Column 1 – The National

Vaccination rate
The latest number of PNG people being vaccinated is over 180,000 – or 2.31 per cent of the population. At this rate, just reaching the 50 per cent mark will require a colossal effort by health authorities and the people. It certainly won’t be easy and will take time.
Eyes on camera
When you are diving to score a try, always remember where the cameraman is standing – as shown here by New Zealand All Blacks captain and flanker Ardie Savea in the match against the Springboks last Saturday.
Singing driver
Colleague got into a taxi in Port Moresby yesterday and watched in amusement as the driver was singing along a popular number from a Pacific island country playing on the Lalokau FM radio.
Great pretenders
Taxi drivers interact with people, mostly strangers, as part of their daily work. One was complaining yesterday that he hated those who dress up like lawyers but cannot even pay the full fare.
Remaining 124
As of Jan1, 2022, PNG is taking charge of the 124 asylum seekers left in the country from the Manus refugee camp set up by Australia in 2013. Canberra is no longer responsible for them.
Top 13
Now that the NRL 2021 season has ended, Brett Kimmorley has picked his Kangaroo XIII lineup: (From 1 to 13) Tedesco, To’o, Trbojevic, Burton, Addo-Carr, Munster, Cleary, Campbell-Gillard, Cook, Saifiti, Crichton, Murray, Yeo. Of course you may beg to differ.
Food for thought
It is noble and heart-warming to give alms to the needy. But do you then have to yell from the rooftop to tell the whole world about it? Takes away its unique “sweetness”.
Top quote
“When a women smiles with economic empowerment, it means the family smiles and the country will prosper with economic empowerment.” – Mama Bank chief executive Gunanidhi Das.