The Vitis Group of Companies very recently launched a new foreign currency exchange service in the city of Port Moresby, aimed at enabling ease for businesses or individuals wanting to change currencies. Vitis Group of Companies General Manager Dr. Sergey Mosin, said the foreign currency exchange is a new product offered by its subsidiary, Malina Finance Limited, at the Mosin Plaza at Gerehu. He adds that to be part of market economy, businesses and population should have fast access to foreign currency for travel, trade, for business, or for tourism. This is what led to the company offering this product to its customers. “Exchange rates will be better if there is no monopoly by the banks. Countries with financial freedom are rich and countries with many restrictions and bad banking are not that well off, PNG is one of them,” he said. The foreign currencies offered at Malina Finance are the US dollars, Chinese Yuan, Australian Dollars, New Zealand Dollars, Philippine Peso, the Euro, and the British Pound. Meanwhile, Vitis Group of Companies includes various businesses running under it like Malina Finance, Zoya Travel & Tours, and Fortuna Pharmacy to name a few.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you.  Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10 This is one of his favourite memory verses, and a great motivation that has kept him focused on his goals.  Especially his dream of representing Papua New Guinea in the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup. The 18-year-old has found sports as an avenue to keep him active and disciplined. Having been playing cricket for four years now, Junior says he dreamt of playing in the world cup and when that opportunity came to try out, he gave it his all.  In fact, he says, ‘mi pilai long wanpla niupla ragbi tim tasol mi kam aut and joined cricket because of the world cup.’ [I was a part of a new rugby team, but I had to come out…] Being young and determined to pursue his dreams came from a lot of encouragement from people around. ‘Femili, na frens blo mi, na ol bikpla ol players tu ol givim gutpla toktok lo mi. Ol tok: discipline yourself and you will become a good person.’ [My family, friends and even the senior players gave me great advice. They told me: discipline yourself…] Junior really has come a long way, especially after completing grade 8 and seeking alternatives for a brighter future for himself.  With all the invaluable advice and inspiration around him he was motivated.  ‘Role model blong mi long kriket em Norman Vanua ya bikos long bowling techniques blong em.’ [My role model in cricket is Norman Vanua because of his bowling techniques.] He adds, another person he looks up to is his older brother who represented PNG in va’a. ‘Mi hamamas,’ [I’m excited] he says about his first time leaving the country and his debut in the upcoming World Cup tour.  The young Hanuabada bowler urges his teammates to ‘work hard and sacrifice ourselves to play for our country and families’.  He also thanks them and his coaches for the training and support leading up to the World Cup.

The St John Ambulance Service was out in full force during the new year celebrations with 6 ambulance units on road and more than 28 ambulance officers, paramedics and clinical crews on duty from 6pm to 6am at the Ambulance Headquarters 3mile. A total of 36 cases and incidents were attended to across the city by ambulance personnel and paramedics. Over half of these were trauma cases involving alcohol related incidents of violence including a number of stabbings. 84% of the cases that St John attended on New year's eve were all related to trauma with majority of the incidents happening between 12:30am and 2am in the morning. CEO for St John Matt Cannon said they speculate that alcohol was involved in most cases of violence that occurred. “St John has always been busy with emergency operations in Port Moresby and the New Year." "We are greatly concerned about the availability of cheap high-strength liquor in NCD." "Our ambulance crews are seeing the violent effects of people becoming heavily intoxicated on such cheap, strong liquor." "St John Ambulance supports the call from ACP Anthony Wagambie Jnr, RPNGC and NCDC for a review into the sale of cheap, high-strength liquor in NCD, with an important view that we must protect vulnerable people in our community."

