The Electoral Commission Appointments Committee (ECAC) has recently approved the appointment of Mr. Simon Sinai as the new Electoral Commissioner. Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP and the Chairman of the Committee said the ECAC has approved to advise the Head of State to appoint Mr Sinai as the Electoral Commissioner for a maximum of four (4) years or until he reaches 60 years of age, whichever occurs first, effective from 1st December 2021 and directed the First Legislative Counsel to prepare the necessary instruments of revocation and appointment of Mr. Simon Sinai as Electoral Commissioner for gazettal. The Prime Minister said Mr. Sinai was appointed after a thorough screening and vetting process. The Electoral Commission Appointments Committee deliberated on a shortlist taking into consideration provisions of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Elections. Following much deliberation, a majority consensus was reached that Mr. Sinai stood out as the most preferred candidate. He said Mr. Sinai was the successful candidate because he comes with 30 years of experience working with the Electoral Commission. "During his time with the Electoral Commission, Mr. Sinai was able to identify the most common problems faced in elections and initiated administrative changes to the structure of the Commission and the election process and management," Prime Minister Marape said. "Mr. Sinai also used his experience and demonstrated strong management and leadership skills amidst a difficult budgetary environment that has been compounded with the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, and  conducted and delivered a satisfactory Menyamya Open By-Election, Goroka Open By-Election, Autonomous Region of Bougainville Regional Elections, the court-ordered Kandep Open recount as well as the Moresby Northwest By-Election. "Also, under Mr. Sinai's leadership, the Commission successfully trialled the first biometric voting verification system in the Kupiano LLG By-Election." [caption id="attachment_17430" align="aligncenter" width="572"] PNGEC successfully trialled the first biometric voting verification system in the Kupiano LLG By-Election last year. Picture by Emmanuel MAIPE[/caption] The Prime Minister further added that Mr. Sinai has been Acting on the position for the last 15 months and the successful By-Elections mentioned in this statement show that he has adjusted well to the challenges of the role, making him the ideal candidate for the position. Additionally, the Prime Minister said that to have another shortlisted candidate appointed would be disruptive to the progress made under Mr. Sinai’s leadership on preparations for the 2022 National General Elections such as the common roll update, further testing into biometric voter registration, and finalizing other key proposed electoral reforms before 2022.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong has confirmed the two travellers from Africa currently in quarantine are confirmed positive for the Omicron variant. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services announced last week that travellers who had arrived from an African state and were undergoing quarantine in a border quarantine facility had tested positive for COVID-19. Their samples had been sent to the reference laboratory in Australia for urgent genomic sequencing. Doctor Fong says the two travellers are Fijian citizens who had travelled back into Fiji from Nigeria, arriving on Fiji Airways flight FJ1392 from Hong Kong on November 25th – the day the discovery of the Omicron variant was announced internationally. Both travellers tested negative for COVID-19 before departure and before they left Nigeria. Doctor Fong says they entered a government-designated border quarantine facility immediately upon arrival into Fiji, tested positive while in quarantine, currently have no symptoms, and were fully vaccinated. With the exception of four passengers, all those on the flight were from non-travel partner countries, and therefore entered a border quarantine facility upon arrival to undergo the full quarantine protocol of 10 days. Doctor Fong says that has since been extended to 14 days. The four passengers on the flight who were from a travel partner country have tested negative. The Fiji Airways crew and accompanying passengers from FJ 1392 have tested negative at least twice. Doctor Fong says the indications are that we have averted community transmission at this time, and the measures they had put in place to prevent, or at least delay, community transmission through the importation of cases from red zone countries have worked well so far. He says Fiji’s red zone designated countries are countries that we consider at high risk of proliferating variants. These are countries with low vaccination rates, poor testing data, and an ongoing outbreak. Doctor Fong says