Links
Warning: PNG web sites seem to come and go. The fact of life is that it costs money to host a web site (try -- http://pngwebhost.com -- for an excellent, reliable but cheap deal) and there is not much return on the outlay to most businesses in PNG. If you do click on a link and use the services or even have some comments to make then please contact the people at the relevant web site and let them know so they at least know that someone has gained some value from their efforts. If you are so inclined then mention that you heard about them from this web site. -- The PNG Gossip Newsletter.
If links in the newsletter do not work properly, copy and paste the URL into your browser and press Enter. Be sure to copy the entire link, as it may wrap to the next line. If this still does not work please send an email to the newsletter advising of the broken link.
Do you have a web site or link to a PNG related area on the WWW? If so do you want it mentioned here? Then send an email to -- pngnewsqueue @ pnggossip.com
Yahoo Groups
If you want to find a Yahoo group that deals with Papua New Guinea then I recommend that you visit this link -- http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=papua+new+guinea&submit=Search -- with any luck you will find a whole list of groups that may interest you.
The Yahoo regional directory on PNG is located at -- http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Papua_New_Guinea/
Miscellaneous Sites
PNG Defence Force - http://www.defence.gov.pg
Cloudy Bay Timber - http://www.cloudybaytimber.com.pg
Baia Sport fishing -- http://www.baiasportfishing.com/
Coral Princess Cruises -- http://www.coralprincess.com.au/newguinea.html
NASFUND -- http://www.nasfund.com.pg
PNG in the News
Writer gets zero for accuracy -- http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/auckland/4346690a22896.html
Postcard from PNG -- http://www.abc.net.au/milduraswanhill/stories/s2136674.htm?backyard
Palm oil developer abandons plan to log 70% of Woodlark Island -- http://news.mongabay.com/2008/0114-woodlark.html
Oil Search, Papua New Guinea's biggest oil producer, is the best placed of the larger stocks for share price gains because of progress on a PNG liquefied natural gas venture. -- http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,23636,23048310-14334,00.html?from=mostpop
News Items
Power Increases
PNG Power users have had to pay more for electricity from the 14th of this month. PNG Power Limited has increased the electricity tariff by 5.318 toea per kWh, an increase of 9.16 per cent. Consumers now pay about K11 - K12 to get the same amount of power they used to get with K10.
This may not be the final increase for consumers in 2008 as this is simply applying charges carried over from 2007. PNG Power is continuing discussions with the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) over the 2008 submission.
Foot Patrols
A "foot beat" patrol launched on Monday is aimed at reducing crime to a manageable level and reduce fear among city residents as contained in the NCD Policing Strategy.
PNG News Feed
News Feed - for some of the latest headlines from around the world visit the PNG Gossip newsletter RSS News Feed located at -- http://pnggossip.com/news/pngrss.php -- At the moment this uses Yahoo and Google but it seems they pick up on the same news stories so there is not much difference between the two feeds and some of the links remain on the feed for days at a time.
Scouts
Albert Pidi Oala, an 18-year-old youth, from the PNG Scout Association will represent Papua New Guinea at the third International Gathering for Scouting & Human Action to be held between the 17th and 23rd of January in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Albert is from the 1st Hanuabada scouts group.
Telikom Problems
Despite Telikom investing heavily in its network customers are once again complaining about congestion. Customers are also having problems with pre-paid recharge cards being rejected even though they have only been recently purchased. Telikom customer care officers are telling customers that "I am very sorry but we'll have to put you in the queue and you'll have to wait another two weeks or so. But in the meantime, you can go and buy another card."
Internet
Telikom PNG has signed up for a new undersea internet cable linking Sydney to the Pacific island of Guam to provide a third international broadband link to Australia's east coast. A Telikom spokesman said that Telikom was reflecting PNG's position with North Asia and North America and getting involved in such projects would enable a faster flow of data and voice transmission with new business partners in those regions. Telikom currently has an undersea cable linking PNG with Australia and New Zealand.
The spokesman said Telikom's signing also reflected big usage in Telikom's internet traffic and attempts by the telco to bring efficient services to their customers. The project was due to open in June next year.
Coffee Berry Borer
The Coffee berry borer threat has moved closer to PNG. It is now at Wamena, a coffee area in West Papua which is just several kilometres away from the Indonesian-PNG border. The threat is of major concern due to the number of cross-border travellers from the West Papuan side.
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) research group agriculture research services (ARS), the tiny bark beetle spends its entire larval life inside the coffee berry, which encases the seed, known as coffee bean.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3741/is_11_52/ai_n7072291
Mt Wilhelm Climb
Sir Paulias Matane, the Governor General of PNG, plans to climb the country's highest mountain, Mt Wilhelm in July to celebrate his 77th birthday. He hopes to raise funds for the Governor-General's Trust Account to assist orphaned children whose parents have died of HIV/AIDS.
