Internal investigations carried out by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNG) in Eastern Highlands Province (EHP) have resulted in multiple arrests, charges, and court referrals involving both police officers and civilians.The Constabulary’s Internal Affairs Division recently submitted a detailed report to police leadership outlining the outcomes of investigations conducted following violent clashes in Goroka during the 2025 academic year, particularly those linked to unrest at the University of Goroka.Acting Commissioner of Police Samson Kua said the investigations were prompted by numerous complaints lodged against Goroka Police at the height of the clashes, leading to the deployment of an independent and impartial Internal Affairs team from Port Moresby.He said the Internal Affairs team temporarily suspended both the Provincial Police Commander and the Goroka Police Station Commander while investigations were carried out and also extended inquiries to complaints raised by civilians.The two senior officers have since resumed their duties; however, their cases remain under review by the Internal Affairs Division.As part of the investigations, three men, identified as Barnabas Simahe, Neriso Philip, and Jerson Baina, were arrested and charged for Unlawful Assault under Section 6(3) of the Summary Offence Act. Each was fined K2,000, with a default sentence of two years’ imprisonment.Two additional civilians, Keith Kitika and Ricky Gahaizo, were arrested and charged for Unlawful Assembly under Section 64 of the PNG Criminal Code Act. Their cases are currently pending before the committal court.Acting Commissioner Kua explained that while many individuals were involved in the violence, only five suspects were arrested because they were clearly identified by witnesses who came forward to assist investigators.He said several students implicated in the clashes could not be apprehended as they had discontinued their studies and returned to their home provinces, but investigations will continue when they resume classes.“These results indicate the positive actions taken by the Constabulary in dealing with offences committed at the height of the University of Goroka clashes, resulting in injuries, destruction to properties and suspension of clashes for the 2025 academic year,” Kua said.The Internal Affairs Division also investigated reports of police misconduct connected to the discovery of a male body in the Yonki Dam on October 25, 2025.During the investigation, the Rural Police Station Commander assigned to the case was attacked by local residents, which escalated into a retaliatory police response that resulted in looting and destruction of property at the Agamore Market.Acting Commissioner Kua said two male suspects, a PNG Power employee and a police reservist, were arrested and charged with willful murder.In addition, nine members of Kainantu Police were arrested and served with serious disciplinary charges for their involvement in looting and destroying the Agamore Market.He added that four more police officers linked to the Yonki homicide investigation are currently under Internal Affairs scrutiny and will be arrested soon.A separate case involved a police reservist accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a man from Kimiyau Village in Goroka. The accused, Reserve Constable Richard Gotaha, was arrested and charged by Internal Affairs investigators, and the matter is now before the committal court.Mr. Kua commended members of the Internal Affairs Division for enforcing the law firmly and upholding discipline and ethical standards within the Constabulary in Eastern Highlands Province.He said such actions are critical to rebuilding public trust and confidence in policing, not only in Eastern Highlands Province but across the country.

