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Technology

OliveX : expands its WEB3 with investment in breathonics and partnership with Parasol

OliveX : expands its WEB3 with investment in breathonics and partnership with Parasol

OliveX Holdings Limited

AMP Tower,

Level 28,

140 St Georges Terrace

Perth WA 6000

ACN 631 675 986

Media Release

OLIVEX EXPANDS ITS WEB3 WITH INVESTMENT IN BREATHONICS

AND PARTNERSHIP WITH PARASOL

HIGHLIGHTS

  • OliveX further commits to its strategy to build an open and fully interoperable fitness metaverse with strategic investment in its fifth move-to-earn fitness company Breathonics
  • Investing in and incubating up-and-coming Web3 fitness games is a pillar of the expansion of OliveX’s fitness metaverse
  • Three-yearagreement with Parasol Corp for three new fitness games to be rolled into the fitness metaverse
  • The Parasol development team specializes in combining fitness and interactive experiences with storytelling in a fun and approachable manner

August 12, 2022 – OliveX Holdings Limited (OliveX or the Company) (NSX:OLX), through its wholly-owned subsidiary OliveX (HK) Limited, is pleased to announce two partnerships as part of its committed strategy to build a diverse portfolio for its interoperable fitness metaverse. The Company entered an agreement with Hong Kong-based Silentmode Limited (Silentmode), a health technology startup that owns the mental health training app Breathonics, pursuant to which OliveX has committed to participate in a strategic equity investment in Silentmode as well as provide advisory services in connection with their proposed digital utility token launch. As part of the proposed strategic investment, OliveX Founder and CEO Mr Keith Rumjahn will take up a position as a non-executive director, providing Silentmode with advice and expertise with regards to coin pairings, marketing, exchange relationships and more.

Figure 1 – OliveX’s Fitness Metaverse

This investment is a further step towards the Company realizing its vision to invest in, and assist in developing, a number of move-to-earn titles in order to contribute to creating a fully interoperable metaverse, and follows the Company’s existing investments in DEFY Labs Pte. Ltd and Genopets, as previously announced.

Additionally, the Company finalized a partnership agreement with development studio Parasol Corp Pty Ltd for the development of three new games over three years, each of which will be underpinned by the ecosystem-wide DOSE utility token. The first game, tentatively titled ‘We Fight Monsters’, is for lovers of bodyweight workouts as well as fitness gaming.

Mr Rumjahncommented:

“From the very first day we began building the fitness metaverse OliveX’s business ethos was to be inclusive and collaborative. Building a great game is equally important as finding the right Move-and-Earn partners to invest in and incubate in order to create a fully interoperable metaverse.The investment in Breathonics gives us an entry point on a fitness tool with tremendous potential for creativity in collaboration with Silentmode, and another element with which to enhance our wider metaverse offering.”

“Creating games that are fun is our first priority and the design of ‘We Fight Monsters’ has it all: a captivating narrative gives players reason to move through HIIT-based movements to progress through the game. To effectively expand the ecosystem, OliveX is actively widening its gamified fitness offerings to focus on fitness, fun and inclusion for players of all ages, abilities and interests so as to further broaden its game options.”

About Silentmode

Silentmode is a Hong Kong-based private company with a business focus on creating breathing exercise products and applications, including its Breathonics app as well as associated hardware products.

The Breathonics app is designed to control and improve breathing quality through eight breathing protocols organized as practical solutions that help manage mental and physical health. As an underappreciated element of fitness, Breathonics’ 40+ science-based exercises are an ideal addition to the movement encouraged in OliveX’s Dustland games.

Silentmode will also enter the Web3 arena through the creation and public launch of its own digital utility token within 24 months, to be integrated with the existing Breathonics app.

About Parasol

Parasol Corp Pty Ltd is a Melbourne-based indie game development studio with a business focus on the creation and development of fitness and augmented reality games. Parasol is best known for its guided audiobook HIIT adventure ‘Warlocks and Workouts’, which combines propulsive chapter-based fantasy storytelling with interval training.

