PNG Haus Bung

US Attorney General William Barr says his justice department has found no proof to back President Donald Trump's claims of fraud in the 2020 election. "To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election," he said. His comments are seen as a big blow to Mr Trump, who has not accepted defeat. He and his campaign have filed lawsuits in states that he lost, as they begin certifying Joe Biden as the winner. President-elect Biden defeated the incumbent Mr Trump by a margin of 306 to 232 votes in the US electoral college, which chooses the US president. And in the popular vote, Mr Biden won at least 6.2 million more votes than Mr Trump. Since 3 November's election, Mr Trump has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud, and members of his legal defence team have spoken of an alleged international plot to hand Mr Biden the win. On Tuesday, after Mr Barr's statements were released, the president tweeted several times alluding to voter fraud, again without proof. "There's been one assertion that would be systemic fraud and that would be the claim that machines were programmed essentially to skew the election results," Mr Barr, who is seen as a top Trump ally, told AP News on Tuesday, referring to the assertion that ballot machines were hacked to give more votes to Mr Biden. US Attorney General William Barr Source: BBC News

Students at the Tokarara Secondary School were encouraged to learn beyond classroom teaching by reading books more often for information empowerment about their rights. This was the key message from a team from Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) comprising Deputy Secretary Dorothy Mimiko-Kesenga, directors and staff who visited the school this week as part of the whole-of-government effort to mark the 20 Days Human Rights Activism. CLRC GESI section (Gender Equity and Social Inclusion) facilitated the visit. The school was also fortunate to be presented with various CLRC publications. “We urge you to read them to educate yourself more on the different laws and policies we have worked on but also to know who to see when in need of certain services regarding your rights,” Ms. Mimiko- Kesenga said. Deputy Principal Lucy Lapan acknowledged CLRC for the visit and a particularly welcomed the book donation, saying it will go a long way to also serve as text books for students taking the Legal Studies subject. The CLRC Team talked about the fundamental and qualified rights enshrined in the Constitution and CLRC’s involvement in the development of a proposed bill for persons with disability and their rights. Ms. Mimiko-Kesenga thanked the school management for hosting them but importantly signaled out the students’ orderly approach and their interaction with the CLRC team on important human rights issues such as the betel ban and the informal sector in the city, street kids, their trend of begging and the associated education predicament, and the impact of free education on employment opportunities. She said CLRC also took note of the students’ concerns for Legal Studies subject to be made compulsory in secondary schools, adding that the CLRC is willing to actively participate in that area to impart revenant knowledge to the students.

Dennis Schroder, who has made a name for himself as one of the best reserves in the NBA, envisions himself in a new role on the Lakers.  He wants to be the team's starting point guard.  "I did this off the bench stuff already in two years with OKC," Schroder said Monday in his first interview as a Laker. "I think I try to move forward and I think with AD [Anthony Davis] and LeBron [James], I can be helpful as a starter in the PG position and LeBron don’t have [to have] so much stuff in his mind." James, who turns 36 in December, recently officially added elite "point guard" to his illustrious list of accomplishments, averaging an NBA-best 10.2 assists a game for the Lakers last season, a remarkable responsibility for a player who also averaged 25.3 points a game.  Photo courtesy of Fox Sports It's a tall task for anyone and has only been exaggerated by the extremely tight month-and-a-half turnaround between the Lakers winning their NBA record-tying 17th championship Oct. 11 and training camp beginning Dec. 1. The Lakers made it clear they wanted to add playmakers, but it remains to be seen whether coach Frank Vogel shares Schroder's lineup vision. When asked if that was discussed, Schroder inferred it hadn't been a direct conversation between the two of them. "I think my agent talked to the organization before they was trading me, so um, that’s that," Schroder said. Source: Fox Sports

Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman says the country has contained its first Covid-19 case. Loughman said losing the country's status as a Covid-19 free country was not important. He said what mattered was how a country had the capacity and resources to contain a positive case. The prime minister said ensuring the coronavirus did not spread to the rest of the population was also key. Vanuatu recorded the Covid-19 case on 10 November. Loughman said on Tuesday follow-up tests carried out at the Vila Central Hospital and a reconfirmation test from Australia all returned negative results for the virus. He praised the work being carried out by the health authorities to successfully detect and contain the virus and he said this showed Covid-19 protocols in Vanuatu were "good and confirms they are of standard". The patient is expected to return home today. Vanuatu PM, Bob Loughman Photo: Vanuatu Govt     Source: RNZ News

A Pakistan cricket squad member is the only new case of Covid-19 in managed isolation today, the Ministry of Health says. In a statement, the ministry said the cricket squad member was one of three reported as "under investigation" yesterday, and had been confirmed to have an active infection today. The ministry said the other two people were still under investigation. The case is the eighth member of the squad to test positive and was picked up as part of testing at the team's hotel in Christchurch two days ago. The ministry said the team is still unable to get an exemption to train together, because Canterbury heatlh officials are not satisfied they can do that without transmitting the virus to each other. The ministry said all close contacts of the November quarantine cluster linked to a defence force quarantine worker had completed their testing and all returned negative results, and the cluster was expected to close 28 days from the date when the last case was recovered. Despite extensive investigation, no epidemiological link between case A and case D in the cluster had been found. All the cases in the cluster have been linked genomically. The recovery of a previous case means New Zealand's active cases remains at 72, with total confirmed cases at 1704. The 7076 tests completed yesterday bring total tests to 1,285,766. Yesterday, there were three new cases in managed isolation facilities. Image courtesy Radio NZ Source: RNZ Sports

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.