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PNG in the News
US military plane "invades" Nadzab -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/5061
Fuel prices to fall - but not for long! -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100111/news06.htm
Police have taken into custody two men for interrogation in the attempted murder of Chief Ombudsman Chronox Manek. -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/4963
Plea to help 'leagues' in PNG -- http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=16239554164b414ab88638e9f8f4c1
Hubby beheads rapist -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100115/news12.htm
Yama denies obtaining loan with BSP -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/5159
Vendor works hard for toea -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100115/news14.htm
Crash photographer thanks his lucky stars for missing PNG death bus -- http://giaman.com/pg/?0c24a0/
PNG Blogs
Green Dragon B-25 Bomber -- http://giaman.com/pg/?7af4bd/
Opposing Religious Authority and Tradition: Cargo Cult -- http://opposingreligious.blogspot.com/2010/01/cargo-cult.html
Four vie for ELC-PNG bishop post -- http://giaman.com/pg/?a917dd
Lock Family Ramblings: Six degrees of separation -- http://giaman.com/pg/?f38b7e
Kokopo 2010: Sikut Talvat Water Supply Project -- http://giaman.com/pg/?ed2602
Misc Links
Yumi Hamamas -- http://hamamas.com
Windjammer Hotel - Wewak -- http://giaman.com/pg/?3731b7/
Air Niugini Destinations -- http://destinations.com.pg/
Air Niugini -- http://www.airniugini.com.pg
Airlines PNG -- http://www.apng.com
Mori - BJ Nagura -- http://giaman.com/pg/?856e37
Morobe Show 2010 -- http://letpng.com/morobeshow-momase-discoverer.pdf
Fully Escorted Goroka Culture Show -- http://www.paiyatours.com/goroka%20show.htm
PNG Images
Tab Island Madang, PNG -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od7ZG1lt6tQ
PNG Photos -- http://www.elisasjourneys.com/PapuaNewGuineaPhotos.htm
Popondetta -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/40472422@N06/4247238359/
Richard Leahy and P2-MJL -- http://giaman.com/pg/?7eba15
Sepik River From On High -- http://mistermoose.com/rtw/png/wom/sepikriver.html
A glimpse of PNG. West New Britain Province -- http://giaman.com/pg/?5042e7
News Items
Vale Nat Koleala
Nat Koleala has died on New Years Eve at the age of 58. Mr Koleala was a pioneers in the national aviation industry in the country. At one stage he was the chairman and managing director of the first PNG nationally owned third-level airline company.
Full report -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100112/news08.htm
Regional Airport Upgrades
It is expected that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will loan the PNG Government K1.8 billion loan to help fund the rehabilitation of regional airports. The main part of the loan will be used to rehabilitate Mt Hagen (HGU - Western Highlands), Tokua (RAB - East New Britain) and Nadzab (LAE - Morobe) airports. Some of the money will also be used at Jackson International Airport.
The main aim of the project is to address congestion and enhance aviation services to operate efficiently, be sustainable and encourage growth.
Doctors Strike Averted
An anticipated strike by the Doctors Association has been averted with the signing of an agreement by the Health Department.
full story -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/5014
New Aussie High Commissioner
Ian Kemish a fluent Tok pisin speaker has been appointed the new Australian High Commissioner to PNG. Mr Kemish replaces Chris Moraitis who left PNG on the 17th of December. Australia is one of PNG's largest trading partners, the principal source of imports and foreign direct investment, and the lead destination for PNG exports
Bodies Exhumed
Four bodies have been exhumed at Kiteruga village near Goroka in the Eastern Highlands province. It is believed the four were chopped to death three months ago and buried after being accused of using sorcery to kill a woman. Acting Highlands divisional police Commander, Chief Supt Thomas Eluh, said the four bodies were cut into pieces and then dumped into an unused toilet pit. Mr Eluh condemned the killings, saying people had to get away from the practice of murdering suspected sorcerers. He said sorcery-related killings in the region were becoming a major concern and urged people not to take the law into their own hands.
Rickshaw Robbery Attempt
Police shot three members of a six member gang attempting to rob the Rickshaw Restaurant at the corner of Musgrave and Douglas streets in downtown Port Moresby. Another suspect tried to get into a taxi but police nabbed him, two others managed to escape the scene. Two of the gang members died and two policemen were injured in the exchange of gun shots. Police have warned that the two escaped criminals are very dangerous.
Also see - Nabbed and killed robbers are cop killers -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/5010
Air Niugini
The national airline, Air Niugini, has selected Dubai-based Mercator to provide its loyalty and customer relationship management solution, CRIS (Customer Relationship Information System), to create and manage its frequent flyer programme.
Worst Road Accident
A head on accident between two 25 seat Public Motor Vehicles could be the worst road accident ever for PNG. The two buses collided about 130km out of Lae in the Markham Valley near the Umi bridge killing 43 of the passengers. Police have said that one of the bus drivers was unlicensed.
