PNG OPPOSITION Leader Belden Namah has called on Prime Minister James Marape to “take back” his district in Hela before more people die and properties destroyed.
Namah was commenting on police officers storming the Hela provincial headquarters and treasury building in Tari on Wednesday morning forcing their closure.

The Papua New Guinea government  has approved K2.3 million towards the fight against the African Swine Fever (ASF) incursion in the country, according to the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (Naqia).
Managing director Joel Alu said K1 million would come from the Livestock Development Corporation under the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and K1.3 million from the Treasury’s consolidated revenue funds.
The deadly virus was first reported late last year after pigs were dying in large numbers in Mendi-Munihu and parts of Nipa in Southern Highlands.

Papua New Guinea OPPOSITION Leader Belden Namah has called on Police Minister Bryan Kramer to make public the internal audit he conducted on the K23 million Covid-19 funds.
Namah said Kramer had committed himself to completing the internal audit in seven days. It is now more than 21 days.
“You can’t make such statements and do the audit (because) you are not an auditor,” Namah said.

PNG ​Prime Minister James Marape says funds used for COVID-19 operations are public funds and a report on its use will be made available for public scrutiny.

Mr Marape said this following a question by the media yesterday in a press conference whether there will be an external audit into COVID-19 funds.

Prime Minister James Marape has cancelled a cabinet reshuffle he secretary published through a gazette . The prime minister  intended to reshuffle ministerial portfolios between Attorney-General and Justice Minister Davis Steven and Inter-Government Relations Minister Pila Niningi. ​

Papua New Guinea can develop online software, provide e-libraries and blended learning but it would be a failure if teaching staff and students lack access to the internet, says Higher Education Secretary Fr Jan Czuba.
The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) is working in partnership with PNG DataCo Limited to provide access to internet for institutions throughout the country.
Fr Czuba said DataCo Limited is going to be a partner in digitalising the education system in the country.

China’s Ambassador to Israel, Du Wei, has been found dead in his apartment north of Tel Aviv, an Israeli official told BBC News.

The official said Israeli police had launched an investigation but initial findings suggested no foul play.

Papua New Guinea Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sylvester Kalaut was arrested and charged by police investigators today for two counts of misappropriation, one count of abuse of office and one count of conspiracy to defraud.
Director Human Resources Superintendent Bob Kerry was arrested yesterday and charged with the same offences.

​Bougainville's former president James Tanis is entering the contest to replace John Momis.
 
Bougainville is due to go regional elections in August after a delay caused by the Covid-19 crisis.
 
Tanis, who was in power from 2008 to 2010, says he is one of the few political leaders still alive who was involved in negotiating the Peace Agreement 20 years ago.

China fears over Cable to dear to use 
​An Australian taxpayer-funded internet cable to Papua New Guinea is operating at a fraction of its capacity because it is too expensive for private sector providers to use.

The Australian can reveal that the PNG section of the $136m, 4700km Coral Sea Cable system has failed to lower internet prices to the country, as promised by the Australian government, because it was handed to a struggling state-owned enterprise that is charging uncompetitive prices. Private internet retailers including the country’s main mobile company, Digicel, are reluctant to use the cable because they can get better prices and service levels from satellite providers.