The Sir Brian Bell Foundation and The Fred Hollows Foundation PNG have announced a new strategic partnership aimed at strengthening eye care services and training in Papua New Guinea (PNG).The collaboration will focus on expanding the country’s eye care workforce and supporting the establishment of the PNG Centre for Eye Health, which is scheduled to open in Port Moresby in late 2026. PNG has one of the highest rates of avoidable blindness and vision impairment in the world, and the highest recorded rate in the pacific. A national survey conducted in 2017 found that 5.6 per cent of people aged over 50 are blind, while a further 21.1 per cent live with some form of vision impairment. An estimated 90 per cent of these cases are preventable or treatable. Despite this, access to eye care remains limited due to a shortage of trained specialists, insufficient healthcare infrastructure, and the challenges of reaching remote and rural communities. At the same time, the country continues to face rising cases of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes. Poorly managed diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy, a condition that causes irreversible vision loss if left untreated. The current lack of diabetic retinopathy services, corrective eyewear and low-vision devices, places people living with diabetes at significant risk of blindness. Under the new partnership, the two foundations will contribute to addressing these challenges by supporting the development of local eye care professionals. As part of this commitment, the Sir Brian Bell Foundation will fund the training of three eye care nurses each year for the next three years through the Advanced Diploma in Eye Care program at Divine Word University. The initiative builds on more than two decades of training support by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, which, through its local presence, has helped train 141 eye nurses and clinicians and 12 eye doctors who now staff clinics and outreach services across the country. Chief Executive Officer of the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, Bronwyn Wright, said the partnership is focused on ensuring people receive treatment earlier and closer to their communities. “With PNG’s population projected to exceed 21 million by 2050, the need for trained eye care professionals, accessible services, and long-term infrastructure will only continue to grow and we’re proud to help build that capacity,” Wright said. The partnership also supports the construction of the PNG Centre for Eye Health, a purpose-built eye care training and service facility currently under development by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ and its local partners. The centre is being built on the shared grounds of Port Moresby General Hospital and the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Medical and Health Sciences. It will expand training opportunities for eye care professionals and provide specialised services, including the country’s first dedicated diabetic retinopathy clinic and paediatric ophthalmology services. In addition, the centre will support research, innovation, coordination, and leadership across the eye health sector. Chief Executive Officer of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, Dr Audrey Aumua, said the impact of the partnership will extend beyond health outcomes. “Restoring sight allows adults to return to work, enables children to stay in school, and takes pressure off families. Through this partnership, real progress is being made toward ensuring that preventable blindness no longer limits the potential of individuals or communities,” she said. “Together, the two foundations are investing in practical, locally led solutions to build a stronger eye healthcare system for Papua New Guinea.” Both organisations have longstanding ties to PNG. The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ continues the work of the late Professor Fred Hollows, an internationally recognised eye surgeon and social justice advocate. The Sir Brian Bell Foundation carries forward the philanthropic legacy of Sir Brian Bell, whose contributions supported community development across the country.

Five men from Enga Province have been arrested and formally charged for threatening, obstructing, and assaulting police officers while they were attending to a complaint in Hohola, Port Moresby.The Commander of the National Capital District and Central Provinces, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Turi, confirmed that the incident occurred on Tuesday while police officers from Hohola Police Station were responding to a report made by a woman concerning a land dispute.Commander Turi explained that police were called to a residence in Hohola Five, where several men were allegedly attempting to forcibly remove a deceased man’s wife and children from the property in order to claim ownership of the land. Police attended the scene to address the complaint and mediate the situation.During police intervention, one of the suspects, who had flown in from Enga Province, became aggressive toward the officers. The situation escalated when the man physically assaulted a senior police officer by tearing off his uniform and fighting with other officers who were present at the scene.Commander Turi said police used reasonable force to restrain the suspect and took him into custody at Hohola Police Station, where he was detained.Following his detention, four other men arrived at the police station demanding his release. Commander Turi explained that the group confronted the officer-in-charge, argued with him, issued threats, and continued insisting that the detained suspect be released.When their behavior persisted, police arrested the four men and placed them in custody.The five men were later formally charged with various offenses and detained to appear in court once their files are finalized.Addressing the seriousness of the incident, Commander Turi emphasized that such actions would not be tolerated under his command.“The actions of the men are totally unacceptable in my command. Tearing the uniforms of the police officers while performing their duty is very serious; even arguing with on-duty police officers at the police station while they are doing their job is also wrong. Port Moresby is the capital city of Papua New Guinea, and if someone is found to be disrespecting the police officers, we will deal with them accordingly,” Turi stressed.

