Helping Hand Honey Producers is the name of the establishment founded by Kelly Inae in 2006. The location is always buzzing with life and Kelly prides himself with sharing the knowledge of bee keeping and honey production.
Located at Fimito Kafana Road in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, is the site of a bee farmers training area where honey is produced and packaged.
Plant life is important in the honey making process and for Kelly, he has amassed some hectares of land for a habitat that provides the bees with the pollen they need for honey production.
Kelly is a conservationist at heart and his habitat is a testament to that. He ensures the habitat is well looked after for trainees to see the different plants that aid in honey production.
Whilst it is a marvel to taste sweet honey straight from the hive, its a bitter sweet tale for the workers of the hive, with bees in the region falling short of a sweet finish. Production has declined in the past two years with climate change being a big challenge for the bees. But Kelly and his colleagues continue to figure out and innovate ways to improve the situation.
Honey from Papua New Guinea is much desired overseas and remains a high priced commodity both locally and globally but honey production is still at a small scale in country.
Kelly is working to export honey to Australia and is certain he will meet requirements before his first export date in November.
Kelly continues to pursue improvements in the industry and has written books and guides about bee keeping and continues to provide valuable statistics to the relevant Government bodies to help in conservation and honey production.
More info and contact information about Helping Hand Honey can be found at https://www.facebook.com/helpinghandhoney/ and more links to stories about Kelly and Honey production and training can be found there.
PORT MORESBY – Development plan is the tool that will guide the districts and provinces in achieving its ambitious goals such as nurturing economic transformation and human development through infrastructure development.
Strategic planning sets the pace for development within the districts; and provinces basically strive to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of the people which is to improve their welfare and effectively deliver much needed basic government services to the people.
Office of the Department of Implementation and Rural Development
Mr. Vaki said during his presentation that planning is very important to capture people’s need because the government is frontloading huge development grants of more than K1.2 billion in the form of Service Improvement Program (PSIP & DSIP) to sub-nationals to distribute evenly for effective basic services.
He said development plans are intended to promote and guide our districts and provinces on a path of sustainable economic growth, achieving economic prosperity and a high quality of life for people in the rural areas that would increase the economic base activities starting from the districts.
Mr. Vaki reiterated that the plans should be in line with our national plans such as Vision 2050, PNGDSP 2010 – 2030 and MTDP IV which is going to be launched soon.
“Development priorities for the district, which are supposedly initiated through a bottom up planning approach are captured and reflected in the rolling Five Year Development Plan in consultation with stakeholders, and this forum is the way forward, and I congratulate Wau Waria district for the initiative,” he said.
Mr. Vaki stressed that as DIRD being the mandated government agencies to facilitate, monitor and coordinate SIP programs around the country, have sighted that districts and provinces continue to receive SIP funding despite not reporting on previous years implementation, budget resolutions, meeting minutes and project documents that were not aligned to the province or district plans.
“The district development plan must clearly identify the projects under various sectors and costs involved so that the implementation of the plan be realistic.
“Wau Waria will receive K50 million whilst District Support Grants, a K2.5 million over the five year period. That entirely depends on the cash flow. This alone is not enough to fund the five year district development plan nor development aspirations of the district. District should strategies on using these funds to solicit support from other GoPNG programs, development partners or investors for value added and economic of scale,” Mr. Vaki said.
He told the participants that as far as the national government is concern, the SIP program is here to stay, all we want is sub-national administrations and stable political leadership required to deliver basic services based on five year development plans and good decisions, not contrary.
He also highlighted that violating of the Administrative Guidelines and Financial Instruction by not submitting acquittal reports, development plans and budgets raises serious concerns.
The three days development forum was attended by the Department of National Planning & Monitoring, Department of Treasury, Department of Commerce and Industry, Department of Works, Department of Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology, Department of Education, National Youth Development Authority and other relevant stakeholders and development partners.
Wau Waria is a newly created district in Morobe province, and it’s one of the historic district during the pre-independence.
14 highlands based Community Based Organizations (CBO)s that do work on nature conservation received two weeks training on capacity building and media recently.
The participants from across the highlands region, converged at Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, at the Research and Conservation Foundation (PNG) conference center.
The training was facilitated by Conservation Forum PNG with trainer John Ericho taking lead in the training.
The NGOs and CBOs are funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants program which is implemented by the United Nations Development Program. The GEF SGP provides grants of up to USD 50,000 directly to CSOs and community-based organizations (CBO’s) to undertake local projects that contribute to the global environment while generating sustainable livelihoods.
