes to Mr Carter followed the announcement of his death by his family on Sunday, more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.” Very sorry to hear of President Carter’s passing. I pay tribute to his decades of selfless public service. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. pic.twitter.com/IaKmZcteb1 — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 29, 2024 US President Joe Biden, one of the first elected politicians to endorse Mr Carter’s bid for the presidency in 1976, said the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”. He said: “Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us.” Vice President Kamala Harris said Mr Carter “reminded our nation and the world that there is strength in decency and compassion”. “His life and legacy continue to inspire me — and will inspire generations to come,” she said. “Our world is a better place because of President Carter.” Other UK politicians also paid tribute to Mr Carter. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he was “an inspiration” who “led a truly remarkable life dedicated to public service with a genuine care for people”. Scottish First Minister John Swinney described the former president as “a good, decent, honest man who strove for peace in all that he did”, while Welsh First Minister said he was “a remarkable man” and “a humanitarian and scholar”. Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said Mr Carter’s “life was a testament to public service”. He added: “I always had the greatest respect for him, his spirit and his dedication. He fundamentally cared and consistently toiled to help those in need.” Gordon Brown, another former prime minister, said it was a “privilege” to have known Mr Carter, who “will be mourned, not just in America, but in every continent where human rights are valued”. Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington DC before being buried in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and, finally, the White House, where he took office as 39th president in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked more than four decades leading The Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Under his leadership, the Carter Center virtually eliminated Guinea Worm disease, which has gone from affecting 3.5 million people in Africa and Asia in 1986 to just 14 in 2023. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public service
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