Joseph Suaalii is officially a Rooster, confirming his shift across Anzac Parade on a two-year deal that adds yet another chapter in the century-old rivalry between the foundation clubs. One of the most protracted teen contract negotiations came to a close on Tuesday when South Sydney released Suaalii via a one-sentence statement. He is set to join the Bondi club's pre-season training shortly after the Tricolours paid a transfer fee – believed to be worth around $50,000 – to the Rabbitohs. The Roosters have already begun making enquiries with the NRL around potentially playing him before his 18th birthday next August. "Joseph is a highly-talented young player, and we’re thrilled to have secured his services," Roosters recruitment manager Daniel Anderson said. "This is a terrific opportunity for Joseph to continue his development alongside the established players we have at the club like James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou and Joseph Manu, and we’re looking forward to watching his progress over the next few years." The 17-year-old has been the most hyped schoolboy footballer of his generation, with South Sydney and Australian Rugby waging a big-money battle for his services for much of 2020. His exit from Redfern was acknowledged abruptly by the club, issuing a 29-word statement on Tuesday. "The South Sydney Rabbitohs have released Joseph Suaalii from the remaining year of his playing contract following the payment of a non-disclosed transfer fee by another NRL club," it read. The teen fullback had been lined up as a long-term No.1 for the Rabbitohs, but will now be groomed for a similar role at Bondi as Tedesco's eventual successor. A first grade debut in 2021 has been touted given Suaalii's undeniable talent should the ARL Commission grant an exemption for him to play before turning 18. The Roosters submission for special dispensation would require several components proving Suaalii is physically and mentally ready to make the jump to NRL, as well as outlining welfare and study support among other things. Source: NRL.com

As the kick-off of the Women’s NSL approaches, Football Club Genesis is keen to show their worth at the top level of women’s football in the country. Despite being a recently established club, plying its trade in the Port Moresby Soccer Association, FC Genesis recognises the value of providing an environment for women and girls to excel in their community through football participation. As Club Executive Grace Yohang-Mataio explained, “At FC Genesis we believe sport is one of the most powerful platforms to promote gender equality. We want FC Genesis to provide an enabling environment for our female athletes to excel on and off the field. We’re very excited to provide these young female Papua New Guineans with the opportunity to grow and develop their talents through participating in the WNSL.” One player who has been part of the recent growth of women’s football in PNG is FC Genesis Club Captain Yvonne Gabong. Despite her young age, the 24 year old with Madang-Manus heritage, has a wealth of experience at the international level for PNG having represented the country at youth and senior level, including being part of the Pacific Games gold medal winning senior teams of 2015 and 2019 and captaining the Under 20 national team when PNG hosted the FIFA Under 20 Women’s World Cup. Gabong will be drawing on that experience to lead FC Genesis through their WNSL matches. “It’s a great honour to be part of this club and be trusted with the captaincy for the upcoming season. As a female athlete I think it’s great to have a semi-professional league dedicated for women players to showcase our talent and I’d like to thank PNGFA for ensuring the season is going ahead despite the difficulties of 2020.” “I know my teammates and I are excited to be playing and look forward to the challenge of playing against the best female players in the country.” FC Genesis Head Coach, Percy Mataio will be relying on Gabong and her teammates to display the attacking brand of football he wants from the club. Mataio is confident in the abilities of the FC Genesis players but has tempered the club’s ambitions with a realistic outlook for their first season in the WNSL. “I know we have the talent to do very well this season and I know the team is focused on achieving our objectives. But we also recognise that there are 13 other teams that want to do the same and so we need to make sure we are prepared and consistent with our performances. Overall, I want the players to feel they can express themselves on the field and use this opportunity to develop their skills and grow in confidence.” “It’s an exciting time for women’s football in PNG and the region with the Women’s 2023 World Cup happening in Australia and New Zealand and I’ve stressed to the players that they have an amazing opportunity to do well and put themselves in the picture to create history by being part of the women’s national team to pursue the dream of being the first senior team to take part in a World Cup.” Mataio commented. Getting FC Genesis into the WNSL was a dream in itself for the club and Yohang-Mataio is grateful for the support they have received from the club’s sole sponsor so far, Budget Rent-a-Car. “We are extremely grateful to Budget for coming on board this season and we’re proud to display the Budget logo on our uniforms, which their sponsorship helped pay for.” “Running the club for the entirety of the season requires a lot of different outlays and so we are open to forming additional partnerships with organisations that share our aspirations. If there are interested parties that want to be part of what FC Genesis is doing, they can email fcgenesis1@gmail.com or contact the club though our Facebook page” Yohang-Mataio explained.