as previously highlighted, the protocols in place for the red zone countries were to isolate for 5 days and test negative twice before we approve their re-entry. In Fiji, they undergo 14 days of strict quarantine and testing in a government-designated border quarantine facility. Doctor Fong says the evidence on Omicron variant’s impact on the transmissibility of the virus, severity of disease, and effect of prior immunity (from vaccination or infection) is still in the very early stages so conclusions cannot be made yet. However, he says the preliminary evidence is that this variant may be more transmissible than the Delta variant; it may cause reinfection in people who have been previously infected with another variant; and it has been seen to infect people who are fully vaccinated – although, so far, the fully vaccinated cases have been generally mild or with no symptoms. The Permanent Secretary says it must be re-emphasized that, if a variant is transmissible enough, stringent border and community measures will only delay the inevitable entry and spread of current and future variants of the COVID-19 virus, especially as the Omicron variant is also spreading into some of our travel partner countries. He says to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our country, we must all get vaccinated when it is our turn, and even with our high vaccination levels, we must maintain COVID safe habits: mask wisely by carrying a well-fitted mask when you leave your home and wear the mask properly in public indoor spaces, public service vehicles, and outdoor crowded spaces; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; 2-metre physical distancing and ensure you are wearing a mask if you cannot maintain distance; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue, wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. SOURCE: FIJI VILLAGE

With more than K10,000 in cash prizes to win, plus opportunities for the winners to retail their products in local shops, a new micro-SME business competition launched by Lily Magazine today aims to discover homemade PNG goods that stand out from the crowd. Called ‘HOMEMADE’, the product search is the biggest competition yet run by PNG’s top-selling women’s magazine and will include four categories: Edible, Wearable, Useful and Artistic. “We want to recognise and reward innovation wherever we find it,” Lily editor Margo Nugent said. “I keep hearing about small local businesses that are creating really different products, from the guy making paper bags from Mekeo banana trees to a woman weaving dried Gulf river reeds into beautiful hoop earrings and the little girl using the wax from her family’s Goroka honeybees to make scented lip balm. “Our judging panel will be looking for products that are distinctly original, preferably made from PNG materials, with extra credit going to those who have invented something to fix a particular problem or to meet a particular need that nobody else has met.” All the winning products, along with a selection of the finalists, will be showcased in the next January 2022 issue of Lily to give a promotional platform to the businesses and provide a handy shopping guide for readers. ‘Homemade’ will incorporate four categories: 1. EDIBLE From farm to table: eg. crops, fish and livestock through to condiments and baked goods 2. WEARABLE eg. clothes, shoes, jewellery, hats 3. USEFUL eg. toys, kitchen gadgets, tools, machines, camping items, furniture, furnishings, recyclables, skin care lines (soap, perfume, oils etc) 4. ARTISTIC Decorative pieces from any medium: eg. metal, timber, ceramics, stone, fibre The most innovative product chosen from these four category winners will win the grand prize of K6000 cash from sponsor partners Kina Bank, BSP and the PNG-Aus Partnership, along with an assistance package worth about K2000 from PNG-owned online SME consultancy agency Vai Virtual, including business name and trademark registration, and TIN lodgement. The runner-up will receive K2500 cash and the two other category winners will receive K1000 cash each from the PNG-Aus Partnership. All four category winners will receive a K250 gift voucher from Brian Bell Homecentres, while SME fashion and accessories label Maku Gifts/Lavagirl will assist with bringing the winning products of the wearable, useful and artistic categories to market through its gift stores, and CPL/Stop & Shop will assist with bringing the winning edible product to market in its supermarkets. Entries open today, Monday, December 6, 2021, and close on Friday, December 31, 2021. To enter, inbox the Lily PNG Facebook page, website www.lilymagazinepng.com or email lily@moore.com.pg A judging panel including Lily editor Margo Nugent and Maku Gifts owner Annette Sete, along with other sponsor partners, will decide on the winners to be announced in January 2022 upon release of the new Lily issue 25.