Leaders in the Middle Fly District of Western Province have reaffirmed their commitment to education and community development with the extension of a key partnership between the Middle Fly District Development Authority (DDA) and the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF). On 6th January at the OTDF office in Kiunga, the two organizations signed a new Memorandum of Understanding, extending their collaboration through to December 2026. The agreement secures continued scholarship funding and development support aligned with the district’s broader priorities. Currently 208 students from Middle Fly are receiving financial support through the programme to study at various tertiary and vocational institutions. This initiative has opened opportunities for young people to gain valuable skills that can contribute to local development. At the signing event, Middle Fly Member of Parliament Maso Hewabi and Middle Fly DDA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Petrus Malongim, underscored the importance of education as a long-term investment in the district’s future. Hewabi praised OTDF’s efforts over the past two years, noting the positive impact increased access to education has had on families across the region. OTDF Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Andrew Mari highlighted the partnership’s accountability measures, stating that all funds provided by the DDA are dedicated solely to student scholarships, while OTDF covers its own administrative expenses to ensure transparency. The renewed agreement reflects a shared vision to empower more young people from Middle Fly through education and to support broader community development efforts. With this strengthened partnership, both organizations aim to deliver sustainable benefits for residents throughout the district.

The Miss Bird of Paradise Papua New Guinea (MBoP PNG) Committee has acknowledged LJ Hooker Papua New Guinea for its support of the pageant, following the company’s role as Major Sponsor of the 2025 Miss Bird of Paradise Crowning Night.In a statement issued on Friday 9th 2025, the committee said the partnership dates back to the early stages of the pageant, when LJ Hooker PNG sponsored one of its first contestants during the organization’s initial months of operation. The committee said the continued support, culminating in LJ Hooker PNG’s major sponsorship of the 2025 crowning event, reflected a partnership built on shared values and long-term commitment. According to the committee, the sponsorship has supported the pageant’s objectives, including the promotion of leadership among young women, advocacy for the educational rights of children with disabilities, and expanded participation from districts and provinces across the country. The committee also acknowledged LJ Hooker PNG’s contribution to supporting small and large businesses through engagement with the pageant platform. In the same statement, the Miss Bird of Paradise PNG Committee congratulated LJ Hooker PNG Chief Executive Officer Karan Rana on his appointment as Honorary Trade Commissioner of the India Commonwealth Trade Council in Papua New Guinea, describing the appointment as recognition of his leadership and role in strengthening international business links. The committee said it looks forward to the continued partnership.

A man accused of involvement in the killing of a 26-year-old man in Wapenamanda District has voluntarily surrendered to police.Acting Commissioner of Police Samson Kua confirmed the suspect surrendered on January 13 and is now in police custody in Wabag, where he is facing a murder charge. The suspect’s identity has been withheld. Police allege that the victim, Aitawe Nap, a 26-year-old student from the Paliu Tribe of Pipi village in Wabag, was travelling in a Land Cruiser utility on December 31st, 2025, when he was ambushed and killed during an incident linked to an ongoing tribal conflict in Wapenamanda District. Acting Commissioner Kua said six suspects were identified following increased security operations in the area late last year, funded by the government. He said community and tribal leaders were informed and asked to assist police by encouraging suspects to surrender. He said the unconditional surrender followed sustained efforts by the Enga Provincial Police Command, led by Acting PPC Chief Inspector Kelly Sombe. The Acting Commissioner has appealed to leaders of the Yakuman and Miok tribes to assist police by ensuring the remaining five suspects surrender to authorities to face the law. Police say investigations into Mr. Nap’s death are continuing.