Bulolo MP Sam Basil has been referred to the Public Prosecutor by the Ombudsman Commission for alleged misconduct in office. The Ombudsman Commission conducted an investigation from a complaint that was lodged in 2016 and gave the Leader an opportunity to be heard on the allegations of misconduct in office against him. The Leader requested for and was granted extensions of time and after a total of 51 days, failed to respond to the allegations. The Commission has deliberated on the allegations and determined that there is a prima facie case that Hon. Sam Basil has been guilty of misconduct in office. The Ombudsman Commission served the Leader a notice pursuant to Section 20(2) of the Organic  Law  on the  Duties and  Responsibilities  of  Leadership  (Organic Law) through his Lawyers, informing him of the Commission's intention to refer his matter to the Public Prosecutor for the Public Prosecutor's independent deliberations under Section 177(1)(b) of the Constitution,  and if the Public Prosecutor so decides, he will prosecute  the  matter  before  an  independent  tribunal  established  under  Section 28(1)(g) of the Constitution and Section 27(7) of the  Organic Law. Bulolo MP Sam Basil The allegations against the Leader are centered on alleged breaches of Section 27 of the Constitution and the relevant provisions of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership.

The Controller of the COVID-19 National Pandemic Response and Police Commissioner, David Manning, has called on all citizens to strictly comply to practices that prevent community transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).  Controller Manning warns that with festive season approaching, there will be significant increase in the movement of people, including students returning for holidays. These activities could ignite the spread of the virus in the community.  Mr Manning said, “As we enter the holiday season, citizens must comply to strict COVID-19 protocols. Do not take home the virus, protect your elderly and vulnerable family members by always wearing face masks in public places, sanitize your hands frequently and keep away from crowded places. “I also urge the health care workers and those involved in caring for others to look after your health and adhere to strict infection prevention and control practices at work and in public places.  "Reports reaching NCC states that people in many provinces, even in areas with surge of cases, continue to gather in big crowds and do not wear face masks in public places. This is concerning," says Mr Manning.  In the last 24 hours, West New Britain (WNB) has reported 13 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the province’s total confirmed cases to 64. All the new cases are from the Talasea District.  Meanwhile, the country’s total number of COVID-19 cases has reached 669, including seven known COVID-19 deaths.  To date, 16 of the 22 provinces in the country have confirmed cases of COVID-19. The distribution of the cases is as follows:  Provinces Confirmed Cases NCD 354 Western Province 204 West New Britain 64 Eastern Highlands 13 Central 9 Morobe 6 East Sepik 3 Enga 3 East New Britain 3 Milne Bay 2 New Ireland 2 West Sepik 2 Southern Highlands  1 AROB 1 Hela Province 1 Western Highlands 1 TOTAL 669  Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached 62,323,527, including 496,892 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll is 1,456,687; of which 7,697 were reported in the last 24 hours.  Pandemic Controller/Police Commissioner David Manning

In commemoration of World AIDS Day 2020, the U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), formally handed over nearly 19,000, 90-day doses of tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir (TLD) antiretroviral (ART) medicines to support the Government of Papua New Guinea’s fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic on Monday November 30,2020.  Building on the 2020 theme of World AIDS Day, “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact”, this donation reflects the U.S. government’s strong commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic globally. U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands, Erin E. McKee, turned over the ART medicines, valued at 1.5 million Kina, to the Secretary of the National Department of Health (NDoH), Dr. Osborne Liko, in support of the rollout of the new TLD regimen in the National Capital District (NCD) and the country. Ambassador McKee also handed over two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines -- used to measure HIV viral load in people living with HIV -- to boost PNG’s diagnostic capacity and improve overall epidemic response in PNG. From left: U.S. Embassy Defence Attache’ LtCol. Tanya Murnock, USAID Senior Advisor David Hatch,  U.S. Ambassador Erin McKee and Health Secretary Dr. Osborne Liko along with implementing partner Dr. Ignatius Mogaba from FHI 360 and others pose with donated TLD and PCR machines. “Papua New Guinea has made and continues to make great strides to address HIV/AIDS. Yet there is still much to be done—and much we can do together. Since 2004, the United States has been a steadfast partner in preventing, treating, and mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS in PNG . . . The U.S. government will continue to stand with the government and people of PNG.  We will endure in our combined effort to eliminate HIV/AIDS and ensure that all people living with HIV receive treatment, have access to comprehensive services, and lead full and productive lives free from stigma,” Ambassador McKee said. Through its five-year, 17.2 million U.S. dollar HIV Support in Papua New Guinea Activity, USAID has been working with government counterparts and other agencies to implement the HIV/AIDS response in NCD aimed at strengthening PNG’s HIV/AIDS interventions. In partnership with the Global Fund and other partners, the USAID project will continue to train and mentor clinic staff on the transition to the TLD drug regimen for people living with HIV (PLHIV), including providing support to the estimated 22,000 eligible PLHIV that have already been transitioned. The donation of the two PCR machines will support viral load testing in the NCD and Goroka, allowing doctors to follow the HIV infection amongst their patients, understand how well treatment is working, and guide treatment choices. The PCR machines allow the NDoH to increase viral load (VL) testing, supporting PNG’s pursuit of the global 95-95-95 HIV goals. The donation reflects the latest in a long history of technical assistance provided by the U.S. government since 2013, when the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) began working with FHI 360 and the NDoH. It also highlights PEPFAR’s ongoing efforts toward achieving inclusive, resilient, and sustainable control of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in PNG.  Over the past 20 years, the United States has invested more than 108 million U.S. dollars in Papua New Guinea, including more than 52 million U.S. dollars in health initiatives.