Commission of Inquiry
The Commission of Inquiry into the Finance Department is expected to resume its investigation soon. The commission was set up to look into the Finance Department's operations and expenditure between 2002 and 2006.
Suspects Shot Dead
Angry Gerehu residents burnt an allegedly stolen vehicle after two suspects were shot dead by police recently. Police were able to recover a homemade gun and a live bullet from the car.
Two of PNG's most wanted criminals were shot dead in Wau recently. An accomplice is in serious condition at the Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae after being shot when he refused to surrender to police on Friday.
Rotary Appeal
The Rotary Club of Huon Gulf is asking for donations so that it can purchase books from the floating book shop - the MV Doulos when it berths in Lae on the 24th of Jan. The ship will stay in Lae until the 18th of Feb giving ample time for book worms to purchase books.
Suspect Captured
A suspect on the run for two years for alleged wilful murder was arrested by Kavieng police during an operation over the festive season.
A murder suspect on the run for the last two years has also been arrested in Bena, Eastern Highlands province. Stanley Anis, 40, of Bagahi village in Bena, was on the run after allegedly shooting dead six people along the Magitu Road on Sept 5, 2005. The suspect was in the company of his Numia tribe, who allegedly ambushed and shot dead a woman and five men and injured 14 others that day.
Airport Fight
The Jackson's Airport Domestic Terminal almost turned into a battle field recently when landowner groups from the Moran oil project clashed in a bid to stop other landowners attending a development forum in Alotau, Milne Bay province. Police had to use teargas to calm the situation. Travellers and their relatives who were at the airport and bystanders were not spared from the teargas and were forced to scamper for cover.
New Ireland Education
The New Ireland provincial government has recruited 15 university graduates to teach in six secondary schools in the province. The graduates have come from the University of Goroka and hold Bachelor degrees in education. Of the 15 graduates two come from the province while the rest are from other provinces.
Oxford Dictionary
The Oxford University Press Dictionary is scheduled for release in March this year. A form from Wantok Niuspepa, who is working with OUP to release the book, can be found at -- http://pnggossip.com/misc/oxford.pdf
Teachers Leave Fares
The Deputy chairman of the National Education Board, Anthony Tsora says the delay in the teachers' leave fares every year should be the responsibility of provincial education assistants (PEA).
Mt Hagen Escape
Eighteen inmates broke out of Mt Hagen police cells in the Western Highlands province during the early hours of the morning recently and made a dash for freedom.
Kalibobo Spirit
The Kalibobo Spirit, a state-of-art custom made cruise boat, is based in Madang. -- http://www.kalibobospirit.com/ -- The Kalibobo Spirit was built in Picton New Zealand by Carey's Shipyard in 2004 from timber and coated with epoxy and fibre glass over a two year period. Initially it was designed to operate in the Malborough Sounds and named the Swannee River, the name was changed upon its acquisition by the current owner, Sir Peter Barter, Chairman of Melanesian Tourist Services Limited primarily for his private use but available for charter to selected guests.
Tokua Airport
Tokua airport had to be closed recently due to Mt Tavurvur releasing thick ash clouds and this being blown towards the Airport. Air Niugini officials in Kokopo said flights in and out of the province were halted temporarily until clearance was given by the Civil Aviation Authority. The Rabaul Volcano Observatory confirmed that Mt Tavurvur was releasing thick ash clouds, which were blown towards Tokua Airport. The ashes rose about 500m above sea level and were blown eastward falling mainly over the sea, parts of the Duke of York Islands and the airport.
See -- http://rabauldailyphoto-jules.blogspot.com/2008/01/closed-airport-and-dirty-feet.html
Semi related link -- http://cgf3m1b11.blogspot.com/2008/01/activity-on-rabaul.html
See also -- http://volcanoworld.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/rabaul-papua-new-guinea-2/
Earthquake near Wewak -- http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/catalogs/cap/us2008mcbb
Hidden Valley Mine
Harmony Gold (PNG) wants to resolve all landowner issues before the end of 2008 to pave the way for the start of production at its Hidden Valley mine. Mining activities are expected to begin in March 2009.
Coming Events
4th February 2008 -- Official opening of PNG Legal year.
Coffee Festival, Goroka, Eastern Highlands -- May
40th anniversary of the PNG Institute of Medical Research - between the 18th and 22nd of June 2008 in Goroka
Tolai Warwagira Cultural Festival - July 9 - 15 2008 - Rabaul, East New Britain
14th National Mask Festival - July 16 - 19 2008 - Rabaul, East New Britain
Hiri Moale Festival - September
PNG Independence Day Celebrations -- 16th September
Medical Symposium - September 2008
Morobe Show, Lae - October 2008
Do you have an event that you want advertised? Send email to -- PNGNews[@]pnggossip.com
PNG Media
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Articles for this Newsletter
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