Parasol’s first game for OliveX, ‘We Fight Monsters’ will be set in the gothic wilds of a fallen empire known as the Vault of Kings. Users will step into a rich tapestry of lore and visual exploration as they explore the land, hunting for the Eldar vampire who destroyed their home. ‘We Fight Monsters’ will take fitness gaming to the next level, with unique gameplay, bosses and loot to personalize the game experience, further enhanced with NPCs and NFT rewards.

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Figure 2 – ‘We Fight Monsters’ is currently in development and is expected to roll out

its Alpha phase in Q4 22/23. Breathonics is currently available for download.

About OliveX

OliveX is a digital health and fitness company delivering unique user experiences through fitness gamification, augmented reality, and move-and-earn experiences. The OliveX fitness metaverse provides platforms that merge the real-world and the digital universe to connect consumers exercising at home, the gym, or outdoors with brands, influencers, and coaches in over 170 countries.

As part of its long term strategy to expand the fitness metaverse, OliveX is committed to its core development principles of building blockchain fitness games, investing in and incubating emerging blockchain titles, and partnering with global brands on the Sandbox. The Metaverse will ultimately be underpinned by OliveX’s bespoke cross-platform DOSE token, an ERC-20-compatible fungible token.

ENDS

For further information, photography or interview requests, please contact:

Keith Rumjahn

Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer [email protected]

Restrictions on our Games, Fitness Metaverse, and $DOSE

Restrictions due to compliance regulations for different jurisdictions apply. Residents from certain jurisdictions may not earn

$DOSE or participate in NFT sales and/or campaigns in our fitness metaverse. Additional restrictions may apply depending on the type of game or experience you are attempting to access.

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Sports

Daniel Ricciardo seeking $21 million payout for McLaren sacking, Oscar Piastri, Alpine, 2023 grid, latest, updates

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA - JULY 07: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and McLaren talks in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on July 07, 2022 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Daniel Ricciardo is reportedly seeking a whopping eight-figure payout to walk away from his contract with McLaren.

The 33-year-old veteran has become embroiled in F1’s mid-year silly season following reports he is being replaced by fellow Australian Oscar Piastri at McLaren in 2023.

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The news erupted last week after Fernando Alonso blindsided the F1 world when he jumped into Sebastian Vettel’s vacated seat at Aston Martin for 2023.

Alpine then announced Piastri would be the man to replace Alonso, only for the Melburnian to reject the seat — a bold move for a man who is yet to drive in F1.

Now Ricciardo has asked for a $21 million payout from McLaren for the early termination of his contract, according to Speedcafe.com.

Ricciardo is said to be the only party who can break his contract with the team, which expires at the end of 2023.

The report also states that should Ricciardo secure a drive at another team next season, any salary he receives would see the same value refunded to McLaren.

A payout would clear the way for McLaren to sign Piastri and for Ricciardo to continue his F1 career elsewhere on the grid.

Alpine reportedly did not have a valid long-term F1 contract with its reserve driver Piastri, which has allowed McLaren’s deal with the 21-year-old to be ticked off by the Contract Recognition Board.

Daniel Ricciardo could be set for a mega payout from McLaren. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

MORE COVERAGE

Hamilton’s surprise retirement admission spells bad news for Ricciardo amid long game twist

Ricciardo posts for the first time since shock McLaren dumping

Four contenders loom for Ricciardo’s signature. A ‘long game’ twist could sway his call

Ricciardo has remained tight-lipped and doesn’t appear bothered by the ongoing saga.

He is clearly enjoying his mid-season break and this week posted a photo of himself smiling in a swimming pool.

If Piastri does indeed take his place at McLaren, Ricciardo’s most likely landing spot would be Alpine, the French team formerly known as Renault where he spent two seasons in 2019 and 2020.

Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer slammed Piastri in a blistering spray over the weekend.

“I expected more loyalty from Oscar than he is showing,” the Alpine team principal told Spanish publication The confidential.

“I started in 1989 in Formula 1 and I’ve never seen anything like this. And it’s not about Formula 1, it’s about integrity as a human being.