Ten young PNG women graduated as ‘Officers of the Watch’ last week. The women, who were all cadets at Pacific Towing (PacTow), represented the first intake of scholarship awardees in the trailblazing ‘Women in Maritime’ program. The training program is a partnership between PacTow, the Australian Government, Swire Shipping, and Consort Express Lines. The Women in Maritime program commenced in 2018. To date, 26 women have been awarded a scholarship as either a Deck or Engine cadet. A further four women will commence the program in 2022. The ten newly graduated Officers of the Watch are listed below. They are now fully qualified to take on full watch keeping duties in their capacity as either a Mate3 or Engineer 3. As such, they are poised to make vital contributions to growing and further professionalising PNG’s shipping and marine services sector. • Eddesha Aigil • Glenda Amu • Jamie-Lee Baim • Kimberly Kipla • Lylella Kunai • Venessah Philipai • Mary Roroipe • Irima Rua • Salomie Tomwarie Wole • Amy-Lee Turia PacTow General Manager Neil Papenfus, describes the Women in Maritime program as “a trailblazing initiative that is helping train PNG’s next generation of seafaring professionals.” He says that “the skills and knowledge gained by the ten new Officers of the Watch will benefit PNG for decades to come.” Scholarship holders in the Women in Maritime program receive both classroom and practical training. The practical training comprises an onshore component, as well as vital sea time. The women’s PNG sea time is on PacTow vessels as well as on sister company Consort Express Lines’ vessels. Significantly, Swire Shipping provides the cadets with international sea time. [caption id="attachment_17422" align="aligncenter" width="653"] Pacific Towing General Manager Neil Papenfus[/caption] During their cadetships, the recent graduates visited ports in Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Thailand on Swire Shipping vessels. The international sea time exposed the cadets to much bigger, more sophisticated, and diverse vessels, than those that typically enter PNG waters. The graduation ceremony took place last Friday evening on Steamships’ pleasure cruiser ‘Moresby Chief’ during an evening cruise on Fairfax Harbour. In addition to the graduates, the ceremony was attended by several VIP guests including the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Technology & Science, Dr Francis Hualupmomi, the Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian High Commission, Paul Lehmann, the First Secretary Education & Leadership of the Australian High Commission, Shaun Liew, the Country Manager of Swire Shipping, Alistair Skingley, and the Managing Director of Steamships, Rupert Bray. Although the officers will be able to accept employment elsewhere, Steamships’ businesses such as PacTow will be making several offers. It is almost certain that some of the female officers employed, will help PacTow achieve its goal of having an all-female operated tugboat operating from its Port Moresby headquarters in 2023. To learn more about Pacific Towing, including its commitment to gender equality and training initiatives: www.pacifictowingmarineservices.com

The Solomon Islands prime minister has come in for searing criticism as he faced a confidence vote in parliament today. A motion of no confidence against Manasseh Sogavare is being debated amid tight security in Honiara, where hundreds of regional security forces have deployed following major political unrest less than two weeks ago. About 250 defence force and police personnel from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand are on high alert in anticipation of potential unrest around the outcome of the vote. Local media reported that numerous local families departed from Honiara aboard interisland ferries to return to home villages to avoid potential unrest in the capital, where many shops and schools have also closed. The motion was tabled by the Opposition leader, Matthew Wale, who has accused Sogavare of allowing corruption to fester, and of treating the people of Malaita province with contempt. Malaitans played a central role in the late November protest that sparked the unrest, which left extensive destruction in Honiara, prompting Sogavare's request for regional security help. Malaita's provincial premier Daniel Suidani, whose administration has fallen out with the national government, especially over the country's move to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China, has denied claims by the coalition that he instigated the unrest. Wale told parliament that the actions of the rioters should