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PNG in the News
Police manhandle Papua New Guinea's Opposition Leader -- http://giaman.com/pg/?6bf68a
PNG LNG projects survive political unrest -- http://giaman.com/pg/?8e4c74
Task Force Says Papua New Guinea Riddled with Corruption -- http://giaman.com/pg/?97e778
Plot against PM -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120511/news01.htm
Arms build-up is a concern for security -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120511/news11.htm
PM Welcomes Australia's Leading Cruise Company To PNG -- http://giaman.com/pg/?16fd3f
Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands Mission: Journey to KIMBE -- http://giaman.com/pg/?b4c8ba
PNG stole my kids, says pilot -- http://giaman.com/pg/?bc2cb8
Bougainville President Calls for Media Independence -- http://giaman.com/pg/?55e011
Misc PNG Links
The Healing Seekers' Team in Goroka -- http://www.healingseekers.com/goroka-show
Kundiawa -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kundiawa
Kundiawa Airstrip -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kundiawa.jpg
Review of Paradise Cinema, Port Moresby -- http://giaman.com/pg/?fe993d
Skyline Drive-in - Port Moresby -- http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/drivein.html
Wabag -- http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/png/about_destin/wabag.html
Wapenamanda_Airport -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wapenamanda_Airport
Remembering The Coral Sea -- http://www.forbes.com/sites/toddhixon/2012/05/11/remembering-the-coral-sea
PNG Blogs
Can I defeat a political giant in the Lae Open? -- http://giaman.com/pg/?2cb15c
Niugini Days: The Goroka Pharmacy -- http://niuginidays.blogspot.com/2012/05/goroka-pharmacy.html
Kwato Island Restoration -- http://www.kwatorestoration.blogspot.com
Air Niugini P2-PXI pictured at Shannon -- http://giaman.com/pg/?9788e0
PNG Women and Children Look to Community Justice -- http://giaman.com/pg/?65550f
Passing of late Rose Mary Mission -- http://giaman.com/pg/?e5dcb1
PNG Images
Goroka to Port Moresby -- http://giaman.com/pg/?8c9057
Oil Palm in the Popondetta Plains -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm8-7DDF1Yw
Always Restless Feet - Rabaul Volcano -- http://giaman.com/pg/?aa7aba
News Items
5 Mile Rampage
Police have confirmed they are investigating reports that about 30-armed soldiers went on a rampage in a settlement at 5-Mile Ridge in Port Moresby recently. The incident has been reported locally as a revenge attack after a soldier had been beaten earlier.
-- http://pidp.org/pireport/2012/May/05-09-01.htm
ENB TB
There have been reports of four new cases of tuberculosis being reported in East New Britain each day. This is according to Jack Melki of Nonga Hospital.
Confused High Commissioner
It would appear that the PNG High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands might be confused about what really happens in PNG if the article in the Solomon Star is correct. Maybe, as the article by Susan Merrell states, he is wearing "rose coloured glasses". Read more -- http://giaman.com/pg/?264267
PNG envoy tells Aussie journo to 'stay out' -- http://giaman.com/pg/?8aeac6
Medical Symposium
The 48th PNG Medical Symposium will be held between the 2nd and 7th of September, 2012 at the Gateway Conference Centre in the National Capital District. The Symposium is being co-hosted by the Port Moresby General Hospital, National Capital District Government and Central Province Government.
Somare Will Step Down
76-year-old Sir Michael Somare will not stand for re-election at the coming National elections. He will, however, campaign on behalf of his National Alliance (NA) party. Sir Michael has held his East Sepik seat for 44 years. He said his government's record of economic growth was the reason the 79 National Alliance candidates should be elected when PNG voters head to the polls. Bets are alreay being taken that he will stand again such is the worth of what he says.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?435e26
Sir Mekere Steps Down
One-time Prime Minister, Sir Mekere Morauta, has announced at a party convention his intention to retire from politics. He says he will not nominate to contest the Moresby Northwest seat in the 2012 national elections.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?afabe3
Arms Smuggling
Police in Papua New Guinea's West Sepik province say there is a gun-smuggling syndicate operating between the Highlands region and neighbouring Indonesia.
-- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=68094
4-Mile Casino
Work has recommenced on the controversial Hotel / Casino at 4-Mile in Port Moresby.
The 4-Mile Hotel Casino project is expected to bring in foreign investment of more than K100 million over the next year. It is also expected to create employment and support business activities in Port Moresby. It is projected to be finished towards the end of next year. The construction phase would first look at the completion of the hotel, shopping areas and the casino. Approval for the Hotel Casino was given in 2005.
-- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/32745
Garamut Beat
Not only are languages being saved using modern technology the beat of the garamut drum is being fused with modern technology. A community is being taught to film their own tradition of playing the wooden garamut drum to help preserve their culture and to spread messages about successful agricultural practices.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?9d1518
ARV Drugs Run Out
Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs used to treat people living with HIV/AIDS have run out, forcing them to rely on alternative medication.
-- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/32733
Project 737
Project 737 is an Air Niugini initiative that will see a Boeing 737 carry special livery commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Kokoda. Each year Air Niugini transports hundreds of trekkers from Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns to Port Moresby to commence their Kokoda trekking experience. For many trekkers their first experience of the country is when they board an Air Niugini flight.