“It could happen in ice hockey or soccer, it doesn’t matter. But you don’t do that. He signed a piece of paper, a document, saying he would do something different.

“For me, the way I grew up, I don’t need to sign a piece of paper and then have someone say, ‘You’re lying, because you signed this.’ For me, if you say, ‘Hey, help me, I’ll help you tomorrow,’ there’s no way I would go back on my word. No way.”

Alpine isn’t happy with Oscar Piastri. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“He should (drive with the) team that has taken care of him, that has taken him to the world championship and, above all, that during the last year has put him in a Formula 1 car so that he would be ready, so that he would know the circuits,” Szafnauer added.

“You did everything I asked you to do (from Alpine to Piastri) and now I promise you that if you do this, I will do this. I don’t need a piece of paper where it says, ‘With a clause, I can get out of here’.

“There should be some loyalty to the fact that we have invested literally millions and millions of euros to prepare him. So I don’t understand it either, you should ask him.”

Despite appearing to botch his contract, Szafnauer said Alpine will play hardball in a bid to hold on to Piastri.

“We have a contract with Piastri, which he signed in November, we have spoken to our lawyers and they have told us that this is a binding contract, so part of that contract allows us to put Oscar in one of our cars in 2023, which is the reason we issued the press release,” he said.

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Categories
Sports

F1 2022: Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer shreds Oscar Piastri for lack of loyalty in brutal spray, Daniel Ricciardo

F1 2022: Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer shreds Oscar Piastri for lack of loyalty in brutal spray, Daniel Ricciardo

Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer has blasted Aussie Oscar Piastri following his shock defection from the team.

Piastri sent the F1 world into a spin last week when he rejected Alpine’s seat vacated by Fernando Alonso, amid shock reports he is replacing Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren.

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It was a bold move for a man who is yet to drive in F1 and clearly didn’t sit well with Szafnauer, who slammed Piastri for bailing out on the team that had invested so much in him.

“I expected more loyalty from Oscar than he is showing,” the Alpine team principal told Spanish publication The confidential.

“I started in 1989 in Formula 1 and I’ve never seen anything like this. And it’s not about Formula 1, it’s about integrity as a human being.

“It could happen in ice hockey or soccer, it doesn’t matter. But you don’t do that. He signed a piece of paper, a document, saying he would do something different.

“For me, the way I grew up, I don’t need to sign a piece of paper and then have someone say, ‘You’re lying, because you signed this.’ For me, if you say, ‘Hey, help me, I’ll help you tomorrow,’ there’s no way I would go back on my word. No way.”

Piastri had been part of Alpine’s development program for several years and won three consecutive titles across a stellar junior career, culminating in last year’s Formula 2 triumph.

He has driven Alpine’s F1 car on numerous occasions on different circuits this year as part of the team’s testing program.

As Alpine’s reserve driver, filling the seat left by Alonso seemed like the logical move, but Piastri’s snub doesn’t sit well with Szafnauer.

“He should (drive with the) team that has taken care of him, that has taken him to the world championship and, above all, that during the last year has put him in a Formula 1 car so that he would be ready, so that he would know the circuits,” he said.

“You did everything I asked you to do (from Alpine to Piastri) and now I promise you that if you do this, I will do this. I don’t need a piece of paper where it says, ‘With a clause, I can get out of here’.

“There should be some loyalty to the fact that we have invested literally millions and millions of euros to prepare him. So I don’t understand it either, you should ask him.”

Despite reports F1’s Contract Recognition Board has already validated Piastri’s agreement with McLaren, Szafnauer said Alpine will play hardball in a bid to hold on to the 21-year-old.

“We have a contract with Piastri, which he signed in November, we have spoken to our lawyers and they have told us that this is a binding contract, so part of that contract allows us to put Oscar in one of our cars in 2023, which is the reason we issued the press release,” he said.

“There is also an option for 2024 and the possibility for us to ‘loan’ the driver to another team. We wanted Fernando with us for one more year and then a ‘loan’ of Oscar for 2023.

