tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86541377309415910522024-03-24T00:10:20.077-07:00Pacific News Home of Pacific NewsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-42871164898122849172024-01-01T18:49:00.000-08:002024-01-01T18:49:29.631-08:00Fiji Mourns the Loss of High Commissioner Mosese Tikoitoga in Papua New Guinea<p>The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Fiji confirmed the passing of Fiji’s high commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mosese Tikoitoga, in Port Moresby on Friday, following a brief illness.</p><p>Expressing their condolences, the ministry acknowledged Tikoitoga's remarkable leadership, unwavering commitment, and diligent efforts that significantly contributed to fostering and strengthening the bilateral relations between Fiji and Papua New Guinea.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmY8qg68-sX5M4Zh-8XE1HH-TpIVtxCW93OmKoMkv8HhbVpvkiSFw6ctKrZGJHhZqrfD-XlPxSUWka3UiAG0_xQHODBby8vcPDFXGzEbDsbTu2anyuStFXbWaqyR1Ff2EWTZL3RaXXOXqEBdlDiKqmKXsHSonaQ4JpOKU78PzepNCB5BhNt2gWIRatrw/s1170/Fiji%20News.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmY8qg68-sX5M4Zh-8XE1HH-TpIVtxCW93OmKoMkv8HhbVpvkiSFw6ctKrZGJHhZqrfD-XlPxSUWka3UiAG0_xQHODBby8vcPDFXGzEbDsbTu2anyuStFXbWaqyR1Ff2EWTZL3RaXXOXqEBdlDiKqmKXsHSonaQ4JpOKU78PzepNCB5BhNt2gWIRatrw/s16000/Fiji%20News.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Tikoitoga had previously served as the high commissioner to PNG in Port Moresby until the mission was closed in November 2020. However, he returned to his post in September of this year, after the Fiji government's decision to reopen the embassy. Aside from his diplomatic duties, Tikoitoga was an avid golfer and held a membership at the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club.<p></p><p>His notable career also encompassed his role as the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in 2014 and 2015. The ministry praised his dedication, pride, and humility in carrying out this responsibility.</p><p>Plans are underway to repatriate Tikoitoga's body to Fiji, where he is anticipated to receive a full military funeral in recognition of his service as a former military commander.</p><p>Tikoitoga pursued higher education at the University of Canberra, earning a Master's in Management in Defence Studies. He also obtained a Master's of Philosophy in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras. In addition to his diplomatic and military career, in 2011, he served as the chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union.</p><p>His passing is mourned not only within diplomatic circles but also across the spheres where he made impactful contributions throughout his distinguished career.</p><p><br /></p><p>Next : <a href="https://pacnews.pngfacts.com/2023/12/pngs-airline-air-niugini-resumes-jet.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Poppins; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000;">PNG's airline Air Niugini resumes jet services to Mt Hagen</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-73719989727276050272023-12-01T19:43:00.000-08:002023-12-01T19:43:55.542-08:00PNG's airline Air Niugini resumes jet services to Mt Hagen <p>Papua New Guinea' s Air Niugini has advised its valued customers that the airline has resumed Fokker jet services to Kagamuga airport, Mount Hagen today, Monday 27th November. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_mYVZjAazz-pNgkGYey6Xh5fs3t2fjF66ZuVOPDcEs0rVijdHNyBDDGKaFQwiXkDBoJ4wGXEktlVH6fbBKPE-awf3-YLnn3DfiWa1yPxF1v6wOWzRpVWr6I5i-4DBI0LSLI6K3pz66DP1yKnxFwM9oodts2LDeQN30PSB8wEJ76hGqA31wPl6JhyphenhyphenZro/s1526/jet%20air%20niugini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_mYVZjAazz-pNgkGYey6Xh5fs3t2fjF66ZuVOPDcEs0rVijdHNyBDDGKaFQwiXkDBoJ4wGXEktlVH6fbBKPE-awf3-YLnn3DfiWa1yPxF1v6wOWzRpVWr6I5i-4DBI0LSLI6K3pz66DP1yKnxFwM9oodts2LDeQN30PSB8wEJ76hGqA31wPl6JhyphenhyphenZro/s16000/jet%20air%20niugini.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PNG's airline Air Niugini resumes jet services to Mt Hagen [Photo by Air Niugini]</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Jet operations to Mount Hagen were suspended in late September to allow the National Airports Corporation (NAC) to carry out urgent maintenance works on the airport runway. During the period of the runway repairs, all Air Niugini flights to Hagen were downgraded to Dash 8 operations.</p><p>Air Niugini’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Gary Seddon said “Mount Hagen is the major airport serving the Highlands region and is of vital importance to the economy and community. We are pleased that the runway maintenance has been completed and we are now able to resume operations with larger jet aircraft in time for the busy Christmas peak period”.</p><p>Air Niugini operates up to five daily flights to Mount Hagen.</p><p><br /></p><p>next : </p><h2 class="post-title entry-title" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Poppins; margin: 0px 0px 8px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://pacnews.pngfacts.com/2023/12/solomon-islands-pacific-games-medal.html" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000;">Solomon Islands Pacific Games Medal Tally Ladder</span></a></h2>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-75438632647560508512023-12-01T19:29:00.000-08:002023-12-01T19:44:24.767-08:00Solomon Islands Pacific Games Medal Tally Ladder <p>Below is the Solomon Islands Pacific Games Medal Tally Ladder. </p><p>Updated : Saturday 2/12/2023 : Time : 2:30 pm </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_uaFOKX8IwY4bYriKClamNmF7usU0VA4edU2nnm3c09ySPxpKPEvzCrbLOCd5snXJ8HdhppGTciCPoFpBPjPBcM0Yy2S2XCLlyjwJnHSwK3NQBEED9iQyUYowubQDtkjYxAhrY8JXM2YWKS97hrNN8GjYZYzLOkNbFdwkwvYx9QyfE8Qa1OTgc3Eh3E/s1023/Pacific%20Games%20Medal%20Ladder.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_uaFOKX8IwY4bYriKClamNmF7usU0VA4edU2nnm3c09ySPxpKPEvzCrbLOCd5snXJ8HdhppGTciCPoFpBPjPBcM0Yy2S2XCLlyjwJnHSwK3NQBEED9iQyUYowubQDtkjYxAhrY8JXM2YWKS97hrNN8GjYZYzLOkNbFdwkwvYx9QyfE8Qa1OTgc3Eh3E/s16000/Pacific%20Games%20Medal%20Ladder.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacific Games Medal Ladder [source : Solo2023]</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Disclaimer : While we try to make the sure the tally table is up-to-day, results reaching the games medal tabling center may be delayed. Please consult the games center for further updates.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next : </div><h2 class="post-title entry-title" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Poppins; margin: 0px 0px 8px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://pacnews.pngfacts.com/2023/12/solomon-islands-matekali-and-firusua.html" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Solomon Islands’ Matekali and Firusua claim silver and bronze in women’s half marathon</span></a></h2><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-18337237294364498872023-12-01T19:19:00.000-08:002023-12-01T19:19:31.902-08:00Solomon Islands’ Matekali and Firusua claim silver and bronze in women’s half marathon<p> Tahiti’s triathlon sensation, Salome De Barthez De Mamorieres, clinched her fifth gold medal at Sol2023, winning the women’s half marathon on Saturday with a time of 1 hour 23 minutes and 39 seconds.</p><p>However, her victory was fiercely contested by veteran long-distance duo from Solomon Islands, Dianah Matekali and Sharon Kikini Firisua, who trailed closely.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVfaIUAFigRfiryXcqMaYJhL6cECVC_VY2W4mhm0l09Gb5C-u_GAIrerD3S38ZFLcvHPywkC500DvVgLr2eblZam5J6mNxIJDrev6-g_bh-OVq8beHXcQFuTGpjOpVxZeStjywTrX9pJJUepcEDyOwMUtPI0HOEwEWjrNeYi3vyquhtekTpWyZMUHbxs/s1024/Solo%20Silver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVfaIUAFigRfiryXcqMaYJhL6cECVC_VY2W4mhm0l09Gb5C-u_GAIrerD3S38ZFLcvHPywkC500DvVgLr2eblZam5J6mNxIJDrev6-g_bh-OVq8beHXcQFuTGpjOpVxZeStjywTrX9pJJUepcEDyOwMUtPI0HOEwEWjrNeYi3vyquhtekTpWyZMUHbxs/s16000/Solo%20Silver.jpg" /></a></div><br />Matekali secured the silver, finishing just 1 minute and 24 seconds behind the Tahitian, crossing the line at 1:24:23, while Firisua settled for bronze with a time of 1:24:54.<p></p><p>Speaking to the Pacific Games News Service, De Mamorieries said: “This one, I can’t believe it. The Solomon girls (Matekali and Firisua) were very strong and were leading for most of the way, and I think about after 10km I accelerated and was just hoping they weren’t following closely behind”.</p><p>De Mamorieries also shared her ambition to earn a place in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games following her participation in the rigorous first division triathlon competitions in France in the coming year.</p><p>Reflecting on the half marathon, Matekali said: “I’m very happy with the silver and as I recorded a new personal best”.</p><p>She revealed that this will be her last Pacific Games, however she will be competing in the Olympics with preparations in Australia during the lead-up.</p><p>Standing beside her was national teammate, Firisua, who said: “Each race is different and so I accepted the way it ended, even though I did not get my personal best today.