PNG Air regrets to advise our customers and the travelling public that due to circumstances beyond our control all scheduled, charter and cargo flights with immediate effect have been cancelled to and from Misima. This is unfortunately due to the Aerodrome Closure following an Aviation Notice publication (NOTAM) from NuiSky last week, Thursday 2nd February, 2023. In the first instance, PNG Air’s Misima flights will be cancelled with immediate effect through to 30th April, 2023. Our team will be in contact with affected travelers. PNG Air will recommence operations to Misima as soon as the Aerodrome is re-opened.

Four years on from teaming up with Braydon Trindall to help Wenlock Rivers win the Queensland Murri Carnival, J'maine Hopgood will take to a different stage alongside his former teammate on Saturday, but one with all the same meaning. The former Panthers NSW Cup captain, who has shifted to rivals Parramatta for the 2023 season, will kick off his year with a debut for the Indigenous All Stars in Rotorua. It's his first major representative appearance in the NRL after 10 appearances at the senior level, which for the 23-year-old has been a slow burn since he was a teenager running around for the Stallions in Townsville. "My Indigenous side comes through my mother and great grandfather," Hopgood told NRL.com during a fan event at Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation in Airds on Saturday. "To represent everyone back home and in Hervey Bay and Queensland, I’m very grateful. I’m just excited to give back to the community this week and then get into some training with the boys and hopefully some rewards at the end of the game. "Everyone knows each other in the team somehow and even if you don’t it doesn’t take long before you do. We always seem to click really quick so I'm looking forward to playing in a team with a lot of great players and represent our mobs. "And going to New Zealand, that’s going to be a challenge in itself and something the Māori boys have had to do since the concept began." "We want to give back to the people in New Zealand as well, immerse ourselves in their culture and put on a show." J'maine Hopgood There will be many eager observers watching Hopgood on Saturday including Eels coach Brad Arthur, who is looking for a lock forward in the early rounds of the club's 2023 campaign with Ryan Matterson missing three games due to suspension. After being stuck behind a dominant forward pack at the Panthers, Hopgood has enjoyed his switch to the 2022 grand finalists so far and is eyeing off a permanent spot in Parramatta's line-up. "It’s been awesome, I’ve enjoyed my time so far and the coaches and boys are really good. We’ve put ourselves in a really good position to have a good year," he said. "You look at the players at Penrith and the forward pack is unbelievable. I had to do what was best for me, you only play this game for a short amount of time so I want to make the most of it. "I’m keen to be a part of All Stars week and then get back and have a really good start to the year. You can’t tell both clubs apart too much to be honest, they do a lot of the same things, that’s what successful clubs do. "They’re doing all the right things and hopefully we can go one better with this new club." As for any chat around Hopgood's NRL Fantasy potential, he offered some kind words to coaches looking to snap him up this season. "I have seen a bit of chat around it and they’re already paying an outrageous price for me," he joked. "I know if I can get an opportunity and get a few games under my belt it will build my confidence. Hopefully I can reward a few of the Fantasy freaks out there." Source: NRL.Com

Miss Papua New Guinea, Josie Nicholas, has been crowned Miss Pacific Islands 2023 also taking out the Best Talent and People’s Choice Award. The Samoan home crowd embraced the theme of “Unity” when they cheered at the announcement of Miss PNG as the new Miss Pacific Islands after their own Miss Samoa was announced as First Runner Up. It was a great evening of entertainment and the five contestants looked to have been relaxed and enjoyed the evening. The Corporate tables were well serviced with food and drinks and the gallery areas were also packed with supporters. Miss Papua New Guinea won the Best Talent category and spoke eloquently during pre-pageant interviews on her topic of Education. “Give a man a fish and you’ll feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, and you’ll feed him for a lifetime,” was the theme of he’d pre-pageant presentation. Miss Papua New Guinea said she is honored to be crowned Miss Pacific Islands and will do her best to represent the Pacific during her reign with dignity and respect for Pacific people and their cultures. Miss Samoa was First Runner Up and Miss American Samoa was announced Second Runner Up. With only 5 contestants, there were no 3rd and 4th Runner up categories this year. Miss Solomon Islands won the National Tourism award as well as the Best Interview award. In the fashion and arts categories Miss American Samoa took Best Traditional wear, while Miss Samoa received the Best Sarong award. Miss Personality is selected by the contestants themselves and this went to Miss Nauru. Miss Photogenic, selected by the pageants official photographer Vanu Studios, was awarded to Miss American Samoa. The winners received prize money of $2000 USD for second runner up, $3kUSD for the first runner up and $4k USD for Miss Pacific Islands. Source: globalsamoanews.com