“I have always said in all my press conferences that Piastri would be in Formula 1 in 2023 and it is because I knew he could be in our car or in another car, on loan, if Fernando had stayed.

“But Alonso, for whatever reason – and I think I know the reasons, although you should ask him – he goes to Aston Martin. So, we started to finalize the agreement with Piastri, and instead of giving him away, we decided to put him in our car. Hence, the statement.”

As for Ricciardo, Alpine is open to the 33-year-old returning to the team, formerly known as Renault, where he spent too many seasons in 2019 and 2020.

And if that doesn’t eventuate, there are a few other teams where he could end up, while a mega $21 million payout beckons if McLaren does indeed cut Ricciardo loose.

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Categories
Sports

F1 news 2022: Daniel Ricciardo mid-season break ruined by Oscar Piastri’s Alpine bombshell

F1 news 2022: Daniel Ricciardo mid-season break ruined by Oscar Piastri's Alpine bombshell

The Oscar Piastri saga couldn’t have come at a worse time for Daniel Ricciardo.

The Australian F1 driver would have been eager to recharge the batteries in the mid-season break after a tumultuous first half of 2022, but the 33-year-old has instead become embroiled in the sport’s latest off-track drama.

The retirement of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has sparked a domino effect in the F1 paddock, with Alpine’s Fernando Alonso signing a multi-year deal with Aston Martin earlier this week.

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Alonso’s departure left a vacancy at Alpine, and the F1 team announced on Wednesday morning Aussie young gun Piastri would be joining France’s Esteban Ocon next season.

But they may have jumped the gun.

“I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year,” Piastri said in a statement. “This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.”

The 21-year-old’s bombshell declaration would suggest he has already secured a seat with a rival team, one of the most likely candidates being at McLaren, replacing countryman Ricciardo.

Despite being contracted with McLaren until the end of 2023, Ricciardo is seemingly at risk of losing his seat to young compatriot Piastri.

Last year, the Perth driver spoke about how important the mid-season break was for him amid a disappointing maiden season with McLaren.

Ricciardo briefly silenced his critics by winning the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, but the dramatic triumph remains his only podium finish for the Woking-based team.

Australian F1 fans will be hoping Ricciardo can rediscover his mojo next after the August holiday, but the Piastri drama has ensured it will be difficult for Ricciardo to clear his head during the mid-season break.

“To be honest, switching off normally gives me like a natural reset,” he said after last week’s Hungarian Grand Prix, as reported by motorsport.com.

“To a point where I imagine in say 10 days, two weeks into the break, I would have kind of got the holiday out of my system, and then I’ll build that hunger back again.

“So I’ll naturally think about it, after getting time off. That’s normally how it works for me.

“Again, go out with friends, drink some beers, have fun. And then I’ll get to the point where I start to not feel guilty, but just like alright, time to turn it on again. And then it’s kind of a natural switch that will come back probably after 14 days.

“A bit like last year, kind of start that second half of this season with a positive bang and just to get the ball rolling. The triple header, it’s intense.

“So I think come out and set some strong intentions. That’s the plan. Obviously, it’s easier said than done. But that’s certainly the plan.”

Good luck switching off while F1’s silly season explodes — with Ricciardo firmly placed in the middle of it all.

ESPN reports four rival teams have contacted Ricciardo over the past couple of weeks to assess where his head is at regarding his future.

Ricciardo has struggled to prove his worth since joining McLaren in 2021, repeatedly being outclassed by younger teammate Lando Norris.

McLaren boss Zak Brown publicly confessed the Australian, who is 12th in the drivers’ standings with 19 points, has failed to meet expectations.

Ricciardo is still adapting to the intricacies of the MCL36, which he described as one of the more difficult F1 cars he’s driven.

“I remember where in a race stint you could do 20 laps and you could stay within three tenths probably for a 20-lap stint at times, and kind of just be very in control,” he said.

“There’s some lapses, which I’ll put together, and kind of make sense. And I’m like, that was sweet. But then a couple of laps later, I might drop four tenths (of a second) or something, and then I’m like, ughh …

“It’s not so simple, like a dot-to-dot, there’s some hurdles before getting to the next dot. And so that’s a little complicated.