The world's most valuable company is the first to reach the $3tn milestone as investors bet that consumers will continue to shell out for iPhones, MacBooks and other gadgets and services such as Apple TV and Apple Music. Apple has become the world's first company with a $3tn (£2.2tn) stock market value. On the first day of trading in 2022, the Silicon Valley-based tech company's shares briefly hit a record of $182.88 around midday on Monday. The stock later pulled back from that level, closing 2.5% higher at $182.01. The iPhone maker passed $2tn (£1.4tn) in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic that has stoked demand for personal electronics and digital services, and reached over $1tn (£740,000) in 2018. [caption id="attachment_18097" align="aligncenter" width="895"] The surge marks the latest accomplishment for Apple's chief executive Tim Cook[/caption] In comparison Microsoft Corp is now worth about $2.5tn (£1.8tn), while Alphabet, Amazon.com and Tesla have market values above $1tn. 'A fantastic accomplishment' The world's most valuable company is the first to reach the milestone as investors bet that consumers will continue to shell out for iPhones, MacBooks and other gadgets and services such as Apple TV and Apple Music. It also marks the latest accomplishment for Tim Cook, who became chief executive of Apple in 2011 shortly before the death of the company's co-founder Steve Jobs. "It's a fantastic accomplishment and certainly worthy to be celebrated," said Jake Dollarhide, chief executive officer of Longbow Asset Management in Tulsa, Oklahoma. "It just shows you how far Apple has come, and how dominant it is seen as in the majority of investors' eyes." 5G boost Scott Wren, senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, said: "The market is rewarding companies that have strong fundamentals and balance sheets, and the companies that are hitting these sort of huge market caps have proven they are strong businesses and not speculation." The rapid embrace of technologies such as 5G, virtual reality and artificial intelligence has also helped these stocks become market darlings as investors move towards cash-rich companies and away from businesses that have been more sensitive to economic growth. Apple's quick adoption of 5G, a technology that has broad implications in the future, has provided a big boost. It recently launched iPhone 13 in its second wave of phones with 5G technology. SOURCE: SKY NEWS

Even Conor McGregor’s training partner has been stunned by the UFC star’s enormous new frame. The Irishman has not been in the Octagon since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July and since then, recovery and rehabilitation has dominated his days. The Sun reports McGregor has gradually been increasing the intensity of his training sessions but much of his early process was strength training, having been limited to what he can do while nursing the broken leg. It meant McGregor piled on the pounds and revealed at one point he weighed as much as 86kg — that’s 15kg heavier than he was when weighing in for his bout against Poirier six months ago. And judging by his recent Instagram post, the former two-weight UFC champion has kept on the muscle mass. His SBG teammate and regular sparring partner Cian Cowley commented: “Steak and eggs the size of you.” And Cowley was not the only one, as a fan posted: “Heavyweight champ next?” Another wrote: “Heavyweight champion?? (Francis) Ngannou stands no chance.” [caption id="attachment_18087" align="aligncenter" width="899"] McGregor is filling out that sweater in his latest Instagram post. Photo: Instagram[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18088" align="aligncenter" width="890"] The Irishman has bulked up big-time. Photo: Instagram.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18089" align="aligncenter" width="877"] He’s more than happy to flex.[/caption] The focus on McGregor’s body transformation continues after Poirier and former UFC star Chael Sonnen made mention of his physique last month. Poirier suggested McGregor looked a “little puffy” while Sonnen voiced his concern. “That picture of him at 190 (pounds) … he looked like he was extremely bloated,” Sonnen said on his podcast. “And when somebody weighs 190 – that’s used to weighing 155, 175; what you have to wonder is how. How did you get this big? Why? The answer to me seems redundantly obvious. “You’re not training. You cannot train the way you need to prepare in MMA, which we’re well aware. We are well aware that Conor is not. He’s got the hurt leg and he’s not doing what he is used to. He’s not jumping rope. He’s not running. He’s not pulling the sled. He’s not sparring. We get it. He’s having to do other exercises. “If you’re not doing our sport, who gives a damn what you weigh? If your calorie deficit to intake got so far out of control, that you’re bigger than you’ve ever been, that’s not a good thing.” [caption id="attachment_18090" align="aligncenter" width="874"] McGregor tipped the scales at 70kg in July - 15kg lighter than he was last month. Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFP[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18091" align="aligncenter" width="863"] He was much more trim in January too. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)[/caption] “That picture of him at 190 (pounds) … he looked like he was extremely bloated,” Sonnen said on his podcast. “And when somebody weighs 190 – that’s used to weighing 155, 175; what you have to wonder is how. How did you get this big? Why? The answer to me seems redundantly obvious. “You’re not training. You cannot train the way you need to prepare in MMA, which we’re well aware. We are well aware that Conor is not. He’s got the hurt leg and he’s not doing what he is used to. He’s not jumping rope. He’s not running. He’s not pulling the sled. He’s not sparring. We get it. He’s having to do other exercises. “If you’re not doing our sport, who gives a damn what you weigh? If your calorie deficit to intake got so far out of control, that you’re bigger than you’ve ever been, that’s not a good thing.” Poirier — who was beaten by McGregor in 2014 but won their 2021 rematch by knockout — later went on to challenge for the lightweight belt. But he was beaten by champion Charles Oliveira, 32, who went on to call out The Notorious. Sonnen predicted McGregor could leapfrog No. 1 contender Justin Gaethje, 33, to a lightweight title shot. “There’s a story going around that Conor McGregor is going to return right into a title fight with Charles Oliveira,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “To support that story is a guy who has a say in this called Charles Oliveira. Charles said, ‘Justin Gaethje, you’ve done everything right and it’s no disrespect but step aside, I’m getting my (fight with McGregor)’. “OK, well, we have to listen to the champion of the world. We don’t wanna disrespect Justin Gaethje but put that on hold. “Oliveira gets to do what’s best for him and he’s made it very clear that he will push the number one contender aside, whoever the hell it is. Happens to be Justin Gaethje. “But whoever it is, he will push them aside if it means (he can fight) against Conor McGregor.” SOURCE: FOX SPORTS