Full story -- http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/14/2792267.htm
See also - 'Careless driving' results in fatal crash -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/5112
Stench of death fills Angau hospital -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100114/news07.htm
Jail Escape
William Kapris and eleven other prisoners have escaped from the country's highest maximum security unit at Bomana jail, outside Port Moresby. The escape appeared to be well planned and involved a woman "human rights lawyer" who managed to breach all security procedures to smuggle in a gun and empty the maximum security unit of its occupants. Acting Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga said police had a mammoth task on hand to recapture more than 150 hardcore prisoners who escaped from PNG jails in the past 12 months, including 40 from Bomana last October.
The escape of the 12 dangerous prisoners is seen as a national security issue.
See also - Woman 'lawyer' frees 12 hardcore criminals -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/5068
One person has been arrested in connection with the Bomana jail escape and the getaway vehicle recovered. -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/5164
Tapini Landslide
Heavy rain in the Tapini area of Central province has cut the road connecting Tapini, Goilala from the rest of Central province and Port Moresby. A huge mass of rocks, mud and trees have fallen and covered the road and a flood simultaneously washed away a small log bridge nearby, making it impossible for vehicles to pass.
Full story -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100111/news11.htm
Chinese Arrested
Triad assassins have been arrested for the attempted murder of a leading businessman in Port Moresby, confirming the arrival of Chinese organised crime in the country.
full story -- http://giaman.com/pg/?3e260a
Buka General Hospital
Buka General Hospital (BGH) has recently closed its outpatient section because of an attack on its workers. Hospital authorities have warned of a possible permanent closure of the hospital.
Full story -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100111/news07.htm
See also - New genset to ease hospital power woes -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100115/news09.htm
Reef Blasting at Basamuk
The system used to remove tailings from the Ramu Nickel smelting facility at Basamuk will involve the laying of two 800mm diameter pipelines across what is being called a dead reef. Ramu Nickel have said the contractor will use a blasting operation to clear a path for the pipeline as it is technically impossible to remove deed reefs at sea bottom using mechanical equipment. Ramu Nickel say the blasting would be minimal as each blast would use explosive less than 10kg, adding that the environmental impact of the blast would also be minimal.
Aussie Rules Football
Where will the next big star come from to play in the Australian Rules Football competition? Several PNG players are based in small teams in Australia and several have played for the major teams in the Australian competition. Kevin Sheedy, veteran coach and writer for the Melbourne Herald Sun says he is prepared to "sign a kid anywhere in the world right now". "We're prepared to bring in kids from overseas, whether they're going to be boys from the Pacific Islands or possibly even Africa, we will definitely look at those areas as well as obviously New Zealand and Papua New Guinea," Sheedy said.
Ship Sunk
The 78 metre Solomon Queen has sunk about 800 metres from Kimbe wharf after hitting a reef at low tide during heavy rain, fog and darkness. Over 400 passengers were evacuated from the sinking ship. It has been alleged that the ship only has a capacity to carry 200 passengers. An investigation is being conducted by the PNG Maritime Safety Authority to find the reason for the accident. The Queen was later able to be towed to the wharf.
Lutheran Synod
The 27th PNG Evangelical Lutheran Church has been held in Lae. The Synod was held at the Martin Luther Seminary (MLS) campus. Thousands of Lutheran Church members braved the heat to witness the first session of the Synod with introductions and highlight of the event.
full story -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100112/news11.htm
see also - New University a big item at Synod -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/5050
New ELCPNG Bishop
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG (ELCPNG) has elected a new Bishop. Reverend Giegere Wenge. won the seat on his fourth attempt with 115 votes defeating three other contestants.
full story -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100115/news02.htm
Bigger Buses for NCD
The Brisbane city council has donated ten 40-seater buses to the National Capital District (NCD) for use as part of the "safer city bus service in the capital" program. The buses have recently been "retired'' from service in the Queensland, Australia capital. The buses have been fully serviced and given fresh set of tyres ready for duty in Port Moresby, courtesy of the Brisbane council. The buses are due in the country on the 30th of January.
Coming Events
AFLPNG - PNG Scholarships / Under 18 Trials will be held in Australia. 8 x U18s are hoped to be provided with Country Queensland, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast Scholarships. -- February 2010
Women in Mining and Petroleum Conference - 22nd to the 24th March 2010 - to be held at Divine Word University in Madang.
International kickboxing tournament - Kundiawa - 26th - 28th of March. -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100113/sport06.htm
25th April 2010 - World Malaria Day. Malaria affects 90 per cent of the PNG population.
World liquefied natural gas (LNG) summit - Mid 2010
16th September - Independence Day
11th Mining and Petroleum Investment Conference - 6th to 8th December, 2010 - Hilton Hotel, Sydney -- http://giaman.com/pg/?aefb78.
Full Pacific Games - New Caledonia 2011
National Elections - Scheduled for June 2012
2012 PNG Games -- Kokopo, East New Britain
Pacific Mini Games - Wallis and Futuna 2013
Full Pacific Games - PNG 2015
Do you have an event that you want advertised? - Use the submission form located at -- ../misc/ctc.html.
PNG Media
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