“I guess when it’s on more of a knife-edge or when there’s more variables, that’s where it starts to become that step more difficult.”

Even if Ricciardo were cast aside by McLaren ahead of next season, that wouldn’t necessarily signal the end of his F1 career.

Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer has not shut the door on Ricciardo making a shock return if the F1 team was unable to keep Piastri.

Regardless, Ricciardo has made it abundantly clear he has no interest in departing McLaren anytime soon.

“There have been a lot of rumors around my future in Formula 1, but I want you to hear it from me,” he posted to Instagram last month.

“I am committed to McLaren until the end of next year and am not walking away from the sport. Appreciate it hasn’t always been easy, but who wants easy!

“I’m working my a** off with the team to make improvements and get the car right and back to the front where it belongs. I still want this more than ever.”

The F1 season will resume at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, August 28.

Read related topics:Daniel Ricciardo

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Sports

Alex Albon takes dig at Oscar Piastri amid Alpine drama, Williams, McLaren, 2023 grid, latest, updates

Oscar Piastri and Alex Albon.

Thai driver Alex Albon confirmed he has agreed to continue with Williams in 2023 amid the fallout over fellow F1 hopeful Oscar Piastri’s denial he will be racing for Alpine.

“I understand that, with my agreement, Williams Racing have put out a press release this afternoon that I am driving for them next year,” Albon said in a Twitter post, ironically referencing Piastri.

“This is right and I have signed a contract with Williams for 2023. I will be driving for Williams next year. Let’s go @williamsracing.”

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On Wednesday, Australian young gun Piastri refuted an announcement made earlier in the day by the French team Alpine that he had signed for them next season.

“I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year,” Piastri tweeted.

“This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.”

Alex Albon with Daniel Ricciardo. Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFPSource: AFP

MORE COVERAGE

This blindsided F1 team are facing two scenarios over their rising Aussie star. neither are good

‘No issue at all’: Team boss opens door to awkward Ricciardo return after Piastri shock

The four options facing Ricciardo as rising Aussie star sends shockwaves through F1

English non-league football team Taunton Town was one of several on social media who also took a cheeky dig at Piastri.

Williams are one of the teams which, according to unconfirmed reports, are in talks to sign Piastri, Formula 2 champion in 2021 and currently a reserve driver at Alpine.

Williams, however, made no mention on Wednesday of their other driver, Canadian Nicholas Latifi, whose contract expires at the end of this year.

The confusion follows last week’s announcement by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel that he would retire at the end of 2022.

His Aston Martin team announced a few days later they had concluded an agreement with Alpine driver Fernando Alonso, a double world champion, to replace Vettel from next year.

Australian driver Oscar Piastri. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

This precipitated the decision of the French team to announce Piastri as his replacement when the Australian seems to have entered into negotiations to sign for another team.

Rumors are raging Piastri is eyeing a seat at McLaren, with plenty of doubt about Daniel Ricciardo’s place at the team after two underwhelming seasons.

Albon, 26, whose mother is Thai and father British, debuted in Formula 1 in 2019 with Red Bull and joined Williams for this season.

During his time at Red Bull he had two third places before being replaced in 2021 within the Austrian team by Sergio Perez.

He currently sits 19th place in the championship with three points.

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Sports

F1 news 2022: Alex Albon takes dig at Oscar Piastri amid Alpine drama, Instagram post

F1 news 2022: Alex Albon takes dig at Oscar Piastri amid Alpine drama, Instagram post

Thai driver Alex Albon confirmed he has agreed to continue with Williams in 2023 amid the fallout over fellow F1 hopeful Oscar Piastri’s denial he will be racing for Alpine.

“I understand that, with my agreement, Williams Racing have put out a press release this afternoon that I am driving for them next year,” Albon said in a Twitter post, ironically referencing Piastri.

“This is right and I have signed a contract with Williams for 2023. I will be driving for Williams next year. Let’s go @williamsracing.”

