Today, the U.S. government—through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)—announced $4 million U.S. dollars in urgent COVID-19 assistance for Papua New Guinea as a part of the American Rescue Plan Act. This emergency funding will support the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) as they battle the recent surge in COVID-19 cases due to the deadly Delta variant. Support includes the procurement of critical commodities to support oxygen delivery and clinical care, and provision of training and wraparound technical assistance to ensure the prompt distribution and use of the oxygen across PNG’s health facilities. “The Government of Papua New Guinea has had to respond to dynamic and uncertain challenges as this devastating pandemic evolves,” said U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu Erin E. McKee. “This additional funding is an example of the United States’—and the American people’s—commitment to providing quick and agile support when and where our partners need it the most.”  With this additional assistance, the U.S. government, through USAID and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), has provided more than $16 million U.S. dollars to address COVID-19 in PNG. USAID support has helped the country implement internationally recognized infection prevention and control strategies, strengthen laboratory systems, case management, and surveillance tracking, and communicate effectively about COVID-19 prevention and care.  Additionally, the U.S. is the largest vaccine donor in the world, recently marking the major milestone of 200 million COVID-19 vaccine doses delivered worldwide to more than 100 countries and territories. PNG has received 302,400 Johnson & Johnson vaccines donated by the U.S. government through the COVAX Facility—a global initiative to provide safe and effective vaccines—to which the U.S. is the largest donor. The U.S. is committed to partnering with PNG and other Pacific Island countries to end the COVID-19 pandemic, mitigate its devastating social and economic impacts, and build back a world that is even better prepared for future outbreaks. Earlier this month, USAID observed its anniversary, marking 60 years of development partnerships globally. USAID has worked hand in hand with the Government of Papua New Guinea since its founding to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, economic development, energy, good governance, disaster risk reduction, and health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and COVID-19.

Japan's former princess Mako has arrived in the US with her new "commoner" husband, Kei Komuro, after leaving the royal family. There was minimal pageantry as the college sweethearts, who wed last month, left from Tokyo airport on Sunday morning. They will rent an apartment in New York where Mr Komuro works at a law firm. Under Japanese law, female imperial family members forfeit their status upon marriage to a "commoner". The pair were heavily guarded by police and airport security as they strolled through the departure terminal. They passed about 100 journalists who were there to witness them leave, but did not respond to questions. Footage broadcast in Japan showed the couple arriving in New York and walking through the airport with security guards, before getting into a waiting vehicle. Their move to New York had long been rumoured and Mako, who took her husband's name when they got married, is reportedly expected to find a job in the city. However, the couple faced a set-back to their plans last month when Japanese media reported that Mr Komuro had failed the New York state bar exam. Prospective lawyers have to pass the tests to practise law in the state. Mr Komuro is currently working as a legal clerk. The move to the US has drawn comparisons with British royals Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, earning the newlyweds the nickname "Japan's Harry and Meghan". The couple faced significant opposition when they first announced their engagement four years ago and their relationship has been subject to tabloid gossip and controversy over claims that Mr Komuro's mother had reportedly taken a loan from her ex-fiancé and not paid him back. The coverage led to the then-princess developing post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the Imperial Household. When the couple married last month they skipped the usual rites of a royal wedding and turned down a payment offered to royal women upon their departure from the family. Former princess Mako, who is the niece of Emperor Naruhito, is the first female member of the royal family to decline both. SOURCE: BBC NEWS

