Twelve (12) Papua New Guinean athletes have left for Manila on Monday afternoon, to compete at the Philippine Open Championships that will be held at Clark City Athletic Stadium today.For several team members including Commonwealth Games hopefuls Daniel Baul, Robert Oa, William Peka and Denlyne Kinbangi, it's their second visit after a successful outing at the same event last year as it is for Ray Kumala Heru.The team also included javelin throwers Lucas Osida and Damien Kote. Leroy Kamau will be out to prove his readiness for the Commonwealth Games whilst the in- form Jiuteis Robinson will get another shot at the 1500m national record.For female middle- and long-distance runners Heru, Joyline Eric and Mary-Kate Pais, it’s a step along the way in their development towards next year's Pacific Games.With the Olympic Youth Games being held later this year in Dakar in Senegal, PNG has been granted a quote of one male athlete in the 100m. Port Moresby based Kabake Lansana is being prepared for this event following his dominant performances in the U20 division at last year's NCD Championships and this Championships will give him his first taste of international competition.Mike Smith is the team manager, and he will share coaching responsibilities with Rellie Kaputin.

Minister for Energy and Member for Kairuku, Peter Namea Isoaimo, officially launched the OFKAI Cooperative at Latsi in Inawi Village, Ward 7 of the Mekeo Rural Local Level Government in the Central province on Saturday, June 6.The event marked a significant occasion for the people of Kairuku as Minister Isoaimo returned to his electorate after spending three months on sick leave. His arrival at Bereina town and later at Latsi was met with overwhelming emotion, with many constituents shedding tears as they welcomed back their Open Member and Minister for Energy.Community members, leaders, and supporters gathered in large numbers to witness the launch of the cooperative, which is expected to promote economic empowerment and community-driven development within the area.During his address, Minister Isoaimo praised OFKAI Cooperative Chairman Peter Ofoi for his leadership and commitment to community development. He encouraged the people of Kairuku to emulate Mr. Ofoi's example and take greater ownership of development initiatives.“Look at what Peter Ofoi has done through the OFKAI Cooperative and follow his example. Development begins with individuals who are willing to work hard and create opportunities for their communities,” Minister Isoaimo said.Ward 7 Councillor Andrew Maino echoed the Minister's sentiments, urging local communities to make better use of the support provided by their elected leaders.“The Minister has continuously provided financial support to our people, but often we fail to grow and sustain the assistance that is given. We must learn to build on the opportunities and support provided to us,” Councillor Maino said.The launch of the OFKAI Cooperative is expected to create new opportunities for local participation in business activities, agriculture, and community development projects, while promoting self-reliance and sustainable economic growth throughout the Kairuku District.

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Genesis Ketan.Genesis was a respected journalist, leader, mentor, and a cherished member of the PNGFM family. Throughout her distinguished career, she served in various news leadership roles within our organization, including News Editor for NAU FM and Legend FM, before becoming News Director of PNGFM and PNG Hausbung. She dedicated many years to journalism, helping shape the stories that informed our nation and mentoring the next generation of media professionals.Beyond her professional achievements, Genesis will be remembered for her kindness, strength of character, unwavering commitment to excellence, and her genuine care for those around her. She was a passionate advocate for journalism, a leader within the media industry, and a source of encouragement and inspiration to many.Her passing leaves a deep void within our PNGFM family and across Papua New Guinea's media community. We are grateful for the privilege of having worked alongside her and for the lasting impact she made on our organization and on countless lives.On behalf of the Board, Management, and Staff of PNGFM Limited, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Genesis's family, loved ones, friends, and all who knew her. During this time of sorrow, may you find comfort in the memories you shared, strength in the love that surrounds you, and peace in knowing that her legacy will continue to live on through the many lives she touched.Genesis will be greatly missed, fondly remembered, and never forgotten.