Managing and sustaining these projects is part of the training for these grantees.
It was fulfilling for most of the attendees that took part. Peter Kaman from Jiwaka works with Bridging Gap a drug addiction rehabilitation center in Jiwaka Province.
They substitute their income through honey production and his community is planting trees to preserve bees that in-return produce honey in the Waghi Valley in Jiwaka. Peter like many of the attendees are hoping to benefit from their conservation work, which in turn provides sustainability for their community.
Peter Kaman of Bridging Gap, Jiwaka Province, attending the training.
Like most the need to preserve nature is a choice that communities have taken up.
Interest in learning how to manage a change project within the community requires a wholistic approach and many participants were excited to take part in the training.
Trainer John Eriko says there is a desire for conservation and the Government is helping in terms of providing funding avenues for Community Based Organizations to take part in conservation work.
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force has released details of the incident that claimed the lives of two PNGDF members, thirty-six hours after the initial incident happened on Monday 4th July at 4:45am.
However, details as to what went wrong during the training exercise have been withheld to allow the process of investigation to take its course.
PNGDF Commander, Major General, Mark Goina said it’s a regrettable incident that should have never happened.
Goina identified the deceased members as;
Leading Seaman, Eric Gwale of Morobe and New Ireland, employed at HMPNGS Tarangau at Manus and;
“At the outset, I want to convey my deepest condolences and those of all the men and women of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force to the loved ones and families of the deceased,” Commander Goina said.
The PNGDF hierarchy said the families of these servicemen will be supported during this difficult time.
PNGDF has launched a 14-day preliminary investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
A fortnight, a wait too long for two grieving families, in need of answers.
Meanwhile, a third soldier and a civilian who were also wounded during the Dawn Attack Exercise are being treated at a private hospital.
PHOTO FILE – Team USA celebrates after winning the Women’s World Cup soccer final against the Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Sunday, July 7, 2019. The United States will be playing for an unprecedented three-peat at the Women’s World Cup this summer. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)
The United States will be playing for an unprecedented three-peat at this year’s Women’s World Cup. It won’t be easy for the No. 1 team in the world.
Co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the quadrennial tournament for international soccer’s most coveted trophy kicks off July 20 and features an expanded field of 32 teams, up from 24. There are 64 matches during the tournament.
That means more competition for the two-time defending World Cup champion U.S., which won the 2015 event in Canada and the 2019 tournament in France. The Americans have won four titles overall, most of any nation.
Asked whether he would accept anything less than lifting the World Cup trophy, U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski was incredulous.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “There’s only one thing in mind going to this tournament. Our goal is to win the World Cup. There’s no question about it.”
WHAT’S THE WORLD CUP SCHEDULE AND WHERE IS IT LOCATED? The 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four teams each. Each team plays a three-game, round-robin group stage, running from July 20 to Aug. 3.
The top finishers advance to the round of 16 from Aug. 5-8. The quarterfinals are set for Aug. 11-12 and the two semifinal matches will be played Aug. 15-16. A third-place game is set for Aug. 19 in Brisbane ahead of the final in Sydney.
The final will air at 6 a.m. ET on Aug. 20 in the United States.
The broadcast schedule is complicated by the time difference. The United States is playing in Group E with Vietnam, the Netherlands and Portugal. The opening match is against Vietnam on July 22 in Auckland, which, because of the time difference, will air in the U.S. on July 21 at 9 p.m. ET.
A rematch of the 2019 final against the Netherlands is set for July 27 in Wellington, airing at 9 p.m. ET on July 26 in the U.S. The last group game against Portugal is set for Aug. 1, airing at 3 a.m. ET that same day.
HOW TO WATCH THE FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP Fox holds the English-language media rights in the United States for the Women’s World Cup. Telemundo holds the Spanish-language rights.
Fox will broadcast a record 29 matches over the air on its main network and the rest of the games will be aired on FS1. All matches will be streamed on the Fox app.
FIFA struck a collective deal with the European Broadcasting Union in mid-June, ending a standoff with a broadcasters in five major European television markets. The deal guarantees the games will air in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Britain.
PLAYERS TO WATCH There are two distinct groups of players to watch at this World Cup: Veteran superstars and talented youngsters.
