PNG Haus Bung

https://pnghausbung.com/saw-it-coming-bennett-lashes-rabbitohs-slide/

Published on May 7, 2021

'SAW IT COMING': BENNETT LASHES RABBITOHS' SLIDE

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett says the huge number of players missing in Thursday night's loss to the Storm was no excuse, with the team threatening a poor performance like that over recent weeks. While Bennett hoped the return over the next few weeks of a few stars would help the squad bury any lingering psychological demons from the 50-0 result, he refused to blame the outs for the performance. We probably got what we deserved," Bennett said. "We've been heading that way in the last couple of weeks and managed to pull games out of the fire but they're too good for that, Melbourne. "That's what I was on about last week in Canberra, it just got worse tonight against a really quality team." The patched-up 17 that took field at the Stadium Australia was better than what they showed, Bennett said. "We mightn't have won the game but we're a lot better than what we played out there tonight," he said. "We've got a lot of players missing so it's a different team when they come back into it but the team that was here tonight was a lot better than what they played so that's the issue right now." Halfback Adam Reynolds is the closest to a return with the pain management in a thumb issue holding him back, though he remained an outside chance of suiting up in round 10, according to Bennett. The coach did not believe the injury toll had worsened against the Storm despite Origin duo Damien Cook (knee) and Cody Walker (ankle) each staying down after being twisted awkwardly in first half tackles. "He's OK… They didn't play hard enough to get injured," he said. Of a decision to substitute centre Steven Marsters in the first half for back-rower Jed Cartwright on a right edge that was being pulled apart, Bennett noted the situation didn't improve after the switch. "It continued after he [Marsters] left, I can tell you, it didn't change much but I was trying to make something happen. Addo-Carr got five tries didn't he? Six? All down that right side," he said. SOURCE: NRL news

Published on May 7, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/png-records-223-new-covid-19-cases-this-week-total-cases-at-11630/

Published on May 7, 2021

PNG RECORDS 223 NEW COVID-19 CASES THIS WEEK – TOTAL CASES AT 11,630

Papua New Guinea has recorded 223 new COVID-19 cases this week, increasing the total number of cases to 11,630. The cases were reported in 14 provinces with the Morobe Province recording the highest number with 59 followed by the National Capital District with 47 and East New Britain with 36. On Monday May 3 there were 16 new cases reported in six provinces which increased the national total confirmed COVID-19 cases to 11,289. On Tuesday May 4 there were 118 new cases reported in 11 provinces, which increased the country’s total to 11,407. As of May 5 a total of 95,014 tests have been conducted for COVID-19. A total of 632 tests are pending laboratory results. A total of 10,312 people have recovered from COVID-19 with 1,197 cases active within the last 14-day period ending 12 midday on May 5. Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 is 154,978,886. The global death toll is 3,240,722 including 13,659 new deaths. [pdf-embedder url="https://pnghausbung.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Graph-5.05.21.pdf"] [pdf-embedder url="https://pnghausbung.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Graph-4.05.21.pdf"] [pdf-embedder url="https://pnghausbung.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Graph-3.05.21.pdf"]

Published on May 7, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/sir-j-visited-tanir-llg-to-check-on-government-projects/

Published on May 6, 2021

SIR J VISITED TANIR LLG TO CHECK ON GOVERNMENT PROJECTS

New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan visited the Tanir Group of Islands also the place of his birth to update himself on the situation on the ground in terms of service delivery and infrastructure development. The three day trip began on Monday 3rd May to the 5th. His first stop was at Nisnis on Anir Island. He overnighted there and checked on the status of the Babase health centre and work on the mobilization for the Anir ring road. He also visited the gravesite of Ray Lacey who was an influential development figure during the pre-Independence era and met with the Komgois at the Hausboi and people of Nisnis. After the inspection he continued his travel to Tanga with the team of Engineers, where he inspected the Malendok and Boang roads. Unfortunately both roads have not been completed. On Wednesday he attended to a customary celebration of Chris Tarkap who was sent to Wuhan, China on an Education Scholarship program graduating with a Master’s degree of Business Administration. The occasion at Taunsip village was well attended and Sir J’s clan from Fonli joined in the celebrations. Sir J returned back to the mainland, Namatanai on Wednesday afternoon and is expected back to Kavieng on the weekend to prepare for Provincial Executive Council and PIC meetings on Tuesday. Governor along with PEC members will be getting their COVID 19Astrazenica vaccination shots on Tuesday launching the rollout of the Vaccine in the Province which is being administered through the Provincial Health Authority in collaboration with Newcrest Mining and UNICEF.