</p><p>“We stayed with the Tahiti runner for part of the race and tried to work on a game strategy but she’s a good runner so we decided that Diana will follow her and that’s how the race ended.”</p><p>Earning fourth place with a time of 1:29.22 was Tania Tan from Northern Mariana Islands, who earlier in the week claimed two golds in the 10,000 meters and 5,000 metres, setting a new record in the latter.</p><p>Entering the marathon with an upbeat attitude, the Pacific Games newcomer said: “This is my first try at the marathon, and I wanted to give it a go while just having some fun, especially after two really tough races earlier this week.</p><p>“I think I was the only one smiling and talking during the race,” she joked.</p><p>In the men’s half marathon, Tahiti’s Benjamin Zorgnotti bagged his fourth gold medal of Sol2023, crossing the finish line first with a time of 71:71. Siune Kagi of Papua New Guinea bagged the silver, crossing the line second with a personal best of 71:17, while Hugo Tormento from New Caledonia, who caused an upset by defeating Zorgnotti in the men’s aquathlon on Friday, claimed bronze with a time of 71:53.</p><p>When asked if he felt any pressure to win the half marathon after Friday’s upset, Zorgnotti, said: “I’ve got four gold medals and that was my goal”.</p><p>“Today was so tiring and so hot. I think closer to the end, Tormento dropped 5 metres behind me, and I just accelerated.”</p><p>Speaking to the Pacific Games News Service, an ecstatic Torrento said: “I really didn’t expect anything today but to give my best”.</p><p>“I was closely behind Benjamin and when I’d catch up, he would accelerate and at the end when he did, I was just like, come on, this is yours,” he joked.</p><p>Kagi, who finished just under a minute behind the Tahitian, said: “I was really expecting to come first but I’m still proud of my efforts. I’d like to dedicate this silver to my country and especially my parents and coaches. I wanted to also beat my personal best during the race, and I believe I’ve done that”.</p><p>The conclusion of the half marathons drew to a close an exciting chapter in athletics that showcased remarkable records and the rise of promising newcomers throughout the week.</p><p><br /></p><p>Photo and Story By Donaldson Saepioh and Aaron Ballekom, Pacific Games News Service</p><p><br /></p><p>Next : </p><h2 class="post-title entry-title" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Poppins; margin: 0px 0px 8px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://pacnews.pngfacts.com/2023/12/png-scoop-11-medals-at-boxing.html" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">PNG scoop 11 medals at boxing</span></a></h2>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-36706330079298299202023-12-01T19:01:00.000-08:002023-12-01T19:03:01.908-08:00PNG scoop 11 medals at boxing<p> Papua New Guinea (PNG) dominated day five of the Sol2023 Pacific Games Boxing Competition at Friendship Hall on Friday, collecting 11 medals including six golds.</p><p>In an impressive display, PNG emerged as the undisputed boxing powerhouse at this Games, clinching a whopping 11 medals – six golds, two silvers and three bronze.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQR-Sdx4zjPmG6mYVN_6KEyTtUbYLMxmnV_Wx0RBjh_oADeJkDo43yshwh_7rqEJLrxOhENeKbIl-hNe4HYazDHrwJvrG7cXuZivHa2w6zk9jhMVzF-HmB8NdUr8bx0WwGyPIUM5OTJaBhfmE9UoE1cFBOWsVKs3AfLJE3HTfHUc5mDL0QH_3UH8Ce98/s1536/Pacific%20Games.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQR-Sdx4zjPmG6mYVN_6KEyTtUbYLMxmnV_Wx0RBjh_oADeJkDo43yshwh_7rqEJLrxOhENeKbIl-hNe4HYazDHrwJvrG7cXuZivHa2w6zk9jhMVzF-HmB8NdUr8bx0WwGyPIUM5OTJaBhfmE9UoE1cFBOWsVKs3AfLJE3HTfHUc5mDL0QH_3UH8Ce98/s16000/Pacific%20Games.jpg" /></a></div><br />PNG’s gold medallists were Steven Kendu (men’s 75kg), Change Jamie (women’s 54kg), Kantie Oaike (men’s 48kg), Bali Goli (women’s 48kg), Sheila Yama (women’s 70kg) and Petronella Nokenoke (women’s 63kg).<p></p><p>Silver medal winners included Leontine Kevin (women’s 70kg) and Peto Junior Turaga (men’s 48kg), while the bronze medal winners were Bid Inoino (men’s 54kg), Laizani Soma (women’s 63kg) and Liranda Kidu (women’s 70kg)</p><p>Speaking to the Pacific Games News Service, Kidu said: “I’m thrilled with the fight. It’s my first time at the Pacific Games. I thank God Almighty for the strength, and I dedicate this gold medal to my family, my homeland, my beloved PNG.”</p><p>Other boxers also on the podium on Friday included Fiji’s Jone Davule (gold) and Ronit Chand (bronze) and Solomon Islands’ trio of Max Makana (silver), Mark Gavin (bronze) and Phineus Pitakoe (bronze).</p><p>Tahiti’s Herehau Tuienui won a bronze, Saliuafi Tuautu of Samoa got silver, Tulikitoafa Takatai of New Caledonia won bronze, Nauru’s Marvin Canon got silver and Ricksen Nomleas of Vanuatu won bronze.</p><p>Boxing concludes on Saturday afternoon at Friendship Hall. Tickets are sold out.</p><p>Photo and Story By Steven Kamoa, Pacific Games News Service</p><p><br /></p><p>Next : </p><h2 class="post-title entry-title" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Poppins; margin: 0px 0px 8px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://pacnews.pngfacts.com/2023/11/samoa-no-longer-in-debt-distress.html" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">Samoa no longer in ‘debt distress’: Minister</span></a></h2>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-1911273841020552242023-11-06T02:03:00.002-08:002023-11-06T02:03:18.815-08:00Samoa no longer in ‘debt distress’: Minister<p> Samoa has been taken off the list of “debt distress” nations and is now eligible to apply for loans from the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank.</p><p>The Minister of Finance, Lautimuia Uelese Va’ai made these comments during an interview on the Soalepule programme, which was aired on EFKS television on Friday night. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdhptb-Pc1tiRQMiQg_mpv9wPK6HmhTjFQ65mRl2u5IwlFPqkgr8A9zTegB2wt0zvWeNLe9SJmcOhVT5Ho13e-qJwIO5vOCUB1_UVNbU9UI16qCYEJcOOeS8BzinZ27_gzB_hHLHaXVev4h2WGMmKr-LAjhw_MZrYpSbCb1yndk06cQk1wMdypTEwQRA/s306/Samoa%20Minister.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="290" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdhptb-Pc1tiRQMiQg_mpv9wPK6HmhTjFQ65mRl2u5IwlFPqkgr8A9zTegB2wt0zvWeNLe9SJmcOhVT5Ho13e-qJwIO5vOCUB1_UVNbU9UI16qCYEJcOOeS8BzinZ27_gzB_hHLHaXVev4h2WGMmKr-LAjhw_MZrYpSbCb1yndk06cQk1wMdypTEwQRA/s1600/Samoa%20Minister.png" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Minister of Finance, Lautimuia Uelese Va’ai [Photo by Samoa Observer]</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />He said Samoa’s total debt has dropped to 35 percent of the country’s gross domestic product from 50 percent when the current Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) administration took office in the third quarter of 2021. </p><p>“Financially, there has been a notable increase in terms of Samoa’s economy post-COVID,” Lautimuia said. “This is due to our great push for agriculture, remittances from our people working temporarily overseas as well as our relatives residing overseas. </p><p>“Another factor is the increase in the number of people visiting the country since our borders re-opened and the number of tourists that have visited Samoa. </p><p>“So, they [multilateral financial institutions] were quite happy with the figures we presented especially now that our debt has decreased. If we continue to maintain that drop and that ratio, they will be happy to open the door for us to loan money for future projects. </p><p>“It shows that we now have good debt management.”</p><p>With Samoa dropped from the “debt distress” category after it met benchmarks set by the IMF and the World Bank, Lautimuia said the two multilateral financial institutions also considered the country’s cash flow, loan servicing capacity and solid foreign reserves. </p><p>He said this milestone was one of the current government’s priorities to reduce the country’s total debt and comes on the back of the State retiring three major loans. He did not disclose what the three loans were. </p><p>“One of the priorities for this government was to reduce the public debt. They promised not to engage with any other big development projects that would require asking for loans until they reduce the total debt. </p><p>“But it’s a good thing that the doors have now been opened again for us. We just have to look at coming up with good development projects that would be in line with the goals we have set. </p><p>“We need to carefully look at what to prioritise because you can recommend a good and the right project at the wrong time, so we need to come up with great projects at the right time.”</p><p>Expressing confidence in his Ministry considering all these factors, prior to proposing major projects for the government’s consideration, Lautimuia said he relies on the advice of the ministry’s CEO. “The Minister is not the expert, it is the CEO and the staff, they have more knowledge, and they advise the Minister on what’s best and then the minister would look at it if it’s in line with the policies and standards set by the government before he presents a propose to Cabinet for deliberation.