Canada’s Christine Sinclair leads a group of veterans that includes Brazil’s Marta, Australia’s Sam Kerr, France’s Wendie Renard and American Alex Morgan.
Sinclair, who is 40 and likely playing in her final World Cup, is international soccer’s all-time leading scorer, among women or men, with 190 career goals.
Young stars include 22-year-old U.S. forward Sophia Smith, 21-year-old Jody Brown of Jamaica and 19-year-old Melchie Dumornay of Haiti.
Smith doubled up last year as both the U.S. Soccer Player of the Year and the National Women’s Soccer League’s Most Valuable Player.
TEAMS TO WATCH The United States is ranked No. 1 in the world in the latest FIFA rankings. The Americans are a strong team despite recent injuries, but their dominance in international play will be challenged at this World Cup.
Germany, ranked No. 2, won back-to-back World Cups in 2003 and 2007. Third-ranked Sweden knocked the United States out of the 2016 Olympics in the quarterfinals. Seventh-ranked Canada won the gold medal at the Tokyo Games.
Considered a contender, England has been hit by a series of injuries to top players including Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and captain Leah Williamson. All three will miss the World Cup. France switched coaches in March after some players threatened to skip the tournament.
Australia can’t be counted out as co-hosts. The Matildas will be boosted by Kerr, one of the world’s best players.
BETTING GUIDE The United States is a +240 favorite to win the World Cup, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. England is next at +380, followed by Spain at +650.
There’s also a big group of teams the oddsmakers say have little chance of lifting the trophy, including Jamaica, Vietnam, Argentina, Zambia, Nigeria, Costa Rica, Morocco, Philippines, South Africa, Haiti and Panama. All are at +43,000.
Two Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) soldiers are confirmed dead while another was rushed to Port Moresby General Hospital with gunshot wounds after being shot during the final exercise of a Corporal Qualifying Course.
A fourth person sustaining gunshot wounds as well, is a civilian. He is also admitted at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
The Ministry of Defence in a statement confirmed this, adding that police and the defence force have commenced investigations into the incident.
The Ministry has confirmed that the incident took place in Kupiano, Central Province at 4am, this morning.
The training at Kupiano was the final phase of the Corporal Qualifying Course the soldiers have been undergoing at the Goldie River Training Depot.
Defence Minister, Win Bakri Daki said the PNGDF is ensuring that it continues to provide the duty of care to the families of the deceased and wounded members during this time.
“As the Minister responsible for Defence, I convey my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased members, and also my assurances to those who were wounded that their recovery will have our priority of support.”
The Chief of Defence Force will host a media briefing tomorrow to provide more details of the incident.
InsidePNG will bring more updates as the story develops.
Research Conservation Foundation (PNG) manages one of the largest Wild Life Management areas, found in Eastern Highlands province, the Crater Mountain Wild Life Management Area.
Papua New Guinea is one of the last frontiers and has large amounts of its forest and vegetation still intact with unique native flora and fauna, clearing of forest and vegetation for infrastructure and development, coupled with an increase in population has put our unique flora and fauna at risk of being over-exploited.
Environment Conservation is everyone’s choice, and those that continue to uphold conservation, find it rewarding in preserving PNGs remaining plants and animals deep in the jungles of rural Papua New Guinea.
RCF PNG Director Dr Sangion Tiu and her team are based in Goroka town, since 1993. RCF PNG have overseen and facilitated in managing the Crater Mountain Wild Life Management Area and with the help of international organizations like the GEF Small Grants, they continue the good work of conservation.
Director of Research and Conservation Foundation (PNG) Dr. Sangion Tui
While development is inevitable and is certainly part of a developing nation, managing land to cater for conservation and other activities is a must.
The crater mountain area remains protected, and species of plants and animals thrive in their eco-system with some thought to have been extinct, have found refuge in the mountains.
Conservation allows for the study of our flora and fauna and continued research helps us establish a fair understanding of the species that are endemic to Papua New Guinea.
Dr Sangion Tiu says there are policies in place by Government to support conservation.
FILE – New Zealand’s Jitka Klimkova gestures during an international friendly soccer match against South Korea at Goyang stadium in Goyang, South Korea, on Nov. 30, 2021. Women’s World Cup co-host New Zealand has announced a squad including 10 players who will be playing at the global tournament for the first time. The team was unveiled Friday, June 30, 2023, after head coach Klimkova trimmed the squad from 33 to 23 following a seven-week training camp, the longest in the New Zealand team’s history.(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
by STEVE McMORRAN AP Sports Writer
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Women’s World Cup co-host New Zealand has announced a squad including 10 players who will be playing at the global tournament for the first time.