Mitch Marsh has delivered on the biggest stage, with a tremendous 77 not out to help Australia to a maiden men's Twenty20 World Cup title. Australia claimed an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in Dubai as Marsh, who came in with his side at 1-15, joined David Warner to take apart the New Zealand attack in the biggest successful run chase in a World Cup final. Australia chased down the 173 runs needed with 7 balls to spare as Glenn Maxwell hit the winning runs with a reverse sweep and Australia erased the memories of their 2010 final loss to England. Often-maligned and somewhat divisive among cricket fans and analysts alike, this performance was Marsh at his best. His intent was clear from the first ball he faced, when he hit New Zealand quick Adam Milne for six. He never let up from there in an innings that saw his 77 runs include 10 boundaries, 4 of them sixes in 50 deliveries. It was a performance that won Marsh the man-of-the-match award and left him elated on the podium after being reminded his career has had a few peaks and troughs. "I don't really have words right now, " Marsh said. Marcus Stoinis continued the Marsh love-in post-match, as he lauded the all-rounder. "I can't wait to keep playing with this team ... you won't find bigger supporters of Mitch Marsh than right here apart from probably his family," Stoinis said. "We are so happy for him." While Marsh was brilliant, he was ably supported by Warner, who for the second time in the knockout stages set up Australia's run chase. Warner was later named player of the tournament and said the team victory was "up there with 2015", when Australia beat New Zealand in the ODI World Cup final. Against Pakistan in the semi-final Warner made 49 before being given out caught behind in dubious fashion, and here he made 53 to again get a big run chase off to the perfect start. This time there was no doubt about the method of dismissal though. With Australia on 1-106 after 12 overs, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson knew a wicket was needed and called for his strike bowler Trent Boult. On the second ball of the ensuing over a fast, skidding delivery rattled Warner's stumps. After his swing and miss the Australian learned nothing from the trials of New Zealand's Devon Conway and his broken hand, and punched his bat in fury. From there Maxwell, who had been out of touch throughout the tournament, threw the bat at nearly everything on his way to 28 and victory seemed academic until a few nerves hit in the 18th over, when Milne went for just three. Order was restored in the next Tim Southee over as Australia rounded out the victory before wild celebrations commenced. Those celebrations would have been much to the relief of fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, albeit for different reasons. Starc was hammered by New Zealand's batsmen as he finished with figures of 0-60, and while Hazlewood was excellent with the ball, taking 3-16 and helping to hold New Zealand to their worst powerplay for the tournament of 1-31, he made what could have been a fatal error. After Australia had already dropped opener Martin Guptill, Williamson hoicked a full toss from Starc down the throat of Hazlewood at fine leg only for Starc's fellow quick to drop the regulation catch as the ball burst through his hands and to the boundary for four. The sense was there that Australia knew the significance. [caption id="attachment_16797" align="aligncenter" width="669"] Josh Hazlewood was excellent with the ball but his drop of Kane Williamson on just 21 was a turning point for New Zealand.(Matthew Lewis/ICC via Getty Images)[/caption] Starc was doubled over as if he had been punched in the stomach and a crestfallen Hazlewood stood with his head hung low and his hands on his hips. Williamson then went about making Australia pay. He smashed Starc for four on each of the next two deliveries, taking the over for 19 as he started to accelerate his own innings and push the run rate up. By the end of the over he had 35 from 25 deliveries and two overs later had his half-century as he hit Maxwell for two consecutive sixes, the first coming with just one hand on the bat. [caption id="attachment_16798" align="aligncenter" width="712"] New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was in such good touch he hit a six one-handed.[/caption] Williamson would eventually make 85 and rubbed salt into Starc's gaping wounds in the 16th over of the innings as he took the left-arm quick for 22 runs, the worst single over figures in a T20 World Cup final. Williamson was all class as he paid tribute to Australia's performance after New Zealand once again suffered the heartbreak of losing a tournament final. "It was nice to get what we thought was a competitive total only to be chased by Australia, they are a brilliant side and came out here tonight and turned it on," he said. SOURCE: ABC NEWS

