PNG Haus Bung

https://pnghausbung.com/covid-19-israel-records-no-daily-deaths-for-the-first-time-in-10-months/

Published on April 24, 2021

COVID-19: ISRAEL RECORDS NO DAILY DEATHS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 10 MONTHS

Israel has recorded no new daily Covid-19 deaths for the first time in 10 months, as the country pushes ahead with its speedy vaccination drive. The country's coronavirus death toll remained unchanged at 6,346 on Thursday, health ministry data showed. The last time Israel reported zero Covid-19 deaths was at the end of June last year, after lockdown measures curbed a first wave of infections. Israel's outbreak has eased after hitting its peak in January this year. The Israeli government started to relax lockdown restrictions a month later as vaccinations against Covid-19 were rolled out more widely. Israel has the highest vaccination rate in the world. On Thursday, the country reached the milestone of five million Covid-19 vaccinations. The health ministry said more than 53% of the country's population of about nine million people had received two doses of vaccine. "This is a tremendous achievement for the health system and Israeli citizens. Together we are eradicating the coronavirus," Health Minister Yuli Edelstein tweeted on Friday. Last week Eyal Leshem, a director at Israel's largest hospital, the Sheba Medical Center, said the country may be close to reaching "herd immunity". 'Israel may be reaching herd immunity' Israel eases restrictions following vaccine success Israel's vaccine rollout linked to infection fall Herd immunity happens when enough of a population has protection against an infection, thus stopping it from spreading. World Health Organization (WHO) experts have estimated that at least 65%-70% of a population need vaccination coverage before herd immunity is reached. Mr Leshem said herd immunity was the "only explanation" for Israel's continued fall in cases as more restrictions were lifted. "There is a continuous decline despite returning to near normalcy," he said. "This tells us that even if a person is infected, most people they meet walking around won't be infected by them." Israel began its vaccination campaign last December and since then, it has been the leading nation globally for the number of doses per head of population. The country has so far relied on only the two-shot vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. In February, Israel's health ministry said studies revealed the risk of illness from the virus had dropped 95.8% among people who have had both doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The country is preparing to start vaccinating children aged 12-15 as soon as the US Food and Drugs Administration, a regulator, approves vaccine use for people in that age bracket. But while Israel has surged ahead with its vaccination programme, the Palestinian territories have lagged behind. In March, the Palestinians received the first shipment of about 60,000 vaccines doses under the international Covax vaccine-sharing scheme. Source: BBC News

Published on April 24, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/indonesian-submarine-sank-off-bali-navy-says/

Published on April 24, 2021

INDONESIAN SUBMARINE SANK OFF BALI, NAVY SAYS

A submarine missing since Wednesday off the coast of Bali with 53 people on board has been lost, the Indonesian navy said on Saturday. Parts of the submarine, along with debris including prayer mats, were found near to where it went missing, the navy chief of staff said. A scan detected the sub at a depth of 850m (2,800ft), well beyond its survivable limit. It was only carrying enough oxygen for three days. The KRI Nanggala disappeared after requesting permission to dive during a torpedo drill. The German-built vessel was more than 40 years old but underwent a refit in 2012. The Indonesian navy has insisted the sub was in good condition but an oil slick where it is thought the vessel submerged has raised concern that the fuel tank may have been damaged. "We have found several pieces and parts that are believed to be parts or components that are attached to the submarine that would not come out of the ship if there had not been pressure from outside or a crack in the torpedo launcher," said Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono. Among the items recovered was a bottle of grease for lubricating the periscope. They were found in a 10-mile (16km) radius where no other ships had passed. There has been an international effort to locate the navy boat. Source: BBC News

Published on April 24, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/96-i-kiribati-graduates-gain-tvet-qualifications/

Published on April 24, 2021

96 I-KIRIBATI GRADUATES GAIN TVET QUALIFICATIONS

Ninety-six i-Kiribati nationals were awarded Australian qualifications from the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) in a graduation ceremony in Betio on 17 March 2021.As Australia’s flagship technical and vocational education and training (TVET) program, APTC has trained over 16,000 Pacific women and men, including more than 600 i-Kiribati nationals, since its commencement in 2007.Convened at the Kiribati Institute of Technology Maneaba, the graduation was attended by government representatives, national training providers, graduates and their families. Graduates received certificates in 13 different qualifications at the socially-distanced face-to-face ceremony.The ceremony celebrated the fulfilment of the students’ goals and marked the beginning of a new future for graduates, of whom, 56 were females.The Minister for Employment and Human Resource Development, Honourable Taabeta Teakai, congratulated the graduating students on their achievements and hard work in attaining an Australian qualification, which will begin a new chapter in their career pathways.She said, “I am proud to hear two females in this cohort are graduating in Carpentry and Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology courses. Gaining valuable skills and knowledge in trade areas that men have traditionally filled is a beautiful inspiration for our young girls and women.”“To the graduating students, you all are role models of TVET in careers that will drive our country and the region's economic progress. I am particularly encouraged by the qualifications awarded today, given their close alignment with our Government's priorities for economic development.”She also commended APTC and the Australian Government for providing critical training that complements the Government of Kiribati’s goal of strengthening the quality of TVET providers to meet regional and international standards.The Australian High Commissioner to Kiribati, His Excellency Bruce Cowled, said the students’ achievement marks a stepping stone to embark on contributing to a more skilled, inclusive, and productive workforce for the country and the region.As part of enhancing Pacific prosperity, H.E. Cowled said the Australian Government will continue working with both the APTC and the Kiribati Facility to improve skills training for more capable and qualified iKiribati to ensure training meets employer needs for jobs, now and in future.Qualifications awarded at the ceremony were Business, Community Services, Construction, Carpentry, Commercial Cookery, Education Support, Fabrication Trade, Hospitality, Individual Support, Plumbing, Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, and Wall and Floor Tiling.

