The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Lukautim Graun Program and its partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) delivered financial literacy training to 20 participants from various women’s groups, conservation groups and staff of Jiwaka provincial administration. The training was conducted under the USAID LGP ‘Women’s Empowerment Program’ and aims to produce a pool of financial literacy trainers specifically to support rural and remote communities in six provinces in Papua New Guinea. These include Eastern Highlands, Jiwaka, Madang, Milne Bay, Morobe, and Simbu provinces. Newly graduated trainers will be able to deliver programs specially tailored to rural and remote villages on understanding and managing their household and livelihood finances. The five-day financial literacy ‘training of trainers’ program ended on April 22, 2022 with the issue of certificates to the participants. Provincial Administrator for Jiwaka, Joe Karap, when presenting the certificates to the participants, thanked USAID for implementing this program in Jiwaka province. “Jiwaka is a new province and it needs every support it can get from development partners. Thank you, USAID, for choosing my province to implement this program,” said Mr. Karap. Each graduating trainer signed a letter of commitment agreeing to train at least 50 other Jiwaka individuals in financial literacy resulting in a total of 1000 individuals trained in basic financial literacy. In addition to being certified in basic financial literacy training, new graduates also received training on how to help those in rural and remote communities access to online banking services through their mobile phones and options to open bank accounts with MiBank after receiving training. In addition, those trained, including women’s groups, small-to-medium enterprises, faith based-based organizations, and community based conservation groups, can move ahead by choosing to register as banking agents for MiBank in their communities. Participant Roselyn Issac from Aviamp village was excited to attend the training. “I’ve learned a lot in the last five days but one that stands out for me is how to train people to make family budgets and strictly spend within their budget. I will take this with me not only to teach others but to apply it in my own family!”. Thank you, USAID for this opportunity”. Women leader, Eva Simp from Banz, an organization that… said “ The challenge for me is to impart what I have learned to my community. I am pleased that training manuals were provided. This will make it easier for me to impart what I have learned to my community”. This training is part of the USAID’s commitment to provide financial literacy skills to over 1000 entrepreneurs, family business representatives, and women in Papua New Guinea so they can fully participate in the formal economy and access financial services like banking and small-scale village saving and loan schemes. USAID and its implementing partners continue to empower people in rural communities to access economic opportunities that improve their livelihood prospects which, in turn, reduces pressure on forest resources and helps protect Papua New Guinea’s rich biodiversity for future generations. USAID’s Lukautim Graun Program is a five-year USAID funded program led by Cardno International Development in collaboration with Care International, The Nature Conservancy, the PNG Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, Woodland Park Zoo, and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Strong underlying business performance across the Group has resulted in an increased Q1-22 Group Net Profit After Tax, before deduction of the additional company tax, of K259m, compared to K203m for the first quarter 2021. However, the new K190m Additional Company Tax (ACT), which only applies to BSP in the banking sector, has had a significant negative impact on Q1 results, with Group profit falling to K69m after expensing the tax in full in the first quarter. According to BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming, the pre additional company tax Q1-2022 financial results were driven by improving economic conditions and income growth, when compared to Q1-2021. “Growth in BSP’s offshore branches and PNG Bank were the main drivers for the overall uplift in underlying Group NPAT,” according BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming. Mr Fleming said in accordance with accounting standards BSP recognised the full K190m additional company tax in the first quarter this year, reducing Group NPAT to K69m despite our strong underlying performance. “BSP’s share price on the PNGX finished 0.4 percent higher in the trailing 52 weeks at K12.05, with average prices of K12.21 in Mar-22. ASX prices reached an all-time high of A$6.00 after the K1.1bn profit announcement, but fell to A$5.00 in the weeks following the announcement of the additional company tax in March 2022,” said Mr. Fleming. [caption id="attachment_21095" align="alignnone" width="689"] BSP Group Chief-Financial Officer having a discussion with the shareholders representatives after the BSP Quarter 1 profit announcement yesterday at Ravalien Haus.