Russian warship due to dock in Port Moresby

By PRIMROSE RIORDAN
The Australian
May 14

Russia will dock a warship in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea for the first time in the modern history of both nations, Russian media has announced.

The Russian navy training ship Perekop which will pay a visit to PNG.

Analysts say the move indicates Russia is increasingly interested in the Pacific after the country based 100 personnel in Indonesia’s Papua province and flew two nuclear-capable Tu-95 bombers over the South Pacific on their first training mission there for a few days late last year.
The visit put the RAAF Base Darwin on a “short period” of ­“increased readiness”.
The 7000-tonne Perekop training ship is loaded with 200 cadets and armed with anti-submarine rockets and anti-aircraft guns. It will arrive in Port Moresby on Wednesday and stay until Saturday, Russian state media reported, quoting Russia’s navy spokesman Igor Dygalo.
The ship is on a two-month long mission that began in April and has included stopovers in ­Europe and Sri Lanka. Russia’s ministry of defence said the aim of the mission was to conduct exercises to train cadets in navigation.
Euan Graham, director of the International Security Program at the Lowy Institute, said there was a question of what the diplomatic motivation was behind the port stop, considering it strayed from usual Russian naval routes.
“I would join it up to the very unusual aircraft deployment that the Russians did in Indonesia on the other side of the island but there is no sort of bristling military weaponry or capability … it’s really just a visiting of the flag.
“So the question is: what is the diplomatic motivation behind this?” he told The Australian.
“The Russians are more interested in the Pacific if you sort of join the dots of what they did in Fiji with the training mission with the Fijian armed forces.”
In 2016, Russia donated a 20-container shipment of weapons and military hardware to Fiji and stationed Russian troops on the islands to train local forces in how to use the equipment.
The Fijian government said the hardware was to arm Fijian peacekeepers on UN missions and the donation was seen as unusual by Pacific Island experts.
“The security orthodoxy in the Pacific Islands region is changing as new external actors play a greater role in the region, and local states engage in ‘new Pacific diplomacy’, placing ­Australia’s and New Zealand’s ­influence in the region at risk,” experts Anna Powles and Jose Sousa-Santos said in a 2016 paper that examined the Russian ­donation.
Dr Graham said Russia was keen to show it was courting countries that the West considered their partners.
“A poke in the eye for the US — that’s the standard cynical ­interpretation for anything they would do down here,” he said.
“It may just be a fairly low-cost way of showing the flag, ­announcing that Russia is still present and operates globally ... is engaged and has an interest in areas that other countries might regard as their backyard.”
He said PNG’s role as host to the APEC summit this year could also be behind the visit.
The French navy’s Jeanne d’Arc mission arrives in Darwin this week, an amphibious exercise involving two French ships along with British marines.
A Defence spokesman said the department was “aware of a planned port visit to Papua New Guinea by the Russian Navy”.

PNG foreign minister confirms visit of Russian naval vessel

Papua New Guinea Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Rimbink Pato has confirmed the visit of a Russian naval vessel this week.
He said in a statement yesterday that the visit by Russian naval cadets was a "pre APEC gesture".
"In a pre-APEC gesture of friendship, the Government of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea will welcome the visit of some 200 young people from the Russian Federation," Pato said.
"At a meeting of APEC officials from a variety of member economies this month, Papua New Guinea arranged to host a crew of cadets learning about naval traditions and practices.
"The cadets are on a training tour through four oceans which includes visits to a range of foreign ports."
Pato said the cadets were scheduled to arrive in Port Moresby on Wednesday,  May 16 and depart on Saturday, May 19.
"While in Papua New Guinea they will learn about local culture and customs," he said.
"The cadets are travelling aboard the Perekop training ship, a 138-metre naval vessel
commissioned more than 40 years ago.
"It carries only basic armaments.
"The visit is the first of a range of visits by APEC members in the lead up to the APEC Leaders' Summit in November.
“We welcome youth from all APEC member economies prior to -- and during -- this great event for our country.
“This is not a formal port visit by the Russian Navy but rather a goodwill visit for young people, arranged at a convenient time with so many able to come to our country at once.
“Naturally, we have informed the Australians, our major security partner and close
neighbour, and advised them of the nature of the visit.
“As is usual with our friends and ally, the Australians welcome our attempts to draw
attention to the forthcoming APEC summit, and they support our efforts to cultivate
friendship and understanding among the youth of APEC nations.”

