Papua New Guinea has been confirmed as host of the OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifier- one of the two major men’s international tournaments on the Oceania Football Confederation calendar for 2027. The tournament will see the region’s top nations compete for qualification to the men’s football event at the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, with the winner securing Oceania’s place on the Olympic stage. In addition to the Olympic Qualifier, the qualifying tournament for the OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2028- the region’s premier men’s international competition, will also headline a packed calendar of fourteen competitions scheduled across eight Member Associations next year. PNG will further strengthen its role as a regional host, having also been awarded the OFC Women’s Champions League 2027. This marks a return after successfully staging the inaugural edition of the competition in 2023. These hosting opportunities reinforce PNG’s growing reputation as a trusted venue for major regional tournaments, while providing a platform to elevate the game locally and showcase the nation on the international stage. PNG Football Association President John Kapi Natto stated that hosting the OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifier is a proud moment for PNG football. “This reflects the confidence the region has in our ability to deliver at the highest level and provides a powerful platform for our players, fans, and partners to be part of the journey to the Olympic Games.” Meanwhile, General Secretary Ahmjad Tekwie added that this is a significant opportunity for PNG, not only to host one of Oceania’s premier men’s competitions but to further strengthen football infrastructure, operational capacity, and international standing within the region. Further details on tournament dates and fixtures will be announced in due course.

The Gelagela Rural Water Supply Reticulation Project has successfully completed its initial drilling phase in the Kabiu Local Level Government (LLG) of Rabaul District, East New Britain. The works, which commenced on February 16 at the Gelagela Health Centre and Waterhouse Memorial Junior High School, have resulted in the installation of a solar-powered water bore system designed to supply a 9,000-litre storage tank. During a formal ceremony, WKB Limited representative Mr. Wayne Benedict officially handed over the system to Kabiu LLG Manager Mr. Nerius Gogor. The event was attended by ward members from Nordup and Rakunat, Rabaul District WaSH Coordinator Mr. Garry Mano, and Mr. Himson Novulu of Hornet Consultants PNG Limited. Mr. Benedict acknowledged the support of all stakeholders, noting that the donor-funded project, implemented through Kombiu LLG and the Rabaul District Development Authority, is an indication of strong collaboration and commitment to rural development. Despite the recent environmental hurdles, the project remained on schedule. Mr. Novulu said despite the challenges posed by the effects of Cyclone Malia across the province, the project was delivered in a timely manner, with the drilling and installation works completed within approximately two months. He commended WKB Limited for their efficiency and extended his gratitude to the Office of the ENB Governor, the Rabaul District Development Authority, Kombiu LLG leadership, and the Gelagela community for their cooperation. With the infrastructure now in place, the focus shifts toward governance and long-term viability. He said with the drilling phase now complete; the project will transition into its next stage- strengthening water management systems under the WaSH Management Plan. This phase will involve establishing and training WaSH Committees to ensure the maintenance and sustainability of the new infrastructure. Concurrently, the project is moving into the reticulation stage. This will involve laying pipelines across eight sites within the resettlement area to bring water directly to households. While a separate contractor will be engaged for the technical work, local youths will be mobilized to assist with trench digging and installation. The initiative also features a monitoring and evaluation program and a micro-economic component to help residents leverage the water supply for better health and small-scale livelihood activities. Meanwhile, Mr. Garry Mano emphasized the critical role of LLG WaSH Committees in overseeing the operation and sustainability of the water supply systems within their respective communities. Mr. Nerius Gogor also welcomed the completion of the drilling works, noting that the project aligns with broader regional goals. He said with the recent launch of the Rabaul District 5-Year WaSH Plan, this project will be implemented in line with its framework to ensure effective coordination, sustainability and improved water supply services to the resettlement communities.

