​FORMER Madang MP Bryan Kramer has sought an order in the Supreme Court that Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika not be involved in appointing judges who would be hearing his appeal.
Kramer, through his lawyer Nemo Yalo, informed the court in Waigani on Monday before Justice Dereck Hartshorn through draft orders they had filed and asked the parties to agree that another senior judge be involved in appointing judges to hear his case.
The State, through Kevin Kiponge, from the Office of Solicitor-General for the Attorney-General, refused to agree to the order, saying that it was the administrative process of the judiciary and they had no power to intervene and control who made the decision in appointing judges.

​MAJOR Jacqueline Lilih has been posted to the United Nations Peacekeeping mission in Sudan, the first female PNG military officer to be sent on such a tour of duty.
Major Lilih departs for South Sudan today (Nov 21) where she will serve for a year.
This is the 14th deployment since the PNG Defence Force started sending officers there in 2010.
Acting Chief of Defence Commodore Philip Polewara said during a farewell event yesterday that Maj Lilih’s posting was a breakthrough for women in the force.

Papua New Guinea ​OPPOSITION leader Joseph Lelang says the health sector is on life support and challenged the Government to address issues surrounding this sector.
Lelang made this statement following recent reports in the media of deteriorating health facilities and shortage of medical drugs.
“The government is not doing enough to ensure all deteriorating health facilities nationwide are being renovated, well equipped, with the appropriate medical equipment, health workers and essential medical drugs to help its people,” he said.
“Why is government turning a blind eye on this important sector which deals directly with human lives?

Papua New Guinea PRIME Minister James Marape has thanked the United States of America for strengthening and elevating its relationship with Papua New Guinea.
“We are happy that the United States and PNG have entrenched our own relationship, which has been elevated,” he said when congratulating the US for successfully hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leaders’ Summit in San Francisco last week.
“PNG represents all Small Island States of the South Pacific – the emerging economies, the developing countries, and the forest nations.
“In that context, (everyone) can see the importance of such a continuity in our engagements today.

POLICE in Hela have arrested and charged three suspects for smuggling of unlicensed firearm with live ammunitions and drugs into Hela Province.
The trio have allegedly concealed the information in pretends of carrying cargo bag and travelled in a PMV truck from Mendi to Tari when intercepted by police and DF personnel. 
The Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop confirmed that the three suspects were arrested on Wednesday 15 November along the road at Hiri Moutain range in Magarima District, Hela Province. 
He said that Police had a tipoff on movements of weapons and did the random checks along the highway from Mendi to Tari. 
As on motorist patrol stopped the PMV truck and seized a factory made pistol grip shot gun pump action with 2 x 5.56cm live rounds and a plastic role of marijuana in their possession.  

Acting Papua New Guinea  Governor General His Excellency Job Pomat, CMG, MP, has officiated  the swearing in ceremony of the new head of Registry of Political Parties and Candidates and an acting Ombudsman of the Ombudsman Commission of PNG.
Mr. Emmanuel Pok has been appointed as Registrar of Political Parties for a period of 6 years. 
Mr. Pok recited before the acting Governor General the Declaration of Loyalty and Declaration of Office.

THE Rotary Club of Port Moresby awarded two of its recipients the Paul Harris Fellow award in recognition of their hard work and leadership. Club president Robert Aisi said the award was named after the Rotary founder and is the highest international award.
“With the theme for this year as ‘creating hope in the world’, we want hope to be created throughout the world,” Aisi said.
He said the club had committed their time in raising awareness for malaria programmes and raised funds that were given to the City Mission to build desks.

​Papua New Guinea PRIME Minister James Marape  has  reiterated the importance of attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders’ meeting because “it is where access to markets and investment opportunities lie” for Papua New Guinea.
“Apec is the biggest block that PNG belongs to, and we value the link and opportunities this forum provides for us,” he said.
“Apec accounts for 48 per cent of trade in goods and services and 62 per cent of the world gross domestic product.
“Our attendance allows us to discuss pressing issues facing us, and explore bilateral opportunities with economies and investors on the margins of the summit.”

​A direct flight between Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby and Guangzhou in southern China will start next month.
Deputy director general of the Chinese foreign affairs commission in Guangdong province Cang Feng confirmed this to journalists on Sunday.
He was speaking at a welcome gathering for Pacific Island journalists attending an exchange programme in the provincial capital of Guangzhou.
Cang said with good relationship between the two countries over the years, establishing direct flights would ensure more people-to-people relationship and growth of business activities.

Papua New Guinea ​PRIME Minister James Marape will stop over in the Solomon Islands enroute to Papua New Guinea after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings in San Francisco.
Marape said that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Mannasseh Sogavare had invited him to be part of the opening ceremony of the 17th South Pacific Games held in Honiara.
“Papua New Guinea is been invited to be a part of the opening ceremony as we assisted Solomon Islands with infrastructure for the games,” Marape said.
“Our PNGICSA team is also supporting Solomon Islands to process people in and out of Solomon Islands for the games.