not obscure the real issue behind the unrest. "We must condemn all the criminality in the strongest terms, but it pales, Mr Speaker, in comparison to the looting happening at the top," he said. Speaking in favour of the motion, former prime minister Rick Hounipwela described Sogavare as the ultimate opportunist whose accession to prime minister over four stints "has always been under abnormal circumstances". Blaming the prime minister for negligent management of the country's finances, Hounipwela said the country's corruption problem had deepened under Sogavare's rule. "We've experienced huge tax exemptions worth millions of dollars given to the people who least needed it, usually the loggers and mining operators." [caption id="attachment_17416" align="aligncenter" width="902"] Manasseh Sogavare speaks on the steps of Solomon Islands National Parliament. Photo: Forum Solomon Islands International[/caption] In today's debate on the motion, Sogavare said the motion had been filed against the backdrop of an illegal attempted coup. "When we are under attack from forces of evil, we must stand up for what is right, we must stand up to this tyranny. We cannot entertain violence being used to tear down a democratically elected government." Sogavare rejected the opposition's accusation of corruption against him. Hounipwela, the MP for Small Malaita, accused the prime minister of using the pandemic State of Emergency to give himself authoritarian powers. He also claimed Sogavare has used police to repress public criticism of his leadership, and of directing foreign embassies and high commissions in the country to notify the government of their moves around the provinces. "To vote against [the motion], members would be aiding and abetting his zeal for power and to rule this country with an iron fist. That's what we see as a track record." Seating arrangements in parliament today suggest Sogavare will win the confidence vote. SOURCE: RNZ NEWS

Graduates of Christian Leaders Training College in Banz, Jiwaka Province, yesterday were privileged to have had the country’s Prime Minister, witness and address their graduation ceremony. Prime Minister James Marape who flew into Mount Hagen yesterday morning and was ferried by Heli Solutions Chief Pilot, Captain James Pima, into Paglum Adventist Secondary School to attend his Sabbath Service. After a quiet service in his former school, the Prime Minister was taken to Banz where he attended the 54th graduation ceremony of CLTC. Witnessed by community members, families of graduates, dignitaries, members of parliament and church representatives, Prime Minister Marape, commended the graduates for responding to the greater calling of serving the Lord. Marape said during this time of challenges, his government is working towards steering the country to the right direction. He commended the CLTC in Banz for including agriculture in its Christian curriculum as it encourages people to tend to the land as stated in the book of Genesis. Vice Chancellor of University of Technology, Professor Ora Renagi   who delivered the key note speech touched on the challenges that lie ahead for Christian leaders in the country but encouraged them to be visionary and strong in carrying out changes into the communities they’re responsible to. Jiwaka Governor, Dr William Tongamp, commended the locals for keeping the college to its standards and briefly highlighted plans to expand the campus in the new future. CLTC every year, graduates church leaders and its’ spouses from different denominations and even accepts students from the neighbouring Pacific Islands such as Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Fiji. Spouses of student leaders undertaking graduate to post graduate courses are required to take up certificate of Bible and Ministry courses in Tok Pisin in order for a spouse to support his husband or wife in the ministry work he or she is undertaking at the college.

National Capital District Commission has partnered with Unity Mall at Waigani to provide free vending space for over 200 SME owners who are now selling their products and goods. Sponsored by Unity Mall & Supermarket, SME Service Centre, National Capital District Commission, Ox & Palm, E-Products Limited, Supreme Industries Limited, Pacific International Hospital, SESAG, Paradise Foods, Fathima Limited, and Tourism Promotion Authority, the SME Fair was officially launched by Prime Minister James Marape and NCD Governor Powes Parkop on Friday (December 3, 2021) at the mall. The occasion was witnessed by state ministers, members of Parliament, business leaders, NCDC senior officials and others including