Governor Bakani would like to inform the public that the Media Release by the Financial Analysis Supervision Unit (FASU), dated 12 July 2021 on the regulatory actions taken against the Bank South Pacific (BSP) was done independently based on the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) Act 2015. The Bank of PNG (BPNG) disassociates itself from the statement made by FASU. The use of the Bank logo was not authorized and the statement was not endorsed or approved by BPNG. FASU should have consulted BPNG on the statement before releasing it. This would have avoided any potential contradictions and conflict with…
Author: PNG Haus Bung
As Europe struggles with a rising number of coronavirus cases caused by the Delta variant, several countries are making vaccinations compulsory for health care workers, and some leaders are even considering making shots mandatory for all. France and Greece both announced new vaccine requirements on Monday, following in the footsteps of Italy, which made vaccinations compulsory for health employees in April. The UK government, which is pushing ahead with its unlocking plan despite strong warnings from experts, has previously said it will mandate shots for care home staff from October. Not all health care workers are happy with the move. In Italy, several court…
An economic empowerment initiative with great historic and traditional significance intrinsically common across various cultures in Papua New Guinea was hosted this week in the Moresby South Electorate in the National Capital District. The new Kaugere Market became the pioneer venue of hosting the inaugural Moresby South Motu Koitabu and East Mekeo Barter Trade which comprised of 125 women from East Mekeo who travelled in 9 highway trucks on a 9-hour trip to trade their fresh produce with the women of Motu Koita. Moresby South-Motu Koita Women’s Representative and Barter Event Coordinator, Ms. Anna Skate thanked Moresby South MP Justin…
In the same year that the government declared a climate emergency, imports of an especially dirty type of coal from Indonesia topped a million tonnes for the first time since 2006. Last year, 235 kilograms of overseas coal was imported for every New Zealander in order to power homes and businesses. This is also only imported coal; the country also produces coal domestically. Ninety-two percent of the imported coal was from Indonesia, and the vast majority of that was a low grade, high emissions type – sub-bituminous coal. “Not only are we burning more coal, [but] it’s the dirtiest coal.…
Australia will deploy a second medical team to Fiji today following advice from their experts who are currently working with the Ministry of Health in Suva. The multi-disciplinary team consisting of 17 personnel from Australia and New Zealand will be in Suva for 28 days where the team will partner with our local authorities to strengthen infection prevention and control at healthcare facilities. They will also support the Fijian emergency medical assistance team to establish temporary surge healthcare facilities for the rapidly growing demand. In a statement, the Australian Government says they will also provide three fully-equipped ambulances, oxygen equipment,…
Fiji has reported 647 new cases of Covid-19 and one death in the 24-hour period that ended at 8am yesterday. That compares to 873 cases and three deaths in the previous 24-hour update. The Health Ministry also announced last night a 58-year-old man from Delaivalelevu had died at home. The man’s family reported that he had been feeling unwell for one week. Health Secretary James Fong said the man had received his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in mid-June but was yet to get the second jab when he died. Fiji now has 9725 active cases in isolation and 59 deaths…
At least 64 people have been killed in a fire at a hospital that treats coronavirus patients in the southeastern Iraqi city of Nasiriya, according to health officials. Some 50 people were also injured in the Monday night blaze that is believed to have started after oxygen tanks exploded in an intensive care unit treating Covid-19 patients. The fire has since been extinguished. The Al-Hussein Hospital was set up at the start of the pandemic to treat coronavirus patients and it has quarantine stations on site. Nasiriya, in Dhi Qar province, is about 360 kilometers (225 miles) southeast of Iraq’s…
The former NBA superstar turned broadcaster appeared on NBATV’s Finals coverage last night remotely from his home. At the end of his segment, he was told that his responsibilities as broadcaster were officially over until next season. In what basically amounted to a ‘last day of school’ celebration, Shaq backed away from his close-up shot and did a no-pants dance for the NBATV viewers. As long as they’re sitting behind a desk, broadcasters delivering news or opinion segments have long skipped wearing dress pants to match their coats and ties. In studio, they’ll often wear athletic shorts or some other more comfortable option. At…
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed hope on Monday that climate change talks could act as a springboard to help reduce escalating tensions between the two rivals nations. Kerry met Lavrov as part of his four-day visit to Moscow as tensions continue to complicate the two countries’ bilateral relations. Kerry is the highest-ranking official from President Joe Biden’s administration to visit Russia so far. Lavrov said that Russia “attaches great importance” to the issues of climate change and will continue to cooperate with other nations on these issues. Russia’s top diplomat said Kerry’s Moscow…
New Ireland becomes the third province in Papua New Guinea to sign a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) today to advance financial inclusion activities in the province. The Bank of Papua New Guinea Governor and Chairman of CEFI, Loi M. Bakani and New Ireland Province Governor Sir Julius Chan signed the MoU to promote the integration of financial inclusion in the New Ireland Province administration planning and implementation processes and also build the capacity of New Ireland Provincial administration staff to implement important financial inclusion activities. The activities will include integrating the…