The team was unveiled Friday after head coach Jitka Klimkova trimmed the squad from 33 to 23 following a seven-week training camp, the longest in the New Zealand team’s history.
“I believe we have selected a good balance of youth and experience across the squad, from the 10 players making their debuts to other members of the group who have appeared at multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups,” Klimkova said.
“With the extra motivation and excitement surrounding the event on home soil, we now need the country to get behind the team as we look to inspire our nation and deliver one of our best ever performances.”
The tournament is being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
New Zealand’s Football Ferns face a massive task as they have never won a match at a World Cup or progressed beyond the group stage.
The formal roster announcement took place at Auckland’s Eden Park stadium, regarded as the home of New Zealand rugby, where the home team will play the opening match of the World Cup against Norway on July 20.
Among those present was Ian Foster, the coach of the All Blacks rugby team whose daughter Michaela was selected in the team.
The ceremony was attended by members of the first New Zealand women’s team, which was formed in 1975 and won the Asian Women’s Cup.
A member of the 1975 team, Barbara Cox, called the World Cup the “most momentous occassion in the history of football in New Zealand.”
Team captain Ali Riley missed the event because she currently is with her Angel City club in the United States. Ria Percival, who is the the team’s co-captain, will be playing in her fifth World Cup.
“It’s great to have all these former Ferns who have built this legacy here today and for us to acknowledge and recognize all of you,” Percival said.
“Without you we wouldn’t be here today.
“To the girls, I’m proud of you all. We’ve all worked hard, every one of us.”
She said the World Cup on home soil was “something huge that we all dream of.”
“We’re just proud, we’re ready to go and we want to inspire the next generation.”
The only major surprise in the squad was the omission of Glasgow City defender Meikayla Moore.
The 27-year-old Moore has played 63 times for the Football Ferns and started in all 22 of New Zealand’s matches in 2021 and 2022.
She was selected for the 2015 World Cup but didn’t play and missed out on the 2019 World Cup because of injury.
Moore is one of three players on standby in case of injuries before the World Cup begins. Percival and Annalie Longo both have been included in the squad after overcoming long-term injuries.
FILE – Andi Sullivan of the U.S., right, competes for the ball against New Zealand’s Gabi Rennie during their women’s international soccer friendly game in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP, File)
Claudia Bunge, Liz Anton and Foster are among a group the 10 players picked for their first World Cup along with Malia Steinmetz, Jacqui Hand, Milly Clegg, Grace Jale, Anna Leat, Gabi Rennie, Indiah-Paige Riley.
Clegg is the youngest player in the team at 17.
One of the biggest cheers at the ceremony on Friday was for Rebekah Stott who, in March, 2021 was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma.
Stott has recorded her battle against the illness on Instagram and currently is in remission.
New Zealand will play in Group A at the World Cup with Norway, Switzerland and the Philippines.
PHOTO FILE – The sun rises over fishing boats in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 8, 2022, off of Kennebunkport, Maine. The United Nations body that regulates the world’s ocean floor is preparing to resume negotiations in July 2023, that could open the international seabed for mining, including for materials vital for the green energy transition. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
By VICTORIA MILKO Associated Press
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The International Seabed Authority — the United Nations body that regulates the world’s ocean floor — is preparing to resume negotiations that could open the international seabed for mining, including for materials critical for the green energy transition.
Years long negotiations are reaching a critical point where the authority will soon need to begin accepting mining permit applications, adding to worries over the potential impacts on sparsely researched marine ecosystems and habitats of the deep sea.
Here’s a look at what deep sea mining is, why some companies and countries are applying for permits to carry it out and why environmental activists are raising concerns.
WHAT IS DEEP SEA MINING? Deep sea mining involves removing mineral deposits and metals from the ocean’s seabed. There are three types of such mining: taking deposit-rich polymetallic nodules off the ocean floor, mining massive seafloor sulphide deposits and stripping cobalt crusts from rock.
These nodules, deposits and crusts contain materials, such as nickel, rare earths, cobalt and more, that are needed for batteries and other materials used in tapping renewable energy and also for everyday technology like cellphones and computers.