the SME owners. The National Government has made its commitment to reach a target of 500,000 successful SMEs operating in the country by 2030. PM Marape, in his keynote speech, stated: ’Getting your hands dirty, doing business and generating income is where you can help your country moving forward." He encouraged Papua New Guineans to embrace SME strongly and stop being dependent on free handouts. The Unity Mall is a concept that has come into existence by the PNG Christian Professionals Network to support business-minded individuals especially women to operate and be successful in the SME space. “I am here to give our government’s support to you all because the concept is right in terms of embracing women and those who need to be in the SME space,” said PM Marape. To support the national governments SME policy, Governor Powes has initiated the SME Service Centre to support SMEs in both training and funding. Governor Parkop challenged SMEs in NCD to make use of the privilege in making the difference now to be successful not only for the city but the entire country. “The time is now to participate in our economy and benefit from the wealth of our nation,” Governor Parkop said. Governor Parkop stated that when in SME, it all depends on hard work, investing, time, resources, and setting goals and focusing on those goals without allowing any other issues to affect the goals set. Deputy City Manager for Corporate Affairs, Ms Patricia Mesa Solon also highlighted NCDC’s vision for a productive, livable, sustainable city of Port Moresby. “Through our leaders’ wisdom, they have seen the need to support the development of SMEs with collaborative effort with the private sector. NCDC will give its support to complement the National Government’s SME policy,” Ms Solon said. Speaking at the occassion, City Pharmacy Limited's Executive Director Sir Mahesh Patel said the focus now should be developing SMEs in the country. “For too long PNG has been relying on extractive industries. We must now see the importance of SMEs because it is the backbone of this nation,” Sir Patel said. Unity Mall Board Chairman, Eric Haiara said they have not only accommodated SMEs at the mall but have been giving all the technical support they needed to help them to be successful. "With our bigger plan to operate as a customer owned supermarket, we believe the timing is right with the government’s intervention to support us. Speaking on behalf of SME owners, Jenny Mulungu thanked the Unity Mall management and NCDC for the opportunity that has been given despite the challenges and struggles they face in the SME space. “The presence of Prime Minster Marape and Governor Parkop shows their commitment to SMEs and that we are grateful and will continue to do business to be successful,” said Mulungu. "Visit the Mega SME Fair from December 3rd to the 16th if you’re interested in clothing, floriculture, beauty products or cooked food, most are made locally," she said.

One of the biggest questions ahead of next season has been answered. There’s several players hoping to land Adam Reynolds’ vacant No.7 jersey — and Rabbitohs assistant coach Ben Hornby has revealed there’s a frontrunner in the race. Hornby has revealed young gun Lachlan Ilias will likely get the first opportunity to partner Cody Walker in the halves next season. Also chasing the halfback role is Dean Hawkins, Blake Taaffe and new recruit Anthony Milford — however Milford’s contract won’t be registered until court proceedings relating to assault charges are complete. “I think Lachie will probably get first crack with Deano,” Hornby told Rabbitohs Radio. “I think Taaffe is more suited to the fullback type role, or maybe a running five-eighth role. “But whoever comes into that role is going to be so lucky. We’ve got a lot of experience around those guys, Cody Walker, Latrell (Mitchell) at the back, Damien Cook, Cam Murray... they’re just not going to let these guys down. They’re going to make it as easy and as seamless as it can be.” “He’s got a great opportunity in front of him now... he’s just a great kid, he works really hard, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone fitter. “He’s got a great temperament to play in the halves as well, which I think is really important, so I’m looking forward to getting him out on the park and getting a few more reps into him.” The 21-year-old made his NRL debut in the final round of the regular season this year and scored a try in the sixth minute. It’s his only first grade game to date, but he’s impressed enough in the junior grade — and at training — to convince South Sydney’s coaching staff that he’s ready.