</p><p>Samoa Observer /PacNews</p><p>Also read</p><h2 class="post-title entry-title" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Poppins; margin: 0px 0px 8px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://pacnews.pngfacts.com/2023/11/australia-delivers-on-security.html" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Australia delivers ON security commitments ahead of the Pacific games in Solomon Islands</span></a></h2>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-63269572653559703072023-11-04T05:23:00.002-07:002023-11-04T05:23:26.393-07:00Australia delivers ON security commitments ahead of the Pacific games in Solomon Islands <p> The Australian Defence Force has handed over a suite of new equipment, including training, maintenance and sustainment, worth more than SBD 70 million, to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to enhance their security capabilities ahead of the Pacific Games.</p><p>The handovers and associated capability demonstrations were attended by the Prime Minister the Honourable Manasseh Sogavare and Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton and cemented the depth of Australia’s partnership with as Solomon Islands’ primary security partner.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rSUZ-l5p91Ix_y8HFQZP3WgwAKG1RJ3Vy8eWsTNC8891Y5BTW5kUyfcTANAjoOsX61sDJNC5n1nSyF4rdgB8q1Vrpkpd7Q4tznhD_qM6ISAoCI__5OBtBEsILJXenQXUvBm30ROhQnBvEC35ao1tBhF0YT5Zwn1HKLQiGC_NwZdbdb1k0B6gTvaIYoo/s1024/Pacific%20Games%20security.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rSUZ-l5p91Ix_y8HFQZP3WgwAKG1RJ3Vy8eWsTNC8891Y5BTW5kUyfcTANAjoOsX61sDJNC5n1nSyF4rdgB8q1Vrpkpd7Q4tznhD_qM6ISAoCI__5OBtBEsILJXenQXUvBm30ROhQnBvEC35ao1tBhF0YT5Zwn1HKLQiGC_NwZdbdb1k0B6gTvaIYoo/s16000/Pacific%20Games%20security.jpg" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h2 class="post-title entry-title" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #4f4f4f; font-family: Poppins; margin: 0px 0px 8px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://pacnews.pngfacts.com/2023/11/australia-gives-two-military-aircrafts.html" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Australia gives two Military Aircrafts to PNG</a> [Photo by AHC]</h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Rod Hilton said the capabilities handed over were world class and requested from Solomon Islands’ leadership to meet their needs – he had no doubt that with these additions the RSIPF was ready for the Pacific Games. </p><p>“Australia takes very seriously the trust you place in us to partner with you on your security needs, which is why we ensure everything has whole of life maintenance, sustainment and ongoing training,” High Commissioner Hilton said.</p><p>“These capabilities are equal to, and in some cases, supersede what Australia uses.”</p><p>“In designing this support we wanted to ensure the Pacific Games is safe and secure for the whole of the Solomon Islands. Our support is delivering under the leadership of the RSIPF and ensuring there are no gaps in any part of the security operation.”</p><p>Prime Minister the Honourable Manasseh Sogavare said that these robust capabilities would assist the RSIPF deliver on their national security mandates, including providing for a safe and secure Pacific Games. </p><p>“I’m impressed with this elevated capability; thank you for acknowledging the expertise we have – it brings joy to our hearts,” Prime Minister Sogavare said.</p><p>“We are committed to this partnership and on behalf of the people of Solomon Islands I’d like to thank the people and Government of Australia for their continued support to the RSIPF and Solomon Islands’ security. We look forward to this continuing into the future.”</p><p>Australia committed to providing the state-of-the-art equipment ahead of the Pacific Games and has delivered on this promise. The equipment includes:</p><p>RSIPF Explosive Ordnance Disposal Section: A Counter-Improvised Explosive capability, including nine trained personnel and tool kits with bomb suits, metal detectors and explosive disruptors. A High Mobility Engineer Excavator was also handed over, which can be used for safely moving unexploded ordnance and responding to natural disasters.</p><p>RSIPF Maritime Division: formal uniforms and eight new vehicles. The vehicles will be sent to provincial RSIPF locations where Defence has upgraded the small boats facilities. Defence has also completed arming Guardian-class Patrol Boats, RSIPV Gizo and Taro, at Solomon Islands’ request.</p><p>Rove Police Headquarters: RSIPF VHF Communications Network, which provides highly reliable voice communications across Honiara and includes more than 250 radios with GPS trackers to make communication easier and keep officers safer, especially during major events. More than 600 RSIPF officers have been trained to use the new system.</p><p>National Response Department: upgrades to the operations centre.</p><p>All equipment was delivered as part of the 41-year strong Australia-Solomon Islands Defence Cooperation Program and represents a significant enhancement of the RSIPF’s capability ahead of the Games and for many years to come.</p><p>Australia is also providing operational security support to the RSIPF for the Pacific Games, at the request of the Solomon Islands Government. This will include an increase in the Australian security deployment to Solomon Islands in the coming weeks and over the games period.</p><p>Photo caption: Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister the Honourable Manasseh Sogavare, visited Royal Solomon Island Police Force facilities on 2 November to watch a demonstration of new capabilities gifted to the RSIPF ahead of the Pacific Games.</p><p><br /></p><p>– AHC</p><p><br /></p><p>Also read</p><h2 class="post-title entry-title" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Poppins; margin: 0px 0px 8px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://pacnews.pngfacts.com/2023/11/australia-gives-two-military-aircrafts.html" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">Australia gives two Military Aircrafts to PNG</span></a></h2>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-51946296901834700602023-11-04T04:45:00.001-07:002023-11-04T04:45:07.471-07:00Australia gives two Military Aircrafts to PNG <p> TWO PAC 750 aircraft given to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) will enhance defence aviation cooperation activities, says Australia assistant defence minister Matt Thistlethwaite.</p><p>He said activities that were underway included the recently announced Defence Air Pacific Programme.</p><p>The PAC 750 aircraft that were formally handed over yesterday to Air Transport Wing (ATW) cost A$8.58 million, (about K21 million).</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAAXjlZi8S8jgFbjLNFb-kmYXv-h7niNW5lZXuqji53kAtH2fgbXF8oJuZ-2wcBvZvQLL-fzzRetlkRZS4xpgw3nINKSnf-r2ljXyZUzifidcV1C6pksSFR08AMP8nEOVNwYE0DdaukFmXW-cF2KHTDWQpqKODcpH2zotBiqwNFCqh329qQkL8cq3j8Y/s593/aircraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="593" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAAXjlZi8S8jgFbjLNFb-kmYXv-h7niNW5lZXuqji53kAtH2fgbXF8oJuZ-2wcBvZvQLL-fzzRetlkRZS4xpgw3nINKSnf-r2ljXyZUzifidcV1C6pksSFR08AMP8nEOVNwYE0DdaukFmXW-cF2KHTDWQpqKODcpH2zotBiqwNFCqh329qQkL8cq3j8Y/s16000/aircraft.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australia gives to Military Aircrafts to PNG [Photo by Australian High Commission PNG]</td></tr></tbody></table><br />“The new aircraft brings the PNGDF’s PAC 750 fleet to three following the Australia Defence Force’s support to remediate PNGDF’s first PAC 750 in 2021,” Thistlethwaite said.</p><p>“The PNGDF aircraft was selected because of its ability to take off and land on short and varied airfields, which is highly valued in PNG’s diverse terrain and geography.”</p><p>Thistlethwaite said Australia through the Royal Australian Air Force, the Defence Cooperation programme and the Flights of Excellence programme would continue to work closely with the PNGDF on aviation safety, maintenance and sustainment throughout the operational life of the aircraft.</p><p>“The PNGDF has qualified four pilots on the aircrafts and PNGDF loadmasters and maintenance personnel have been integrated into PAC 750 activities,” he said.</p><p>Both countries have also continued to partner in support of PNG’s security infrastructure priorities, for which construction work is underway to refurbish PNGDF’s ATW at Jackson International Airport.</p><p>Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso said from a government’s perspective, they had neglected the ATW for a very long time.</p><p>“This is now the start of ensuring the ATW becomes the formidable force that it should become so that it will lay the part way for the growth of our PNGDF,” he said.