[/caption] Mr. Fleming added that 2021 dividend yields were 14.4 percent and 13.6 percent on the PNGX and ASX respectively, and that BSP paid a record dividend to its shareholders of K626.1m on 22 April 2022. BSP’s market capitalisation on the PNGX was K5.6bn and A$2.2b on the ASX at 31 March 2022. Meanwhile, Mr Fleming stated that BSP Group’s key performance ratios remained strong, with cost-to-income ratio increasing slightly to 37.8 percent but generally in line with recent levels. He added that capital adequacy ratio decreased to 21.3 percent due to timing of the 2021 final dividend which was declared in February this year, while prior years had the final dividends declared in May at the time of the company’s Annual General Meeting of shareholders. Capital adequacy remains well above BPNG’s 12 percent requirement. Group Return on Equity (ROE) was 24.0 percent in Q1-2021, impacted by the ACT. [caption id="attachment_21096" align="alignnone" width="619"] BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming speaking during BSP Quarter 1 Investor and Media Presentation on Monday 25th April, 2022, at the Ravalien Haus in Port Moresby.[/caption] When presenting the first quarter results to investors and the media, Mr. Fleming concluded by stating that the additional company tax is unfair and inequitable, in that BSP is the only bank in PNG that is targeted for this tax and our PNG shareholders are the hardest hit. “It dissuades investor confidence in PNG and sets a dangerous precedent for arbitrary taxes. Super Funds estimate that BSP shareholders will lose K1.0 billion in value directly and indirectly as a result of the tax. “Despite the tax, BSP has and will continue to invest heavily in PNG, with its new core banking system, more ATMs and EFTPOS terminals, and additional branches in Lae and Mt Hagen, an upgrade of Maprik to a full branch and two additional hybrid sub-branches in Telefomin and Palmalmal. BSP’s PNG branch footprint is the largest in the country, with 84 branches and sub-branches, which is significantly more than Westpac’s and Kina Bank’s combined 32 branches in total. Further, BSP branch access ranks highly when compared to other leading banks in comparable markets, with BSP branch coverage per 100,000 people being 1.56, compared to Phongsavanh Bank in Lao at 1.22, ACLEDA Bank in Lao of 1.04, First Bank of Nigeria at 0.56 and the other two retail banks in PNG at 0.32 and 0.28. The first quarter financial results also highlighted that BSP has not increased its fees since 2014 and today forgoes in excess of K90 million per annum in fee income from our fee reductions and waivers since 2014. In addition, BSP provides a large number of fee free services to its customers, far more so than our competitors do and BSP fees are generally much lower than those of our competitors’.”

Manus Province now has a massive new state of art airport terminal after the opening of the upgraded Momote Airport by Prime Minister James Marape yesterday. The upgrade work sees the establishment of the new terminal building, runway extension from 1, 810 meters to 2, 010 meters, a new power station and a market facility. The redevelopment project comes at a cost of K101.9 million that was co-funded by the Asian Development Bank and PNG Government and implemented under the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program (CADIP). Designed resembling a stingray, the new state of art terminal includes departure, arrival and VIP lounges, check-in counters, Close Circuit Camera TV (CCTVs), baggage screening machines, toilet facilities among other modern terminal facilities. The upgraded facility also caters for VISA and immigration processing counters for the case of direct international flights while the airport parking bay itself can accommodate one Boeing 737-800 series aircraft and two Fokker 100 aircraft at one time. Prime Minister James Marape speaking during the opening ceremony said the airport redevelopment is well aligned with his government’s ambition to stimulate economic activities in the province. He said this compliments the recent passing of the Manus Special Economic Zone Bill in parliament that will allow national and international companies to set up and do business in the province without having to pay their corporate tax. He also called on the National Airports Corporation to allocate a space so that they can set up the Head Office for the Special Economic Zone at Momote. “We will commitment K10 million for that establishment and I want the Manus Provincial Government and NAC to work together on that to grow business and commerce activities,” Mr Marape said. “National Fisheries Authority is also tasked to set up cold storage facilities in the province and that will support the ambition of exporting fish products within the country and also overseas.” Civil Aviation Minister Walter Schnaubelt told the people that Manus is fortunate to be part of this important infrastructure redevelopment and must ensure it is sustained well for the long run of its operation. “The sustainability and consistency of the operation of this terminal and airport depend on the care you people of Manus offer,” Mr Schnaubelt said. “It is not only the job of National Airports Corporation to look after the facility, it is everybody’s job.” Present for the opening yesterday Prime Minister James Marape and wife Rachael Marape, Cilvil Aviation Minister Walter Schnaubelt, Fisheries Minister Dr Lino Tom, Commerce and Industry Minister Henry Amuli, Manus Governor Charlie Benjamin, Manus MP and Parliament Speaker Job Pomat along with government departments’ and statutory heads and other senior government officials. The officials received a rousing welcome upon arrival in Manus.