Published on April 23, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/employment-agency-magnum-consultancy-extends-reach-using-e-commerce/

Published on April 23, 2021

EMPLOYMENT AGENCY MAGNUM CONSULTANCY EXTENDS REACH USING E-COMMERCE

BSP PNG | Magnum Consultancy is the first employment agency service provider in PNG to accept online payments under BSP’s e-Commerce in April, 2021, giving the agency a competitive edge to serve its customers virtually via their website. In welcoming Magnum Consultancy to the BSP e-Commerce platform, BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) General Manager – Digital, Nuni Kulu said BSP continues to promote digital transformation to all business sectors. “Businesses of all types have to continue to operate in this current environment because their customers are demanding services and where real time payments become viable, its simply business as usual.” The partnership will see Magnum Consultancy continue to serve their clientele virtually via their website www.magnumco-png.com, assuring adherence to Niupela Pasin measures and extending its reach nationwide. Despite the challenges the pandemic has placed on employment, there are companies who continue to require workforce and unable to stop hiring. It is great to see recruitment agencies adapt to both a remote working environment and digital recruitment. This can be made possible with the usage of proper automation tools like having a good Applicant Tracking System, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, an easy to-use video interviewing software. It is equally as important for our recruitment firms to ensure there are no delays with receiving payments for their services by offering an eCommerce website that allows payments to be made safely online and instantly which is essential to keeping the revenue streams afloat. “At the SME level of competency, it is not about the quantity but the quality of service we provide to set a higher standard of productivity,” stated Magnum Consultancy Managing Director Petra Kopania. Adding to this, Ms Kopania noted the convenience for urgent financial transactions, where her agency can now utilise the payment platform in the aim of being efficient. For more information on the BSP e-Commerce, businesses can email servicebsp@bsp.com.pg and call BSP 3201212 or 70301212.

Published on April 23, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/kokoda-cup-in-sights-of-sp-png-hunters/

Published on April 23, 2021

KOKODA CUP IN SIGHTS OF SP PNG HUNTERS

The SP PNG Hunters will discuss the importance of the Kokoda Cup and their desire to regain the trophy when they take on Intrust Super Cup heavyweights Burleigh Bears at Pizzey Park on Sunday.The Hunters haven’t held the Kokoda Cup since 2017 when they thrashed the Bears in the annual Anzac Day showdown between the teams.But the last two clashes for the Cup have been disappointing for the Hunters – Burleigh won 34-18 in 2018 before a forgettable 56-4 result at Pizzey Park on Anzac Day two years ago.Gold Coast Titans half Jamal Fogarty scored 24 points that day against a Hunters team featuring four players who have been named for Sunday’s match.Fortunes have changed this year with the Hunters surging into the weekend in third place with three consecutive wins while the Bears – the reigning premiers and long considered one of the best teams in the competition – are in 12th place with one win from their first four matches.“The Kokoda Cup is something that we spoke about in the pre-season and it will be a focus for us when we play on Anzac Day because that period in history means a lot to the team and to Hunters supporters,” coach Matt Church said.“We have spoken about the shared history of PNG and Australia at Kokoda and the teamwork that was so important at that time.“We know that we haven’t played our best in those last two Kokoda Cup matches so this weekend provides us with a chance to play well.”Church is yet to make a call on injured hooker Wartovo Puara Jnr, who will be given more time to recover from an ankle injury sustained in last Saturday’s win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons.Puara will break the Hunters’ record for most games if he plays against the Bears and he remains one of only two players in the squad for Sunday’s match to have previously won a Kokoda Cup match. Picture from SP Hunters Official Facebook Page

Published on April 23, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/manning-directs-covid-19-response-team-to-parliament/

Published on April 23, 2021

MANNING DIRECTS COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM TO PARLIAMENT

A team from the National Control Center has begun taking swabs of all employees of the National Parliament to test for COVID-19 after 42 staff members were tested positive. The 47 were part of 167 swabs collected and tested earlier. The testing began on Tuesday and continues until all employees of the National Parliament including the political staff are tested. Commissioner of Police and Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response Mr David Manning said whilst the parliament session is important to the running of the country, measures must be taken to ensure that the leaders are protected and are not exposed to the virus. Mr Manning has directed for compulsory testing to be conducted for both staff of the National Parliament and political staff of the Members of the National Parliament. Pictured above and below: COVID-19 Response Team from the National Control Centre stationed at the parliament house collecting swabs of parliament staff on Thursday.

Published on April 23, 2021