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PNG in the News
Calls in PNG to legalise prostitution -- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=45581
Alleged murderers recaptured in PNG -- http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/27/2528364.htm?section=world
Biangai and Watut negotiate peace -- http://giaman.com/pg/?6155d2
GDACS event report - The nearest civilian airport (Wewak International) is at 31km from the epicentre. -- http://giaman.com/pg/?9b6dfe
Airport work causing inconvenience -- http://giaman.com/pg/?71179a
Landslides, floods wreck crops in PNG -- http://australianetworknews.com/stories/200904/2533075.htm?desktop
PNG Blogs
Hello Madang: Guidance to PNG -- http://hellomadang.blogspot.com/2009/03/guidance-to-png.html
The contrasts between our two cultures -- http://www.trupela.com/2009/03/26/the-contrasts-between-our-two-cultures/
How To Grow Your Personal Wealth and Become Rich -- http://tirikuimbakul.blogspot.com/2009/04/seminar-at-university-of-goroka.html
Misc Links
Veniba Training Courses (Madang) -- http://www.veniba.com/images/UpcomingCourses.pdf
Background Note: PNG -- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0904/S00030.htm
Air Niugini - P2-ANP -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/kingandyayoi/3409106088/
34th PNG Game Fishing titles -- http://giaman.com/pg/?2e248f -- and -- http://www.gfa.com.pg/2009/
News Items
New Species Found in PNG
The environmental group Conservation International (CI) has reported jumping spiders, a striped gecko and a chirping frog are among more than 50 new species discovered in PNG. A total of 50 spider species, two plants, three frogs and one gecko found on the expedition are believed to be new to science. The three frogs include a tiny brown frog with a sharp chirping call, a bright green tree frog with big eyes and a torrent-dwelling frog that has a loud ringing call.
see -- http://www.conservation.org/learn/species/discoveries/where/asia-pacific/Pages/kaijende_hewa.aspx -- for full story from CI
Operation Open Heart
The start of the annual operation open heart (OOH) programme has been brought forward to the 21st of May, giving the programme an extra week longer than the period originally planned for by visiting Australian doctors last year.
Dame Carol Kidu
Dame Carol Kidu has confirmed that she will not seek re-election in the national elections scheduled for 2012. Dame Carol is currently the only woman in PNG's parliament and is the Minister for Community Development.
Audio from Pacific Beat -- http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/abcasiapacificnews/audio/200903/r355342_1634010.mp3
PNG "Miracle"
A small bleeding and sweating statue of Jesus is being deemed a miracle in PNG as many flock to see the sight for themselves.
see -- http://www.solomontimes.com/news.aspx?nwID=3810
Free Condoms
The PNG Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS (BAHA) has formed a partnership with more than 90 hotels and guest houses in the country to provide about two million free condoms to guests. BAHA is putting the condoms into new packages featuring the work of a local artist after a major hotel chain complained the original boxes were too bland.
See -- http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/20/2521517.htm
See also - PNG defence Force to distribute condoms -- http://giaman.com/pg/?08e0df
PNG Budget Blown
The government has over spent on what it budgeted for in 2008. Data released by the Treasury Department to the media shows the government recorded a budget deficit equal to about 2 percent of the country's gross domestic product. This equates to more than more than $US170 million. In a statement, the government said the higher deficit was partly due to lower than expected revenue collections, caused by a fall in commodity prices.
Police Funding Problems
Over the last ten years the police force has only received between K1 million and K1.5 million for vehicle replacement. With a fleet of over 600 vehicles nationwide most of them are long overdue for replacement and are costing a great deal of money to keep them in good condition. Police Commissioner Gari Baki has admitted that the police traffic division is in a shambles not only in the National Capital of Port Moresby but throughout the country. Many of the vehicles are off the road waiting repair.
Asian Crime Gang
Nineteen alleged members of an Asian crime gang were recently arrested in Port Moresby and charged with engaging in prostitution and illegal gambling by a joint operation involving PNG police, the Internal Revenue Commission, the National Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Federal Police task force agents attached to the Trans National Crime Unit. The police also confiscated gambling equipment, books and money which were taken into custody as exhibits.
Chinese Soldiers
China is preparing to bring home the remains of Chinese soldiers who died in PNG half a century ago. Approximately 1,600 Chinese soldiers were imprisoned in PNG by the Japanese during the second World War. More than 650 soldiers died in prison camps, while nearly 1,000 soldiers were rescued and sent home by the U.S. navy in 1946. The soldiers participated in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945).
Malaria Outbreak
The Post Courier has reported the death of over 100 people in the Poroma area of Southern Highlands believed to be from a malaria outbreak in December last year.
see -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090402/news03.htm
Taxi Meters
Many taxi drivers operating in Port Moresby have not installed meters to record the cost of trips. The general public and industries such as airlines, hotels and tourism and hospitality have been told to encourage passengers and tourists to only ride in taxis with meters to avoid the risk of overcharging. It is estimated that there are 700 government recognised and registered taxis operating in the city.
see -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/040109/nation7.php
Somare Visits Philippines
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and Lady Veronica have completed an official visit to the Philippines at the invitation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He and President Arroyo held bilateral talks and witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Fisheries Cooperation. There are an estimated 15,000 Filipinos working in PNG. Since 2001, the Philippines has been PNG's sixth largest trading partner.
The Somare's visited the Technical Educational and Skills Development Authority, the International Rice Research Institute, the San Agustin Museum, and the resort island of Boracay during their four day stay.