It was another windy day in Kansas last Saturday (Sunday morning PNG time) but that didn’t stop the PNG athletes from posting some more outstanding performances. Competing on their home track in the city of Concordia the athletes continued their excellent recent form with Leroy Kamau again leading the way and with Isila Apkup and Shadrick Tansi also posting great performances. Kamau followed up a wind assisted 10.36 sec clocking in the 100m (+4.7) with a sensational 20.85seconds in the 200m. The following wind (measured at 3.3metres per second) meant that this cant be recognised as a national record but it is once again as sign that Kamau is heading for something special in the near future. Emmanuel Anis finished third in this race in 21.44 seconds with Emmanuel Wanga fourth (21.47) . Shadrick Tansi also returned to form after a low key month , winning the 400m in 48.42 seconds after battling a strong headwind in the home straight. Jonathan Dende finished third in this race with 48.96. Meanwhile Isila Apkup is also running very well and caused an upset to win the 200m in 24.01 seconds (+4.7). Considering that she had already run a 4*100m relay and a 400m race this really was an outstanding result. Meanwhile over in Iowa Roland Hure maintained his consistent long jump form with another effort over 7metres, this time 7.06m. The Kansas based athletes have one more competition this weekend hosted by Butler Community College in El Dorado before their Regional Championships the following weekend. Butler have some very fast runners in the mens sprints so both Kamau and Anis will be hoping that this strong competition will push them to faster times.

The Kokoda Cup will go to the Burleigh Bears again in 2022 following a 34-0 win over the SP PNG Hunters in an emotional ANZAC Day clash during Round 5 of the Hostplus Cup. Wet weather threatened to dampen the historic annual match-up but both sides adapted to the conditions to produce an entertaining 80 minutes. Despite what the scoreboard suggests, the Hunters earned their share of opportunities but the difference lay in Burleigh’s ability to capitalise on field position and weight of possession. From the kick-off, the Hunters defended an early penalty and worked themselves into good field position, only for an attacking grubber on the last to take an unlucky bounce and end up in Burleigh hands. A few minutes and another penalty later and Burleigh did what PNG could not when fullback Taine Tuaupiki scored down the Bears’ right edge. The Hunters responded well after conceding points, working quickly up field and trapping Burleigh on their own line courtesy of a pinpoint kick from Jamie Mavoko. The Bears would have too much class though, sustaining pressure and containing whatever the Hunters threw at them in attack before taking their chances down the other end of the field. The Hunters endured an early injury to right centre Benji Kot which would end his afternoon as well as lasting ten minutes with a man down following Sherwin Tanabi’s sin-binning in the first half. Against a vastly more experienced Burleigh outfit that featured several NRL former stars, a young Hunters side fought bravely until the siren and will take plenty from the loss. Coach’s Comments Head Coach Matt Church was full of pride for the way his players are handling adversity. “I’m proud of my guys, they are putting in until the 80th minute and we are just getting beaten on rugby league education not on our ability as a footy team,” said Church. “Obviously we will own the result but it just wasn’t our day today – even the bounce of the ball just wouldn’t go our way.” “We’ve got the bye week this week so we’ll take the time to review things, refresh and get ourselves ready for Norths.” Result Burleigh Bears 34 def. SP PNG Hunters 0