The video of a little girl being abused by an adult that is circulating on social media platforms, has caught the attention of the National Office for Child and Family Services (NOCFS). In a statement released by the NOCFS, the Chief Executive Officer Mr. Jerry Wap, said they are working with police to ensure the suspect involved in abusing a girl in Porgera in Enga Province, is arrested and charged for child abuse.Mr. Wap said the video went viral on social media platforms over the weekend showing a girl, about four-years-old, being threatened by an unidentified man, who had filmed the child and forced her to pack her clothes and leave the house she was residing in.He strongly condemned the incident saying no child in Papua New Guinea should be allowed to go through such situation.“When I was notified of the video over the weekend, I had immediately written to the Police Commissioner, the Enga Provincial Police Commander and the Police Station Commander for Porgera, expressing my concern over the incident and called for the immediate arrest of the offenders,” Mr. Wap said.“As the office that is mandated to protect the rights and interests of PNG children, we have also laid a formal complaint with the police regarding the incident.”“Our Child Protection Officer in Porgera is also working with police to ensure the child is assessed and protected from further abuse and harm,” he said.What had happened in the video is unlawful and totally contradicts the Lukautim Pikinini Act (2015), the primary law that protects children in the country and which the NOCFS administers.Mr. Wap said the child in the video has been verbally, emotionally and psychologically abused by the suspect.“No child in the country should endure this kind of treatment because it is not only against the law, but it will also affect their immediate and long-term health and physical, emotional and psychological development,” Mr. Wap said.“As the office in charge of the welfare and well-being of PNG children, we will not sit idly and allow this kind of abuse to take place in our homes, communities and society,” he said.Mr. Wap said despite NOCFS’s limited resources and manpower, abuses reported to the office or captured on social media platforms will be swiftly investigated with the help of its partners and perpetrators implicated will be dealt with by law.

Papua New Guinea’s Mineral Resources Authority has warned that the submarine volcano in the Bismarck Sea is still active, with pumice washing ashore in parts of Manus Province and tsunami risk remaining above normal.The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory said the eruption at Titan Ridge Volcano, in the north-central Bismarck Sea, continued between June 2 and June 4. The volcano is located at 3.0848° South, 147.8649° East.A single steaming patch was still producing fumes reaching up to about 5,000 metres, while a large area of submarine sediment and pumice remained visible at sea.Thick pumice rafts are now surrounding and washing up on islands in the Admiralty group, including Baluan and Lou. Boat operators have been warned to limit use of outboard motors inside pumice patches because blocked water intakes can quickly overheat engines and damage pumps.The observatory said people travelling by sea should carry paddles, sail material, drinking water and tell others their destination and expected arrival time before departure.Seismic activity has been low, with no recorded earthquakes since a magnitude 5 event on May 30. Hydroacoustic noise linked to the eruption rose again after May 27, then began declining during the latest reporting period.The observatory said the eruption appeared to have started on May 8, slowed around May 24 to May 28, then resumed. Further pauses may occur, but volcanic activity is expected to continue.The risk of tsunami generation remains above normal. Pumice rafts may also disrupt small boats and local maritime traffic.The MRA said the pumice should not affect fish stocks because it has already travelled at least 75 kilometres and has been rinsed by seawater. Fish caught alive and healthy are considered safe, but people have been warned not to eat dead fish found floating or washed ashore.The public has also been urged to share the full situation report and avoid unverified social media posts, including images from other locations and AI-generated material.Papua New Guinea lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has several active volcanic systems across New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville, Manus and surrounding seas. The Titan Ridge eruption adds another reminder of the country’s exposure to both land-based and submarine volcanic hazards.