</p><p>TheNational/Pacific News</p><p><br /></p><p>Also read</p><h2 class="post-title entry-title" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Poppins; margin: 0px 0px 8px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://pacnews.pngfacts.com/2023/11/rhys-martin-to-become-most-capped-kumul.html" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">Rhys Martin to become most Capped Kumul Player</span></a></h2>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-80643163211044903792023-11-04T03:51:00.005-07:002023-11-04T04:39:58.101-07:00Rhys Martin to become most Capped Kumul Player <p> Papua New Guinea FORWARD Rhyse Martin will become the most capped Kumul of all time when he runs out in the Pacific Championships Bowl final against Fiji Bati on Sunday.</p><p>The Kumul No.262 will play his 17th Test for Papua New Guinea beating the record jointly held by former Kumul legends Stanley Gene, John Wilshire and Paul Aiton.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwUYl9DFpNqrF4zQZdesnjNCLDcmWZ1fvA4zsUWdOu1Gt7UoXidxEYjk9JltKTdn-FWFzgrMgC6IAwI3ks0cdsJZHBLI0S3TTImvNoREVFXdLDF0INkyEzewHiQvVfh93iG1Uw3vf3Uld/s320/Martin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwUYl9DFpNqrF4zQZdesnjNCLDcmWZ1fvA4zsUWdOu1Gt7UoXidxEYjk9JltKTdn-FWFzgrMgC6IAwI3ks0cdsJZHBLI0S3TTImvNoREVFXdLDF0INkyEzewHiQvVfh93iG1Uw3vf3Uld/s16000/Martin.jpg" /></a></div><br />Though the former Hull Kingston Rover and Bradford Bull, Gene, was the longest serving Kumul who played between 1994 and 2008, he only played 16 tests while Martin, Aiton and Wilshire all reached 16 tests in their respective 10-year stints in the national colours.<p></p><p>Leeds Rhinos forward, Martin, is only 29, and will probably play at the next world cup in 2025.</p><p>“I’ve been playing for Kumuls since 2014 and it’s a pretty special moment for me,” Martin said.</p><p>“I remember my first test when we played against Tonga up in Lae and that was an experience I still remember to this day.</p><p>“It’s been 10 years, back then I was the only overseas-based player in that team but fast forward to now it’s just a proud moment seeing where the Kumuls are now.</p><p>“It’s a good personal achievement for me to play that many games but I’m so happy that I’m still capable of playing and to make the team, it’s just special and I’m proud of that.”</p><p>Martin praised Aiton and Wilshire for their achievements as players but more importantly for their contributions as part of coach Justin Holbrook’s staff.</p><p>“I have huge respect for them. I was fortunate enough to play alongside Paul (Aiton) but I didn’t have a chance to play with Johnny (Wilshire).</p><p>“The experience that they have, they have built the platform for us to get to where we are now and I’m proud of them.</p><p>“Big respect for Stanley Gene too. I remember hearing his name when I was little and he’s a legend,” said Martin.</p><p>Statement/TheNational</p><p>Next : </p><h2 class="post-title entry-title" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Poppins; margin: 0px 0px 8px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://pacnews.pngfacts.com/2023/03/pngs-lae-biscuit-production-workers.html" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">PNG's Lae Biscuit Production Workers resume Work</span></a></h2>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-76942910247314582372023-03-14T16:00:00.005-07:002023-11-04T04:40:06.056-07:00PNG's Lae Biscuit Production Workers resume Work <p> Two hundred production workers resumed work yesterday, following the announcement by the Papua New Guinea's Lae Biscuit Company to shut down operations for two weeks.</p><p>That’s according to Chairman of Lae Biscutis, Ian Chow, to the media in Lae this morning.</p><p>In making the announcement of the resumption, Mr Chow says it has been 51 years of struggling to keep the manufacturing business afloat.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBZrT1ZNOKA7WYn0ubkHktGYNgRsXBKDYPki6ao4iS5yR1tq86ZPoDynZ3q2A45hcWJidiw60JKMOweqcPfwmo0KQeVIQy08fATN3h8uWoMRUdaJYmLVwUOGxlsxi3Zq6dYilWQhS5xPbc12m-JdfdsGkX--g9BUA63sLRxe3-67KaDh5lVl1aeuP/s720/Lae%20Buscuit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBZrT1ZNOKA7WYn0ubkHktGYNgRsXBKDYPki6ao4iS5yR1tq86ZPoDynZ3q2A45hcWJidiw60JKMOweqcPfwmo0KQeVIQy08fATN3h8uWoMRUdaJYmLVwUOGxlsxi3Zq6dYilWQhS5xPbc12m-JdfdsGkX--g9BUA63sLRxe3-67KaDh5lVl1aeuP/s16000/Lae%20Buscuit.jpg" /></a></div><br />"The announcement is a wake up call from the business community to see if the government can help, because he says, the manufacturing industry, including Lae Biscuit is being unfairly treated with high operations costs," he said.<p></p><p>Mr Chow says the cost of diesel is high and cost of repair has doubled.</p><p>This, he says, is a result of unreliable power supply.</p><p>Mr Chow is now calling on the government to help the manufacturing industry with power supply.</p><p>He adds the Government should also consider credits on imports so that the supply chain cost currently be borne by the consumers, can be lowered.</p><p>He confirmed that the customs coding has increased and that is why prices of goods and services are reflecting the increase.</p><p>Mr Chow also called for strategic incentives for exports so that foreign exchange reserves can increase onshore.</p><p>FM 100 / #PacificBusinessNews</p><p>Also read</p><p><a class="entry-title-link" href="https://business.pngfacts.com/2023/02/internet-prices-in-png-not-coming-down.html" rel="bookmark" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); 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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUt_Wy7Fcv2egcK4nR3DdevSVtSSnnbTtRMOqBnCNLVODciAF2Kb9mXd64FSt4GhrN786fkS-o-DbRGnpAU47jctF-JsBq_VK5vznPvsDwUeoK3SM0orUnEWg70sMbjooNJBc0glr7aPx/s1600/Exxon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="136" data-original-width="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUt_Wy7Fcv2egcK4nR3DdevSVtSSnnbTtRMOqBnCNLVODciAF2Kb9mXd64FSt4GhrN786fkS-o-DbRGnpAU47jctF-JsBq_VK5vznPvsDwUeoK3SM0orUnEWg70sMbjooNJBc0glr7aPx/s1600/Exxon.jpg" /></a></div>
IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ExxonMobil has been named 2017 Explorer of the Year by the World Oil and Gas Council in recognition of excellence and innovation in the global energy industry.<br />
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“This award is recognition of ExxonMobil’s successful efforts to strengthen our portfolio by accessing and discovering the highest quality resources,” said Steve Greenlee, president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company. “This recognition would not be possible without the dedication of our employees and their daily commitment to safety and operational excellence at every stage of exploration.”<br />
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During the year, ExxonMobil announced a number of discoveries, acquisitions and other activities in various countries, including Brazil, Cyprus, Equatorial Guinea, Guyana, Mauritania, Papua New Guinea and Suriname.<br />
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Significant exploration activity took place offshore Guyana, where ExxonMobil announced four discoveries in 2017 at Payara, Liza Deep, Snoek, and Turbot. These four discoveries added to the earlier Liza discovery, made in 2015.<br />
<br />
Mike Cousins, executive vice president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company, accepted the award on behalf of ExxonMobil at an award dinner in London in December. He was accompanied by a number of company representatives, including Kerry Moreland, Guyana Basin exploration manager.<br />
<br />
“Guyana has become an exciting exploration area where we have consistently demonstrated our technical ability in deepwater exploration and operations,” said Moreland. “We are planning for continued success with our drilling program in 2018.”<br />
<br />
Since receipt of the award in December 2017, ExxonMobil has announced a sixth discovery offshore Guyana at the Ranger-1 exploration well.<br />
<br />
Other notable ExxonMobil exploration highlights throughout the year include:<br />
<br />
Brazil<br />
<br />
In September and October, the company added 14 blocks comprising more than 1.25 million net acres offshore Brazil through bid rounds and farm-in agreements, bringing its total acreage in the country to more than 1.4 million net acres. These included an agreement to purchase half of Statoil’s interest in an offshore block containing the Carcara field, estimated to contain a recoverable resource of two billion barrels of oil.<br />
In December, ExxonMobil signed a memorandum of understanding with Petrobras to jointly identify and evaluate potential business opportunities.<br />
Cyprus<br />
<br />
In April, the company signed an exploration and production sharing contract for offshore Block 10.<br />
Equatorial Guinea<br />
<br />
In June, ExxonMobil signed a production sharing contract with the government of Equatorial Guinea for deepwater block EG-11.<br />
Malaysia<br />
<br />
In November, ExxonMobil signed production sharing contracts for acreage offshore Sabah, Malaysia.<br />
Mauritania<br />
<br />
In December, ExxonMobil signed production sharing contracts for three offshore blocks: C22, C17 and C14.<br />
Papua New Guinea<br />
<br />
In June, ExxonMobil announced positive production well tests results from the Muruk-1 sidetrack 3 well. ExxonMobil also drilled the P’nyang South-2 well, which successfully confirmed an extension to the earlier P’nyang discovery.<br />