So now it is time to put the Kokoda map on Air Niugini! A Boeing 737 "flying billboard" will carry a map of the Owen Stanley Ranges, where the Kokoda campaign was fought, emblazoned on the side of the aircraft. The aircraft will create unprecedented awareness for Papua New Guinea and Kokoda as it travels to Sydney, Brisbane and other ports within the Asia/pacific region. Expected release date of the aircraft is mid-2012, and is subject to final Air Niugini board approval.
See an artist's impression of Air Niugini's Boeing 737 -- http://www.kokoda70.org/project737.html
New Cardio Ward
Thanks to K100,000 support from the BSP the Port Moresby General Hospital now has a new cardiothoracic ward in time for the 2012 Operation Open Heart. Patients who have undergone heart surgery will be moved from the Intensive Care Unit to the cardiothoracic ward.
Operation Open Heart involves a team of medical and health specialists including surgeons, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, intensive care and operating theatre nurses and technicians who all donate their time, skills, expertise and money to travel from Australia to PNG to join forces with their local counterparts to perform cardiac surgery on Papua New Guineans.
Elections
PNG Electoral Commission and the combined security operation team have assured the international community that the election will proceed with the issuing of writs. Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said yesterday preparations by the commission for the general election were adequate.
-- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/32739
Police Commissioner Toami Kulunga has said the Police Force is ready for the elections and that he is satisfied all necessary arrangements have been made.
Wingti Runs
Hot favourite for the position of Western Highlands Governor in the forth-coming general elections is former Prime Minister, Paias Wingti. Others contesting the seat are incumbent Tom Olga, prominent lawyer John Nonggor and businessman Max Kumbamong.
PNG Languages
Can you help us learn our language? An anthropologist from the University of Virginia is using a hybrid of modern communications platforms to resurrect Arapesh, a defunct language from PNG. University of Virginia linguist Lise Dobrin has used Facebook, Skype and mobile apps to create a digital archive, consisting of transcribed audio recordings and a lexicon that will form a resource and depository for the language.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?9002d3
The world is home to 5,000-7000 spoken languages, of which more than 2,500 are in danger of extinction, according to a UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) report published in 2001.
Students Suspended
Notre Dame Secondary School in the Highlands has suspended students over the use of mobile phones, mp3 players and cameras. Over 200 students were alleged to have secretly kept and used electronic devices. Several students have claimed the confiscated devices were either smashed or burnt.
Budget
Peter O'Neill has claimed the country's economy is stable and the national budget is on target. "No one is spending or making commitments outside the budget".
-- http://news.msn.co.nz/worldnews/8464060/png-is-stable-oneill-tells-un
Coffee
The first coffee trees were planted in PNG in 1951, however, it has not been very profitable for individual farmers tending the 5000 or so small plots of land in the half century since.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?0a0ae0
Hospital Fees Illegal
Recent fee increases at the Modilon Hospital have been declared illegal by the Secretary for Health, Pascoe Kase, when responding to newspaper reports of the increases. Mr Kase has contacted the board of the hospital to have the fees returned to official rates.
Fuel Prices
Due to a stronger Kina against the US Dollar the price of fuel has decreased in May. Retail prices for a litre of fuel in Port Moresby should now be K3.55 for petrol, K3.00 for diesel and K2.88 for kerosene.
Walk Against Corruption
The Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption is on again. Date: Sunday 27th May at the Jack Pidik Park 5 Mile. 5:30am arrival for a 6:30am start. The route will be from Jack Pidik Park - Boroko Drive - Kaubebe St - Bisini Parade - Lahara Avenue - Hubert Murray Highway - turn at 2 Mile Roundabout - Hubert Murray Highway and back to Jack Pidik Park. The Walk will also be held in Kokopo, Kimbe, Madang, Alotau and on Lihir Island. walkagainstcorruption@gmail.com
Coming Events
Note: please verify any date mentioned as dates change and events can sometimes get cancelled. Of course I may also put down a wrong date.
PNG Trade and Safety Expo - 17th May and 18th May at the Holiday Inn Ballroom.
National Agricultural Conference - 24th and 25th May, NARI Lae.
2012 Milne Bay Critter & Adventure Expeditions with Bob Halstead & Graham Abbott
Alotau-Adventure Diving-Kimbe Bay: 15th May 2012 to 30th May 2012
-- http://diving4images.com/trips/milne-bay-critter-cruises
Walk Against Corruption -- 27th May 2012
National Elections - Scheduled for June 2012
11th Festival of Pacific Arts -- http://www.festival-pacific-arts.org.sb. -- from 1st to 14th July 2012
Mt Hagen Show - 11th and 12th of August 2012
48th PNG Medical Symposium - 2nd to the 7th of September. Gateway Hotel, Port Moresby
Samarai and Milne Bay Reunion - Rydges Oasis Resort, Caloundra, Australia between the 7th and 9th of September 2012 -- http://www.loosenuts.com.au/www/index.php -- http://www.facebook.com/groups/121192744602253/
Imotiva Kokoda 2012, Walk for a Cause - 9th October 2012 -- http://thelukeadamsfoundation.org.au/?p=580
Fifth PNG Games, Kokopo, East New Britain - 17th to 30th November 2012
Pacific Mini Games - Wallis and Futuna 2013
2013 Pacific Netball Series (hosted by Fiji)
Full Pacific Games - PNG 4th July to 18 July 2015 -- http://giaman.com/pg/?081f78
Pacific Mini Games - Vanuatu 2017
Do you have an event that you want advertised? - Use the submission form located at -- http://www.pnggossip.com/misc/ctc.html
PNG Media
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