Dede Sophie

Statement On Sunday 25th June 2022, we learned that one container of empty metal ballot boxes for Southern Highlands that was being transported by the PNGEC logistics team to Hela was intercepted by the police in Mendi and is currently being held at Mendi Police Station together with containers of additional nonsensitive election materials. I wish to explain the circumstances of this delivery.  I confirm that on 22 June 2022, I instructed that the PNGEC logistics convoy redirect two containers of empty metal ballot boxes from Southern Highlands to Hela and Enga Provinces for the following reasons:  -Due to an ongoing 2017 election petition, SHP was not able to access the containers to obtain non-disputed empty metal ballot boxes at the time of dispatch of strategic materials, therefore the PNGEC sent three containers of empty metal ballot boxes to SHP.  -Whilst these containers were in transit to SHP, approval to access the containers in SHP occurred and as a result the stocktake of em...

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is the overall winner of the World Car of the Year Awards 2023, writes Brian Byrne. It was in against the BMW X1/iX1 and the Kia Niro.  In categories, the Lucid Air electric car produced in the US won the World Luxury Car accolade, against the BMW 7 Series/i7 and the Genesis G90. Kia’s EV6 GT took the World Performance Car title, against the Nissan Z and the Toyota GR Corolla. The Ioniq 6 also won the World Electric Vehicle title, from the BMW i7 and the Lucid Air; and the World Car Design of the year, from the Range Rover and the Lucid Air. The Citroen C3 won the World Urban Car slot, from the ORA Funky Cat and the Volkswagen Taigo. The World Car Awards are decided by more than a hundred jurors worldwide and this is the 19th year. The 2023 awards were announced last week at the New York Auto Show. 

Ford is now offering two Ranger pickup variants with enhanced offroad capabilities, writes Brian Byrne. The Ranger Wildtrak X and Ranger Tremor will be available to order from next month, with deliveries expected in European markets from August. Both will come with higher ride height and wider track than the standard Ranger versions, as well as special suspension components including Bilstein high-performance dampers, and a ‘Trail Turn Assist’ which reduces turning radius in tricky offroad driving. The Ranger Tremor has visual differences as well as seats and floor materials designed to weather tough conditions. Both Ranger Wildtrak X and Tremor can be specified with Ford’s innovative new Flexible Rack System, a folding roof rack and adjustable sliding rear load hoop that allow long items to be carried above the roof rather than wedged between the tailgate and cab.  Flexible Rack System is now also available as an option for Ranger Wildtrak series.