Watch Every Practice, Qualifying & Race of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™ Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

On Wednesday, Australian young gun Piastri refuted an announcement made earlier in the day by the French team Alpine that he had signed for them next season.

“I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year,” Piastri tweeted.

“This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.”

Williams are one of the teams which, according to unconfirmed reports, are in talks to sign Piastri, Formula 2 champion in 2021 and currently a reserve driver at Alpine.

Williams, however, made no mention on Wednesday of their other driver, Canadian Nicholas Latifi, whose contract expires at the end of this year.

The confusion follows last week’s announcement by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel that he would retire at the end of 2022.

His Aston Martin team announced a few days later they had concluded an agreement with Alpine driver Fernando Alonso, a double world champion, to replace Vettel from next year.

This precipitated the decision of the French team to announce Piastri as his replacement when the Australian seems to have entered into negotiations to sign for another team.

Rumors are raging Piastri is eyeing a seat at McLaren, with plenty of doubt about Daniel Ricciardo’s place at the team after two underwhelming seasons.

Albon, 26, whose mother is Thai and father British, debuted in Formula 1 in 2019 with Red Bull and joined Williams for this season.

During his time at Red Bull he had two third places before being replaced in 2021 within the Austrian team by Sergio Perez.

He currently sits 19th place in the championship with three points.

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Categories
Australia

Solomon Islands orders national broadcaster SIBC not to report content critical of government

Solomon Islands orders national broadcaster SIBC not to report content critical of government

The Solomon Islands government has ordered the country’s national broadcaster to self-censor its news and other paid programs and only allow content that portrays the nation’s government in a positive light.

Staff at Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) confirmed to the ABC that acting chairman of the board William Parairato met with them last Friday to outline the new requirements.

They include vetting news and talkback shows to ensure they did not create disunity.

Mr Parairato had earlier attended a meeting with the Prime Minister’s office, the SIBC journalists said.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has become increasingly critical of the public broadcaster, accusing SIBC of publishing stories that have not been verified or balanced with government responses.

Last month, SIBC was removed as a state-owned enterprise (SOE) and became fully funded by the government, raising concerns about the broadcaster’s independence.

The government defended the reclassification, saying it had a duty to protect its citizens from “lies and misinformation”.

It is unclear whether SIBC — which plays a vital role as a government watchdog — will be able to publish any news or statements from the opposition under the new regime.

Critics are concerned the new rules resemble media policies adopted by the Chinese Communist Party, and could essentially make SIBC a mouthpiece for the government.

Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping
Local reporters say the government has become less inclined to answer media questions since the country signed a security pact with China. (Photo by Yao Dawei/Xinhua via Getty)

Media Association of Solomon Islands president Georgina Kekea said there were growing fears the government would be influenced by its “new partner”, referring to the security pact recently signed between Solomon Islands and China.

“It really doesn’t come as a surprise,” she told the ABC.

“This is one of the things which we are fearful of for the past month or so now.

“We’ve been vocal on this issue, especially when it comes to freedom of the press and media doing its expected role.”

What impact will it have?

Honiara-based Melanesian News Network editor Dorothy Wickham said it was unclear how the development would play out.

An image of Solomon Island journalist Dorothy Wickham
Dorothy Wickham says she isn’t surprised by the move, given the government’s ongoing criticism of the media. (Supplied: Dorothy Wickham )

“We haven’t seen this happen before,” she said.

“If the opposition gets on SIBC and starts criticizing government policies, which every opposition does… would the government disallow SIBC to air that story or that interview? That is the question that we’re asking.”

Officials have denied taking full control of SIBC’s editorial policy, saying it just wants the broadcaster to be more responsible because it’s a government entity.

But University of South Pacific journalism professor Shailendra Singh said the government’s intentions were clear.

“There seems to be no doubt that the government is determined to take control of the national broadcaster, editorially and financially,” he told ABC’s The World Today.

“I don’t think there’s any way the government can be stopped.

“This latest move by the government, what it has done with the SIBC, is bringing it closer to media in a communist system than in a democracy.”

