The World Health Organization has called for “immediate and concerted action” to protect children from contaminated medicines after a spate of child deaths linked to cough syrups last year. In 2022, more than 300 children – mainly aged under 5 – in Gambia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan died of acute kidney injury, in deaths that were associated with contaminated medicines, the WHO said in a statement on Monday. The medicines, over-the-counter cough syrups, had high levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. “These contaminants are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents that can be fatal even taken in…
Author: PNG Haus Bung
Spotify (SPOT) said Monday that it will cut 6% of its workforce to reduce costs, joining tech companies including Amazon (AMZN) and Microsoft (MSFT) in slashing headcount as the global economy slows. In a letter to employees posted on the company’s website, CEO Daniel Ek took full responsibility for the job cuts, which he called “difficult but necessary.” “Like many other leaders, I hoped to sustain the strong tailwinds from the pandemic and believed that our broad global business and lower risk to the impact of a slowdown in ads would insulate us. In hindsight, I was too ambitious in investing ahead of our revenue growth,” he said. The Stockholm-headquartered music…
Japan’s prime minister says his country is on the brink of not being able to function as a society because of its falling birth rate. Fumio Kishida said it was a case of “now or never.” Japan – population 125 million – is estimated to have had fewer than 800,000 births last year. In the 1970s, that figure was more than two million. Birth rates are slowing in many countries, including Japan’s neighbors. But the issue is particularly acute in Japan as life expectancy has risen in recent decades, meaning there are a growing number of older people, and a…
Pacific Industries Ltd donated 325 cartons of Pepsi Max to the staff of Port Moresby General Hospital. This is to recognize and appreciate the work and efforts of the staff every year. PI National Trade Activation Manager Ms. Christine Miria expressed that they wanted to do this donation to show their appreciation towards the staff of PMGH and to also fulfil their commitment to community based social responsibility to the hospital. She added that, “We hope the staff will enjoy a can of PEPSI Max while on shift break and we are happy to make this possible through Friends of…
Tania Areori works as the Regional Veterinary Officer for the NAQIA – PNG Biosecurity. Tania knew she wanted to be a vet from a young age. With limited veterinarian study opportunities in PNG, she applied for an Australia Awards scholarship to achieve her goal. In 2020, she graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) from Charles Sturt University Tania now encourages other aspiring vets to consider applying for an Australia Award. “The scholarship has basically allowed me to achieve my aspirations, and we need a lot of veterinarians in this country. Take up the opportunity Australia Awards provides and…
The Philippines Number 1 Rice Farmer, Mr. Danilo Bolos whose record harvest of 17-metric tons per hectare which remains unequalled was one of the members of the delegation who arrived this morning. This team was the first potential rice investors from the Philippines who will visit potential rice zones in the country upon invitation by the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru. The team led by the former Department of Agriculture Secretary of the Philippines, Dr. Emmanuel Pinol was received at the airport by the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Ambassador to the Philippines, Ms. Betty Palaso and…
An inter-government agency has been set up between the Attorney General’s Office, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour to discuss the way forward in terms of those workers that were laid off due to the “No Jab No Job” policy implemented by the previous government. This was highlighted by Attorney General Siromi Turaga when questioned by the media if the coalition Government will be re-looking at the cases of the workers who lost their job as a result of this policy. Turaga says the ultimate goal of this agency is to prepare a paper and present it…
PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum announced the departure of Dr Albert Mellam, PhD, as the Executive Director of the Chamber, having served in this role for the past 5 years. Dr Mellam is the first Papua New Guinean and second Director to head this peak industry body in its 34 years of existence. The first Director was Mr Greg Anderson, who served as its Founding Director and led the Chamber for 29 years. The President of the Chamber, Mr Anthony Smaré, expressed the gratitude of the Chamber membership for Dr Mellam’s service “We thank Dr Mellam for his service…
In the representative arena, Pat Carrigan enjoyed a season to remember, claiming not only an Origin series victory with the Queensland Maroons, but also capping off the year with the Rugby League World Cup trophy as a member of the Kangaroos squad. However, the 2022 Wally Lewis Medal winner as the State of Origin player of the series said he had unfinished business with the Broncos and wanted to help his side press on into the finals after he spent a “pretty tough” period on the sidelines to close the NRL season, missing four of the club’s last five games after being suspended…
Papua New Guinea is reportedly preparing to sign a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United States, as it also finalises a security treaty with Australia. The ABC reports a delegation from PNG will travel to Honolulu in Hawaii next month for high-level talks. The new defence and security agreements come amid concerns in Canberra and Washington about China’s more assertive position in the Pacific. PNG’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said the United States has “stepped up” in the region and is “wanting to make their presence known”. “The United States have taken a fairly serious role now in the Pacific…