Britney Spears' conservatorship was terminated by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny on Friday. Spears had been subject to a conservatorship for more than 13 years. "She will wake up tomorrow as a free woman," Spears' attorney, former federal prosecutor Mathew Rosengart, told ABC News' Kaylee Hartung. Both Rosengart and Spears' father and former conservator, Jamie Spears, had filed to end the conservatorship prior to Friday's hearing. "Good God I love my fans so much it’s crazy!!!" Spears tweeted. "I think I’m gonna cry the rest of the day !!!! Best day ever … praise the Lord … can I get an Amen???? #FreedBritney" After the ruling, Rosengart told reporters that the conservatorship had been "corrupted" by Jamie Spears, whom he accused of taking a significant amount of money from the singer. In the past, Jamie Spears has denied wrongdoing. “This is a monumental day for Britney Spears, it’s also a somber day for me, for Britney and I think for a lot of us who have been following conservatorships and how they operate," Rosengart said. "Many people have asked if we will continue to investigate Mr. Spears, and that is ultimately up to my client." What is a conservatorship, and why did Britney Spears have one? A conservatorship is a legal arrangement in which a guardian is placed in charge of a person's affairs when they are deemed unable to care for themselves. After Spears was hospitalized twice for mental health issues in early 2008, a judge placed Jamie Spears and a court-appointed conservator, attorney Andrew Wallet, in charge of every aspect of the singer's life. Wallet resigned in early 2019, and later that year, Jamie Spears stepped down as conservator of his daughter's personal affairs, citing health problems, according to reports from that time. He remained in control of her finances, and a professional fiduciary, Jodi Montgomery, was placed in charge of managing the singer's personal life. In a statement following the termination of the conservatorship, Montgomery's lawyer, Lauriann Wright, said: "Throughout the conservatorship, Ms. Montgomery has been a tireless advocate for Ms. Spears and it has always been her goal to give Ms. Spears a path towards termination of her conservatorship. That day is now here. Ms. Montgomery is happy to continue working for Ms. Spears and assisting Ms. Spears in her freedom, independence, growth, wellness, and happiness outside of the conservatorship." What has Britney Spears said about the conservatorship? Spears did not speak publicly about the conservatorship until June 2021 when she pleaded with Penny in court to end the arrangement. Calling it "abusive" and saying that it was "doing me way more harm than good," Spears said the conservatorship had left her "traumatized." "I'm not happy. I can't sleep. I'm so angry it's insane. And I'm depressed," she said. "I cry every day." Spears also took aim at her father, whom she said should "be in jail" for the way he's treated her. In response, a lawyer for Jamie Spears read the following statement in court: "He is sorry to hear his daughter in so much pain. Mr. Spears loves his daughter and misses her very much." [caption id="attachment_16778" align="alignnone" width="919"] In this combination of photo, Jamie Spears, father of singer Britney Spears, leaves the Stanley Mosk Courthouse on Oct. 24, 2012, in Los Angeles, left, and Britney Spears arrives at the premiere of "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" on July 22, 2019, in Los Angeles.[/caption] When did Jamie Spears exit the conservatorship and why? Just weeks after Rosengart filed court documents calling for his removal, Jamie Spears indicated in August that he would step down as conservator. In court documents obtained by ABC News, he stated that while he believes it is "highly debatable whether a change in conservator at this time would be in Ms. [Britney] Spears' best interests," he was prepared to remove himself from the arrangement. "Even as Mr. Spears is the unremitting target of unjustified attacks, he does not believe that a public battle with his daughter over his continuing service as her conservator would be in her best interests," the paperwork stated. "So, even though he must contest this unjustified Petition for his removal, Mr. Spears intends to work with the Court and his daughter's new attorney to prepare for an orderly transition to a new conservator." Rosengart told ABC News in a statement that it was a "vindication for Britney," but added that his fight wasn't over. "We look forward to continuing our vigorous investigation into the conduct of Mr. Spears, and others, over the past 13 years, while he reaped millions of dollars from his daughter's estate, and I look forward to taking Mr. Spears's sworn deposition in the near future," he said. In September, after Jamie Spears filed to end the conservatorship, Penny suspended him from the arrangement, citing a "toxic environment." Certified public accountant John Zabel was appointed as the temporary conservator of her estate, as requested by Spears' attorney. What's next for Britney Spears? Spears said in her June testimony that she wants to "get married and have a baby," and in September, she announced her engagement to actor Sam Asghari. Soon thereafter, Rosengart acknowledged in a court filing that attorneys want to iron out a prenuptial agreement on her behalf, and the next month, the singer asked her fans where her wedding should take place. SOURCE: ABC NEWS