Police in Wewak, East Sepik Province, are investigating the death of a man following an alleged assault that occurred over the weekend.East Sepik Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Christopher Tamari confirmed that Richmond Aaron died on Sunday at Boram Provincial Hospital after sustaining serious injuries during an incident that allegedly took place in the early hours of Saturday.Superintendent Tamari said relatives of the deceased lodged a formal complaint with police, identifying several persons alleged to have been involved in the incident.Among those identified was the son of Wewak MP Stanley Samban.According to Superintendent Tamari, MP Samban contacted police and informed them that his son would be surrendered to authorities to assist with investigations.The MP later travelled to Wewak and handed his son, along with other persons of interest, over to police.According to initial police reports, the deceased and the primary suspect were relatives, and the incident allegedly arose from a family dispute at a residence in Kreer Valley.Police allege the deceased was found in a compromising situation involving a female relative, which led to a confrontation during which he sustained serious injuries.The injured man was transported to Boram Provincial Hospital, where he later died while receiving medical treatment.During the surrender, MP Samban said no individual should be placed above the law.“No one is above the law, and I will not protect my son using my position. I am not condoning the matter. Law is for everyone, and anyone who breaches laws must be dealt with accordingly,” he said.Superintendent Tamari commended the MP for cooperating with police and assisting officers with the investigation.“He is a true leader who takes law and order seriously,” Superintendent Tamari said.The Provincial Police Commander said investigations are continuing and police are preparing to lay appropriate charges against those found to have been involved.Police have urged members of the public to allow the investigation process to proceed while inquiries remain ongoing.

Residents in the nation's capital city will now have easier access to specialist medical care thanks to a new partnership between the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority (NCDPHA) and Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH).By expanding specialist internal medicine services directly to the Metoreia Urban Health Centre, this initiative builds on an existing agreement between the two healthcare providers to bring expert treatment right into the community and ease the pressure on the main hospital.Driven by a desire to help, Dr. Willie Toua, a Specialist in Internal Medicine at PMGH and a proud son of Hanuabada, decided to extend his clinic to the Metoreia facility specifically to shorten the long wait times for stroke patients at PMGH.According to Clinic Manager Regina Wuri, this new setup brings a much-needed boost to local healthcare delivery.“Dr. Toua will conduct weekly Tuesday clinics at MUHC alongside NCDPHA’s Internal Medicine Physician, Dr. Mary Kaevakore,” she explained, noting that the collaboration is a major step forward for patients living in the Motu Koitabu villages and surrounding areas.“We are grateful for Dr. Toua’s commitment to extend his services to our clinic,” said HEO Wuri. “This initiative will greatly benefit our patients and communities who often face challenges accessing specialist care at PMGH, " she added.Looking ahead, the NCDPHA and the Metoreia health team plan to open a dedicated Lifestyle Clinic to give residents a convenient, local pathway to manage their health.The health center will also host community outreach programs and free health screenings to tackle the rising number of lifestyle-related illnesses. Praising the joint effort, NCDPHA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robin Oge emphasized that this teamwork is essential for building a stronger, more accessible health system.“This partnership reflects our commitment to bringing specialist services closer to the people,” Dr. Oge said, adding that by working with PMGH and dedicated professionals like Dr. Toua and Dr. Kaevakore, we are strengthening our health system and ensuring that communities have access to quality care.“We welcome the support of partners to sustain this initiative and reduce the burden of lifestyle diseases in our villages,” said Dr. Oge.To ensure the long-term success of the program, the NCDPHA is calling on local partners and stakeholders to pitch in so that communities across the Motu Koitabu villages and the wider National Capital District can achieve better health together.

A Community Policing program was officially launched at Nine-Mile Police Station on Monday June 8th as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen police engagement with communities and support crime prevention initiatives within the National Capital District and Central Province Command.NCD and Central Commander, Assistant Commissioner Benjamin Turi, said Community Policing remains a key policing strategy and has directed police stations throughout the command to establish similar programs within their respective areas of operation.Commander Turi said the newly established Community Policing team at Nine-Mile Police Station will work closely with residents, schools, market management and community leaders to conduct awareness activities and promote community safety.He said while other police divisions continue their operational responsibilities, Community Policing officers will focus on building partnerships between police and communities to address law and order issues.Commander Turi acknowledged NCD Metropolitan Operations Superintendent Chief Inspector Tobby Hamago, who officially launched the program, and said he would work closely with the team in implementing its planned activities.The Commander also addressed the 45 volunteers identified to support policing activities in the Nine Mile and Bomana areas.He encouraged the volunteers to carry out their responsibilities ethically and within the scope of the Community Policing program.“I thank the volunteers for raising their hands to work with the police to ensure their respective areas are safe,” Commander Turi said.He said the volunteers should wear their issued uniforms with pride while maintaining the standards expected of those supporting police initiatives.Commander Turi also thanked corporate sponsors and community leaders for supporting the program through donations of T-shirts, a tent and other logistical items to assist the Community Policing team.The launch forms part of broader efforts by the NCD/Central Command to strengthen partnerships between police and communities in addressing crime and improving public safety.