Communities around the country at first light Saturday morning stood fast as the trumpet sounded off the “Last Post”, marking Anzac Day as Australia and New Zealand along with Papua New Guinea (PNG) standing by them, remember the sacrifices the Anzac soldiers made on the battle fields of the world.The Anzac Dawn services were held in places of historic military significance across the country from Port Moresby to Wewak, honouring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and reaffirmed the enduring bonds forged through shared history and service. The breadth of these commemorations highlights the extent to which this shared history remains part of communities across PNG.After several days hiking to the site, Australian Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh MP spoke at the Dawn Service in Isurava in honour to those who served on the Kokoda Track during World War II. Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr. Ewen McDonald, made remarks at Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby, along with Australian Defence Force Major General Matt Burr, Commander of 2nd (Australian) Division. “This moment represents a bridge between the present and what was a defining moment in our nations’ shared history. Every year on 25 April, the stillness of the early morning is broken by the same solemn vigil. Australians and New Zealanders come together in the darkness, awaiting the dawn of a new day,” said High Commissioner McDonald.Major General Matt Burr added that Anzac Day in Papua New Guinea reminds that Australia did not fight alone. "Papua New Guinean soldiers, carriers, and villagers stood by Australians, fought shoulder to shoulder, guiding them, supporting them and saving lives. That contribution was decisive, and it is remembered with the deepest gratitude and respect,” said the Major General.Papua New Guinea and Australia continue to stand side by side, as they did during World War II, continuing to develop the strong partnership that was founded in these areas, decades ago.The Dawn Services were held in Manus, Wewak, Mt. Hagen city, Kavieng, Lae city, Isurava, Alotau, Ok Tedi and Port Moresby city.  Picture: Australian Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Matt Keogh MP attended the dawn service at Isurava located in Oro Province, on the Kokoda Track. Credit Defence Imagery

The Rabaul District has received its disaster relief food rations from the Provincial Disaster Office, ensuring that aid reaches affected communities and families across its four Local Level Governments (LLGs). The primary distribution hub at the district headquarters in Kurakakaul received 800 cartons of biscuits and 400 cartons of tin fish. Additional supplies collected from the Provincial Disaster Office included 350 cartons of cooking oil, 1000 cartons of noodles, 144 bales of sugar, and 100 cartons of tea bags, all of which have been mobilized for the relief effort. During a recent District Disaster Committee Meeting, District Administrator Freddy Lemeki expressed his gratitude toward the Provincial Government and the Provincial Disaster Office. He commended the Provincial Administration for their leadership and coordination regarding the relief supplies and related logistics. Mr. Lemeki also extended his thanks to NH Trading Limited and other local business houses for their proactive support in assisting affected families within Rabaul Town and the Malaguna villages. Furthermore, it was revealed that the Rabaul District Development Authority Board has approved K200,000 in disaster relief funding to support the four LLGs. Petrus Maninga, the Deputy District Administrator for Operations, emphasized that the effectiveness of this aid relies heavily on accurate reporting from the ground. “Proper assessments and data are needed currently as these are vital information to help us better serve our people and communities at this time,” said Maninga. The distribution of food rations is being carried out strictly according to the listings of affected families provided by each LLG. Alongside the food aid, the Rabaul District Disease Response team- which includes the District Health Coordinator and Environmental Health Officers, is conducting awareness campaigns regarding disaster-related diseases. Other sectors, including DPI and Fisheries, are also scheduled to provide guidance on the impact of the disaster on local food crops and marine resources.