Across Papua New Guinea, ExxonMobil acquired an additional 5.7 million net acres of prospective acreage, onshore and offshore.<br />
Suriname<br />
<br />
In July, ExxonMobil signed a production sharing contract for Block 59 offshore Suriname in the Guyana-Suriname Basin.<br />
United States – Gulf of Mexico<br />
<br />
In March and August, ExxonMobil was awarded 25 blocks in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico lease sales.<br />
<br />
Press Release<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-9816633983311912072017-03-09T18:30:00.001-08:002023-11-04T04:40:17.638-07:00Hundreds flock to Vanuatu 'miracle stream'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJUwwiz4hPMfo9WUAO-OTrSpyripMuWTkYUDnb5mYEhEHquBJeYjXYqwbClOI7_j89MOvZoZPvrtHMi6mO7Dh_eJhJAZ3HYJS7FWOd6rz3jWQR1uKkM6QoPd2wztQ9R_a1LQH2Lx7kfY/s1600/vanuatu+news.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJUwwiz4hPMfo9WUAO-OTrSpyripMuWTkYUDnb5mYEhEHquBJeYjXYqwbClOI7_j89MOvZoZPvrtHMi6mO7Dh_eJhJAZ3HYJS7FWOd6rz3jWQR1uKkM6QoPd2wztQ9R_a1LQH2Lx7kfY/s1600/vanuatu+news.png" /></a>Hundreds of people in Vanuatu are flocking day and night to a stream near Luganville on Santo that is said to have miraculous healing powers.<br />
<br />
The Vanuatu Daily Post reported that people suffering from all manner of sicknesses, ailments and disabilities have been drinking from the stream at its source and bathing in its waters downstream in a bid to be healed by its purported miracle powers.<br />
<br />
The paper reported people convinced of the water's healing powers were filling up containers and sending the water to other parts of the country.<br />
<br />
Locals said anyone could access the stream free of charge as they saw it as a gift from God.<br />
<br />
A similar claim about a stream with healing powers in Fiji over a year ago continues to attract thousands of people seeking healing.<br />
<br />
Some ni-Vanuatuans even travelled to Fiji to visit this stream and returned to Vanuatu with bottles of water from the stream.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Photo: Radio Vanuatu<br />
Source:Radio New ZealandUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-7909086123564482782016-05-30T19:44:00.000-07:002016-05-30T19:45:34.955-07:00Removal of cultural objects from PNG Parliament unlawful : Court rules<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkph-qmTRiKmGLrdbhntdNQcJboS1J7wipjpVDKkaJ3ChAaBtEXWFhY4Vx8qTV014DyNMJPbueCVO1kBtD4wjL5x2N7r4uLRsrwKhMoih4JX-XfNoOptppp2Jh8JZuFL90xgWcDNXikFg/s1600/Parliament.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkph-qmTRiKmGLrdbhntdNQcJboS1J7wipjpVDKkaJ3ChAaBtEXWFhY4Vx8qTV014DyNMJPbueCVO1kBtD4wjL5x2N7r4uLRsrwKhMoih4JX-XfNoOptppp2Jh8JZuFL90xgWcDNXikFg/s400/Parliament.png" /></a>THE National Court has declared that the damaging and removal of cultural objects at the Parliament House by Speaker Theodore Zurenuoc in 2013 was unlawful and unconstitutional. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The court, presided by Justice David Cannings, gave six months from yesterday for Zurenuoc, chairman of Parliament House committee and L&A Construction to repair, return or replace the 19 masks and a totem pole that were damaged and removed from the Parliament. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The court further ordered that Zurenuoc, chairman of Parliament House committee, L&A Construction and all other persons are permanently restrained from further damaging and removing the objects of cultural decoration at the Parliament House, unless such decisions are approved by the Parliament at a meeting.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The court found that the objects that were damaged and removed were of national cultural property, protected under the National Cultural Property (Preservation) Act.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The court also found that the objects were protected works under the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Acts 2000 and only the artists and their descendants have the exclusive right to allow transformation of the their works.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
East Sepik Governor Sir Michael Somare and National Museum and Art Gallery director Dr Andrew Moutu commenced proceedings in March 2014, challenging Zurenuoc’s decision to remove the objects because they said the objects were of national cultural property.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Between November and December 2013 a total of 19 masks on the lintel at the main entrance and a totem pole in the Grand Hall of Parliament were removed and damaged on the authority of the Speaker.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Zurenuoc was of the view that the objects contained unworthy images that carried offensive and inappropriate messages, and portrayed spiritual beings that were contrary to the Christian beliefs.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cannings stated in his 44-page judgment that Zurenuoc’s actions were motivated by his religious beliefs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The court ruled that Zurenuoc was not allowed to interfere with freedom of others and he was not entitled to force his religion on other persons. The National/PIN</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-20643495180399056282016-04-04T16:40:00.003-07:002016-04-04T16:40:47.539-07:00Fiji edging closer to a place in the NSW Cup rugby league competition<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkK364Iwjlracni3rFHhVqM2EY-Gvlg794rj-bapWaXS_S8d5kB_9m_kezSSQ2vxLnah9ZHM9GCXjNm2k6n-onMVXf-q_YN87ieMQVS2I87TQZiNRc7q-c7rRaxD1RedZ6MjdyKh80zU/s1600/Petero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkK364Iwjlracni3rFHhVqM2EY-Gvlg794rj-bapWaXS_S8d5kB_9m_kezSSQ2vxLnah9ZHM9GCXjNm2k6n-onMVXf-q_YN87ieMQVS2I87TQZiNRc7q-c7rRaxD1RedZ6MjdyKh80zU/s320/Petero.jpg" width="320" /></a>Hopes are rising that a team representing Fiji will enter the New South Wales Cup competition next season, after a group of rugby league officials spent the weekend in Suva checking on facilities.<br />
<br />
The trio - David Trodden, Barrie-Jon Mather and Bob Millward - also held meetings with government officials, members of the consortium backing the Fiji bid, and the bid team itself.<br />
<br />
Former NRL great Petero Civoniceva is leading the bid team, and he said while the bidding process had been a long one, he believed the NSW delegation liked what they saw.<br />
<br />
"To have them here on the ground was very exciting. The last few days we've spent just touring around our facilities, looking at the stadium which we'll use which is ANZ Stadium, the national stadium here in Suva," he said.<br />
<br />
"They were very impressed, looking at also the hotels and accommodation which the teams from New South Wales would use here in Fiji. All in all, it was a fantastic, very positive trip."<br />
<br />
Civoniceva said he had already begun putting together a squad in anticipation of the decision.<br />
<br />
"I've been working in the background on a squad, so once we get the greenlight, we're pretty much all hands on deck and we'll be having trial matches around different regions of Fiji, pulling together what will be a very strong squad to hopefully contest the 2017 season," he said.<br />
<br />
The New South Wales officials are expected to deliver a decision by mid-April.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Pic: Former NRL great Petero Civoniceva<br />
<br />
<br />
Source:<br />
ABCUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-66838503771734196632016-04-04T16:38:00.003-07:002023-11-04T04:40:28.875-07:00Explosion at Samoa fuel tank kills one<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPde3L1taT19VU71-6x-nQoEN10xOcSbfzlzcvELePMWXJ9gKgJ8qoyXeoyXlPkwSveBpRuJkV8-1AzN2bp4tck4lAy5egREbDut4EvNHnvB0M_renrANdWkaKZwaP0DGdyXpFP8yVkQ/s1600/Samoa+explosion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPde3L1taT19VU71-6x-nQoEN10xOcSbfzlzcvELePMWXJ9gKgJ8qoyXeoyXlPkwSveBpRuJkV8-1AzN2bp4tck4lAy5egREbDut4EvNHnvB0M_renrANdWkaKZwaP0DGdyXpFP8yVkQ/s320/Samoa+explosion.jpg" width="320" /></a>A fire at the main fuel depot in Samoa's capital, Apia, on Monday has killed one person and injured one other.<br />
<br />
The fire broke out at the main wharf, and saw government offices and businesses evacuated from nearby for most of the day.<br />
<br />
The tank's owner, Petroleum Products Supplies (PPS), said in a statement that at no time was there any risk to the public.<br />
<br />
RNZ International's correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, said several investigations had been launched into the incident, but it was believed to have started while maintenance work was being carried out.<br />
<br />
In its statement, PPS said there was an explosion at one its tanks on the wharf at Matautu-tai at about 10 am. One person died at the scene while another was treated and discharged from hospital.<br />
<br />
As a precaution, it said, the main fuel terminal at Sogi was shut down immediately, but the terminal has since reopened and normal operations have resumed.<br />