Students attending the Kiunga Secondary school in North Fly District of Western Province have been urged to take ownership of learning facilities.The former school principal Mr. Sowati Ole, told the students during their 45th Grade 10 and 22nd Grade 12 graduation ceremony held in Kiunga recently that classrooms, desks, learning materials, water tanks and others within the school's vicinity must be used wisely as the school has been struggling for over a decade to upgrade classrooms, science laboratory among others including staff houses. He said classrooms, desks, learning materials, water tanks and others within the school's vicinity must be used wisely as the school has been struggling for over a decade to upgrade classrooms, science laboratory among others including staff houses."Financial constraints have been the major hindrance to upgrade the school so students, it is your responsibility to take care of learning facilities." said Mr. Ole.He has also  encouraged students to prioritize their education to become good leaders in the future.Over 600 students have been enrolled for this academic year and normal classes begins this week.Meanwhile, the school administration advised parents and students that boarding facilities are incomplete because all dormitories had undergone maintenance work since 2020.The school has been providing boarding facilities since its establishment in early 1960's but cannot do so this year due to incomplete facilities.The current new dormitories are still in need of cubicle beddings, tables and chairs for students to use, therefore, KSS is expected to reopen its boarding facilities next year.

The National Executive Council has appointed a panel of three independent experts to review the tax dispute between the Internal Revenue Commission and Barrick Niugini Limited. NEC noted the progress of the activities required to reopen the Porgera Gold Mine and was concerned that the tax matter was prolonged. While it continues to observe the independence of the internal revenue commission, it availed itself of the opportunity to be advised independently of the issues surrounding the taxation dispute. In its meeting of 01 February 2023, the NEC appointed, Mr. David Sode, former IRC Commissioner General, Mr. David Castiglione a specialist in Resource taxation, and Mr Ron Webb QC who will work with a legal firm review the legal analysis of the IRC’s position. These are reputable individuals who have the skills and experiences to review independently what the IRC has done with this assessment. Prime Minister Marape said that while the independence of the IRC remains paramount in his views, there was a need for an independent assessment to assure the Government that the assessment is correct in terms of its legal and technical basis, and that the government is positioned carefully to take its position in the dispute that stands in between the way of reopening Porgera gold mine. “The National Government notes differing reading of the same tax law by both IRC and Barrick and instead of allowing the deployment of tax tribunal as allowed by law for tax dispute resolutions, cabinet felt responsible to set up this review to ascertain law as it is so solutions can be found sooner rather then later as is the case with tribunals and arbitrations. “This independent review panel is not the tax tribunal that is provided for in the Income Tax Act, but it allows the State to independently look at the stand off between IRC and Barrick in as far as the reading of presently law is concerned to tax considerations IRC has made in respect to stripping definitions and others. I consider that the independent review panel is within our powers to establish independently, and to review the issues and advise the government in return.” The panel has two weeks from the date of receiving the NEC decision to complete and file its report back to the National Executive Council. The Prime Minister also acknowledged the leadership of the Minister for State Enterprises, Honorable William Duma and Mining, Hon Sir Ano Pala, who worked hard to bring this matter to the NEC.

The Papua New Guinea University of Technology (UoT) NCD Students Association have started their education awareness programs for secondary schools in Port Moresby. They started the program with a presentation at Gerehu Secondary school on Thursday where a few of the student representatives talked about their respective courses that they are studying. UoT NCD Students Association Vice President, Mr. Arthur Kondon said that the aim for this program is to motivate, educate and inspire youths. “We want to show these students that we were once them in school. We want the students to see that if we can do it, they can too.” Kondon said that they had student leaders from the different schools at the university who talked about their experience at the university, the courses they studied and what they wanted to do after they graduated. They offered encouragements and answered questions from the students. On Friday they had the same awareness program at St Charles Lwanga and will continue the awareness program this week at Tokarara Secondary and Gordons Secondary schools. Kondon added that they want to make the education awareness program an annual program so they can carry out the awareness at other schools that they are unable to go to this year. He further added that they want to visit more schools to inspire and motivates youths; however, they do not have the finances to do so. Currently they are using their own resources and would like to reach out to interested parties for financial assistance so they can keep carrying out this program. Meanwhile, Kondon would like NCD Students from the other tertiary institutions to partner with them so they can come up with other programs to give back to the communities here in Port Moresby.