Press freedoms dwindling

Local media have been vocal about increased government secrecy, the closing of doors and controlled dissemination of information from the prime minister’s office.

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Sports

Erin Phillips’ heartwarming Port Adelaide captaincy reveal melts AFL

Erin Phillips' heartwarming Port Adelaide captaincy reveal melts AFL

WNBA-turned-footy superstar Erin Phillips has brought her footy legend father to tears after revealing she would be Port Adelaide’s inaugural AFLW captain.

Erin, who has been a three-time premiership player, two-time league best-and-fairest and two-time Grand Final best on ground winner with the Adelaide Crows, revealed she would be joining Port Adelaide after winning last season’s decider.

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Erin’s father Greg Phillips was an eight-time Port Adelaide SANFL premiership player and the captain between 1991 and his retirement in 1993 — before the club joined the AFL in 1997.

Greg, who was a 1980 All-Australian, played 343 games for the club and an addition 84 games for Collingwood in the VFL in over 18 years in top-flight footy.

He was also named in Port Adelaide’s greatest ever team, is a life member of the club and is an inaugural inductee into the South Australian Football Hall of Fame and a 2020 inductee into the AFL Hall of Fame.

So it’s safe to say the club means a fair bit to him and the family.

When joining the club, Erin said she would wear her father’s No. 22 when joining the club.

But after getting Greg down to the club for a photo shoot, he immediately realized the jig was up when the No. 1, which is reserved for the club captain, was on the back of the jersey.

“What’s this number? What’s this? Put another twenty one numbers on … plus twenty one?” Greg asked.

“Well you know how you said the best part of being at Port Adelaide was being captain?” Erin said.

“Are you already?” Greg replied.

He immediately wrapped her in a hug.

Clearly emotional, he said simply: “Well done”.

“I don’t get to wear the 22 but I get to wear the No. 1,” Erin added.

“Oh good girl,” Greg added. “Did they vote that in?”

Phillips was voted captain, while Ange Foley was named vice-captain and Hannah Dunn, Gemma Houghton and Justine Mules also made up the leadership group.

But he couldn’t hold the emotion back rubbing his eyes, saying: “This is a shock”.

He then joked: “Are they sure you’re not too old?”

“Pretty special, huh?” Erin said.

“Well done, well done,” Greg said. “Well, it doesn’t matter what number you wear, I’m proud of you.”

They were lovely scenes and Erin also spoke about letting her dad know in the press release from the club.

“My dad always said to me the only thing better than playing for this club is being captain of this club and, he was right,” Phillips said.

“Telling him the news that I had been named captain was a very special and emotional moment for both of us.

“I’m so excited to be following in his footsteps and can’t wait to lead the team onto the ground for the first time. It will be yet another special moment for this group and for Port Adelaide.”

The 37-year-old Erin has had an incredible athletic career, having started as a basketball star and winning the WNBA twice.

She also won a World Championship gold for Australia in 2006, playing in two Olympic Games, including winning silver in 2008, and won 2006 Commonwealth Games gold.

She instantly made an enormous impact in the AFLW after retiring from basketball in 2017.

But in joining Port Adelaide for its first season in rugby league, Erin told Howie Games podcast with commentator Mark Howard being able to play for the Power was like going full circle.

“It was pretty emotional,” she said. “I reckoned the whole build up to deciding whether to stay at the Crows or go to Port Adelaide was very emotional. It was emotional for him. As a father, he was more concerned about me and just wanting me to make a decision and feel comfortable with it and then get on with life.

“When I told him, he obviously was ecstatic because it was Port Adelaide. He would have been just as happy if it was the Crows to be honest. I think he was just so relieved because he knew how hard a decision it was for me and now that I had made a decision and could just focus forward. He was absolutely pumped.

“I think the Port Adelaide part will hit him a little closer to when we run out for the first game. Running out the exact same race as he ran out.

“I’d be hanging over the fence trying to get a high-five from him and his teammates. It’s unbelievable to think I play for Port Adelaide, a team I was pretty much born into. It still blows my mind.”

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