<br />
The fire was extinguished when a truck with special foam came from Faleolo International Airport.<br />
<br />
PPS said the prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, has requested assistance from the Australian, New Zealand, and United States governments to help with efforts to ensure such an incident doesn't happen again.<br />
<br />
<br />
Source:<br />
Radio New Zealand InternationalUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-26300433199578989452015-12-28T15:16:00.000-08:002023-11-04T04:16:12.035-07:00Rivers overflown, landslides and flooding in Samoa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GvHGc3MIylfb9XUyzt2f2ZbI0d_yerH46ArJDZmQO-nRTuQ0FuS8lMAJUDwEAcxaGDK-4MrjQtGb2rE4fBiXYzRbeKSyZebO2vPrQIe2Q_GS0zNt51RzZfUbBjCL1Di8CvZbmmkoJoQ/s1600/Samoa+flood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GvHGc3MIylfb9XUyzt2f2ZbI0d_yerH46ArJDZmQO-nRTuQ0FuS8lMAJUDwEAcxaGDK-4MrjQtGb2rE4fBiXYzRbeKSyZebO2vPrQIe2Q_GS0zNt51RzZfUbBjCL1Di8CvZbmmkoJoQ/s1600/Samoa+flood.jpg" /></a></div>
The Samoa Disaster Management Office says rivers throughout the country have overflown their banks, and the public is being warned to not attempt to cross them.<br />
<br />
It says the flooding is due to the amount of rainfall experienced over the past 24 hours.<br />
<br />
The office says there is also a landslide along the Lemafa area and the Ford crossing at Tiavea tai has overflown and has been closed.<br />
<br />
Flooding is also reporting along East Coast road, and a landslide earlier this morning at Solosolo has since been cleared.<br />
<br />
The Disaster Management Office is urging the public to use alternative routes for travelling, to slow down and remain vigilant as roads are slippery and dangerous.<br />
<br />
RNZIUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-74747887891383446012015-12-28T15:12:00.001-08:002015-12-28T15:12:39.311-08:00Samoa sex assault convicts may get early release<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD_QzlcpSWIjiNwBM7l1mZq9LVF93ZTHlvnZHu1eSSMifNiRog_nh8waK7js4N27E0W1Ab3sMzQQzyVj4PmlYQWYFe_ORHdOtyqNRyOng6GeVY2fxDECzZHWPB8CsWMfFIxfNpstZQgc/s1600/Samoa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD_QzlcpSWIjiNwBM7l1mZq9LVF93ZTHlvnZHu1eSSMifNiRog_nh8waK7js4N27E0W1Ab3sMzQQzyVj4PmlYQWYFe_ORHdOtyqNRyOng6GeVY2fxDECzZHWPB8CsWMfFIxfNpstZQgc/s1600/Samoa.jpg" /></a></div>
Two Samoan students who were convicted in American Samoa for having sex with a minor last April could be home for New Year's.<br />
<br />
One of them, Nomani Tepa, entered into a plea agreement last month, pleading guilty to sexual assault while rape charges were dropped.<br />
<br />
The two, along with adult volunteer Vaega Anderson, were originally charged with rape of a 15-year-old girl in the village of Utulei where the group was hosted during the Flag Day celebrations.<br />
<br />
The Public Defender Douglas Fiaui in seeking leniency for the two students, saying the boys didn't know that the girl was a minor.<br />
<br />
The Chief Justice Michael Kruse told the two defendants if there's a lesson to be learnt from being behind bars for eight months is to grow up first before getting involved in adult conduct that entail adult consequences.<br />
<br />
The two will have their names listed on the Sex Offender Registry.<br />
<br />
Anderson is serving a 20-month jail term.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-29813548813661431792015-05-11T03:40:00.002-07:002015-05-11T03:40:12.146-07:00Japan bestows top award on SomarePapua New Guinea's former prime minister Sir Michael Somare last Friday received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun - Japan’s highest award to foreigners.<br />
Sir Michael was accompanied by his wife Lady Veronica to receive the award.<br />
It was given in recognition of Sir Michael’s invaluable contribution to the relationship between Japan and PNG.<br />
It includes the establishment of diplomatic relations built upon mutual trust and understanding in 1975 during the early stages of independence.<br />
Sir Michael had hosted Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe and Akie Abe in Wewak in July last year.<br />
In Tokyo, Sir Michael met Hiroshi Nakamura, the vice-chairman of the Japan-PNG Association, and Toru Ida, group manager of Sumitomo Forestry Co Ltd. Sir Michael met Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of the Japan Foundation, Masao Horie, chairman of the World War II Japan Eastern New Guinea campaign Bereaved Families Association.<br />
He met the wife of Captain Yukio Shibata, the late Japanese soldier who taught Sir Michael in school.<br />
Sir Michael thanked Japan for the award.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-49660814718668894982015-03-30T19:40:00.001-07:002015-03-30T19:40:12.425-07:00Teen shot dead over missing pig in PNGA 15-year old girl was shot dead over a missing pig at Piagoanda village in the Hulia local level government area of Komo-Margarima district in Hela, Papua New Guinea, The National reports.<br />
Provincial police commander acting Chief Supt Mark Yangen said yesterday that neighbouring clansmen had raided the girl’s village on Sunday after suspecting that someone from the village had stolen a pig from them.<br />
Yangen said the owner of the pig and his clansmen blamed the girl’s clan although the clansmen strongly denied the accusation.<br />
He said the owner of the pig and his men were not convinced and arrived armed with a home-made gun to raid the place at 8pm. Yangen said that the father of the deceased ran into the bush to save himself but the girl had remained in house.<br />
Seven men entered and shot her point-blank.<br />
He said the men got seven pigs and burnt down four houses before returning to their village.<br />
Yangen said that police prevented what could have been a full-scale tribal war and were talking with the offenders’ clansmen to give up the seven men.<br />
“The relatives of the deceased do not want to retaliate but want the seven men involved to surrender to the police immediately,” he said.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-68789858149047125562015-01-21T14:18:00.003-08:002015-01-21T14:18:31.118-08:00Four Women saved from Witch killing in PNG<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Four women in Papua New Guinea accused of witchcraft have been saved by police and missionaries after a visit by the group changed the mindsets of the people in Enga. The women had been accused of practising sorcery after a measles epidemic killed several people in the remote Hewa language speaking area of Enga province last year, and were in danger of being murdered. But an expedition into the area by missionaries and police at the weekend has led local people to renounce such violence. Enga province police deputy commander Epenes Nili was part of the expedition, and he explained that the visiting group spoke out against the practices of witch craft but also pointed out the evil that was also shown in killing alleged persons who practice witchcraft.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Post Courier</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-18055732853060767352015-01-21T14:15:00.002-08:002015-01-21T14:15:20.781-08:00PNG to pay Gold Medal winners at 2015 Pacific Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleA4zcNB8qt3Bc9TAxeIsb2iDPq1eKeW7jKbKxZs_mc-z1z1mls6s05PtvMqJIbFo9BOJMcNyOatM3qRgwUbVv1ZLd83Exjt7Vabp1kg_ZRf12PeSFAazjh2OLXUhOz1H59Xm4ALcgqc/s1600/PNG+Golden+Medal+Winners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleA4zcNB8qt3Bc9TAxeIsb2iDPq1eKeW7jKbKxZs_mc-z1z1mls6s05PtvMqJIbFo9BOJMcNyOatM3qRgwUbVv1ZLd83Exjt7Vabp1kg_ZRf12PeSFAazjh2OLXUhOz1H59Xm4ALcgqc/s1600/PNG+Golden+Medal+Winners.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a></div>
GOLD medallists at the Pacific Games in July will receive K20,000 bonuses from the Government.<br />
<br />
Sports and Pacific Games Minister Justin Tkatchenko said yesterday the bonuses were part of K5.7 million set aside for gold winning performances as a morale booster for Team PNG.<br />
<br />
The government incentive was approved last week. Individual gold medal winners will receive K20,000.<br />
<br />
Players in gold-winning team sports will also receive K20,000 each.<br />
<br />
Team PNG gold prospects include Commonwealth gold weightlifters Steven Kari and Dika Toua and sprinter Toea Wisil.<br />
<br />
Team PNG Chef de Mission Richard Kassman said yesterday: "Our goal at the Pacific Games is for each athlete to walk away with Gold.<br />
<br />
"The incentive from the Government is rare and we hope the announcement will help athletes focus on their performance at the Games."<br />
<br />
PNG Olympic Committee president Sir John Dawinincura shared the same sentiments, saying funding received would push each athlete individually regardless of sport to focus their energy in their individual sport.<br />
<br />
"Each athlete must focus on that Gold medal that is our primary goal at the games." Mr Tkatchenko said he hoped the money would be put to good use by the athletes.<br />
<br />