Mothers’ Day:Papua New Guinea among countries where maternal healthcare remains neglected

by Asma Ghani, tribune.com.pk
May 13, 2018

ISLAMABAD: Mother’s Day was celebrated on May 12 to honour mothers in the region. However, in Pakistan the government has put little effort into creating a healthcare plan for mothers, making the maternal mortality rate high among impoverished communities. The lack of an appropriately implemented health plan also leaves many women in poor health after giving birth.

Representational image. PHOTO: REUTERS

The Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) 2006-2007 estimated that about 276 women die during pregnancy or after within 42 days due to complications among 100,000 women who give birth in a year. However, the last survey was completely silent about the matter, leaving us with no recent authentic data on maternal deaths in Pakistan.

According to recent UN agency for population (UNFPA) State of the World Population Report 2017, countries such as Bangladesh, Laos, East Timor and Indonesia are seen as being likely to bring their Maternal Mortality Ratios (MMRs) below 70 deaths per 100,000 by the 2030 deadline, in accordance with the UN Sustainable Goals (SDGs). But others like Pakistan join the list of those that would not able to meet this deadline including Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Cambodia and the Philippines.

The PDHS 2012-2013 says that about 73% pregnant women in Pakistan receive prenatal care from a skilled healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, midwife, or lady health visitor), but only 52% of women give birth assisted by a skilled provider. And only 48% mothers deliver babies in health facilities. The situation in rural areas is the worst with only 40% of pregnant women giving birth in any health facility, while in urban areas 68% of women give birth in proper healthcare facilities.

One in four women had no prenatal care at all. Prenatal care varies by region as about 30% of women in Balochistan received prenatal care from a skilled provider compared to 94% in Islamabad.

Pregnant women should take iron tablets for at least 90 days during pregnancy to prevent anemia and other complications. According to a government survey only two in ten women took iron tablets for at least 90 days during their pregnancy.

The health of mothers is frail and there are many social, cultural and policy level reasons for that, said Reproductive Health Expert and Maternal Neonatal and Child Health Consultant Dr Samina Naeem Khalid.

Midwives and lady health visitors are not properly trained to refer expecting mothers to the hospitals at an appropriate time, she said, and mothers who after gathering a budget and transport reach basic and rural health centers do not get proper care due to a lack of facilities. The tertiary care hospitals are overworked even in the federal capital and not able to cater to women coming from far off areas with complications, she added.

Even if mothers survive by luck, their nutritional health is poor, she said, adding, “More than half of the women are anemic and giving birth to malnourished children. Marriage at a young age and frequent pregnancies aggravate the situation”.

The provincial governments establish maternal and child healthcare programmes but do not add enough to the budget to expand and equip health facilities to provide better and skilled maternal care. If we want to improve the health of the nation, we will have to give priority to mothers, she asserted.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2018.

Raiders to auction jerseys for Kato Ottio fund


nrl.com | May 12, 2018

Indigenous round for the Canberra Raiders takes on extra significance as they again reach out to help the family of Kato Ottio.

The late Kato Otto played for the  Raiders.

©Grant Trouville/NRL Photos

Ottio tragically died early this year when he collapsed after a training run while in Papua New Guinea.

Canberra's jerseys will be auctioned off following their clash with the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday, with proceeds going to the Kato Ottio Memorial Fund.

The 23-year-old's death rocked the Raiders family and coach Ricky Stuart said the auction is the latest measure to try and ease the suffering of Ottio's family.

"Knowing the club how I do, it won't be the last time we help the family," Stuart said.

"Kato was a very special member of the Canberra Raiders and I know we will continue to support that family for a long time ahead. That's what makes our club so great."

Stuart said he expects Paul Gallen to play, with the Cronulla Sharks skipper being given every chance to prove he has overcome a knee injury.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan is likely to have Gallen on a time restriction if he plays in the crucial clash at GIO Stadium on Sunday.

"I know he's going to be here because he's asked me to help his young bloke out being a ball boy," Stuart said.

"I said 'if he wears a Raiders jumper he can do whatever he wants'. If he plays he plays, if he doesn't he doesn't. Gal will know if he's right and we're planning on him playing.

