Links
PNG in the News
Lost hero of Gallipoli - While on patrol off Rabaul, the AE1 disappeared and was lost with all 35
crew. No trace has been found despite extensive searches. ... -- http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23556374-31477,00.html
PNG Landslide Displaces 2000 -- http://giaman.com/pg/?d6133b
Mother & children reunited after 40 years -- http://giaman.com/pg/?4b8ce7
Prime Minister Somare to give evidence -- http://www.mvariety.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=10153&format=html
Kerema karu or Mosbi karu -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/041708/wkender2.htm
PNG - Severe drought claims two lives on islands -- http://giaman.com/pg/?10935b
Watam village is at the mouth of the mighty Sepik River, a hot, wet, malarial spot where few foreigners have ventured. Bob Foley, an American linguist has been crowned chief (+ photos) -- http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/7/story.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=10504419
PNG Cricket
If you are interested in the 2008 SP Super Series cricket details then you must visit this link -- http://www.spsuperseries.com/ -- the web site has been created by -- http://www.sportingpulse.com/
Misc Links
Country Tours -- http://www.countrytours.com.pg/
The Geological and Mineral Resource Information System of PNG -- http://www.mra-gmris.gov.pg
Mineral Resources Authority -- http://www.mra.gov.pg/
http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/papua_new_guinea.htm
PNG Touch football -- http://www.touchfootballpng.org.pg
SP Brewery -- http://www.sp.com.pg/
ASOPA (Australian School of Pacific Administration) web site -- http://www.asopa.com.au/
Lae Port Development Project -- http://www.adb.org/Documents/Environment/PNG/40037-PNG-SEIA.pdf
For people who want to read about PNG then I suggest visiting the PNGBD.COM web site and reading some of the forums. For example - Rural Power Supplies, Port Moresby -- http://www.pngbd.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-7821
PNG Blogs
Sports Day in PNG -- http://giaman.com/pg/?1e236c -- and -- http://giaman.com/pg/?599227
The Obregon Family Blog Site - Kokopo East -- http://giaman.com/pg/?11e446
Jerrard Family -- http://cajerrard.blogspot.com/2008/04/last-sabbath-waterfall-hike.html
Today in Lae... Sleep deprived -- http://inwildeboer.blogspot.com/2008/04/sleep-deprived.html
Sisters of Mercy in PNG -- http://giaman.com/pg/?7b516c
Greetings from Kavieng PNG -- http://giaman.com/pg/?629417
PNG aid money under scrutiny -- http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/22/2223671.htm
Sky Watch - at last Tom!!!! -- http://giaman.com/pg/?acabe8
Well the woes are multiplying. No phones yesterday, managed to get on last night for 45 minutes then my computer had a hissy fit and passed out, and all my bookmarks have been corrupted and lost. -- http://giaman.com/pg/?0a00b0
POM Library
The "Port Moresby Library" now has a web site located at -- http://onefollowedbyonehundredzeros.com/pomlib.html
News Items
Air Niugini
The National Airline is getting a new Dream liner in 2010 - not leased but an outright purchase. Public Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare has announced that Air Niugini will have among its fleet of aircraft two Boeing 787 Dreamliners, one of which is to be delivered by 2010. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a mid-size, wide-body twin engine jet capable of carrying between 200 and 300 passengers, depending on its seating configuration. Air Niugini will also take delivery of a new Boeing 767-300ER by the end of this month.
Exxon Gas Project
Exxon Mobil Corp. and its partners are set to proceed with initial engineering work on an $11 billion liquefied natural gas project in Papua New Guinea after reaching an agreement with the government on fiscal terms, Reuters reported.
see -- http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093193329
Moody's Investors Service said an Exxon-Mobil-led (NYSE:XOM) consortium's planned export facility in Papua New Guinea (PNG) for liquid natural gas could, over the longer term, greatly improve the prospects for PNG's economic development and its government-bond rating.
HIV/AIDS Study
The PNG Department of Health recently gave the National Research Institute the authority to begin a three-year program that will monitor and study the behavior of people living with HIV/AIDS.
see -- http://www.news-medical.net/?id=37516
Metals Refining Operations
A Malaysian-owned company, Bestino Golden House (PNG) Pte Ltd (Bestino PNG), has become the first foreign operator of Papua New Guinea's only gold refinery, Metals Refining Operations Ltd (MRO) which was established in the 1980s. The company has plans to expand the refinery's capacity as well as expand into gold mining in other gold-producing countries in the South Pacific region.
Kalibobo Spirit
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 (MTS) primarily for his private use but available for charter to selected guests. The ship has a 20 line telephone exchange and connects to the outside world via Iridium and Optus Satellite equipment. Passengers are also able to have access to internet.
See -- http://www.kalibobospirit.com
Landslides
Hundreds have been displaced by a landslide in Simbu Province.
see also -- http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23550554-16953,00.html
Hospital Shortages
PNG Highlands hospitals face possible supplies shortages after the landslides in Simbu Province. The Mt Hagen Hospital Medical Services Director, Dr Michael Dokup, says many lives are at risk as hospitals are also affected by the landslip.
See -- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=39190
Kokoda Trail Protected
Australia's Environment Minister Peter Garrett - who is in the PNG resort town of Madang for the Australia-PNG ministerial forum said the Kokoda agreement, was historic. "The bonds forged in war-time between Australia and PNG on the Kokoda Track - this agreement today strengthens those bonds," he said.
