Hungary Parliament Cuts MP Salaries by 40%; PNG Faces Power Woes

In a move described as refreshing, Hungary's new parliament has voted to significantly reduce the monthly salaries of its members by 40%. The pay for Members of Parliament will decrease from $5300 to $3200. This austerity measure extends beyond legislators, as mayors and directors of state-owned companies will also face similar salary reductions. The new Prime Minister has clearly stated that government service should be motivated by a desire to serve the people, not by financial gain.

The article contrasts this with the situation in an unnamed country where heads of failing state-owned enterprises reportedly earn millions annually. It also touches upon early campaigning tactics, noting strict rules and penalties for breaches, yet observing instances where politicians are inaugurating projects seemingly to garner votes. One province's governor is cited for his sons distributing beer in villages, a gesture viewed as potentially suspicious and indicative of early campaigning efforts.

Beyond the political and economic commentary, the piece briefly discusses sleep requirements across different age groups, from newborns needing up to 17 hours to adults requiring 7-9 hours. It then shifts focus to Papua New Guinea, specifically highlighting recurring power blackouts in Kokopo and Rabaul. The frequent outages, attributed to the Warongoi Hydro facility needing to 'flush the ponds,' are disrupting commerce. The article criticizes the management of PNG Power Limited (PPL), suggesting a solution involving reinstating a removed Flood Control System, a fix proposed by independent engineers that has apparently been overlooked.