Former President Trump’s eldest son and daughter have refused to comply with subpoenas issued by the New York State attorney general’s office as it conducts a civil investigation into the way the family real estate business valued its holdings. “A dispute has arisen between the OAG and the Individual Trump Parties regarding the Subpoenas,” a document filed Monday said. The document, filed jointly by New York Attorney General Letitia James and an attorney for the Trump Organization, said Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump will now be named as respondents in James’ ongoing inquiry, which parallels a criminal investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. “As her investigation into financial dealing of the Trump Organization continues, Attorney General James is seeking interviews under oath of Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump," a spokesperson for the AG's office said. "Despite numerous attempts to delay our investigation by the Trump Organization, we are confident that our questions will be answered and the truth will be uncovered because no one is above the law.” Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump sought to quash the subpoenas Monday evening in a motion. Alan Futerfas, an attorney representing both Trump children, questioned James' motives: her office is also involved in the criminal investigation of the Trump Organization. “The goal of the subpoenas is all too clear: Attorney General James seeks to circumvent the entire grand jury process and nullify Moving Parties’ most fundamental constitutional and statutory rights by requesting that they provide non-immunized testimony to the OAG – when the OAG/DANY is jointly conducting a grand jury investigation,” Futerfas wrote in a motion to quash the subpoenas, which he said violate the rules of criminal procedure. The former president and his company have denied wrongdoing and have attacked the investigation as political. The ongoing criminal investigation has so far resulted in indictments against the Trump Organization and its longtime chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg on tax charges. Prosecutors said the company had been paying Weisselberg’s rent, living expenses, private school tuition and car lease without proper reporting on tax returns. Both pleaded not guilty. SOURCE: ABC NEWS

The first batch of police reservists undergoing police training at Hope Institute in Tari, Hela Province will pass out on the 12th of this month after undergoing two months of intense training. Hela Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Teddy Agwi said the 90 personnel includes 86 male and four female personnel who will assist regular police going forward into the National General Elections period. The Hela Provincial Police Reservist Program follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Hela Provincial Government and Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) to train grade 12 school leavers in the province with the aim to increase police personnel in each of the three district. Chief Inspector Agwi said the 90 are from Tari Pori Dsitrict alone and they are currently waiting on the other two District CEOs to submit names of their applicants for training. He further said the training conducted is the same training that is carried out at Bomana Police Training College but these 90 will go back to training once funding is made available.