It was announced by the PNG Government that a controversial mining proposal along the historic Kokoda Track will not go ahead, as it signed a deal with Australia to protect the historic site. Two days out from Anzac Day, the two governments have signed a joint memorandum of understanding, to protect the track and surrounding forest. Both sides agreed to work towards World Heritage listing for the 96km track.
see also -- http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23589229-662,00.html
Anzac Day
The 25th of April is ANZAC Day. Read about one pilot from the Second World War in this article from the Hobson Bay Leader in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia who saw service in PNG. -- http://www.hobsonsbayleader.com.au/article/2008/04/22/33650_htv_news.html -- here is one paragraph from that story.
Quote
In 1942 Ray Rowe was posted to the fighter unit 30 Squadron and sent to Port Moresby, New Guinea, for about seven months. Then it was over to Kiriwina to the headquarters of the 73 Fighter Wing attached to US heavy bomber command with four squadrons of Kittyhawks and one of Spitfires.
End Quote
Another article dealing with World War II -- http://giaman.com/pg/?55e8ac
PNG Reunion
Tickets are now on sale for the 21st of June 2008 SP Bikpela Pati to be held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. If you are interested you may purchase your tickets on line at -- http://www.pngreunion.com -- or by sending a registration form (available on the web page) along with your cheque, MasterCard or Visa details to PO Box 384, Palm Beach Qld 4221, Australia
Gold Mine Joint Venture
Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd, the world's fifth largest gold producer, and Newcrest Mining Limited, Australia's largest gold company have signed an agreement which will allow Newcrest to earn a 50 percent interest in Harmony's PNG gold assets.
The Joint Venture would include the Hidden Valley mining operation, a gold and silver project, expected to produce over 250,000 ounces of gold and 3.6 moz of silver p.a. over a 14 year mine life, peaking at over 300,000 ounces of gold p.a. in 2011. Production is scheduled to commence around mid 2009. The JV would also include the Wafi-Golpu gold and copper deposit and its surrounding exploration tenements along with more than 3,400 square kilometres of Harmony's exploration tenements in Morobe province, 300 km north-east of Port Moresby.
PNG Currency
The weak US dollar is now slightly aiding the PNG kina against major foreign currencies. The National newspaper reports the Kina continued to strengthen last week after lying flat the previous week as more funds flowed into the banks. The kina will remain weak against the Aussie dollar but will depend on the Central bank's intervention to avoid inflationary pressure that may be exerted from a strong Aussie dollar.
Finance Probe
The on again off again probe into the Finance Dept. has started again. In a surprise announcement the Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, said the Commission of Inquiry into the Department of Finance, which he stopped last Friday, will resume - and with more scope and assistance. He said he believed that there should be deeper investigation into many aspects of the inquiry.
Sir Michael has given an "unequivocal commitment" not to disband the commission again.
Illegal Fishermen
Three Indonesians who were caught fishing between the waters of Aitape and Vanimo late last month have been convicted of illegal entry and fined K5,000 each by the Vanimo District Court.
PNG-Australia Ministerial Forum
The 18th PNG-Australia Ministerial Forum is currently underway in Madang. This is the first meeting between the countries in three years after the souring of relations under the Howard Government. High on the agenda is the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the Kokoda Track.
see -- http://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_people/2008/04/aid-money-flash.html -- for full story
see also - EU-ACP Trade Ministers To Meet In Madang -- http://giaman.com/pg/?415306
and - Smith asks PNG for seasonal workers plan -- http://giaman.com/pg/?e4906d
Plea for enhanced cooperation program to be resurrected -- http://giaman.com/pg/?ee88de
Forestry officials ignoring PNG law -- http://www.climateark.org/shared/reader/welcome.aspx?linkid=97610
Liquefied Natural Gas
William Duma, PNG Minister for Petroleum and Energy said PNG has enough money built up from a tax windfall to fund its stake in a proposed Exxon Mobil-led liquefied natural gas (LNG) project that could make up over half its economy. PNG has two LNG projects totalling about $17 billion on its drawing board.
see -- http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKSYD10821920080421 -- for further information.
Sepik River
On the Sepik river, there is a famous tradition of wood carving, often in the form of plants or animals, representing ancestor spirits. Sea shells are no longer the currency of Papua New Guinea, as they were in some regions - see -- http://the-monad.blogspot.com/2008/04/papua-new-guinea.html -- This page takes a while to load - be patient.
Coming Events
Australia PNG Trade Expo - 4th to 6th of May
Coffee Festival, Goroka, Eastern Highlands -- will be held between the 8th and 10th of May
2008 Sepik Iron man -- Queen's birthday weekend (8th of June)
21st of June 2008 - PNG Reunion - see -- http://www.pngreunion.com
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
PNG Tourism Expo -- September
Hiri Moale Festival -- September
PNG Independence Day Celebrations -- 16th September
Medical Symposium -- September 2008 -- http://www.medsymp.org.pg
Morobe Show -- 18th and 19th of October -- the Show is held on the weekend closest to the full moon in the month of October each year in Lae, Morobe Province. -- http://www.morobeshow.org.pg
Milne Bay Canoe Festival -- always held during the first weekend in November.
Do you have an event that you want advertised? Send email to -- PNGNews[@]pnggossip.com
PNG Media
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