ANZAC Day is one of Australia’s most important national days to honour the service and sacrifice of men and women who gave their lives for their country and the people they loved. In the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic forced ANZAC Day to be held in small private ceremonies. Today we were able to join those in Australia, New Zealand and the world including across PNG for public commemorative dawn services. Public dawn services were held in 12 locations across Papua New Guinea. These included Bomana in Port Moresby, Isurava in Oro, Alotau in Milne Bay, Popondetta in Oro, Kimbe in West New Britain, Rabaul in East New Britain, Manus, Madang, Wewak in East Sepik, Lae in Morobe, Bulolo in Morobe and Tabubil in Western Province. Defence senior leaders and personnel were part of ANZAC Day ceremonies in Australia and around the world. Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, attended the ANZAC Day dawn service this morning at the Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby. Air Marshal Hupfeld also visited Isurava in Oro and Alotau in Milne Bay to participate in commemorative services. On Anzac Day, at memorials and ceremonies across the country, and around the world, we remember those who served our nation when they were called to do so. We honour the courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice of the ANZAC’s that lives on today. Lest we forget.

The new Additional Company Tax introduced following the March 2022 sitting of Parliament, will ultimately increase uncertainty and reduce investor confidence in PNG, says BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming. “Consequently, the Tax may well result in a further reduction in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) at a time when PNG needs increased FDI,” Mr. Fleming said. According to the BSP Pacific Economic and Market Insight Q1 2022 Report, Mr. Fleming said clearly the new tax will have a direct negative impact on BSP shareholders with the tax taken up in BSP’s first quarter results for 2022. The Report stated that BSP is also hearing concerns from the broader corporate sector about the seemingly arbitrary nature of the tax. “This has resulted in a high degree of business uncertainty that may well reduce their appetite to make decisions on investments and capital expenditure as the tax sends a message to businesses not to invest and strive to be successful,” Mr. Fleming said. Mr. Fleming stated in the report that the new tax will also reduce the attractiveness of PNG’s banking industry, making it less likely that offshore banks will enter the PNG market. This will further reduce competition at a time when ANZ recently exited PNG’s retail market, with the sale of its retail businesses to Kina Bank. “The recent amendments to the Income Tax (Amendment) Act 2022 introduced significant change, with the Additional Companies Tax, based on a company’s market concertation and the one-time tax liability on Digicel of K350 million, appear arbitrary and will adversely impact future business investment decisions, Mr. Fleming added. “When confidence is up, customers are buying, sales are higher, jobs are created, inventory investments are made, capital expenditure increases, and business owners feel assurance that the future for their business looks bright, which then boosts economic growth,” said Mr. Fleming

Through the support of the United States Agency for International Development, the National Democratic Institute held a two-day practical workshop from April 25-26 to promote women’s resilience and mental health ahead of the upcoming elections in Papua New Guinea. The event was held in Port Moresby with almost 20 women political candidates from across PNG’s diverse electorate. The workshop was led by two expert facilitators from the Pacific: Ms. Shirley Kaupa, an expert on Gender-Based Violence in Papua New Guinea, and Mr. Saimone Tuni, a psychologist known for promoting mental health in his home country of Fiji and across the Pacific. Opening the workshop, Theonila Roka Matbo, Minister for Education, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, shared her story of coming into politics and advice for the political hopefuls. “Melanesia is family oriented, but our politics is currently not. We need to see women getting multiple terms in parliament. Until that time, we can’t say that this government is truly Papua New Guinean or truly Bouganvillian,” said Minister Roka Matbo. “The United States government believes that women’s empowerment is not optional - it’s a must,” said David Hatch, Senior Development Advisor for USAID. “We know that Papua New Guinean women are just as qualified as men to hold political positions. We are honored to support this workshop to better enable these women candidates to compete equally and fairly, despite the disadvantages they may face while running for office.” Equitable participation and empowerment of women in politics and government is essential to building and sustaining democracy. While political violence can be experienced by both men and women, violence against women in politics (VAW-P) has three particular characteristics: it targets women because of their gender; it can be gendered in its form; and its impact is to discourage all women from political activity. It is one of the most serious hurdles to women’s full and equal political participation, both globally and in Papua New Guinea. "Many consider that harassment, threats, psychological abuse in-person and online, physical, and sexual assault are ‘the cost of doing politics.’ NDI has been working on challenging this claim by raising awareness of the violence that politically active women face, collecting data on it, and building capacity among partners to mitigate its impact and hold the perpetrators to account,” said Ancuţa Hansen, Senior Director for the Pacific Islands for the National Democratic Institute. The first day of the workshop discussed learnings from around the world and the local context, to explore the impact of violence against women in politics and elections. The participants learned to recognize various tactics of gendered online disinformation and disinformation and ways in which gendered narratives are manipulated and gendered online violence is used in political campaigns. They also gained hand-on skills on how to identify and overcome gendered domination techniques. On the second day, participants learned how to recognize stressors and make sense of psychosocial trauma. Facilitators introduced a range of approaches to build personal and organizational resilience to stress and trauma. This includes stress management and self-care strategies and creating networks of support and solidarity. Finally, participants were equipped with skills to mitigate harassment and disinformation campaigns, map stakeholders, and advocate for action.

Digicel Financial Services Limited and PNG Air have entered into a partnership to enable PNG Air customers to pay their tickets electronically using Digicel CellMoni. Through this partnership, officially launched today, PNG Air customers can book and pay their airline tickets using CellMoni without having to travel physically to a PNG Air Office or travel agency. An online booking can be made through the PNG Air website (www.pngair.com.pg) or by calling PNG Air Customer Care on 16 111 and select the CellMoni payment option. Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer, Colin Stone, commented that Digicel is delighted to collaborate with PNG Air to provide the technology to allow customers to make remote payments and cash collection across Papua New Guinea. Mr. Stone said, “This partnership reinforces our continued commitment of investing in Papua New Guinea and the future generations of this country with innovative products and services, especially to marginalized, rural and remote communities that find it difficult to access financial services. PNG Air customers who are also Digicel customers will experience the ease and comfort of paying for airline tickets from the comfort of their home or office. As we say in Digicel, we are better together.” “The CellMoni service spans through all of PNG similar to the Digicel network, providing financial inclusion into the market place for those that are unable to access formal financial solutions.” As PNG Air marks 35 years of connecting Papua New Guinea in 2022, the decision to add CellMoni Payments is both a timely and strategic one. PNG Air Acting Chief Executive officer, Mr. Stanley Stevens said, “By having CellMoni as a form of payment for tickets, our customers now have the flexibility and more ways to pay for their PNG Air tickets. The bridge that CellMoni provides is beneficial as it enables us to connect more Papua New Guineans with their families, wantoks and businesses all across PNG.” Below are the steps for booking PNG Air tickets and making payments with CellMoni: 1. Call PNG Air Customer Care on 16 111 or visit the www.pngair.com.pg website and book your flight, next select ‘I want to pay with CellMoni’. 2. Visit any of the 1,300 CellMoni Agents across PNG to deposit cash to the value of your airline ticket in your CellMoni wallet. 3. Make payment using your Digicel phone · Dial *888# · Select Option 4. Payments · Select Option 1. Pay Bill · Select Option 4. PNG Air · Enter CellMoni Payment Reference number (shown on the booking confirmation). · Enter Amount · Enter CellMoni PIN to complete transaction There is no additional charge and customers will save time and money when paying with Digicel CellMoni. CellMoni is a digital wallet from Digicel, which allows everyone to avail of digital payments without the need to have a formal bank account. This means facilitating faster and safer financial transactions, which has the potential to significantly increase the financial inclusion in the country as well as improve the livelihood of its citizens no matter where they are across Papua New Guinea. CellMoni is available wherever the Digicel Network is available and is extendable to all Digicel mobile customers. It is easy to use, safe and secure. For more information contact CellMoni Customer care on 888 or email on Cellmoni.Support@digicelgroup.com

