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PNG in the News
US State Dept Looks to Assist PNG Build Capacity -- http://giaman.com/pg/?3354f8
Sir Mekere Morauta has labelled Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and the government as "environmental vandals". -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/10485
Police arrest top bankers, Garth McIlwain and Robin Flemming -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/10504
The New Zealand Fisheries Minister, Phil Heatley, is holding meetings in PNG this week followed by Australia -- http://giaman.com/pg/?e75011
Eagles set for cow paddock -- http://giaman.com/pg/?d4e983/
Australia-PNG LNG Ministerial Meeting -- http://foreignminister.gov.au/transcripts/2010/100701.html
Expert warns against complacency on AIDS -- http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/05/2944500.htm
Lack of funds prevents PNG sea rescue efforts -- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=54498
PNG Blogs
(Mis)governance Log -- http://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_people/crook-clean-mean.html
Kapal Haus still in ruins -- http://whponline.blogspot.com/2010/06/kapal-still-in-ruins.html
Waghi Cultural Show 2010 -- http://www.trupela.com/2010/06/27/waghi-cultural-show-2010/
Road Trips -- http://pngandrew.blogspot.com/2010/06/road-trips.html
The best village in PNG - Sigabaduru -- http://giaman.com/pg/?802001
Governor Sir Arnold Amet walks away from his people -- http://giaman.com/pg/?2d8544
Lovely Lissenung and Day Trips to Kavieng, New Ireland -- http://giaman.com/pg/?ca7180
Microsoft's Flight Simulator in Madang -- http://giaman.com/pg/?28d706
Misc PNG Links
Soroptimists International (PNG) -- http://giaman.com/pg/?47024e
API Bunk Houses -- http://www.apibuildings.com/accommodation.html
Getting it right -- http://www.mysinchew.com/node/41009
YouTube - Leonard Kania - Swit Rabaul -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whlCz6gUBig
New Queensland, Australia health care guidelines for PNG nationals -- http://giaman.com/pg/?b904a4
2010 Trobes Yam Festival -- http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2010/July/07-01-18.htm
PNG Images
Departure Gate, Mt Hagen -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/philipphamedl/4711622364/
Image of Hawksbill Turtle swimming in Ema Reef, Kimbe Bay -- http://www.lonelyplanetimages.com/images/374626?group=939322592
Kimbe Underwater -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYdRNDd3hv4
Fortress Rabaul by Bruce Gamble -- http://www.nasm.si.edu/imageDetail.cfm?imageID=2640
An old Air Niugini Aircraft used as a bar/classroom -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharmeel/4728894217/
http://www2.popul8.com.au/clients/gti/png/image-library/
Alotau Trip -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_png_scotts/4756351666/
Fresh Food Market at Ukarumpa -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/elysepatten/4757099264/
News Items
Mpowa Mobile Extended to Kokopo
Mr. Sundar Ramamurthy, Managing Director of Data Nets Limited, announced today that the company's MPowa Mobile Applications Division had commenced a second pilot in Kokopo in partnership with the NGIP Agmark Group of Companies and supermarket K Central Ltd.
http://giaman.com/pg/?de3724
PNG Copper Target
After an unsuccessful attempt at a chromite project in South Africa, the company formerly known as Chrome Corporation is generating a significant copper target in PNG.
http://giaman.com/pg/?694104
IFC Buys BSP Shares
International Financing Corp, an arm of the World Bank, will buy new shares equal to 10 per cent of the issued capital of Bank South Pacific.
http://giaman.com/pg/?441882
Operation Open Heart
Fifty-three medical specialists and personnel have arrived from Australia for the annual Operation Open Heart (OOH). Over 55 patients have been scheduled to undergo corrective heart surgery. The OOH team have been working in PNG annually since 1993 missing out on one year in 1998. The Australian team will be in Port Moresby from the 1st to the 11th of July. The team includes volunteer surgeons, cardiologists, anaesthetists, intensivists, perfusionists, nurses, biomedical engineers and allied health personnel.
Oil Search has donated K10,000 to support OOH. To date, OOH has received more than K78,000 in donations.
OOH was cancelled in 1998 due to the Sandline issue during the Bougainville crisis.
Governor General
Sir Paulias Matane has been re-elected as the Governor-General of PNG (or has he?) - See -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100701/news10.htm -- Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said he moved a motion before the vote for Governor General to adopt Section 87(5) of the Organic Law on the Nomination of the Governor General to reappoint the incumbent Governor General with a two-thirds absolute majority vote.
Advice on GG election flawed -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/10454
See also -- http://giaman.com/pg/?f30dd4
ADF Helps PNGDF
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has provided logistic support to the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) for border surveillance. The PNGDF received six new Toyota Landcruiser vehicles, six new 23 ft. banana boats fitted with 40hp motors and two 65kva power generator sets from the ADF. The assistance is part of the ADF's next three-year capacity rebuilding assistance programme support for the PNGDF. The PNGDF and ADF ties are part of the ongoing Exercise Wantok Warrior Support Programme launched in 2008.