The Rabaul District Development Authority (DDA) Board has approved K200,000 in disaster relief funds to support its four Local Level Governments (LLGs) following the devastation caused by Cyclone Maila. The decision was finalized during the second-quarter DDA Board meeting held this month at the District Headquarters in Kurakakaul. During a District Disaster Committee meeting held recently, Rabaul District Administrator Freddy Lemeki announced that the funds will be distributed with K60,000 each for Kombiu and Balanataman LLGs, and K40,000 each for Rabaul Urban and Watom Island LLGs. Mr. Lemeki stated that the relief funds will assist in improving accessibility to government services, especially regarding roads, and the distribution of food relief supplies and other immediate necessities. He noted that eleven contractors have been engaged to perform clearance and improve accessibility on roads and severely affected sections in both origin and resettlement areas. Regarding the challenges in the Sikut area, Lemeki stated, “For Sikut, we are just waiting for the river to subside sometimes soon so we can cross the river as we cannot go by bridge due to heavy machineries.” He emphasized that the immediate concerns remain the welfare of affected families, road safety, and ensuring access to health facilities and vital government services. The district has already received food donations including rice, tinned fish, biscuits, and water containers from the Provincial Disaster Office, which have been distributed to families across the four LLGs followed by a second load of supplies. Mr. Lemeki commended the support from the Provincial Government, Provincial Administration, and the Provincial Disaster Office, noting that the district will continue to bolster these efforts through the newly approved funds. Furthermore, Deputy District Administrator for Operations Petrus Maninga, confirmed that the District Health Team and Environmental Health Officers are conducting community awareness programs regarding disaster-related diseases and safety issues.

The Kerevat Correctional Services (CS) in East New Britain province received a significant boost as the Rabaul District Administration officially handed over a brand new 10- seater vehicle dedicated to supporting its rehabilitation programs.The vehicle valued at just over K240, 000 under the District Support Grant (DSG) Former Year’s funding was approved last year and made possible through the District’s Social and Law & Order sector. During the presentation at the district headquarters in Kurakakaul, the member for Rabaul Dr. Allan Marat said that the detainee care and rehabilitation program is a great initiative in providing inmates with a smooth transition back into their communities once they are released. “It is not easy to rehabilitate inmates who have been discharged from prison. It is not easy to correct them,” Marat said. He said that such rehabilitation program aims to help inmates develop vocational skills, mindset and support systems needed to prepare them re-enter society. Dr Marat also commended the District Administration and the District Social Sector for fulfilling the long-anticipated request by CS and added that the rehabilitation program can have a life- changing impact on offenders when it is done right and with the right support. When receiving the vehicle, acting Kerevat CS Commanding Officer, Superintendent John Poris thanked the Rabaul MP and the Rabaul District Administration for the timely assistance. “Thank you, we need this vehicle to help coordinate and carry out our programs effectively, we have a lot of activities, however logistics is still a challenge.” The Kerevat CS Team also expressed their gratitude towards the district by presenting taros, a pig and shell money (tabu) to end the day’s program. Apart from this presentation, a 10-seater vehicle was also presented to Balanataman Local Level Government (LLG) Village Court as well as a dump truck and front-end loader which were received by the district.

Young Papua New Guineans will be able to build practical skills to lead, work and create opportunities through a series of youth- focused short courses launched once again recently.The short courses are hands-on and targeted training for recent university graduates and young professionals to navigate and excel in workplaces, businesses and the community. Over the next 18 months, eight courses will be facilitated by the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia with a focus on applied learning that participants can immediately use. The course are ethical leadership and decision-making, governance, entrepreneurship, digital capabilities, project management, and monitoring and evaluation. While courses will be delivered in Papua New Guinea (PNG) with the aim to support work-ready capacity needs, selected courses will offer study tours in Australia to build networks and gain further insights. Australia and PNG’s close collaboration to supporting young women and men develop skills and build confidence and leadership capability, is essential for individual success, strong institutions, inclusive economic growth and adaptable communities. Participant Ms. Lissah Iruinu noted that the course opened up new possibilities for the future. “The course helped me to gain insights in reasoning, ethical decision-making, and leadership skills for achieving win-win solutions. It also introduced me to three different schools of thought to consider when making decisions. I feel more confident after attending the course, and I can now easily interact with other people,” she said. Beyond networking with potential employers, two standout participants will secure internships with Australia Awards PNG, gaining vital experience and professional connections. These 28 participants (14 women and 14 men), join a prestigious network of over 7,000 alumni driving change across PNG’s public, private, and civil sectors. Applications for the next youth short course intake open in late 2026. More information is available at australiawardspng.org.

