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PNG in the News
O'Neill's new path for PNG -- http://giaman.com/pg/?f691dd
Poet and firebrand finds herself in good company -- http://giaman.com/pg/?a7e776
AusAID builds classrooms in Madang -- http://giaman.com/pg/?c897d8
New PX in-flight kit -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YW-Cdm5qVA
Ward development program underway in Rabaul -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120824/news13.htm
Australia says it's not behind Manus media ban -- http://giaman.com/pg/?d2e285
Gun Violence a Growing Concern -- http://giaman.com/pg/?469a54/
Papua New Guinea's future depends on Australia -- http://giaman.com/pg/?80f51c
Dash 8 resumes service -- http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/business/15876-dash-8-resumes-service
Misc PNG Links
NICTA -- http://www.nicta.gov.pg -- National Information and Communications Technology Authority.
Battle of Milne Bay -- http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12846581-battle-of-milne-bay
Aussie diggers return to Milne Bay -- http://giaman.com/pg/?cc8b5b
Mt. Hagen Festival -- http://giaman.com/pg/?32abbc
PNG Cars! -- http://www.pngcars.com
City Mission PNG -- http://www.citymission.com.pg
Do you believe everything you read? -- http://giaman.com/pg/?49ff6f
Neglect causing Madang Highway PMV's problems -- http://giaman.com/pg/?71e987
PNG Images
Ukarumpa women's centre -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL2BFM85lbU
Mask Festival - Kokopo -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF_hCc52Mik
Safe Cities: Port Moresby, 2012 -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRrGDERE3CI
Before Kokoda there was Rabaul. -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzl7dvtX8tk -- See the promo for the documentary that follows Charlie during his first ever visit to Rabaul, a visit that gave him a greater understanding of the War in the Pacific and the origins of the Kokoda campaign.
Goroka Show -- http://giaman.com/pg/?51edf2
Diggers remember Milne Bay -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFYQgfjLzWs
Port Moresby Rugby Union Pre Finals -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-Gfs8RIt7c
Goroka -- http://www.gettyimages.com/creative/goroka-stock-photos
Madang Boys -- http://365project.org/bobfoto/365/2012-09-01
Mt Hagen -- http://www.gettyimages.com/creative/mt-hagen-stock-photos
Air Niugini -- http://video.hancurit.com/air-niugini.html
AOG Jubilee Celebrations Maprik PNG -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EqTz63kcT0
PNG Blogs
Newcastle Nurses Return From Port Moresby -- http://giaman.com/pg/?f139fc
Shark Callers -- http://giaman.com/pg/?e72e7f
The Ukarumpa Warriors -- http://giaman.com/pg/?e5c73f
Around the world with Lucy & James -- http://giaman.com/pg/?5f37d3
Mangi Tari -- http://mangtariwantok.blogspot.com
News Items
Five Year Plan
Prime Minister O'Neill has outlined the government’s plan for the next five-years to move the country forward. He said he knows the way forward is not going to be easy. He says there is nothing to hide and there will be nothing hidden.
-- http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-04/an-png-oneill-reforms/4242900
Wewak Tuna Canners
The revenue of Wewak-based tuna loiner and canner South Seas Tuna Corporation (SSTC), has been reduced by more than 50% since it began operations in 2004. The company exports 850 metric tonnes of frozen loins and 160 metric tonnes of fishmeal per month.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?145723
Sea Mining Transparent - Nautilus
The chief executive officer of Nautilus Minerals says the Canadian-based company is committed to an open and transparent approach to its Solwara 1 deep sea mining project in PNG. The CEO, Stephen Rogers says that they're confident the project's closed system of mineral extraction will minimise damage in surface waters from mining the seabed.
-- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=70475
Fiji's Pearl Resort
The Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) in conjunction with Petroleum Resources Kutubu has made a significant investment in Fiji through the purchase of the iconic Pearl South Pacific Resort together with an 18-hole golf course for K34 million. The resort boasts an area of nearly 200 acres and offers guests the majesty of a tropical island environment with uniquely-designed suites and exceptional service standards. It is located 40 minutes drive from Suva and two hours drive from Nadi International Airport.
-- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/37675
PNG Vanilla
PNG Vanilla is exported around the world. New Zealand company Equagold is one such company taking advantage of buying vanilla from a co-operative of growers in PNG. Equagold directors Ross and Dianne Appleton says it was a no-brainer when the Torricelli Growers Co-operative, in the Sundaun province, invited Equagold to become involved with its scheme. A total of 500 growers are involved. Under the scheme, they earn about $5000 a year. Normally they would earn a tenth of that.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?1562a8
Kandep Problems
Since the elections there has been friction in Kandep, Enga province between rival political supporters. More police have now been deployed to prevent further destruction and killings.