Commissioner of Police and Controller of the PNG National Pandemic Response David Manning today revoked previous Measure No.9 issued under the National Pandemic Act 2021 and replaced it with a new measure which became effective on April 22, 2022. Under the new Measure No 9: 1. All persons should where possible wear masks to protect Papua New Guinea from COVID-19. 2. No person shall be permitted entry to, or otherwise remain within, any enclosed space within an Establishment as defined in paragraph 8, unless the person is wearing a Mask or Face Covering, in a manner which covers their mouth, nose and chin. 3. No person shall be permitted entry into an aircraft anywhere in PNG unless the person is wearing a Mask or Face Covering in a manner which covers their mouth, nose and chin. 4. No person shall remove their Mask or Face Covering whilst on an aircraft in PNG in a manner which covers their mouth, nose and chin, except in the case of an emergency. 5. The pilots of the plane are exempt from paragraphs 3 and 4. 6. The following persons are exempted from these Measures: a. Children under 12; b. Persons with underlying medical conditions which inhibit their ability to wear a Mask or Face Covering, including persons with physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability; c. Persons who are unable to place or remove a Mask or Face Covering without assistance; d. Persons undergoing dental treatment or other medical care to the extent that the procedure requires that no face covering may be worn; e. Persons within an area of work designated for them and not for public access, and who can work in an environment whereby they are a minimum of 2 meters from any other person; f. Persons participating in sporting activities; g. When directed to remove the face covering to ascertain identity; and h. During emergencies. 7. A person is exempted from these Measures if she or he removes their mask or face covering to eat, drink or take medication. 8. An establishment for the purpose of these measures are: a. health facilities, including but not limited to hospitals, clinics and chemists; and b. airports. 9. For the purpose of these Measures a Mask or Face Covering must cover the nose, mouth and chin, and includes any article of clothing including any paper or textile covering designed or made to be worn over the nose, mouth and chin to protect the wearer. It does not have to be medical grade, may be handmade and includes scarfs and bandanas. 10. For the purposes of these measures, a business, organisation or government department or agency who fails to take reasonable steps to ensure adherence to the Measures shall be deemed to have committed an offence under the National Pandemic Act 2020. 11. For the purpose of paragraph 15, reasonable steps shall include but are not limited to: a. denying entry to persons not wearing a mask or face covering; b. requesting a person to leave an Establishment if they are not wearing a Mask or Face Covering and are not exempted by these Measures from wearing a Mask or Face Covering; c. providing a Mask or Face Covering to employees and making it the company or organisation’s mandatory policy that Masks and Face Coverings are worn in compliance with these Measures. 12. An individual or organisation who fails to adhere to the Measure shall be deemed to have committed an offence under the National Pandemic Act 2020. 13. Non-compliance with this Measure should be reported to an authorised officer or the Provincial Police Commander. 14. Any Authorised Officer(s) appointed by the Controller pursuant to the Act, shall carry out and enforce the measures accordingly. 15. These Measures come into effect on 22 April 2022 and shall apply until the end of the Declaration of a pandemic under the Act, or as varied or revoked by the Controller.