Donald Trump's new social media firm says it has entered into agreements to raise $1bn (£755m) from investors ahead of a planned stock market listing. The Trump Media & Technology Group is working to launch a social media app called Truth Social early next year. It comes as Mr Trump remains banned from Twitter and Facebook following the attack on the US Capitol in January. "$1bn sends an important message to Big Tech that censorship and political discrimination must end," he said. "As our balance sheet expands, Trump Media & Technology Group will be in a stronger position to fight back against the tyranny of Big Tech." Mr Trump announced plans to launch Truth Social earlier this year, saying it would allow conversation "without discrimination on the basis of political ideology". The Trump Media & Technology Group has partnered on the project with Digital World Acquisition, a so called special purpose acquisition company (Spac) or "blank cheque company". Spacs, which became a major story in the US stock market at the start of this year, are shell companies that are set up with the sole purpose of merging with a private firm to take it public. However, they have lost much of their lustre after some of the companies that merged with them failed to deliver on their ambitious financial projections. On Saturday, Mr Trump's firm said it had secured the $1bn from from "a diverse group of institutional investors" without revealing who they were. According to reports, the social media venture is now valued at almost $4bn. It would appear to underscore the former US president's ability to attract strong financial backing despite the controversy surrounding his time in charge. Mr Trump was banned from top social media platforms after the 6 January attack by his supporters on the US Capitol in Washington DC amid concerns the then-president would inspire further violence. It came after Mr Trump made claims, without evidence, of widespread fraud in last year's presidential election. Many Wall Street firms snubbed the opportunity to invest in the former president's new venture, according to Reuters. But some hedge funds, family investment firms and high net-worth individuals have backed it. Mr Trump had 89 million followers on Twitter, 33 million on Facebook and 24.5 million on Instagram at the time he was blocked, according to a presentation on his company's website. He has also repeatedly dropped hints that he might seek the presidency again in 2024. However, there have been questions about the state of the former president's finances. Last month a congressional committee found he had "grossly exaggerated" the profitability of his Washington DC hotel - claims the Trump Organization called "misleading". Scrutiny Trump Media & Technology Group's partnership with Digital World Acquisition has already attracted scrutiny. Last month Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate the planned merger for potential violations of securities laws. The SEC has declined to comment on whether it plans any action. Truth Social is scheduled for a full rollout in the first quarter of 2022. It is the first of three stages in the Trump Media plan, followed by a subscription video-on-demand service called TMTG+ that will feature entertainment, news and podcasts, according to the news release. In a slide deck on its website, the company envisions eventually competing against Amazon.com's AWS cloud service and Google Cloud. SOURCE: BBC NEWS

The British royal family and the media have what some describe as an invisible contract: the palace offer access, and the press in return offer favourable coverage. But it is a relationship that has had its ups and downs, and looks set for another tumultuous period. In recent weeks, insiders have exposed the behind-the-scenes tactics used by both royals and reporters to own the narrative. A two-part BBC documentary pulled back the curtain on how the press and palace work together - and sometimes against each other. And Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, won a legal victory in her fight against a British tabloid over the publication of a letter she sent to her father in August 2018. Afterwards, she claimed she wanted to "reshape the tabloid industry". But some believe the attempts of the younger royals to change the rules of engagement with the press are destined to fail. "Both [press and palace] are powerful … but ultimately the palace cannot go on denying access forever," Robert Hazell, a professor of government and constitution at University College London, told the ABC. "They need the media … they really do." Throughout her long reign, the Queen has mostly maintained "popularity a politician would die for", Professor Hazell said. According to a royal biography by Sally Bedell Smith, for much of her public life the Queen has lived by this mantra: "I have to be seen to be believed." Cindy McCreery, a historian and senior lecturer at the University of Sydney, said that mantra had been there "since the beginning of her reign". "Then, there was a lot of attention and thought put into her coronation and how that would broadcast," Dr McCreery said. "The sophistication of the royal family with the press has only increased through her reign." But increasingly the monarchy has been unable to control the tabloid press, McCreery said, and that press has shown its willingness "to attack the Queen's children and grandchildren". "Ultimately they are powerless to stop that." As Queen Elizabeth II withdraws from some duties, and her children and grandchildren take on more public roles, where does the invisible contract stand? Media experts claim the public has enormous power to determine the future of the relationship. A peek into the behind-the-scenes briefings The two-part BBC series, titled The Princes and the Press, showed the extreme lengths the royal family will go to receive positive press. Numerous reporters