Published on May 6, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/bsp-png-economy-to-rebound-in-2021/

Published on May 6, 2021

BSP: PNG ECONOMY TO REBOUND IN 2021

PNG’s economic growth in 2021 is projected to recover at 3.5% while the global economy is projected to grow at double the rate at 6% - a big turnaround from the predicted -3.3% in 2020 when the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. This was highlighted by BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP), in its first quarterly Pacific Economic and Market (PEM) Insights for 2021. The PEM Insight attributes the rebound of the PNG Economy to the resumption of Barrick Niugini Limited’s operations at the Pogera Gold Mine and the PNG LNG’s forecast to expand PNG’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry. BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming said the signing of the agreement between Barrick and the Government is well received by the PNG Business Community and accordingly, given businesses much needed confidence in the rehabilitation process of the mine production recommencing which will in turn bring foreign exchange into the country and boost loan and domestic economic activity. While PNG’s economy is expected to rebound, South Pacific Island Countries have been overwhelmed by the collapse in global tourism, despite few incidences of Covid-19. Growth in these economies is expected to remain around 9% below pre-pandemic levels. Vanuatu’s economy is projected to increase to 3.2% in 2021, a 12.4% increase from 2020 due to increased fiscal spending on infrastructure. While the Kina was unchanged against the U.S. dollar in the first quarter of 2021, the USD rallied against most currencies, as higher than expected economic and employment growth created inflationary concerns and fueled speculation that the US Federal Reserve would tighten monetary policy earlier than markets had initially expected. The level of gross international reserves fell to US$2,410.9m (K8,313.5m) as at 18th March, 2021 from US$2,709.4m (K9,393.2m) at the end of Dec-20. The fall in reserves was mainly due to external Government debt servicing and Central Bank intervention to improve liquidity the foreign exchange market. With Porgera mine recommencing production and projected rebound of the local economy later in the year, the insight report also highlighted BSP’s performance and the bank’s goals for the year, the main one being BSP gaining admission to the ASX. “If successful, we will have access to alternative source capital to fund our future growth ambitions, deliver improved services to our customers and enhance existing shareholder liquidity.” Mr Fleming said.

Published on May 6, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/murder-trial-begins-for-american-teens-accused-of-killing-italian-cop-in-rome/

Published on May 6, 2021

MURDER TRIAL BEGINS FOR AMERICAN TEENS ACCUSED OF KILLING ITALIAN COP IN ROME

The trial of the two American teens accused of killing an Italian police officer began in Rome Wednesday, with the pair facing charges of aggravated murder and attempted extortion. Gabriel Christian Natale-Hjorth, 19, and Finnegan Elder, 20, have been jailed in the Italian capital since July 2019 on suspicion of aggravated murder and attempted extortion. The pair is accused of fatally stabbing Mario Cerciello Rega, a 35-year-old Italian paramilitary policeman, in the early hours of July 26 after a drug deal gone wrong. MORE: Italian officer allegedly stabbed to death by American teens had 'forgotten his gun' Presiding over the trial will be two judges and a six-person jury, as well as two reserve jurors, from the general public, who will decide on the case, which is expected to take many months of deliberations. The pair's parents are both expected to be attending the hearing Wednesday. "We are grateful that this process is finally moving forward and we hope that this trial can stay focused on the facts of what happened that night," Elder's family said in a statement. "We look forward to the truth coming out, and to Finn coming home." An autopsy report obtained by ABC News in September found that officer Cerciello Rega bled to death after receiving 11 stab wounds that penetrated his major organs, including both lungs. He was declared dead just minutes after being taken to a local hospital. Elder has claimed he allegedly stabbed the police officer in self-defense and told police he "feared for his life," according to court documents obtained by ABC News. MORE: Tears and numbness: Inside the Italian prison where 2 American teens are being held The officer had just returned from his honeymoon with his wife, Rosa Maria Esilio, just six weeks before. His funeral was held in his hometown of Somma Vesuviana, with the service taking place in the same church as his wedding. The Italian investigators allege that the American teens, who both hail from California, were trying to buy drugs in Rome but were sold a fake substance. Elder and Natale-Hjorth then allegedly robbed the man that had directed them to the drug dealer, who unbeknownst to them had contacted the Italian police, a police spokesperson told ABC News. [embed]https://youtu.be/EpMHp0lcgXA[/embed] Cerciello Rega, along with his partner, responded to the call and were confronted by the suspects, with a scuffle ensuing that saw Elder allegedly stabbing the officer with a 7-inch combat knife, while Natale-Hjorth reportedly attacked the officer's partner. MORE: Italian police officer stabbed with 'much violence,' autopsy report says The pair were later arrested in the hotel room near the killing where they were staying after allegedly being caught on CCTV fleeing the scene, police said. Investigators also said they found the knife used in the killing in the ceiling of the hotel room. After several hours of interrogation and "faced with overwhelming evidence, they confessed," according to the Provincial Command of Rome. Shortly after the interrogation, Italian newspapers published a leaked photo, which appeared to show one of the suspects blindfolded and handcuffed, which prompted speculation that the pair may have confessed under duress. However, an Italian prosecutor said the interrogation was conducted lawfully, in the presence of defense lawyers and interpreters, two days after the photo was published in July. SOURCE: ABC News

Published on May 6, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/jarryd-hayne-jailed-for-at-least-three-years-and-eight-months-after-rape-conviction/

Published on May 6, 2021

JARRYD HAYNE JAILED FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS AFTER RAPE CONVICTION

Former NRL player Jarryd Hayne has been sentenced to at least three years and eight months in jail on Thursday, after being found guilty of raping a woman in her Newcastle home back in September 2018. The 33-year-old faced the prospect of up to 14 years in jail after was found guilty on two counts of sexual intercourse without consent back in March. He will serve a maximum of five years and three months locked up. ...more to come. SOURCE: ESPN News

Published on May 6, 2021