Dede Sophie

Prime Minister, James Marape, has appealed to Papua New Guineans to take voting seriously, as the country goes to the polls next Monday.  He said the call in Kavieng today as campaigning ends tomorrow. “As campaigns draw to a close across the nation, Mr Marape appealed for peace and reflection over the weekend, before voting starts on Monday. He urged people to pray for God’s inspiration on the election process and the best outcome for PNG. He says God sees right through all motives and the best team of leaders for the next five years will emerge from the campaign and voting. Mr Marape says leaders must be elected to fix those challenges because the bucks stop with leaders, especially the person who becomes the Prime Minister. He says challenges remaining in the country include rampant corruption in the public service, and lack of national development despite being a nation blessed with abundance of God-given resources.  Mr Marape says the importance of good leadership from 2022 going

Two PNG Defence Force soldiers are currently in a stable condition after they were shot by tribal warlords  in the Kompiam/Ambum district of Papua New Guinea’s  Enga Province. The soldiers are from the Second Battalion Royal Pacific Islands Regiment  but were on deployment to Enga Province following 2022 national election chaotic riots and killings. PNG Authorities confirmed  that one soldier sustained a bullet wound to the neck and the other received pellet scratches to the mouth. Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent George Kakas  Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent George Kakas said the soldiers stopped a vehicle suspected of transporting armed tribesmen from the notorious Akol tribe, when the incident took place. Mr. Kakas told local NBC News that the situation on the ground remains tense. “We just confirmed that the two soldiers have been brought to the hospital. They are in a stable condition.” “The situation is a bit tense. The villagers up the stretch of highway s

Late August and early September, I embarked on a 10 day monsoon motorcycle ride through the Western Ghats of India. I had gone on a couple of day rides to lesser known Hoysala temples after the lockdown, but this was my first long trip since 22nd March. And boy was I happy! Monsoons happen to be my favorite season of the year. I love the rains, the freshness in the air, the lush green views, the richness of ecosystem and most important of all, I love getting wet. And what better place to enjoy the monsoons than the Western Ghats. My 2000 kms motorcycle ride took me to the following places in the Western Ghats of Karnataka over 10 days. There was a lot of walking, trekking, getting wet, eating traditional foods and sleeping to petrichor in between all the motorcycle rides. 1) Sirsi – Yellapur region: Unchalli Falls , Magod Falls , Sathodi Falls , Bilihole Falls , Sonda Vadiraj Mutt 2) Kumta region: Devimane Ghat, Mirjan Fort 3) Karavali coast: Maravanthe Beach , Kota, Kallu Ganapati

The ORA electric car brand owned by Great Wall Motors of China is being distributed in Ireland by IM Automotive Ltd who recently introduced the Funky Cat small car to our shores, writes Trish Whelan.  This little feline comes with a mix of retro and futuristic styling inside and out, some high end technology and a long list of standard spec. It competes with other small and equally cute electric cars such as the Honda-e and Fiat’s 500e. All ORA’s current range have Cat in their name. Unlike the Chinese, I don’t like cats.  However, this supermini sized hatchback impressed me with a friendly appeal, lovely curves, small circular headlamps, strong build quality and well thought-out interior. My car was in the sea green colour with white roof and pillars. The rear lights gave their own display when I turned the car on or off. Not to be outdone, the front lamps did their own workout, and actually winked at me.  The very roomy and equally colourful interior could hold its own against many