Media Ban Bad
Deputy Opposition leader Sam Basil has said banning foreign journalists from entering the country is a bad sign for a vibrant democracy and could send wrong signals to the international community
-- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/37673
PNG lifts ban on foreign journalists -- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=70671
Sedition Charges
The sedition charges against Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia and Justice Nicholas Kirriwon and charges of interfering with political liberties against senior police officer Fred Yakasa will, according to Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, be dropped. The three men were arrested and charged by police on a complaint laid by the Prime Minister during the impasse about a month before the 2012 National Elections.
-- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120830/news01.htm
Copra Prices Plummet
The price for copra has dropped causing concern for PNG producers. The situation is desperate for farmers in Madang province who are not able to switch to more lucrative crops. Local governments in the copra-growing regions of New Ireland and Milne Bay have begun providing financial support to copra farmers.
The average price per metric tonne of copra is now just over US$700, down from US$1,500 last year, according to the latest figures from the Bloomberg financial news service.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?4c77d0
PNG Photo Commission
The Independent Traveller and Wanderlust magazine have once again teamed up to present the Travel Photo of the Year competition, with the winners getting the chance to see their shots printed in the Independent Traveller and Wanderlust, as well as receiving a photo commission to Papua New Guinea.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?d28a2d
See also -- http://travelphotooftheyear.co.uk
Disputed Returns
The elections have been declared and now losing candidates from around the country are disputing the results. Over 20 candidates from the Rigo Open seat have filed a joint petition under the 'Rigo Rights Group' to challenge the win by Ano Pala in the court of disputed returns.
-- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120830/news16.htm
23 MP's petitioned -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120903/news22.htm
Poll 'Free but not Fair' -- http://giaman.com/pg/?b5455d
Pacific Forum
The 43rd Pacific Islands Forum in Cook Islands has been hailed a success by PNG. Prime Minister O'Neill gave PNG's view on the review of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the Fiji issue and how PNG re-emphasised the need for the country to remain committed to an early return to parliamentary democracy by 2014.
-- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120903/news01.htm
2015 Pacific Islands Forum
PNG will host the Pacific Islands Forum in 2015. The Solomon Islands may consider hosting the 2014 forum. Mr O'Neill announced that the Government will set up a committee to prepare and look at hosting the 2015 PIF meeting.
-- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120903/news09.htm
Library Upgrade
The PNG Institute of Public Administration (PNGIPA) has engaged Softlink, a leading global provider of Integrated Library Management Software solutions, to set-up and install a Library Management System for the PNGIPA library. The software system will allow the library to go on the world wide web enabling everyone to see.
-- http://www2.softlinkint.com/?au/welcome
Rabaul Queen
A Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Rabaul Queen ferry has found it was not seaworthy, unsafe and should never have departed on its final voyage. The commission found the ship's owner, Captain Peter Sharp, demonstrated that he had little or no respect for people, including those in authority.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?217145
Australia's Nebulous Borders
Australia has sovereignty over Kussa, a small island in the Torres Strait, that is only a couple of hundred metres from Papua New Guinea's shore at low tide. Australian possessions such as Christmas Island are much closer to Indonesia than Australia.
-- http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=32986
Smart Traveller Update
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller advisory service has reported the following Travel Advice has changed or been added since the last update (2 Aug 2012 14:39:42 EST):
-- http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Papua_New_Guinea
Current Advice Level: "High degree of caution"
Change Summary: It includes updated information and under Safety and security: Civil unrest/political tension. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
AFL PNG
As part of a three year commitment by BSP the bank has donated K15,000 to AFL PNG. The money will be used to help promote the sport in the country.
Digicel School Buildings
Mobile telephone company, Digicel, has provided a new double classroom for the Hawai Primary School in Manus province. The double classroom valued at K95,000 will allow an extra 80 students to attend the school. The package also included office space, 20 double desks, a water tank two kit showers and a two toilets.
Hawai is 20 minutes by powerboat from Lorengau.
Medical Symposium
The 48th medical symposium is underway at the Gateway hotel in Port Moresby. The Department of Health is calling on all resource sector partners to provide health impact assessments as part of any mining. Many countries and some in the region already have laws enacted to make this mandatory.
PNG Birthday
PNG celebrates its of independence from Australia on the 16th of September. Preparations are well underway in many schools and organisations around the country. If you are in PNG then September is one of the best months to see PNG culture at its best.
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.
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/
Rugby League PNG vs Aust Prime Ministers' XIII - 23rd September, Port Moresby
Simbu Agricultural Show 26 - 27th of September at the Dickson Oval in Kundiawa.
Imotiva Kokoda 2012, Walk for a Cause - 9th October 2012 -- http://thelukeadamsfoundation.org.au/?p=580
IOTA tour -- 19th October to the 4th November 2012 -- http://giaman.com/pg/?7fb078 -- http://www.p29ni.yolasite.com
Fifth PNG Games, Kokopo, East New Britain - 17th to 30th November 2012
Rabbitohs to play PNG Kumuls -- 9th of Feb 2013
Pacific Mini Games - Wallis and Futuna 2013
2013 Pacific Netball Series (hosted by Fiji)
Full Pacific Games - PNG 4th July to 18th 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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