The MP for Kagua_Erave Electorate in the Southern Highlands Province Wesley Raminai has left the Vanimo Camp and joined Prime Minister James Marape's Government. Mr Raminai was among other government MP's who defected to the Opposition after losing confidence in the leadership of PM James Marape on the 13th November 2020.   Kagua-Erave MP Wesley Raminai (left) & PM James Marape at Government House He was sworn in as the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Sports and other State Matters at Government House by Governor General Sir Bob Dadae this afternoon. His swearing in was witnessed by Prime Minister Marape, Southern Highlands Governor William Powi and other government ministers. Prime Minister Marape in welcoming Mr Raminai said he is a new generation leader with interest of his people and country at heart. Minister Raminai congratulated by Governor General Sir Bob Dadae this afternoon at Government House.

Another killing has been reported along the Hiritano Highway yesterday. Central Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Opai Tapp said the killing of a man believed to be of Highlands ethnicity yesterday afternoon could be linked to last week’s spate of killings along the same highway. “I believe it is a spill over of the incidents of last week Wednesday and Thursday outside Doa. We got a report of one person being killed up somewhere in between Kerema and Malalaua. We also got reports that there is one person from the Highlands that has been yesterday killed and a couple more unaccounted for.” PPC Tapp said the number of unaccounted persons believed to have been travelling with the deceased at that time is yet to be confirmed. PPC Central on Doa killings “Right now we are organizing for extra manpower from Central Province police to go down to assist our guys in Gulf and try to look for the perpetrators.” “We do not know where they are so we are trying to send in a couple of units to look for them.” “Maybe they are in the community around there hiding, so we are going to try to see if they are around there.” As it is right now, PPC Gulf, Chief Inspector Mariah Jones is believed to be on the ground with her officers, along with a few reinforcements from Central Province and NCD police. Chief Inspector Mariah Jones has confirmed that she will make a statement later today and is enroute to Port Moresby at this time.

Divine Word University medical laboratory scientist Henao Rakatani topped her class in an external competency training for malaria microscopists in the country. Heano achieved a level one status. She was among 12 other microscopists who participated in a World Health Organization (WHO) virtual malaria competency assessment in Port Moresby from November 9-13. The virtual training was conducted by WHO consultant Lieutenant Ken Lilley, with cofacilitation by Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) quality assurance manager Ernest Velemu and malaria scientist Dorothy Abala. Lieutenant Lilley connected with the participants and cofacilitators in Port Moresby via video link from the Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Diseases Institute. Participants came in from Modilon, Kundiawa, Vunapope and Tari hospitals, Yagaum and Butuwin health centres, the PNG Institute of Medical Research, Divine Word University (DWU), and the CPHL Malaria and Quality Assurance units. Henao said the training will help microscopists across PNG improve malaria diagnoses and health outcomes for patients. “It enhances and enriches me as a medical laboratory scientist, especially in the diagnosis of malaria,” she said. “Laboratory confirmation of diseases is very important because it helps doctors to effectively treat the patients. “I love my job because it contributes to the health of Papua New Guinea.” Sosenue Sokoemuc, a medical laboratory assistant at Yagaum Health Centre in Madang said: “This is a very useful training for Yagaum because many patients are presenting with symptoms malaria at the health center. Sosenue Sokoemuc – Medical laboratory assistant, Yagaum Health Centre, Madang and participant of the ECAM training. He added that there has been progress in the fight against malaria in the country and specialised training for health workers will help them even more in malaria diagnosis and treatment. Each year, CPHL conducts two external competency assessments of malaria microscopists supported through the Australia-China-PNG Trilateral Malaria Project. Through species identification and parasite count, the assessments allow them to grade, identify and map the gaps in malaria microscopists in PNG and to plan strategic approaches to address and improve malaria diagnosis throughout the country. Sosenue (left) and Henao (right) with other participants at the ECAM training.

