Wantok Nius

Tickets to the largest sporting event in the South Pacific, the Pacific Games, will go on sale tomorrow (Friday, March 26, 2015) according to Ticketing Manager, Tasman Samuel. In an email to the Games Organizing Committee (GOC), Mr Samuel said tickets would go on sale at Bank South Pacific (BSP) select outlets in Port Moresby and around the country. Port Moresby BSP outlets are BSP Town, Harbour City, Waterfront Kiosk, Boroko, BSP Waigani Drive, BSP Waigani Banking Centre and Vision City Kiosk. Meanwhile, not all country branches will be selling tickets. Games tickets can be purchased from these BSP outlets BSP Lae Top Town and Market, Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Wewak, Madang, Alotau, Buka, Kokopo and Kimbe. There are 3 types of packages ranging from K20 to K5,000, and single tickets between K10 and K20 depending on the sporting code and venue. Also circulated was a Ticket Purchase Guide and Order form  (click links to download). For more information, call the 2015 Pacific ...

The Prime Minister has warned public bodies to be careful when dealing with international media and publishing companies. According a circular dated December 19, 2013, from the PM’s chief of staff, Isaac Lupari , the PM’s office is aware of agents and marketing representatives visiting public bodies to solicit interviews and policy material for publication. The circular said Papua New Guinea (PNG) had become the latest target of international media organisations and publishers using agents to “ lure unsuspecting Government Agencies and Officials in such scheme which is aimed at making easy money for their Companies/proprietors .” It further stated that there were already 14 international media and publishing companies operating in the country, with more expected to arrive in the coming months, which has the PM concerned. The circular also instructed all government agencies and officials to refrain from making any financial commitments until proper verification is conducted, ...

17 year old Xzanjah Matsi with her award (photo: Rachael Mayne) In what can be described as a Papua New Guinean first, 17 year old Bougaivillian actress, Xzanjah Matsi, won Best Actress for her role as Matilda in the screen adaptation of Lloyd Jones' award winning book,  Mr Pip, at the 2013 New Zealand Film Awards . Speaking to ABC’s Tok Pisin service , Ms. Matsi said she was elated at being nominated but did not expect to win. The award winning actress said she hopes the film win will inspire other Papua New Guineans who have taken up acting. Despite winning the award, Matsi is adamant to of reaching her goal to become a petroleum engineer. Meanwhile, co-star Hugh Laurie also won Best Actor for his portrayal of the colorful Mr. Watts.

A Papua New Guinea (PNG) woman stumbled on the find of the century when she was harvesting her sweet potatoes, Pacific Business Review (Saturday, November 23) reports. Nemilo Kebu, 30, from Ahioma village just outside of Alotau unearthed a bronze plate of US$100 bill when she was digging for sweet potatoes last month. However, she had forgotten about until he close neighbor told her about finding a couple of dog tags when she remembered her find. The plate is partially damaged but the left side has the insignia of the US Federal Reserve, and states that it is a “Federal Reserve note FE 00779918A E5” at the top. Below, it says “This note is a legal tender for all debts, public and private.” The plate also has the “Series 2003A” printed on it. This series was, according to Bureau of Engraving and Printing website, was first circulated in March 1999. The find brings to the light the possibility of US currency being laundered in the area these past years.

The discovery of an aircraft wreck at the depth of 70 metres north-west of Buka in Bougainville may hold some answers to the 74-year mystery of the disappearance of world-famous aviatrix – Amelia Earhart. There are strong indications that the aircraft is a Lockheed Model 10 Electra which took off from Lae on July 2nd 1937 destined for Howland Island. The crash site is in direct alignment with Earhart’s flight path out of Lae, past north of Buka Island in a straight northeast direction to Howland. Information emerging from Buka say that certain interested parties were in the process of engaging the services of a professional diver with appropriate diving gear from overseas to help in the recovery process. A mining company in the area is said to be helping with the exercise. Local authorities and the villagers do not wish to go public on the discovery because of a reported gold bullion sitting in the aircraft which was difficult to pull out of the wreck. The left side of the p...