"He's their spiritual leader and they always give us a tough performance at home, so without or without Gal we're waiting for a really tough game."



Canberra will be aiming for their fifth win in six games and a place inside the top eight for the first time this season after losing their first four.

"Every game's important, especially when you see the congestion of the competition table," Stuart said.

"Stringing a few games together really gives you a boost in the position on the table at the moment."

With wins over bottom eight teams Canterbury, Parramatta, North Queensland and Gold Coast Titans, Sunday's duel with the Sharks shapes as one of Canberra's biggest tests of the season.

Stuart is confident in his side and refuses to buy into the notion the Raiders have only beaten teams not in the finals picture.

"I don't care what other people think of our footy team as - it's what we believe in," he said.

"I know what I've got here when we play well. From the outside looking in, I don't care what opinion is out there. It's about what we've got here and when we're on and we all play to our strengths, we're a strong footy team."

Canberra Raiders keeping Kato Ottio's dream alive

The Sydney Morning Herald
By Caden Helmers
12 May 2018

Kato Ottio had a smile that could light up a room, and you would be hard-pressed to find a photo of him that doesn't show it.

Kato Ottio had a smile that could light up a room.

He arrived at Canberra Raiders headquarters with one goal - earn enough money to build his mother a house in Papua New Guinea.

Sia Soliola modelling the jersey that will be auctioned off for the Kato Ottio memorial fund.

At first he was almost silent - he knew little English and was a long way from home. But he was embraced by the club that is now working tirelessly to "keep his dream alive".
The Raiders were rocked when Ottio died of heatstroke in January, two days before he was due to fly to England to join the Super League's Widnes Vikings.
Now the club is paying tribute to Ottio through its indigenous round jerseys, which will bear his name on the inside collar when the Raiders face the Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.
The jersey was unveiled after an indigenous smoking ceremony at Raiders headquarters and boasts the handprints of players from different backgrounds.
It is the name on the inside collar that will be on Raiders prop Sia Soliola's mind when he enters the playing arena.
"He was really quiet when he first came, as expected, but he really grew group on the group," Soliola said.
"With a lot of the photos you’ve seen, he just never stopped smiling. In 99 per cent of the photos that everyone would have seen of Kato was when he was smiling, because that’s just the kind of character he was.
"He loved a good time, enjoyed anybody’s company, and he always liked to joke. He was actually a bit of a practical joker which was always nice to see. A couple of years after he was quite a cheeky fella which was actually pretty cool.
"For someone like Kato who was minimal in his English and still learning the game, taking him away from PNG and the groups he was used to, to come down here and achieve all the things he did and made a real big impact in terms of who he was.
"It’s awesome that the club can promote and take one step further in doing this for Kato and keeping his dream alive, making it more of a reality."
Ottio's presence was felt from the field to the boardroom, with Raiders chief executive Don Furner exploring the possibility of launching a scholarship for a rugby league player from Papua New Guinea in Ottio's honour.
"Honestly everyone really liked him, he was just always happy. It’s unbelievably tragic," Furner said.
"To be honest he would have been an NRL player with us the following year, but he did the knee and it was a pretty bad knee reco and he probably needed a bit more time.
"We thought it wouldn’t hurt him to go to England, do a year or two over there, and then keep our eye on him. He’d come a long way from being a volleyballer.
"He was very good over the first two years and gained confidence after the knee reco. It would have been a fantastic story. It’s just very, very sad but I know his family are very grateful for our continued efforts."
The jerseys will be auctioned off in the second memorial dedicated to Ottio after the club held a memorial service led by the Capital Wantoks following the round two clash with Newcastle.
The Raiders flew Ottio's his mother Joyce and siblings Ahulo, Opao and Helai to Canberra for that game and coach Ricky Stuart says the Kumuls flyer will always be a part of the Green Machine.
"Knowing the club how I do, it won’t be the last time we help the family," Stuart said.
"Kato was a very special member of the Canberra Raiders and I know that we will continue to support that family for a long time ahead. That’s what makes our club so great."

Donate to the Kato Ottio memorial fund here.

NRL ROUND 10

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium, 4.10pm.

Tickets from Ticketek.

Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Iosia Soliola, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Joseph Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Josh Papalii. Interchange from: 14. Ata Hingano, 15. Luke Bateman, 16. Charlie Gubb, 17. Dunamis Lui, 18. Liam Knight, 19. Michael Oldfield.
Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Ricky Leutele, 5. Edrick Lee, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Matt Prior, 11. Kurt Capewell, 14. Joseph Paulo, 13. Paul Gallen (c). Interchange from: 15. James Segeyaro, 16. Avagalu Seumanufagai, 17. Jack Williams, 18. Kurt Dillion, 19. Braden Uele, 20. Briton Nikora.

Caden Helmers is a sports reporter for The Canberra Times

Russian vessel poised for historic port call in Papua New Guinea

sputniknews.com
May 12, 2018

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A Russian warship will make a first-ever port call this month in the Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea, Russia’s Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo told reporters.

"The Perekop training ship will make a historic business port call in Port Moresby," he said.

" This will be the first port call by a Russian military ship in the history of Russian-Papua New Guinean relations."

The warship with a crew of more than 200 cadets will arrive in the capital of the southwestern Pacific nation next Wednesday and will reportedly stay there through Saturday.

Nararas proudly flying PNG flag

by Malum Nalu, thenational.com.pg
May 11, 2018

THE Flying Nararas from Milne Bay have been holding high the Papua New Guinea flag high internationally from their base in the United Arab Emirates.
The latest achievement was in February, 2018, when young Nigel Narara checked out on the Airbus A330 aircraft as a captain.

Two generations of pilots. Captains Nigel, Tico and Granger Matata in a photo shoot prior to Dublin, Shanghangai and Johannesburg respectively.

He is now flying as a commander on both the A330 and A320 under the mixed-fleet flying programme with Etihad Airways.
Nigel moved to the UAE as a seven-year-old year old when his father Granger Narara began flying for Emirates Airlines in 1991, after leaving Air Niugini to work with Emirates Airlines as an A310 captain
After 15 years in Emirates, Granger moved to Etihad Airways where he is currently a senior instructor on A330/340 aircraft.
Nigel completed all his primary and secondary education in the UAE and went on to Embry Riddle Aeronautical College in Prescott, Arizona, USA in 2001 to do a degree in aeronautical science, until the events of Sept 11, 2001 put an end to those dreams.
He then transferred to the Royal Queensland Aero Club at Archerfield in Brisbane in 2003 where he completed his commercial pilot’s license and instrument rating.
He started his flying career with Milne Bay Airlines (now PNG Air), where he worked from 2004 to 2006, flying the Twin-Otter based in Port Moresby and Kairik in Enga.
In 2007, Nigel was able to secure a job as a cadet first officer with Air Arabia, a low cost airline based in the UAE, flying the Airbus A320 on a regional network, until August 2012 when he was employed by Etihad as a first officer on the Airbus A330.
When the wheels of the Etihad Airways Airbus A330 Flight 055 lifted off the ground in Abu Dhabi bound for Brussels on March 30, 2013, another milestone in PNG aviation history was made.
At the controls of Flight 055 was Captain Granger Narara, of Dobu Island, Milne Bay, and his co-pilot was none other than his oldest son, Nigel Narara.
This was the first time that a PNG father-and-son team was in control of an international airliner and a great achievement for PNG aviation and the Narara family.
“This is the highlight of my 36-year flying career, being able to fly with my son”, Granger said at the time.
“An achievement like this is a great way to tell the world that PNG can and does produce some of the best aviators in the world, something that we as a nation can all be proud of.
“This success is also being replicated in many other top notch professions, notably in the international oil and mining sector where the number of PNG professionals around the planet is increasing.
“We can be very proud that as a small nation we are able to produce pilots, engineers, oil and gas operators and many other professionals that can stand up and be counted amongst the best in the world.”
Nigel said: “I have always wanted to fly with Dad; he wasn’t as hard a captain as I thought he would be.”
His uncle Tico Narara, younger brother of Granger, joined Emirates in 1998 and was the first PNG pilot to commercially fly the big beast, the Airbus A380.
“We feel so blessed that we have been able to achieve so much in our flying careers,” says Captain Granger Narara, the senior.
“It is an honour for our family and our country.”
After this photo shoot, Capt Nigel Narara’s next flight was to Dublin, Ireland, Capt Tico Narara’s next flight was to Shanghai, China and Capt Granger Narara’s next flight was to Johannesburg, South Africa.
The world is really their playground.
Something for other Papua New Guineans to emulate.