Ireland are being congratulated on a job well done against the All Blacks, beating them for the third time in five years. First it was their shootout win in Chicago, then the Aviva arm wrestle in 2018, but this morning was different. Ian Foster even admitted post match that this was the "best Irish performance in my time" and it's pretty hard to disagree. The 29-20 result really could have been a greater margin, given the overwhelming amount of possession and territory the home side had, but it's unlikely anyone currently celebrating in Temple Bar cares one bit. This was a complete defeat inflicted on the All Blacks. There was a sniff of a repeat on the cards of the 2013 miracle win by them at the same venue, but had that eventuated then it would have been a travesty. It's not so much that they played particularly badly, it's that they were barely allowed to play at all by an Irish team who could smell blood in the water. After Kiwi-turned-Irishman James Lowe opened the scoring with a well taken try in the corner, it felt like the only time the All Blacks touched the ball was when Codie Taylor streaked away untouched. It has to rank among one of the great sporting miracles that they somehow lead at half time, but even that wasn't really fooling anyone. While their goal line defence was outstanding, it was never going to keep the Irish out forever, cracking minutes after the restart when Ronan Kelleher bashed over. Caelan Doris's surge up the middle signified that the dam had burst, from then on the Irish were content to let the All Blacks chase them. Will Jordan's piece of trademark freakishness pulled them close, but again that was completely against the run of play and, if anything, caused them to shift gears to really kill the game off. It was then that Ireland really showed just how dominant they were, not even letting the All Blacks out of their half for the remaining moments, that loss eight years ago still obviously very much in their minds. While there was jubilation at the end, the reaction from a lot of the Irishmen looked like they always knew they were going to win this test anyway. In fact, the most excited was Lowe, who may well have been an All Black not that long ago and freely admitted as much in his post match interview. The last two Irish losses were to NZ-born coach Joe Schmidt, this time Super Rugby castoffs Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park and Bundee Aki all were part of the green monster wave that engulfed the All Blacks and drowned them slowly in front of 50,000 fired up fans. It's hard to really say who played well for the All Blacks, given that they all had to tackle more than any other match they'll play this year. They do deserve some credit for that but they still did leak their second highest total of the season, which puts the spotlight firmly on Foster and his staff about what sort of game plan they had going in. They were out coached by Andy Farrell, pure and simple, who had done his homework and backed his veteran Johnny Sexton to get the job done. The All Blacks' response was to try and bash Sexton out of the game, and while that did eventually happen late in the second half, till then it just seemed to make the 36-year-old play better and better. This is the problem now for Foster and also John Plumtree, who have repeated ad nauseum the need for All Black physicality. While shots on Irish ball carriers were fierce and repeated, the aggression needed to be channelled into actually getting the ball back, which only seemed to happen an inch out from their tryline. The All Blacks need to find that formula, fast. Another loss next week and there will be more questions than answers about this 2021 campaign. SOURCE: RNZ NEWS

Students of Situm Primary School in Morobe Province can now enjoy safe handwashing following the construction of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in the school. The new hand washing stations and water tanks were put in place by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) PNG through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership. In addition to the handwashing facilities, COVID-19 awareness sessions were held for staff and students to be better informed about COVID-19 and measures to keep safe during the pandemic. School Principal John Gemotang said it was vital that students and staff are continuously reminded of COVID-safe practices, especially with the increase in COVID-19 cases. “Practicing safe hygiene is vital as it teaches students that maintaining simple yet effective hygiene and social-distancing practices are a way to protect each other and their right to a quality education while at school,” Mr Gemotang said. PNG and Australia are partnering through the Church Partnership Program to support churches and local communities to work together to minimise COVID-19 transmission by ensuring schools can operate more safely and in accordance with the Niupela Pasin protocols. There are now 80 institutions, including 50 schools, across the country which have received WASH facilities as the churches promote COVID-19 safety measures to protect communities from the potentially devastating impacts of the pandemic.