described their experiences working with different members of the royal family, airing the behind-the-scenes stories of press trips and revealing how they landed big scoops. "The reality is there is a far greater level of manipulation that goes on from the royal courts to the media than Joe Public would ever believe," royal biographer Anna Pasternak told the BBC. The documentary detailed the receptions organised by press secretaries, where royals and reporters mingle. It suggested that, at times, the households of the different royal family members may work against each other, briefing and leaking to journalists who will give them sympathetic coverage. In response to the documentary, Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace put out a joint statement slamming the production. "Too often overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources are presented as facts, and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility," the statement read. A number of reporters and editors described their frustration with both the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for at times not offering them the access they wanted. "At the point in which you decide you're not going to play the game, then don't expect other people to play by the rules," broadcaster Trevor Phillips told the BBC. Editors also described how they would seek out negative stories about the royals when they felt they were not upholding their side of the contract. "The difficulty for the monarchy is that it's got caught up in celebrity culture and in particular, in all the gossip magazines, and tabloids," Professor Hazell said. McCreery said the relationship between the media and monarchy had changed significantly over the course of the Queen's 69-year reign. "I think there has been a really major change from the early days of the reign, where there was much more deference in British society in general, but also a much more regulated press," she said. "The palace just simply cannot control the press in the way that they might have been able to do in the 1950s." New battlelines have been drawn The relationship between the palace and the tabloids hit a breaking point after the death of Princess Diana. While both sides have been tentatively rebuilding bridges ever since, it appears as if younger members of the royal family are not afraid to challenge what they consider to be an unfair contract. In 2015, Kensington Palace issued an unprecedented warning to paparazzi, arguing that photographers were using "increasingly dangerous tactics" to obtain images of Prince William and Catherine's son Prince George, who was two years old at the time. Earlier this year, Prince Harry won an apology and substantial damages from the publishers of Mail on Sunday after he sued the British tabloid for libel. The paper had claimed he had turned his back on the military when he ended his royal role. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's own legal action against the Mail on Sunday resulted in a judge ruling the paper had breached her privacy and copyright. The decision not to let the Mail on Sunday have an appeal trial spares the Duchess of Sussex from having to appear at a trial with her father, Thomas Markle. In a bold statement released shortly after the court's decision, she wrote that the win was "for anyone who has ever felt scared to stand up for what's right". "While this win is precedent setting, what matters most is that we are now collectively brave enough to reshape a tabloid industry that conditions people to be cruel, and profits from the lies and pain they create," the duchess said. The decision by royals to take on the press via legal avenues is increasingly common. "There's a much greater move among the younger royals, when they don't like something, to ring their lawyers," Pasternak told the BBC. "Something the Queen or her generation, or Charles and Camilla would never do." Pasternak wrote a story for Tatler magazine about Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge which labelled her "perilously thin" and questioned her work ethic. She was involved in legal discussions for months about the piece, which was eventually changed online. At the time a Kensington Palace spokesperson said the story "contains a swathe of inaccuracies and false misrepresentations". While some royal households now appear content to push back more forcefully against the press, others are willing to go their own way. Younger royals seek an alternative Prince Harry and Meghan have chosen to break from the traditional media routines and instead set up their own means of connection, McCreery said. They are using social media, having major interviews with the likes of Oprah and appearing on chat shows like Ellen. "It's a whole other level of engagement and influence, which is distinct from the relationship with the press," McCreery said. "Younger people who follow social media are very comfortable with the idea of celebrities, of influencers - well that's how the younger British royals are doing it." Despite any challenges with the press, the British royal family remain popular and much-loved figures, Hazell said. "The popularity of the monarchy as an institution is well-established and long-lasting, and opinion polls have shown that consistently over the last 30 years or more," he said. "So, I think it's likely to be a temporary blip." He also said the public had an important role to play in this power dynamic between palace and press. "We want it both ways - we want them to be impeccably neutral, but at the same time, we want them to be interesting," he said. "We, the readers and buyers of those magazines, are just as complicit in the invasions of privacy that are involved. "It's on us really, and what we choose to support." SOURCE: ABC NEWS