"The incentive is a sign that our Government is looking at revolutionising sport in the country. Do not get the money and spend it all away, develop your skills and talent in your sport to continue to lift the profile of the country."<br />
<br />
"Your Government will recognise you for your efforts in the Games and we hope each athlete walks away with the Gold medal around their necks," Mr Tkatchenko said.<br />
<br />
All bonuses would be paid individually through the PNG Olympic Committee after the Games.<br />
<br />
The Pacific Games will be held in Port Moresby from July 4 to 18.<br />
<br />
Post CourierUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-25690522069538691632015-01-21T14:11:00.001-08:002015-01-21T14:11:53.497-08:00Tahiti and Tonga win the points<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1wluTA6cyoUn2RLWfvEFY79RNeRUyNvYjRECxb4wXRIiQXcO0q3j6-r5UCRe6auMMDZ3Zk_7VPpoX79o2lEx-uxEWe41EbUNVgr-jMAe0WQhnrp3oaYsVgmr_Mq0o4L_wUAYpOWfat8/s1600/Tahiti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1wluTA6cyoUn2RLWfvEFY79RNeRUyNvYjRECxb4wXRIiQXcO0q3j6-r5UCRe6auMMDZ3Zk_7VPpoX79o2lEx-uxEWe41EbUNVgr-jMAe0WQhnrp3oaYsVgmr_Mq0o4L_wUAYpOWfat8/s1600/Tahiti.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a></div>
The battle at the top of the table in Group B continued in the OFC U-17 Championship on Match Day 8 as Tahiti defeated Solomon Islands 3-0 in what was a must-win for both sides to secure a place in the semi-finals, while Tonga got their first win of the tournament after beating American Samoa 2-0.<br />
<br />
Tahiti and Solomon Islands went into what was the third match of the Championship for both teams, sitting behind Vanuatu who held the top spot. This was the first real test for Tahiti against one of the high profile teams in Oceania while Solomon Islands were looking to make amends after their defeat at the hands of Vanuatu two days ago.<br />
<br />
It started an even game between the two sides, with both pushing forward with clear intentions to try and score early goals. Tahiti had the first opportunity, with a free kick awarded by New Zealand referee Anna-Marie Keighley in the opening minute of the game. Keali Wong crossed it into the far post but his team mates were unable to get on the end of it. This was quickly followed by a second free kick to Tahiti, who again were unable to capitalise on the opportunity.<br />
<br />
A short time later Solomon Islands finally had their chance on goal with a corner, but were also unable to score from the set piece.<br />
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It was end-to-end play before Tahiti’s top form striker Michel Maihi was able to get a shot on, but it went wide. Solomon Islands striker Hendrick Jirah replied with his own shot on goal minutes later but his too went wide.<br />
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It wasn’t until 34 minutes into the game before Tahiti were able to break the deadlock through a Marc Siejidr header, delivered from a corner kick giving his side a 1-0 lead.<br />
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Ludovic Graugnard’s players kept pushing forward in attack and were rewarded for their efforts in the final minutes of the first half. Solomon Islands goal keeper Oxson Buka received a yellow card, giving away a penalty in the third minute of added time. Maihi converted the penalty to score his tenth goal of the tournament and gave his team a 2-0 lead going into the half-time break.<br />
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Solomon Islands came out strongly in the second half, but Tahiti remained focused. Tahiti’s victory was sealed in the 58th minute through an own goal by Solomon Islands defender Richard Raramo, the win seeing Tahiti move to the top of the table ahead of Vanuatu on goal difference.<br />
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Tahitian coach Ludovic Graugnard was relieved with the result and pleased with his team’s performance.<br />
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“I am very happy because Solomon Islands could have made a lot of problems for us. My plan was to control the midfield and the forwards, and I think we won the midfield.<br />
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“We did not have any goals scored against us today, which is good for their confidence. I am happy for the players,” he said.<br />
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Solomon Islands coach Jacob Moli analysed his team’s result and reflected on what made the difference in the game today.<br />
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“It is a very disappointing result for us. In football when you have a chance you have to put it away. When you put these chances away the confidence of the team grows. It is what made a difference today.”<br />
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It was an intense game that saw seven players cautioned, three for Tahiti and four for Solomon Islands. Tahiti finished the game keeping their remarkable clean sheet, having scored 27 goals and conceded none so far in the competition but are set to face Vanuatu in two days, who have themselves scored 24 goals and only conceded one goal so far.<br />
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The second match of the day in Group B saw a tight game between Tonga and co-hosts American Samoa, both sides vying to earn their first points in the competition. The result was an exciting display of football between the two teams.<br />
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The match opened with chances to both teams, a corner in the first minute to Tonga and a free kick a minute later to American Samoa that was cleared by defender Kilifitoni Vea. But the real excitement came when local favourite American Samoa goal keeper Kinikinilau Pouli had his first touch of the game in the fourth minute, catching the ball and earning a roar of support from his home crowd.<br />
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The support spurred on the co-hosts and Tokilupe Afu found himself in a goal scoring position, only for his shot to just go over the crossbar. A free kick moments later went long and towards goal but American Samoa were called offside before any damage could be inflicted. Tord-Lawrence Mana'o also came close to opening the scoring, demonstrating some impressive on-field skills, but his shot was eventually deflected.<br />
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Tonga replied with two opportunities of their own, a cross that Sione Moeaki deflected away for a corner and a shot from Aisea Muli that was just off target.<br />
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Pouli was forced into action for much of the first half, pulling off a number of critical saves to keep his side in the game. Tongan striker Soakai Vea caused Pouli some angst as the two clashed repeatedly, Pouli eventually earning himself a yellow card in the 38th minute for his efforts. But his heroic saves kept the score level at 0-0 going into the half-time break.<br />
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Vea came into the second half again making trouble for Pouli, who was forced into making two great saves in the opening minutes from shots by the striker, as well as parrying away a corner delivered by Lachman Atoa.<br />
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American Samoa had their own chances, forcing Tongan goal keeper Mahe Malafu to make two great saves from strikes by Zachary Mana'o and Joseph Purcell, who had a great opportunity to score but he pushed the ball too far and into Malafu’s hands.<br />
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American Samoa rued their missed earlier opportunities when Muli opened the scoring for Tonga in the 75th minute of the game to give his team a 1-0 lead.<br />
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Pouli’s influence on the game was made evident after Soakai Vea was finally able to get the ball in the back of the net, past defender Moeaki who had donned the goal keeper gloves in the 88th minute after Pouli went off injured. The goal saw Tonga win the match 2-0.<br />
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Tongan coach Timote Moleni was pleased with his sides result.<br />
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“I am very happy with what the players did today. I have always encouraged the players to do their best. I know in American Samoa and Tonga the level is almost the same but I know the potential of our players. I am very happy for them,” he said.<br />
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Despite the result, American Samoa coach Uinifareti Aliva was positive of the attitude of his players, some of the youngest in the tournament.<br />
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“It was a tough game. I would like to thank the players who did their best today.<br />
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“I think the players did play well, they have improved a lot from the last few games.”<br />