PGC President Vidhya Lakhan and CEO Andrew Minogue have conducted their final inspection visit to Saipan in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) – the host of the 2022 Pacific Mini Games from 17-25 June. From 19-21 April, President Lakhan and CEO Minogue attended numerous meetings, including a courtesy call on the CNMI Governor, the Hon. Ralph Torres; a board meeting of the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022 Games Organising Committee (NMPMG 2022) chaired by Mr Marco T. Peter; as well as a meeting with the Executive Board of the host Pacific Games Association (NMSA), chaired by Mr Jerry Tan. Individual meetings were also held by the PGC delegation with each of the competition managers and venue managers for the nine sports on the Pacific Mini Games program. This included visits to each of the Saipan-based competition venues, all of which are either ready now, or their renovations will be completed by late May. Visits were also made to both Athletes’ Village sites (the Grandvrio and PIC hotels) as well as to the media and Games results centre. Meetings were also held with the key NMPMG 2022 staff, including CEO Ben Babauta and his operational directors, to ensure that the final planning for Games services like accreditation, transport, sports are on track. In comments to the local media at the final press conference, President Lakhan said, “I am pleased with the state of preparations for the 11th Pacific Mini Games. All the stakeholders are working well together to deliver the venues and operational plans." "While work remains to be done to complete the preparations, including on the visa entry process for several countries, the PGC now expects the CNMI will be ready to host a successful Pacific Mini Games in June." "On behalf of the PGC, I sincerely thank Governor Torres and his Administration for the outstanding support they are providing to NMSA and NMPMG 2022 to be able to successfully host the 11th Pacific Mini Games despite the trials of the Covid-19 pandemic and the super typhoons which set back preparations in 2018/19." "I now urge our 24 PGA members across the Pacific to do their utmost to send their largest possible delegations of athletes in a show of support and solidarity to our hosts in the CNMI and their populations across Saipan, Rota and Tinian”.

The visit came as the war in Ukraine enters its third month with no end in sight, many thousands of people dead, millions having become refugees, and cities reduced to rubble. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has visited Kyiv, according to a Ukrainian presidential adviser. He met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and was expected to discuss the country's request for more weapons to repel the Russian invasion. This is the first visit by a senior US official since Russia invaded Ukraine 60 days ago - and Mr Zelenskyy had announced the planned visit during a news conference in an underground train station on Saturday. [caption id="attachment_21033" align="aligncenter" width="843"] The situation in Ukraine on day 58 of the war (Friday 22 April)[/caption] Mr Zelenskyy had said he expected the Americans to produce results, warning: "You can't come to us empty-handed today, and we are expecting not just presents or some kind of cakes, we are expecting specific things and specific weapons." The president had also said that more weapons would allow Ukrainian forces to "immediately" retake territories that are "temporarily occupied" by Russian troops. Confirming the meeting had now taken place, presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych told a Ukrainian television station: "Let's hope something will be decided on further help." While the West has funnelled military equipment to Ukraine, Mr Zelenskyy has stressed repeatedly that his country needs more heavy weapons, including long-range air defence systems and warplanes. Key developments: • Ukraine has proposed talks with Russia over the fate of civilians and troops who remain in Mariupol • No humanitarian routes were established out of Mariupol on Sunday - Ukrainian officials hope to try again on Monday • Boris Johnson described Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine as "nauseating" and "blatant aggression" during a call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres • An unspecified number of civilians were killed by Russian shelling in Ukraine's Luhansk region on Sunday, local officials claim • The war in Ukraine is entering its third month with no end in sight - with many thousands of people killed, millions becoming refugees, and cities reduced to rubble [caption id="attachment_21034" align="aligncenter" width="861"] This building was damaged after a missile strike in Odesa on Saturday. Pic: State Emergency Service Of Ukraine in Odesa Oblast[/caption] Eight people killed in missile attack on Odesa Meanwhile, a three-month-old baby girl was among eight people killed after Russia fired cruise missiles at the Black Sea port city of Odesa, according to Ukrainian officials. Speaking about the casualties, Mr Zelenskyy said: "The war started when this baby was one-month-old. Can you imagine what is happening? "They are just b******* - I don't have any other word for it - just b*******." The baby's mother and grandmother were also killed, and 18 people were injured, according to reports. Boris Johnson spoke to Mr Zelenskyy on Saturday and confirmed Britain would supply new weapons to support Ukraine. A readout of the call published by No 10 said: "The prime minister confirmed that the UK is providing more defensive military aid, including protected mobility vehicles, drones and anti-tank weapons." SOURCE: SKY NEWS