Engineering and technology used for deep sea mining are still evolving. Some companies are looking to vacuum materials from seafloor using massive pumps. Others are developing artificial intelligence-based technology that would teach deep sea robots how to pluck nodules from the floor. Some are looking to use advanced machines that could mine materials off side of huge underwater mountains and volcanoes.
Companies and governments view these as strategically important resources that will be needed as onshore reserves are depleted and demand continues to rise.
HOW IS DEEP SEA MINING REGULATED NOW? Countries manage their own maritime territory and exclusive economic zones, while the high seas and the international ocean floor are governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas. It is considered to apply to states regardless of whether or not they have signed or ratified it. Under the treaty, the seabed and its mineral resources are considered the “common heritage of mankind” that must be managed in a way that protects the interests of humanity through the sharing of economic benefits, support for marine scientific research, and protecting marine environments.
Mining companies interested in deep sea exploitation are partnering with countries to help them get exploration licenses.
More than 30 exploration licenses have been issued so far, with activity mostly focused in an area called the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, which spans 1.7 million square miles (4.5 million square kilometers) between Hawaii and Mexico.
WHY IS THERE PRESSURE ON THE ISA TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS NOW? In 2021 the Pacific island nation of Nauru — in partnership with mining company Nauru Ocean Resources Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canada-based The Metals Company — applied to the ISA to exploit minerals in a specified deep sea area.
That triggered a clause of the U.N. treaty that requires the ISA to complete regulations governing deep sea exploitation by July 2023. If no regulations are finalized, Nauru can submit an application to conduct the mining without any governing regulations.
Other countries and private companies can start applying for provisional licenses if the U.N. body fails to approve a set of rules and regulations by July 9. Experts say its unlike it will since the process will likely take several years.
WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS? Only a small part of the deep seabed has been explored and conservationists worry that ecosystems will be damaged by mining, especially without any environmental protocols.
Damage from mining can include noise, vibration and light pollution, as well as possible leaks and spills of fuels and other chemicals used in the mining process.
Sediment plumes from the some mining processes are a major concern. Once valuable materials are taken extracted, slurry sediment plumes are sometimes pumped back into the sea. That can harm filter feeding species like corals and sponges, and could smother or otherwise interfere with some creatures.
The full extent of implications for deep sea ecosystems is unclear, but scientists have warned that biodiversity loss is inevitable and potentially irreversible.
“We’re constantly finding new stuff and it’s a little bit premature to start mining the deep sea when we don’t really understand the biology, the environments, the ecosystems or anything else,” said Christopher Kelley, a biologist with research expertise in deep sea ecology.
WHAT’S NEXT? The ISA’s Legal and Technical Commission, which oversees the development of deep sea mining regulations, will meet in early July to discuss the yet-to-be mining code draft.
The earliest that mining under ISA regulations could begin is 2026. Applications for mining must be considered and environmental impact assessments need to be carried out.
In the meantime, some companies — such as Google, Samsung, BMW and others — have backed the World Wildlife Fund’s call to pledge to avoid using minerals that have been mined from the planet’s oceans. More than a dozen countries—including France, Germany and several Pacific Island nations— have officially called for a ban, pause or moratorium on deep sea mining at least until environmental safeguards are in place, although it’s unclear how many other countries support such mining. Other countries, such as Norway, are proposing opening their waters to mining.
Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations.
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – At the request of the government of Papua New Guinea, Task Force Koa Moana returns to PNG again. Task Force Koa Moana 23, comprised of U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force, have deployed to Papua New Guinea to support PNG’s stability, security, and prosperity.
Their goal is to strengthen relationships with Papua New Guinea through a bilateral and multilateral security cooperation exercise that runs from June until September. The exercise includes capacity training and infrastructure improvement projects. Koa Moana is an ongoing partnership that began in 2016.
Task Force Koa Moana 23 is comprised of approximately 200 U.S. Marines and Sailors from 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Logistics Group and I MEF Information Group who will organize into multiple detachments. These detachments will conduct subject matter expert exchanges throughout Papua New Guinea at the request of the government of Papua New Guinea.
The task force established a mutual agreement with Papua New Guinea to provide expertise in engineering, medical care, infrastructure development and community engagements.
Named “Koa Moana,” a Hawai’ian phrase meaning “ocean warrior,” the task force is designed to strengthen relationships between the U.S. and Papua New Guinea, enhance cooperation with PNG security establishments, and support national sovereignty of across the Oceania region.
The Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau also requested to participate in Task Force Koa Moana as well.