To all our valued Nasfund Members, 2021 was yet another challenging year. Containing COVID transmission, treatment, vaccination and keeping our economy going were all day to day topical matters. For business and a majority of our employers, it was a test of resilience and adaptability under new norms. Business houses have become adept in keeping doors open for trade, maintaining employment, paying tax, superannuation, increased licensing fees, accessing limited forex while seeking and investing in new opportunities in a contracting and distressed economy. For us at Nasfund, our priority was to keep staff healthy, maintaining services to members, paying out Section 90 entitlements as and when required and ensuring we continued to deliver a positive return on member savings. Our challenges over 2021 has been the high volume of members applying for a withdrawal of their savings on account of unemployment and retirement which was expected on the back of the Porgera Mine closure and labour shedding across a number of our large employers, including several SOEs. As we did in 2020 we accommodated this by holding a high level of cash. I am pleased to inform, not one member missed out on receiving their entitlement as and when it was legally due. Secondly, while new investment opportunities were limited, your Board addressed a number of existing investments that were impacted by COVID and prevailing economic conditions. While our final audited results will be released in February 2022, I am pleased to report several highlights that reflected our work in 2021; Income and profitability to exceed Expenses maintained below Employees of University of Technology and International Food Corporation voted to remain with Nasfund after issuance of Sect 85 Notice. Acquired 98% ownership of Mainland Holdings Ltd Support for Loloata Island Resort (Nasfund owns 50%). Staff vaccination coverage of 77%. Annual Member / Employer Online conference held in April (over 5,000 member viewers) High engagement   with   employers/members.    Conducted    540    shop    floor presentations covering 8,206 members/potential members. 2 consultative engagements with our 7 shareholder peak Membership base increased by 5% to 621,283 as at 30 November 2021 Employer base increased by 1 % to 2697 as at 30 November 2021 Participated in the Superannuation & Life Insurance Consultative Workshops held in Lae, Buka, Alotau, Kimbe and Kokopo with NSL and Bank of PNG teams. Submissions made to the Superannuation & Life Insurance Review (SLIR) team on suggested amendments to the Superannuation Act as well as response to the SLIR terms of reference. Participated in the consultations carried out by the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) on the Central Bank. Completed annual Board Strategy Completed annual Strategy Asset Allocation workshop and Risk Management Review Lead on Superannuation Industry’s response to Government’s Dominant Industry Player Levy. 2021 is now gone and it is 2022 we must look forward to. We are not out of tough times, we can still expect the same operating environment in 2022, especially as we head into national general elections in June. We will maintain focus on doing the simple basics right while positioning ourselves to capitalize on worthwhile opportunities that deliver value for members in 2022 and beyond. On behalf of the Fund, I assure you of our attention and service at all times. May 2022 be successful and meaningful for each of you.

Prime Minister James Marape has made his commitment on several projects in Manus in his New Year visit to the province last Friday. At a short official ceremony at NBC Beach in Lorengau, Prime Minister Marape addressed the Manus people by emphasising that though Manus is remote and isolated from mainland PNG, he has not forgotten them. With respect to the major development projects, Prime Minister Marape made a commitment of K30 million for work to begin on the construction of the N’Drauke Industrial Port, K10 million for a new COVID-19 and other transmissible Diseases Isolation Facility, this is apart from the budgeted K15 million funding for a new Manus Provincial Hospital and a further K10 million for road works to begin on the East-West Highway road link that falls in the Provincial Government’s jurisdiction. For Manus Provincial Hospital, he wanted to see the immediate establishment of a modern COVID-19 isolation facility in Manus, and further requested for land to be identified and made available for the construction of the new Provincial Hospital. Prime Minister Marape also announced that the new Momote Airport will become an international airport once it becomes operational in February 2022, and will have all enabling facilities including an airport hospital to process international passengers and investors entering Manus and PNG. Other major projects that will come on line in Manus include the Manus Tax Free Region (MTFR) project, which will provide tax exemption, encourage foreign investment and create economic and business activities in the province. Prime Minister Marape further stressed that it is his Government’s priority to provide a conducive environment for service delivery for tangible economic development that impact positively on the lives of people and Manus is no exception. Mr Marape departed for Port Moresby today but said he will visit Manus again early this year to officially launch some of the projects that he has mentioned. The Prime Minister was received on arrival at Momote Airport on Friday by the Commanding Officer of Tarangau Base, Lombrum, and inspected the Guard of Honour and officially welcomed to Manus by the Governor Charlie Benjamin, Manus MP and Speaker of National Parliament Job Pomat, members of the Manus Provincial Assembly and Senior SDA Church Leaders.