The United State President Donald Trump, the First Lady Melania Trump and various members of the cabinet were evacuated at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel after an alleged shooter penetrated security and threatened the life of the President.CNN reports that President Donald Trump was swiftly escorted off stage by Secret Service after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC. Trump, Vice President JD Vance and his Cabinet members are all safe, sources said. Reports state that the shooter has been apprehended. Authorities have identified the suspect as a 30-year-old California man, law enforcement officials told CNN. The President headed back to the White House and will give a news conference soon. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner will be rescheduled within 30 days. The Secret Service will now begin an investigative phase of its response. It will include identifying the shooter, determining their target and potential motive, and analyzing how they were able to penetrate so far into the event.

Every year on the 25th of April, countries around the globe mark World Malaria Day and Papua New Guinea joins the rest this year to commemorate the day with the theme “DRIVEN TO END MALARIA: Now We Can, Now We Must.”Today, the National Department of Health (NDoH) through the Public Health Division in partnership with the National Capital District (NCD) Provincial Health Authority (PHA), World Health Organization (WHO) and Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) commemorated World Malaria Day at the St Peter Chanel Primary School in Port Moresby city. Representatives from the respective organizations spoke on the importance of prevention and treatment. While inspiring stories were shared to the students by the guests on each of their respective roles to raise awareness on prevention and control of this curable disease. Dr. Munir Ahmed, the General Manager for Rotarians Against Malaria, had the students and teachers recite an oath to help as advocators in the campaign against the malaria disease. While Dr. Petronia Kaima, Manager-Communicable Disease from the Department of Health emphasized the importance of prevention. Dr. Kaima said that while Malaria is a curable disease, many Papua New Guineans still do not practice safety and prevention measures, resulting in many experiencing the negative side of not getting treated and obviously end up dying. Dr. Rose Morre, Deputy Director-Public Health from NCD PHA, told the students that it is important to be aware of the implications of malaria when it is not treated immediately. She said, it is sad to know that malaria has become a killer disease even though it is a curable one. The day was also celebrated with students performing creative dance acts and singing, while the school’s teachers had a segment of quiz, with students given the opportunity to answer general and specific questions relating to the Malaria Disease to win mosquito nets given by Rotarians Against Malaria. The Celebrations ended with the staff from the Department of Health conducting a free malaria testing for interest students, staffs and parents that were part of the event.

Sport continues to play a vital role in shaping communities across Papua New Guinea, and few demonstrate this impact more powerfully than Rutha-Meu Omenefa, recipient of the 2025 Westpac Outstanding Women Awards (WOWA) in the Sports & Arts category.Based in Goroka, Rutha-Meu is a committed coach, youth mentor and community leader who uses sport as a tool to build not only talented athletes, but confident, values-driven young people. For her, coaching goes beyond the field; it’s about developing better players and better individuals, while leading by example. “The most rewarding part is seeing young players seek guidance, apply what they’ve learned, and grow into leaders among their peers,” she said. “When they succeed in sport, school and their communities, I know the effort is worthwhile.” Rutha-Meu believes true leadership is rooted in service and sacrifice. Through her coaching, she invests time, trust and encouragement to prepare her players for both competition and life. In her community, leadership means honoring commitments and guiding the next generation with strong values. Reflecting on her 2025 WOWA recognition, she said the award has strengthened her motivation to continue inspiring others particularly young women in rugby league. While the recognition has brought added expectations and scrutiny, she views it as an opportunity to grow. “The award opened doors, built trust and placed a greater responsibility on me to deliver through my work,” she said. “I am passionate about supporting women in Papua New Guinea through sport and believe in the power of collaboration and unity.” Westpac Pacific Managing Director Emma Low said Rutha-Meu embodies the purpose of the awards. “Rutha-Meu represents leadership that drives lasting impact not only through sport, but through mentorship, service and strong values,” Ms. Low said. “Her story highlights how women are transforming communities across Papua New Guinea.” Westpac PNG Chief Executive Andrew Cairns added that her journey sends a strong message to women across the country. “Women in sport and the arts are building confidence, unity and opportunity for the next generation,” Mr. Cairns said. “We encourage communities to recognize and nominate women who are using their talents to create positive change.”