Digicel Expands
Digicel's services are poised to get better as the mobile operator prepares to expand its services to more rural areas of the country.
http://masalai.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/digicel-to-expand-services
Another Airport Shooting
The Australian ABC has reported that another man has been shot at Jackson's airport, the second in a matter of a few weeks.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/02/2943586.htm
Kintau blames Govt for airport shooting -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100705/news06.htm
High Grade Gold and Copper
According to Dr John Aspden, the chief geologist of MRA (Mineral Resources Authority). The PNG Central Highlands has the highest and most attractive grades of gold, copper and nickel compared to the rest of the world. He said data collected in the past three years in the Central Highlands had shown incredibly rich and highly elevated deposits of gold, copper and nickel.
http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100705/news03.htm
Banker Locked Up
Former chief executive officer of Bank South Pacific (BSP), Garth McIlwain, found himself locked up when he thought he was assisting police recently. The Business Against Corruption Alliance (BACA) involving Transparency International and business houses have slammed the arrest.
See ex-BSP boss expresses shock over arrest -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/10549
PNG business community surprised at banker's arrest -- http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201007/s2943535.htm
Bank Robbers Convicted
Five men who were involved in hijacking a plane and attempting to steal more than K4 million belonging to Bank South Pacific (BSP) on board in Port Moresby in 2007 have been jailed for a total of 53 years.
See -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/10353
Bemobile Fined
The Solomon Star reports that PNG's bemobile has been fined for not living up to its requirements under its Solomon Islands licence to do business. The PNG mobile phone company has received a fine of $US1.5 million (K4.6 million). The Star reported that under its license, bemobile was required to launch a network serving 25 per cent of the population by the 18th of June 2010. The company has failed to do this and it has now, after the fine, been given an extension until the 30th of August.
Bemobile's shareholding includes superannuation funds NASFUND, Nambawan Supa, PNG Sustainable Development Programme who hold a 15% interest. Telikom PNG holds 50% while GEMS and Trilogy International Partners hold the remaining 35%.
Telikom PNG
Aradial -- http://www.aradial.com --, a global provider of AAA, billing, user management and policy control solutions for IP service providers (including WiMAX, ISP, mobile 3G data, Wi-Fi, VoIP, cable and IPTV), has announced that leading service provider Telikom PNG deployed Aradial AAA mediation platform in a joint implementation featuring Amdocs' Compact Convergence solution integrated by Telrad Networks.
Read more -- http://giaman.com/pg/?26ee61
Bougainville Coconut Oil
The people of Bougainville have come up with their own solution to the energy crisis -- coconut oil. It's cheap, plentiful and doesn't pollute. Little wonder other countries, are considering importing it. From priests to the police force, locals are making the switch to coconut fuel. "There's no difference in performance and you don't have to do anything different to your car", states one consumer. Bougainville hopes to export coconut fuel to other countries.
Full story by journeymanpictures -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6KChpTMfUI
Air Niugini
Heard a rumour that one of the new DHC-8-400 aircraft for the National Airline is almost ready to leave Toronto Airport on its trip to PNG. The aircraft carries c/n 4316.
Sepik River Expedition
In September 2010, Two Australian's, Clark Carter and Andrew Johnson, will attempt to travel along the Sepik River - from source to sea on foot, inflatable kayak and dugout canoe. The Sepik is the longest river in Papua New Guinea and passes through some of the most rugged and unspoiled wilderness on Earth.
http://sepik2010.com/
QantasLink
QantasLink has made its maiden flight to Port Moresby from Cairns in Australia using a Bombardier Q400 aircraft. The initial Port Moresby-Cairns schedule will be twice daily Monday to Friday, departing Port Moresby at 8.15am on Monday and 9.20am on Tuesday to Friday, and departing Cairns at 5.45am on Monday and 6.45am Tuesday to Friday. There will also be a second afternoon departure from Port Moresby at 5.45pm Monday to Thursday, and 6.45pm on Friday. From Cairns, it will be at 3.15pm Monday to Thursday, and 4.15pm on Friday.
Census
PNG Census - What has happened to the census? Ten years since the last one and it appears the people planning the event have failed. It was due to happen between the 11th and the 17th of July. The Director of PNG's Institute of National Affairs Paul Barker says the census is now likely next year, which will impact on preparations for the elections the year thereafter.
Radio New Zealand International reports that the census may unsettle the coming 2012 elections in PNG -- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=54503
PNG Political Parties
There are currently 33 Political Parties registered with the Registrar of Political Parties. Some of the parties do not have representatives in the current (8th) parliament. Many parties only have one member and in fact there is only one party, the National Alliance Party, with more than 10 members in the current parliament.
For a list of all the parties -- http://www.ippcc.gov.pg/parties.htm
There are many parties, but party allegiances are weak. Winning candidates are usually courted in efforts to forge the majority needed to form a government, and allegiances are fluid. No single party has yet won enough seats to form a government in its own right.
Coming Events
Organic Law on Political Parties and Candidates Commission Conference - Alotau International Hotel, Milne Bay province - 12th - 16th July 2010 -- http://www.ippcc.gov.pg/2010conference.htm
National Mask Festival, Rabaul - 14th - 18th of July
Malagan Show - 14th - 27th of July
PNG Remembrance Day - 23rd July
PNG Corporate Games -- 23rd to the 25th of July
Mt Hagen Show -- 13th - 15th of August
Sepik River Expedition - September 2010 -- http://sepik2010.com
2010 Medical Symposium 29th of August to the 3rd of September. (Wewak) -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100607/news29.htm
19th Pacific History Conference, Pacific at the crossroads - University of Goroka - 12th to 16th of September
Independence Day - 16th September
Hiri Moale Festival -- http://giaman.com/pg/?9463fc -- (usually celebrated at the same time as Independence Day)
Goroka Show -- 17th to the 19th of September -- http://gorokashow.com
Morobe Agricultural Show - 23rd & 24th October -- http://www.morobeshow.org.pg
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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