Ms Greene has previously questioned the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, alleged school shootings were staged, and claimed a space laser was to blame for a California fire. Twitter has permanently suspended the personal account of US politician Marjorie Taylor Greene for repeated violations of its COVID-19 misinformation policy. Ms Greene has been kicked off of Twitter after being issued a "fourth strike" in August when she was suspended for a week for saying that vaccines were failing. She claimed in July that COVID-19 was "not dangerous for non-obese people and those under 65" - despite US government figures saying people under 65 accounted for nearly 250,000 of roughly 825,000 deaths. [caption id="attachment_18061" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Ms Greene joins Mr Trump in being suspended from the platform[/caption] Ms Greene has been an ardent supporter of former president Donald Trump, whose personal account has also been permanently suspended from Twitter despite his pleas. Her official Twitter account as a member of the House of Representatives remains on the platform. Following the permanent suspension Ms Taylor Greene said: "Twitter is an enemy to America and can't handle the truth." She also accused the social media platform of attempting to "complete a Communist revolution" by preventing people telling "the truth". SOURCE: SKY NEWS

Basic health services in Matairuka village in Rigo, Central Province have not been forthcoming for over a year now according to Village Councilor Mr Gelema Gaba. Mr Gaba said that the only health facility available in the village is an Aid Post which is wholly supported and funded by The Salvation Army. He said that since the last Aid Post Medical Officer was dismissed in January 2021, the Aid Post which caters for over five thousand people has not been in operation for a year thus resulting in patients having to seek other alternatives in search of medical care and attention. According to Mr Gaba, villagers have had to travel to the nearest health care centre which is located at Kwikila Town, a further 20 kilometers away from the village. “We have not had another medical officer posted to our village since January 2021 and it is now becoming a struggle for the villagers as they now have to seek help elsewhere which at times is costly for them,” Mr Gaba said. A patient from the village who did not wish to be named said that since the closure of the Aid Post, she has made a number of visits to Kwikila Town as well as to Port Moresby to buy medicine from the pharmacies and this has proved to be a costly exercise for her so far. “Lately, I have had to make a few visits to Kwikila Town to look for medicine and to get there and back, I pay K8 in truck fares and then spend over K20 for medicine.” “When I travel to Port Moresby instead, it’s quite costly because I now have to pay K30 in truck fares on top of the costs of medicine.” “Previously when the Aid Post was operational, I only had to spend K5 at the least to receive medication,” she said. With the new year already here, the villagers are hoping that the Aid Post can resume operations soon as they do not wish to go through another year without having a medical officer in the village. The Village Councilor said that the possibility of having another Medical Officer sent to the village will depend largely on the arrangements made by officials from The Salvation Army Church in the village. He hopes that arrangements can be put in place so that a Medical Officer can be sent to the village to enable the people to access health services in the comfort of their own village instead of having to travel far and spending more for basic health services. Image sources: MS PIxels & Miichelle Abau Gabina

Pacific Island New Zealanders are now 90 percent fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and a public health expert is urging them to keep up that momentum in the New Year. In yesterday's daily briefing, the Ministry of Health said 90 percent of eligible Pacific people in New Zealand have now had both vaccines. Dr Collin Tukuitonga from the University of Auckland said that is a tremendous effort and the threat of Omicron is the next challenge. He hopes the community embraces booster shots to guard against the more infectious variant. "It looks as if the two doses doesn't give you enough protection for Omicron, and the most important priority now is to get people to get their boosters as soon as that's possible." He hopes as many regions move into lower levels of restrictions in the government's Framework Protection system people will still stay vigilant, contact trace and get tested. "There's a risk that people might have gone back into a lower level of alertness, so I would hope that we maintain that [alertness]. "In mid-late January I think we're going to have to ramp up once again in respect of rolling out the vaccine for the young ones." Children aged between 5 and 11 become eligible for Covid-19 vaccinations in mid-January, and those 12 and older are already eligible. Tukuitonga said rolling out vaccinations for children could also be a challenge, and parents may need encouragement. "Parents are perhaps less certain about the benefits and more concerned about risks. So every effort is going to be needed to get the vaccination rollout in children up to the kind of levels that is needed." SOURCE: RNZ NEWS