The Provincial Member and Governor for Madang Province, Ramsey Pariwa has announced that he will be sending another batch of students from the province to study in India after he was impressed with the academic performance of the first batch of students selected from Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) to study in India.Governor Pariwa was in India during the New Year festive period when he visited Madang students studying in two universities namely Karunya University and Kalasingam University. Upon his visit to the two universities, he was informed that the FODE students from Madang had done exceptionally well in their first semester and all of them would be continuing on to the next semester this year. Governor Pariwa's trip to India was arranged by the National Education Department through the Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) secretariat because Madang has a big number of FODE students studying in India.  Furthermore, Governor Pariwa is the first in the country to consider FODE in selecting twenty top students last year from all six districts to travel to study in India. During his meet and greet session with the Madang students in India, Governor Pariwa said the main aim for him to send them purposely to India was to attain similar knowledge and skills academically like their counterparts from India, so when they return home after completing their studies abroad, they would help him develop Madang Province. He stated that he is so proud of them for doing well in their studies during the first semester and said they are good ambassadors of Madang and Papua New Guinea. He further encouraged them not to worry about their fees as it was his job to find money to support their studies. Governor Pariwa said the next batch of Madang FODE students will be travelling to India in July this year and the number might increase. The delegation that went to India included the Madang Provincial Education Director, Alphonse Igag, and the Governor’s First Secretary, Francis Tavatuna, who accompanied the Deputy Secretary of Education and the National FODE Principal to visit STEM and FODE students in Karunya University and Kalasingam University. Madang Provincial Education Director Alphonse Igag, who was also impressed with the results, extended encouragement to the students to focus more on their studies and do well academically since they would be setting the benchmark for FODE in the country. Their stories in their academy journey is a testament of a visionary leadership set by Governor Pariwa in the education sector in Madang Province. During the visit Governor Pariwa also discussed with various universities in India to send more FODE and STEM students from Madang. Under the leadership of Governor Pariwa, Madang province will continue to support fees for Sir Peter Barter Tertiary Education Scholarship Program and FODE this year.

PNG Hekari FC has flown out to Auckland, New Zealand as they aim to make history in the inaugural OFC Professional League especially when the Papua New Guinea champions are set to face Solomon Kings in their opening match this weekend.The tournament marks the first fully professional club competition in Oceania and represents a major step forward for both the club and PNG football. The Red Army will open their campaign on Sunday 18th of January 2026 against the Solomon Kings, before facing Tahiti United and South Melbourne in the opening round of fixtures. The tournament brings together top clubs from across the Oceania region and will be staged entirely in Auckland. Hekari FC General Manager Wira Wama said the team is well prepared for the challenge after an intensive 12-week training program. “Our OFC Pro League campaign officially kicks off on Sunday when we take on the Solomon Kings. I have full confidence and trust in the players and the coaching staff,” Wama said. “We have an experienced technical team that is ready to deliver for the club and for the country.” Head Coach, Marcos Gusmão of Brazil echoed those sentiments, describing the team’s preparation as thorough and encouraging. “We have been preparing for almost three months. The training has been good, and the players have blended well and understand each other’s combinations. They are ready to compete at Pro League level,” Gusmão said. Technical coach Jerry Sam and assistant coach Jerry Allan, brothers from the Solomon Islands, said their familiarity with Solomon Islands football would be an advantage, particularly in the opening match. “We are confident in the team. The preparation has been really good, and we know the strengths of a few players from the Solomon Islands side, who we will be watching closely,” they said. Team captain Dave Tomare said it was an honour to lead the side in its first OFC Pro League campaign. “I am humbled and honoured to be appointed captain. I thank the coaching staff, management and players for their trust and support,” Tomare said. “We have been waiting for this moment, and it finally arrives on Sunday.” Wama also acknowledged the club’s major sponsors—Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), Petroleum Resources Kutubu (PRK) and Kutubu Security Services (KSS)—for their long-standing support. “They have played a vital role in the growth and development of Hekari PNG over the past 22 years and continue to support sport and community development across the country,” he said. He further paid tribute to club founders John Kapi Nato and Vonnie Kapi Nato for their vision and leadership. “Competing in the OFC Pro League is a milestone achievement for the club and for Papua New Guinea. It gives our local players the opportunity to experience football at a higher level and on a bigger stage,” Wama said. Hekari PNG FC left for Auckland this morning and will complete their final preparations ahead of Sunday’s opening match.