Athletics PNG is pressing ahead with plans to stage the PNG Air Grand Prix and National Championships in Kimbe starting on 26 November, following the receipt of approval from the Provincial Administration in Kimbe. Sports Director Conrad Golumu is now liaising with Athletics PNG for the conduct of the event through the Venue Management team led by Nolene Pidik. Port Moresby based athletes were able to resume training at the Sir John Guise stadium on 1st November and whilst some have opted to skip the Grand Prix and focus on the championships, there will still be a few athletes from NCD joining other national squad members in Kimbe for the Grand Prix which will serve as a warm up event for the Championships. Meanwhile over in Kimbe the local athletes are excitedly gearing up for the competitions ahead despite the disappointment of the cancellation of the NGI Championships in Kokopo. With ENB Province in lockdown and with a curfew in place it was clearly not practical to conduct the event at this time. The athletes most looking forward to the Grand Prix are the middle and long-distance groups based in Kerowagi Simbu Province and at Utmei Secondary school in ENB. Following the successful PNG Air Grand Prix in Port Moresby early in July these athletes have been looking forward to the second round. Top competition is expected in the mens middle and long-distance events with George Yamak, Dilu Goiye Abel Siune, Siune Kagl, Wilford Baia and Adolf Kauba expected to be amongst the leading contenders. In the womens events Mary Tenge who was dominant in Port Moresby will face stronger competition this time from Scholastica Herman and Aina Goir. With many of the country’s top male sprinters in the USA at the present time, the Grand Prix and National Championships provide the opportunity for the next generation to show what they can do. Local favourite Graham Bai will be up against Paias Wisil and Jobbie Kinzu from NSI as well as NCD based Chabby Solomon and Terrence Talio. With very little athletic activity in ENB this year it is not known whether there will be a team at the Championships other than the small Utmei group. There will however be a small team from New Ireland coached by 1991 Pacific games 400m champion Subul Babo. Meanwhile Lae, Bulolo, Simbu, East Sepik and Popondetta are also understood to be preparing to send a few athletes each to Kimbe. Attendance at the National Championships is very important for those PNG based athletes seeking a place in the team for the Pacific Mini Games this year. Obviously, we have to adapt to the situation we have with the effect of the pandemic on training and competition said President Tony Green but the fact is that the Championships are the last major event we will have before the entry deadline is upon us. This means we have to go with the results and information available to us. The selection policy for the Games can be viewed via the APNG Facebook page and website. Green also stated that Athletics PNG was working to ensure that established team members and those athletes with the proven ability to make the team will make it over to Kimbe

A Myanmar military court has sentenced US journalist Danny Fenster to 11 years in jail. Fenster was found guilty of breaching immigration law, unlawful association and encouraging dissent against the military. He was earlier this week slapped with two additional charges of sedition and terrorism, which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. His trial on the new charges will begin on 16 November. Fenster, 37, who was the managing editor of online site Frontier Myanmar, was detained at Yangon international airport in May. He is one of dozens of local journalists that have been detained since a military coup in February. According to Frontier, Fenster had earlier worked for Myanmar Now, an independent news site that has been critical of the military since the coup. "The charges were all based on the allegation that he was working for banned media outlet Myanmar Now. Danny had resigned from Myanmar Now in July 2020 and joined Frontier the following month, so at the time of his arrest in May 2021 he had been working with Frontier for more than nine months," said the news site. "There is absolutely no basis to convict Danny of these charges." His sentencing on Friday comes months after a Japanese freelance journalist was arrested in Myanmar and charged with spreading fake news. Yuki Kitazumi, who was reporting for many of Japan's major news outlets, was one of a few foreign reporters in the country. Myanmar authorities maintain he violated the law but released him because Japan had requested it. SOURCE: BBC NEWS