PNG strengthens trade links with Manila - see -- http://australianetworknews.com/story.htm?id=16608
41st UniTech Graduation
A total of 831 students have graduated from the University of Technology (UniTech) in Lae. Of the 831 graduands, two received doctorates of philosophy (PhD), another two took masters of philosophy (MPhil), seven picked up post-graduate diplomas and 462 received their first degrees while 304 received diplomas, 27 associate diplomas and another 27 certificates. Of these numbers, 28% (or 245) were women.
see -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/033009/nation1.php
The University of PNG (UPNG) has also held a graduation its 54th where more than 1000 immediate and past students were conferred with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Lighter Rush
People are rushing to a shop at Finschhafen in Morobe Province to buy hot cigarette lighters. A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC-PNG) has raised concerns that the lighters had photographs of "naked women and other dirty pictures" on them. The Church member has appealed to relevant authorities to quickly step in and address the issue.
Goroka
It seems that the once peaceful town of Goroka is under siege. According to a report in the newspapers a grade 11 student from Goroka Grammar was caught inside the local ANZ bank with a staple gun. A witness and long-time resident of Goroka said there was growing fear due to the continuous robberies and shootings in the once quite township. He said Police have not recovered the K100,000 robbed from one of the supermarkets and the shooting of eight people at the Kakaruk market is getting at the nerves of the business community and the residents.
see -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090330/news02.htm
Moresby Power
It looks like the government will not rescind its decision to ban the importation of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) into the country. This leaves PNG Power and private power generator Hanjung Power Ltd with little choice other than to reduce power output from the generators at Kanudi in an effort to stretch remaining HFO supplies for peak periods. It is hoped that in this time the government may reverse its decision until Hanjung Power can have its power generating equipment modified to operate on cleaner fuel. Coincidentally the InterOil refinery offers a cleaner replacement to HFO and the sceptics amongst the PNG users of HFO say the push was made by InterOil to impose the sudden ban on HFO.
The Government has banned the use of fuel products with high sulphur content, such as HFO, because it believes emissions from heavy fuel contribute to ozone depletion.
Peace Mediation
A policeman trying to help mediate between two tribes in the Nipa district of the Southern Highlands has ended up fighting for his life in Mendi hospital. The policemen became the meat in the sandwich when one of the tribes turned their anger on him for trying to stop them from fighting the other tribe. The policeman, a father of seven, was taken to the hospital with seven arrows protruding from his body and bleeding heavily from bush knife wounds to his body.
HIV/AIDS
Anglimp South Waghi MP, Jamie Maxtone-Graham, has raised concerns that Papua New Guineans have become complacent in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the leaders at all levels must take up this issue. He said the prevalence rate for HIV/AIDS in the rural areas was increasing rapidly. This was being supported by various reports produced by the National Aids Council and its development partners involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.
Butterflies
the Insect Farming and Trading Agency (IFTA) in Bulolo, Morobe province has closed and the operation has been moved to the Rainforest Habitat at the University of Technology in Lae. IFTA was the only insect collection, farming and trading agency in PNG.
see also -- http://butterfliesbygod.com
Snooker
Glen Wilkinson from Australia has successfully defended his Oceania title at the Bank South Pacific Oceania billiards and snooker championships recently held in Port Moresby at the POM Country Club.
Melanesian Institute Book
The Melanesian Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province is making a pre-publication offer for one of their latest books titled "Sanguma in Paradise: Sorcery, Witchcraft and Christianity in PNG ". The book will be available in mid July. For further information and pricing please contact -- sales.emmai @ gmail.com -- or -- mi_books @ online.net.pg -- "Sanguma in Paradise: Sorcery, Witchcraft and Christianity in Papua New Guinea" is a timely book that addresses some of the questions often asked of a uniquely diverse culture and of its beliefs in sorcery, or Sanguma as it is colloquially known in PNG.
Gold Coast Football
Two PNG players have been confirmed in the recently announced Aussie Rules team to be located on Australia's Gold Coast. Both Amua Pirika and Stanis Susuve were confirmed as part of the Under 18 team of the new Gold Coast Football Club (GCFC). AFL PNG now has these two players at GCFC along with 21 others in Australia on scholarships this year. The players are posted all across Australia, in Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland at various levels, aged between 14 and 25 years.
Coming Events
34th Games Fishing Association PNG National Game Fishing Titles - Madang - from the 3rd to the 13th of April - see -- http://www.gfa.com.pg/2009/
9th of April 2009 -- Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare celebrates his 73rd birthday.
Easter - 10, 11, 12 and 13th of April
Port Moresby Sprint Triathlon -- 18th of April
ANZAC Day - 25th of April
Arafura Games - 9th to 17th of May -- http://www.arafuragames.nt.gov.au/
Operation Open Heart - 21st of May - Port Moresby General Hospital
The International Cricket Council (ICC) East Asia Pacific (EAP) Under 19 Cricket Trophy tournament will be held from the 1st to the 7th of June.
5th National Tourism Conference - June (date to be confirmed) - to be held at Madang Resort Hotel.
Tolai Warwagira from 8th to 14th July and Mask Festival from 15th to 18th July at Kokopo East New Britain.
Trukai Olympic Fun Run - 12th of July.
PNG Remembrance Day - 23rd of July.
45th Medical Symposium - Port Moresby - sponsored by the Pacific International Hospital from the 1st to the 5th of September.
31st October and the 1st of November - Morobe Show - see -- http://www.morobeshow.org.pg/ -- and -- http://malumnalu.blogspot.com/2009/02/morobe-show-on-again.html
National Elections - Scheduled for June 2012.
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