The United States is delivering urgent humanitarian assistance to communities impacted by Tropical Cyclone Maila, one of the most severe storms to hit Papua New Guinea, through a coordinated international response involving New Zealand, Australia, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).Working alongside Papua New Guinea’s National Disaster Center, the joint effort has so far distributed 2,000 emergency supply kits valued at approximately US$142,000 (624,000 PNG kina). The kits include essential household and shelter items such as kitchen sets, plastic tarpaulins, shelter repair materials, and hygiene supplies. Through a coordinated airlift operation, U.S.-funded supplies have reached 325 people across 65 households in some of the country’s most remote and hardest-hit communities. Many of these areas are only accessible by air, making delivery efforts particularly challenging. “The United States stands with the people of Papua New Guinea during this difficult time,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Alex Berenberg. “Our partnership with Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia, and the International Organization for Migration demonstrates our shared commitment to supporting communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila and strengthening disaster resilience across the Pacific.” In Karavia 1 Ward, IOM, in coordination with the Provincial Disaster Centre, distributed 65 non-food item kits to the most affected households. The supplies included sleeping mats, soap, jerrycans, solar lights, blankets, gardening tools, and shelter repair equipment such as hammers, nails, rope, and saws. The Royal New Zealand Air Force played a key role in transporting pre-positioned U.S.-funded relief supplies from Kokopo to Lamaraim and Open Bay, both accessible only by helicopter. This effort delivered 20 kits to Lamaraim and 18 kits to Open Bay for distribution to affected families. The relief items had been pre-positioned in Lae and Kokopo as part of ongoing U.S. disaster preparedness support for Papua New Guinea, allowing rapid deployment immediately after the cyclone struck. Distributions began last week and are continuing as assessments identify further needs. Beyond immediate relief, the United States has also invested in long-term disaster resilience. Since 2023, a US$6 million program implemented through IOM has supported Papua New Guinea’s National Disaster Center, provincial authorities, and local communities. The initiative focuses on improving emergency coordination, information sharing, and preparedness systems to strengthen responses to future disasters. The United States reaffirmed its commitment to working with Papua New Guinea’s government and disaster authorities to ensure coordinated assistance that prioritizes the dignity and needs of affected communities.

Both Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia are working closely to provide essential learning materials to remote communities across PNG.Australia has distributed more than 207, 000 student books and almost 13, 000 guides for teachers. This support has reached a total of 2, 000 schools and more than 160, 000 students. The initiative was made possible through the Partnerships for Improving Education (PIE). Elementary schools in the West Sepik, Central, Enga provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have received books to ensure students and teachers in remote communities are fostering effective teaching and learning. Mrs. Margaret Manda, the Kaipu Elementary School teacher-in-charge in the Kompiam District of Enga province, notes that the lack of books and teacher guides has been an ongoing concern for the community. She expresses her sincere appreciation for the support, emphasizing the value of having both student and teacher resources available. In Bougainville, Mrs. Jacinta Simea of Voniskopo Elementary School, explains that student books and picture dictionaries are age-appropriate and create an enjoyable and conducive learning environment for students. Mr. Paeo Kipalya, a fellow teacher at the school, said that books are the heart of the classroom and key in helping students develop reading and comprehension skills. He expressed gratitude for the continued support to education for children across Papua New Guinea. Communities are encouraged to make reading a regular and enjoyable part of children’s lives – at school and at home – by sharing and donating books, supporting local schools, and nurturing a love of reading.