Opposition leader Belden Namah was satisfied with the Supreme Court's decision yesterday on the sitting dates of Parliament.The Supreme Court has stayed both decisions made by Parliament.This is referring to Parliament decision on the 13th of November for Parliament to be adjourned to December 1st and on the 17th of November for Parliament to be adjourned to April 20th 2021 respectively."It's a fair decision by the Court""Court has been adjourned to the 3rd and our Lawyers will be at work till then"" So I'm happy with the decision by the Court " Namah said. Meanwhile from the government side, member for Sinesine Yongomul Kerenga Kua was also pleased with the ruling indicating the likely chaos today if a Parliament sitting had took place today."We don't want to face a confrontation with the Opposition trying to forcefully reopen Parliament and convene a sitting""So this Court Ruling is stopping them from doing this until the Court completes the hearing on the substantive matter, then Court will decide when Parliament will meet"Kua said both decisions by Parliament on the November 13th and 17th have been iced, which is a relief to both parties.

The Waigani District Court has found sufficient evidence on the K50M fraud case against former PM and member of Ialibu Pangia Peter O'Neill on the purchase of the two turbo-diesel generators. O'Neill was charged with one count each on misappropriation,  official corruption and conspiracy. Magistrate Tracy Ganaii said there was insufficient evidence on the conspiracy charges but  there was sufficient evidence on the other two charges of misappropriation and corruption. Therefore, the magistrate dismissed the conspiracy charge and announced that the remaining  two charges against Mr O'Neill is likely to proceed onto the National Court. Ganaii then asked O'Neill if he wished to make the section 96 statement today or make that in a written form to the Court later.  In response to the  magistrate, O'Neill's lawyer Greg Sheppard asked the Court for an adjournment of one week for his client to have is section 96 statement available by then. The Court then adjourned the case to 9th of December when O'Neill is expected to present his section 96 statement. Meanwhile Peter O'Neill said he is looking forward to National Court when the matter is officially committed to the National Court. "There is a suggestion by some of the witnesses that it was a official corruption and missapropriaton  of  unbudgeted items" " But we have not presented our evidence in Court, which we will do so in the National Court " "We look forward to appearing and arguing this case in the National Court." O'Neill said.

The accused in late Jennelyn Kennedy’s death Bhosip Kaiwi’s charge on wilful murder has been downgraded to murder by the Waigani District Court today. This after the Police Prosecutor Joseph Sangam withdrew the initial charge and substituted with Murder. Sangam said the evidence surrounding the case can only define a Murder charge; therefore the charge had to be changed if the case is to proceed onto National Court.   Magistrate Tracy Ganaii advised Kaiwi’s lawyer to start filing submissions based on the new charge after she officially made the changes to the charge. The  case will return to Court on the 8th of December 2020.

The slash in subsidies received by schools has been a case of concern for Mr Steven Taharin, the Head teacher of the Vunakanau Primary School in the Gazelle District of the East New Britain Province. He said after becoming accustomed to the Tuition Fee Free Education system there has been a slow response in fee payments from parents. Approaching the completion of the first academic year since coming into effect, parents are still trying to adapt to the new Government Tuition Fee Subsidy (GTFS) Policy. Mr Taharin stated that while on TFF, around K80, 000 is received by the school for the running of each academic year. However, with the switch to GTSF, a total of only K14, 000 has been received in 2020 to date. The school administration is relying on these subsidies, as well as school fees collected from the students for the operations of the school year. With a student population of 637, Taharin revealed to parents during a recent PNC meeting that there was K140, 000 yet to be paid in outstanding fees. “What is expected by the government is that they [the parents] pay 50% and the government pays the other 50%, but that has not been happening. It is very slow.” Taharin added that although parents have become used to the TFF system, they will need to adapt to tuition fee subsidies. “It’s not bad that parents shoulder most of the funding for their children’s learning.” “It’s a good idea because they [parents] will really stand behind their kids and make them study hard and learn well.” Photo courtesy of Taka Oda