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The final round for Group B is Match Day 10, taking place in Pago Pago, American Samoa on Wednesday 21 January. Solomon Islands take on American Samoa at 1pm, and Tahiti play Vanuatu in the later game of 3.30pm in a critical match to decide who will take the top spot for Group B going into the semi-final on Saturday 24 January.<br />
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Post CoureirUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-74720880654520019052015-01-04T17:43:00.001-08:002015-01-04T17:43:36.274-08:00Police Officers allegedly stoned youth to death in Papua New Guinea <div style="text-align: justify;">
A YOUNG man who recently completed his Grade 12 at Kerowagi Secondary School in Simbu Province, Papua New Guinea was allegedly killed by police at Kumbagl, Jiwaka.</div>
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Pastor Jerry Kagl of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG told The National last Saturday that Guma Less was allegedly chased into a lake formed by a blocked culvert last Wednesday morning and stoned to death by three policemen.</div>
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Kagl said Less worked as a security guard looking after machines owned by Oruwa construction company, which was engaged to fix the road at the blocked culvert site. He said that since the company started work many vehicles and PMV buses bogged down on the road and the security guards helped to pull them out. </div>
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He said on Dec 31 around 6.30am, a 25-seater bus travelling towards Mt Hagen got bogged down in the middle of the road at the construction site.</div>
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Kagl said the deceased and fellow guards at the site were in a process of pulling the bus out when Minj police manning the new liquor checkpoint at the border with Chimbu opened fire on them. He said four policemen chased the deceased into the lake.</div>
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“When Less swam towards the western side of the lake to escape, four policemen blocked him, one with a gun pointed at him while three others picked up stones left for construction work and attacked him and eventually killed him in the water before running back into their vehicle and sped away,” he said.</div>
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An elderly mother, who was selling her betel nuts and cigarettes at the site said she witnessed the incident.</div>
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“I stood and watched as four policemen chased the deceased into the lake while other two policemen chased other youths to the other side,” Bepi Kumba said through a translater.</div>
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Kagl said they used an excavator to drain the water and retrieve the body, which was handed over to Jiwaka police.</div>
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He said the body was later taken by Chimbu police to the Kundiawa Hospital morgue.</div>
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Jiwaka police commander Supt Joseph Tondop confirmed the incident. </div>
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The deceased and others were collecting illegal fees from the motorists bogged down at the construction site when police mending the checkpoint chased them.</div>
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He said the deceased, who was an employee of the construction company, jumped into the lake and drowned because he wearing gumboots and a jacket.</div>
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Tondop said normal police investigation would be carried out and whoever was responsible for the death would be dealt with.</div>
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He commended the local tribesmen for re-opening the road.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-79333430823299881192014-12-29T23:52:00.000-08:002014-12-29T23:52:12.470-08:00Police Officer in hospital after bush knife rage in PNG<span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;"> A POLICEMAN is in a critical condition at the Wewak General Hospitalin Papua New Guinea after he was slashed with a bush knife at Yawasoro outside Wewak on Christmas Eve.</span><br style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;" /><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;">The policeman had responded to a distress call from a woman who sought help to stop suspects, believed to be her son and three others, from attacking her with a bush knife after binge drinking.</span><br style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;" /><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;">Wewak police station commander Insp James Baugen said the policeman, from East New Britain, was ambushed by a knife-wielding man when he stepped out of the vehicle to assist the woman at night. </span><br style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;" /><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;">Baugen said the policeman was doing his job by trying to calm people down when he was seriously injured. </span><br style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;" /><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;">“The officer received a deep cut to his forehead.</span><br style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;" /><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;">“His injury is serious and we are observing his condition closely at the hospital,” Baugen said. </span><br style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;" /><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;">“One suspect has been arrested and locked up. The other three are still at large. </span><br style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;" /><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;">“I am appealing for their immediate surrender because it does not matter how far and wide they go, the law will still catch up on them.” </span><br style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;" /><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;">More than 10 houses believed to be the homes of the suspects and places where illegal homebrew was sold were torched by police over the weekend. </span><br style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;" /><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;">Baugen said youths who caused unnecessary problems in town would have their homes burnt and they would be evicted from the settlements. </span><br style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;" /><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;">“Apart from this isolated incident, there were no major incidents reported to police and I commend everyone for realising the significance of Christmas and celebration in its true spirit.</span><br style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;" /><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;">“I urge everyone to continue in the same spirit during the New Year when we say goodbye to 2014 and look forward to working together in upholding peace at all times,” Baugen said.</span><br style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;" /><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;">Police around the country have stepped up their visibility on the streets during this festive season.</span><br style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;" /><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.1111116409302px; letter-spacing: 1px;">Police operations have targeted foot patrols, roadblocks, awareness on law and order issues and raids on suspects involved in homebrew and drug consumption.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654137730941591052.post-57207890027889821542014-12-12T20:57:00.000-08:002014-12-12T20:57:15.949-08:00Elderly woman attacked in home in Cook Islands An elderly Takitumu woman is still in Rarotonga hospital after allegedly being attacked and sexually abused in her home at the weekend.<br />
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Police received the report of the incident at 5.10am on Saturday.<br />
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The victim, reported to be in her early 80s, is a mama from Takitumu who lives alone.<br />
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Police allege the victim was attacked after getting out of bed to check why a kitchen light she normally left on, was turned off.<br />
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Detective inspector Areumu Ingaua said a forensic examination of the scene was carried out and a number of items were collected for analysis. <br />
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“No-one has been arrested but we have a person of interest in this investigation,” said Ingaua.<br />
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The disturbing news has sent shock waves through the community and police are urging all families to look out for each other and your neighbours – especially the elderly. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com