With urgent support required by Port Moresby General Hospital to combat the Delta Variant Covid-19 crisis in the city, BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) is pleased to donate K100,000 to assist the country’s major hospital. In presenting the K100,000 donation today to Port Moresby General Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Dr Paki Molumi and his staff, BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming said; “BSP understands the plight the hospital is facing in this uncertain times, especially the COVID-19 Delta Variant Crisis.” “The continuous surge in the number of Covid-19 Delta Variant cases not only poses a threat to PNG’s economy, it is greatly affecting businesses and the country’s health system.  Indeed this is worse than the last two surges and our BSP staff and their families are being affected as well. As a community bank, we want to do our bit to assist the Port Moresby General Hospital, as it’s not only the main hospital in the city but the main referral and specialist hospital, including its teaching and training role. “Just like the hospitals, BSP as a bank is an essential service provider and we will continue to keep our branches open and we will continue to encourage our staff to get vaccinated especially when Covid-19 continues to spread rapidly. We would also like to extend our sincere condolences to those families who have lost loved ones to Covid-19,” Mr Fleming added. CEO of the Port Moresby General Hospital Dr Paki Molumi in accepting the assistance said the hospital’s Covid-19 isolation ward is full to capacity and with over 150 cases admitted, more than 60 percent of those patients require oxygen. “We are opening up new wards to accommodate and manage the increasing number of patients so more lives can be saved. Funding from the Government has been slow and we are grateful for the assistance by BSP today. The hospital has lost over 40 patients to Covid-19 since 27th September, 2021, and is struggling to keep its workforce with already 70 staff infected and in isolation. The mortuary is filled to capacity with over 300 bodies, of which more than 50 are Covid-19 victims,” said Dr Molumi. BSP also noted that its support to Covid-19 also included the installation of 150 wash stations around the country by its respective branches to the value of K110, 000.00 in 2020 through its community project initiative. “In 2020 and 2021, our community projects included support to 32 hospitals and medical centres to the value of K1.18 million which included medical equipment donation, solar power installation and building refurbishments.

Power outages in the National Capital District will continue on into next week as PNG Power teams carry out load shedding exercise on its feeders across the city. PNG Power call centre confirmed that the load shedding exercise was undertaken as a result of power shortfall from Rouna. It said water generation from Rouna is not enough at this time to supplement electricity therefore PPL had to do load shedding. Power outages in the city began early this week with various areas being affected. Meanwhile, PPL is yet to issue the load shedding schedule for different areas within the Nation’s Capital.

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has announced that applications for its 2022 Apprenticeship Training and Graduate Development Scheme (GDS) programs are now open. School leavers from universities and technical institutions around the country are encouraged to apply. OTML Managing Director and CEO, Musje Werror, said with the mine life extended to 2032 and potentially beyond, there is an exciting career path with OTML after the training programs are completed. Mr Werror is a product of the GDS Program which he attended in 1988 and has worked his way up to become the first national managing director of the mine. “We are looking for young Papua New Guineans with high potential not only academically but also with the right attitude to contribute towards the success of Ok Tedi and the development of Papua New Guinea,” said Mr Werror. “We are also looking for female Papua New Guineans to join our operation. Our current percentage of females in the workforce is 11 percent, and we have set a target to increase to 20 percent by the year 2025.” OTML is offering Apprenticeship Training in the following Trade Categories: • Automotive Electrical • Cabinet Making & Joinery • Carpentry Construction • Electrical Fitting • Electronic • Instrumentation • Heavy Equipment Fitting • Maintenance Fitting & Machining • Metal Fabrication & Welding • Plumbing & Drainage • Refrigeration & Air Condition Under the Graduate Development Scheme OTML offers training in these categories: • Accounting • Geology • Human Resource Management • Mechanical Engineering • Environmental Sciences • Electrical & Communication Engineering • Geotechnical Engineering • ICT • Mineral Processing Engineering • Surveying Visit https://oktedi.com/careers/ to apply. Applications for both training programs will close on the 26th November 2021. Since 1982 OTML has trained 1, 123 trades persons and 560 Graduates. Nearly 360 trades persons and graduates have been employed by the company, while many others are now working in other resource companies within the country and abroad.

Air Niugini has resumed its Fokker jet services to Wewak starting today following the completion of runway repairs by the National Airports Corporation (NAC). Since the works on the airport runway commenced early this year, Link PNG has been operating to Wewak airport using smaller Dash-8 aircraft, but with passenger numbers restricted to as few as 20 at times because of the shortened runway. Air Niugini General Manager Commercial Dominic Kaumu said the last months of restrictions at Wewak has been inconvenient for both the customers and the airline. "However, we understand runways must be maintained to the highest standard and we are pleased the works are now complete and we can resume our Fokker 100 jet services into Wewak airport," Mr Kaumu said. Air Niugini operates daily nonstop Fokker services between Port Moresby and Wewak, and additional services will be scheduled throughout the peak period should demand warrant.