Australia is actively supporting Papua New Guinea as the country accelerates its shift toward climate-resilient development, with Morobe Province recently taking a major step forward. A two-day Climate-Resilient Green Growth (CRGG) Strategy Validation Workshop was held in Lae under the Australia-funded Climate Finance Initiative for Resilience and a Sustainable Transition (Climate FIRST) project, reinforcing Australia’s strong partnership with PNG on climate change adaptation. Convened by the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) alongside the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the event brought together provincial leaders, national government agencies, development partners, and private sector representatives to validate Morobe’s CRGG Strategy and prioritize key investments for sustainable growth. Participants backed climate-resilient efforts across the agriculture, transport, and water sectors, while mapping out a pipeline of projects—including renewable energy, climate-proof infrastructure, and improved waste and water management systems—to be developed into bankable investments by 2027.This milestone in Morobe builds on earlier progress in the Eastern Highlands, where stakeholders recently endorsed their own Eastern Highlands CRGG Strategy 2026–2032, making them one of the first provinces to build climate resilience and green growth directly into local planning and budgeting. Together, these achievements show the growing momentum of locally led climate action across PNG, highlighting how vital it is to empower provinces to identify their own priorities, build strong investment pipelines, and access climate finance for long-term survival. The Climate FIRST project stands as an Australian-supported flagship climate resilience program implemented by GGGI PNG to help the country access vital climate funding. As provinces like Morobe and Eastern Highlands continue to advance their green growth strategies, PNG is building a coordinated, nationwide approach to climate-resilient development, ensuring the entire country is much better prepared for the environmental challenges ahead.

The country's push towards a greener and more sustainable economy gained momentum following the successful conclusion of the Green Finance Summit 2026, which attracted 240 delegates, speakers and participants from across the Asia-Pacific region.Held from May 27 to 28, the summit brought together government agencies, financial institutions, development partners and industry leaders under the theme "Greening Papua New Guinea's Financial Systems."Bank of Papua New Guinea Governor Elizabeth Genia described the two-day event as a collaborative success, saying the discussions demonstrated that the country is well positioned to attract growing international investment while building a more resilient economy.Governor Genia said the summit highlighted the increasing commitment of commercial banks and private sector stakeholders towards green finance initiatives.She noted that despite the country's challenges, Papua New Guinea has significant opportunities to work alongside international partners committed to supporting sustainable development.A key message from the summit came from Chairman of the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment, Dr Ma Jun, who said Papua New Guinea has the potential to become a regional leader in green finance.He told delegates that PNG could serve as a model for Pacific nations implementing green finance policy frameworks, emphasizing the need for regional cooperation to address shared economic and environmental challenges.Governor Genia said collaboration remains essential to driving investment that supports climate resilience and sustainable economic growth.She added that the summit provided an important platform for practical discussions and solutions already making a positive impact across the Pacific region.Several major outcomes were achieved during the summit, including progress towards implementing the Inclusive Green Finance Taxonomy, Environmental and Social Risk Management guidelines, and Green Lending Reporting systems.A grant agreement was also signed with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) to operationalize the Green Guarantee Facility.In another significant development, BPNG, AFD and the Global Green Growth Institute signed a Letter of Intent to explore an additional EUR15 million, approximately K75 million, to support future green finance initiatives.Delegates also witnessed a commitment between the National Energy Authority and BPNG to operationalize a Renewable Energy Facility, while a new Green Finance Academy was launched to strengthen local expertise in sustainable finance.Preparations are also underway for the launch of a National Centralized Climate Investment Database aimed at improving coordination and investment tracking.Governor Genia acknowledged the support of the National Government, development partners, regional central banks and international financial institutions for helping advance Papua New Guinea's green finance agenda.She said the true measure of success would not be the agreements signed or meetings held, but whether communities become more resilient, the financial system becomes stronger, and the economy is better prepared for future challenges.Governor Genia urged stakeholders to maintain the momentum generated by the summit, stressing the need for urgency, purpose and continued collaboration in building a sustainable future for Papua New Guinea.

The Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia are working together to make sure children with disabilities are better included in schools and communities.This partnership focuses on making it easier for children to get the right help and ensuring they can access assistive technology like wheelchairs or hearing aids. The new project comes after a meeting in Port Moresby in February 2026, where staff from Inclusive Education Resource Centres (IERCs) explained that the current system is too confusing and that children need a clearer way to get help and tools.To fix these problems, the two countries are focusing on two main goals: mapping out the best ways for different departments to work together and making it easier to buy and deliver helpful equipment. This work aims to fix old gaps in the system, show everyone exactly what their jobs are, and give children steady support.Research shows that just giving out equipment is not enough to solve the problem. To truly help, the whole system needs to work smoothly from start to finish, including finding the children who need help, checking their needs, fitting the equipment, training them how to use it, and checking in on them later. Without all of these steps, children might get tools that do not fit them or that they cannot use properly.Assistant Secretary Arnold Koima from the National Department of Education’s Inclusive Education Unit said the initiative addresses critical system gaps.“This work tackles two of the most pressing challenges we have faced over the years, how children are connected to services, and how assistive devices are delivered consistently. Strengthening these systems will help lay the foundation for more inclusive education outcomes across the country,” Mr. Koima said.Looking ahead, IERC Coordinator, Ludmilla Wakolen also emphasized the importance of simplifying processes.

The Welfare Section of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary has completed a two-week rural outreach program across Central and Gulf provinces, concluding its final visit at Malalaua Police Station in Gulf Province on June 4.The outreach program saw welfare officers visit ten police stations, providing practical guidance to police spouses and children on welfare rights, responsibilities and support services available through the Constabulary.Stations visited during the program included Moreguina, Kupiano, Upulima, Kwikila, Sogeri, 15 Mile, Doa, Bereina, the Gulf Provincial Police Headquarters in Kerema and Malalaua.Throughout the outreach, the Welfare Team conducted awareness sessions covering a range of topics affecting police families.Among the key areas discussed was the importance of maintaining updated records of service to ensure spouses and dependents can access benefits such as health insurance, accommodation, life insurance cover, leave entitlements and final employment benefits.Families were also educated on domestic violence, child protection, financial literacy and welfare support services available through the RPNGC.The team encouraged families experiencing domestic issues to seek assistance through the Police Welfare Office and highlighted legal protections available for women and children.Financial literacy sessions focused on long-term financial planning, including information on Nambawan Super products such as Voluntary Contributions, Retirement Savings Accounts and Choice Super.Participants welcomed the outreach initiative, with many saying it was the first time officers from Police Headquarters had visited their communities to discuss welfare issues affecting police families.“This is the first time a team from Police Headquarters has come to us in the rural areas educating us on the reality of what is faced by many families in the barracks. We now understand where to seek help and how our welfare concerns can be addressed,” one participant said.A key outcome of the outreach was the collection of data on police officers living with chronic illnesses and families requiring legal documentation to formalize marriages.The information gathered will assist the Welfare Section in planning future support programs, including marriage ceremonies to be conducted in provinces by RPNGC chaplains who are certified marriage celebrants.The outreach program forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure police families are recognized and supported for their role in maintaining the wellbeing and effectiveness of serving police officers.RPNGC Welfare officers said strengthening family welfare remains an important component of building a resilient and professional police force.