Travellers heading to the UK will now have to take a Covid test before their departure in an effort to limit spread of the virus, the government has said. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the tightened requirements would come into force from 04:00 GMT on Tuesday. Everyone aged 12 and over will be required to take a pre-departure test a maximum of 48 hours before leaving. Currently people only need to self-isolate until they test negative within two days of arriving. Nigeria will be added from Monday to the red list of countries from where people arriving must quarantine in a hotel for 10 days, Mr Javid also confirmed. The health secretary said the government's strategy since the discovery of the Omicron variant had been to "buy time" to assess and to "put in place protective measures", adding: "We've always said that we would act swiftly should new data require it." The Department of Health and Social Care later said 21 Omicron cases linked to Nigerian travel had been discovered in recent days. Mr Javid said this number was growing and Nigeria was now second only to South Africa in terms of linked cases to Omicron. He called on people to get a booster vaccine when called to do so by the NHS, describing vaccinations as the country's "first line of defence" against coronavirus. A further 26 Omicron cases - of which 25 were recorded in England and one in Scotland - were confirmed in the UK on Saturday. Those cases took the total for England to 129. Scotland has so far recorded 30 cases while one case was identified in Wales, bringing the total for the UK as a whole to 160. The Scottish and Welsh governments have confirmed they will also bring in the updated measures for travellers following the assessment of the UK Health Security Agency. The moves come after pressure on the UK government to tighten the policy on overseas arrivals. Last week the government's scientific advisory body Sage said pre-departure tests for those arriving in the UK would be valuable, in the leaked minutes of a meeting seen by the BBC. Following the latest announcement Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting called for further action and for the number of booster jabs given to be increased to 500,000 per day. In a tweet he said: "Finally the health secretary accepts Labour's call for pre-departure tests, but why up to 48 hours before flight?" SOURCE: BBC NEWS

PNG’s first treasurer and current Governor for New Ireland Province Sir Julius Chan, has described the 2022 National Budget as flat and high on self-aggrandizement or self-entitlement. He said the budget was extravagant on expenditure but very poor on raising revenue. He gave his view on the budget after calls from the public to shed insight into whether there was any practicality or truth in the K22 billion budget, passed by parliament last week. “Not only did I not vote to pass the budget, I have no confidence what so ever in the current treasurer because of the experience my province is currently facing under his tenure as treasurer. He gives all the sweet talks but none of it is true. He has robbed New Ireland by withholding New Ireland money at the beginning of the year for four months, and broke down the New Ireland Governments foundation policy pillars, that existed for ten years. Now he is trying to cripple the nation in the same manner. So how can he run a country when his electorate is not in order?,” said Sir J. He said Ian Ling Stuckey failed to address the immediate Economic woes facing the country and how the government will remedy it in 2022, instead talking about debt free PNG in 2027. “Why talk about 2027 when the debt problem needs to be solved now? Stuckey may not be around in 2027 to clean up his mess. My prediction is there will be a complete overhaul of the National budget after the National Elections next year. Never in the history of this nation have we ever experienced so many corrective budgets!,” said Sir J. Sir J also remarked that Stuckey’s borrowing pattern is another concern along with uncontrollable expenditure by the Government. “ Again Stuckey has borrowed more than any other treasurer in the history of this country. All he is doing is making Papua New Guineans dig deep into their pockets and passing the burden onto our future generation,” remarked Sir J. He also supported the Oppositions stance on the 2022 National Budget stating the introduction of the Super Tax on companies like the Bank of South Pacific and Digicel is a very poor decision and will have a reverse Robin hood effect on ordinary Papua New Guineans. “ Instead of taking from the Rich this government has seen fit to take from the poor, and give to the Rich. The burden will be shoved onto ordinary Papua New Guineans who depend on the services of these companies. These companies have managed to thrive on their own accord and disadvantaging them in such a manner is a draconian approach,” said Sir J. Sir J questioned why the Government hasn’t looked to extract it’s Super Profit Tax from the Extractive Mining Industry? “ I can justify better sharing of the super profit in view of the sudden increase by over 800 US per ounce of gold, that should be shared. Not Robbing from the poor and giving to the Rich,” said Sir J. He added that Marape’s decision to differ the Super Tax is a sign that he does not have confidence in the budget. The Prime Minister should go with his gut instinct and just cancel the Super Tax policy all together. The Government has its State Owned Enterprises, it can privatize these SOE’s and raise revenue from them. Make the SOE’s work for this country,” said Sir J. Sir J also queried why all of a sudden the National Government put aside K50.9 million for the construction of the Boluminski Highway, twenty five years after the Lihir MOA was signed and the Highway already constructed through other funding. “For now the Government has no choice but to let this unrealistic budget through and next year we will see a complete overhaul of the 2022 Budget,” said Sir J.