Femili PNG will receive additional support under Australia's new initiative, Pacific Strong which is focused on, “Amplifying Action to End Violence Against Women and Girls” (PAVE).This was communicated by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on 25 November 2025, coinciding with International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The PAVE initiative aims to strengthen crisis response services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and child abuse in the Pacific region. In Papua New Guinea, the funding will be channelled through the PNG Women Lead Program to enhance the crisis response services at Femili PNG's Goroka Case Management Centre. Femili PNG CEO, Daisy Plana, welcomed the support, stating that it would significantly improve their ability to provide essential services to survivors. “This support enables us to respond more effectively to gender‑based violence and child abuse, ensuring survivors can access counselling, safe accommodation, medical care, and justice.” The PAVE program is a five-year regional effort designed to improve the quality and accessibility of support services for GBV survivors across nine Pacific Island nations: Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Foreign Minister Wong emphasized that the initiative would help create safer families and more resilient societies across the region.

The Inland Pipeline Landowners’ Association (IPL LOA) has donated K50,000 worth of essential medical drugs to four rural health facilities within the Ramu NiCo Project area in Madang province with the aim to improve access to basic healthcare services for local communities during this time of hardship.The medicines were bought through the Association's Community Development Fund (CDF) and delivered to the Buksak Aid Post, Ono Aid Post, Naru Aid Post, and Walium Health Centre. Each aid post received K12,000 worth of medicines, while Walium Health Centre received K14,000. These medicines are vital drugs used to treat common illness and save lives.The decision to support these facilities was made by IPL LOA Chairman Mr. Yaune Kasime and his Executive Committee, recognizing the important role these health centres play in serving the people. Even though the facilities are not covered under the current Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the leaders chose to act and help meet urgent health needs.The CDF program has been supervised by the Ramu NiCo Community Affairs Department since 2020, under the guidance of Deputy Superintendent Mr. Kuipa Tonny. The Department ensures that all funds are used transparently and in line with community priorities.This initiative shows IPL LOA’s strong commitment to social responsibility and community wellbeing.

The Morobe off-season rugby league competition is more than just a fight for trophies—it’s a launchpad for raw talents across Papua New Guinea (PNG).John Milba, Morobe Challenge Coordinator for the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) Ipatas Cup, said the tournament brings together teams from across the provinces, with winners advancing to a knockout-style national final. “Each province runs its own challenge, giving players from rural areas a chance to compete at a high level and showcase their skills,” he said.The competition also introduces new players to the finals, giving them exposure in front of large crowds. “It’s an opportunity for first-time finalists to be noticed and take their game to the next level,” Milba added.Described as PNG’s biggest off-season rugby league tournament, the event tests skill, stamina, and teamwork, while giving players a chance to impress professional scouts. For Milba, the goal is simple: provide every player with a platform to excel and help grow rugby league in PNG.

Westpac PNG has a new Head of Corporate and Commercial Banking; the announcement made just this week to the bank's customers and clients.Westpac PNG on Monday 12th January announced the appointment of Mr. Patrick Wright as the new Head, promoted from his previous role as Treasurer. Patrick’s career with Westpac Group began in 2007 in Financial Markets, followed by key roles and international experience in London as an FX Trader. After a brief hiatus pursuing a degree in Nutritional Medicine and working in sports coaching and athlete career transitions, Patrick returned to Westpac in 2017 and joined Westpac Pacific as Treasurer in 2023. Andrew Cairns, Chief Executive of Westpac PNG, said, “I am delighted to welcome Patrick to his new role. His depth of expertise and proven leadership will be instrumental in advancing the bank’s strategic priorities and responding to the evolving needs of our customers, communities, and the broader financial environment. “Since joining Westpac Pacific as Treasurer, Patrick has demonstrated strong strategic insight and a deep understanding of financial operations, making him exceptionally well placed to lead this critical business division. “For more than 115 years, Westpac has been an integral part of PNG communities, and we are proud to continue building on this as we work together toward a strong and inclusive future.” This leadership appointment marks a significant step in Westpac PNG’s journey to accelerate strategic transformation and deliver lasting value in a dynamic PNG economy.