THE National Government will roll out a youth mobilization programme aimed at engaging the youth of Papua New Guinea to address uneasiness and formal employment issues in the country, Prime Minister James Marape has said. PM Marape said today (05.02.23) the PNG Defence Force and the National Volunteer Service are being engaged in this intervention programme, and will be advertising this month for young unemployed people out of schools and colleges to link them back into continuing their education, and employment and/or self-employment in agriculture, livestock, forestry, fisheries, tourism and SMEs. The Prime Minister said this while urging Papua New Guineans flocking into urban centres in search of jobs to return their focus on their own land and start planning small businesses in agriculture, poultry, fisheries and tourism. “We will be working with provincial governments and districts for this youth mobilisation programmes so I encourage all youth to go back to your respective district or province of origin,” PM Marape said. “There aren’t enough jobs in towns. Since 1975, we have not created a sufficient employment generating foundation for the benefit of our people. Our largest employer is the Public Service with a maximum capacity of up to 200,000. “Even if we open 10 mines, oil and gas fields, the number of jobs they will create is still not enough to absorb our present population of youth and those coming out of schools, which numbers anything between 100,000 and 200,000 a year. “ That is the main reason why I keep repeating our government’s strong stance on developing the renewable sectors of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Tourism. “Our biggest available opportunities for productive engagement in business and employment that will successfully engage our people is in the agriculture, in livestock, poultry, forestry, fisheries and tourism. “ These sectors, when harnessed, will create thousands of sustaining jobs and businesses, and grow our economy.” Giving a demonstration of the kind of revenue Papua New Guineans can make on the land, PM Marape said one hectare of land is able to yield over K20,000 a year from cash crops, food crops, and livestock cultivation. “On one hectare of land you can generate over K20,000 a year from coffee, cocoa, vanilla, oil palm, copra, rubber, rice, and vegetables. Raising over 5000 chickens a year, you can raise over K20,000 a year. Breeding over 10 cows or pigs a year will earn you over K20,000 a year. Fishing over 100kgs of fish and marine products can earn you over K20,000 a year. Creating a good law and order in your community and receiving over 1000 tourists into your guest house can earn you over K20,000 a year;” said the Prime Minister “Why am I using the K20,000 figure? Because that’s the higher bracket average for a young Papua New Guinean starting employment in PNG. “ The K20,000 earning ability is much higher than someone who will be paid as a kitchen hand or a cleaner at Stanley Hotel, for instance. Papua New Guineans can earn much more money in the primary resource sector. “Every one of you out there looking for jobs has a family, tribal land, water or sea space here in this country. You are not poor; you, by your Constitutional right, own and have access to your land, water, and sea in this country. Why do you want to flock to a city that has limited employment opportunities for you?” The Prime Minister once more reminded Papua New Guineans of the support programmes already in place such as the Price Support and Freight Subsidy programmes in Agriculture, and the K100 million-per-year funding for SMEs since 2020 which should become good incentives for Papua New Guineans to return home to work their natural resources. PM Marape said rural-based economic activities abound demonstrating the successes of working the land or operating small businesses - such as MSME owners who have successfully borrowed from the government-supported SME facility since 2020, the artisan fish-buying depot in Manus, the crab exporting business in Central Province, the big engagement of villagers in cocoa cultivation and production in East Sepik, Morobe and Bougainville. "There is no shortage of examples of Papua New Guineans who are successfully engaging with their land or making a comfortable living from MSMEs. As the Government continues to open up our rural areas through the Connect PNG Programme and connect our people to markets, there is every reason for our people to stop migrating into towns for average-paid jobs and settle down on their land to make good money for themselves and in turn support the economy," said the Prime Minister. PM Marape said as the Government moves into unlocking primary resources even more through downstream processing, these would in turn create more employment, while the Government works with the Australian and New Zealand governments to export both skilled and unskilled labour into these countries’ markets. “These employment generation activities will take time for us to create. There is no quick fix to our country’s employment challenges; it is a long road to holistically address this big issue facing our country,” said PM Marape. The Prime Minister has urged Papua New Guinean youth who are not returning to school this year to look out for the upcoming youth mobilization programme to enlist in to get some direction and help.

At least 22 people have died in connection with widespread forest fires in south-central Chile, according to government officials. Interior Minister Carolina Tohá confirmed during a news conference on Saturday that 22 people are dead. There are 1,429 people in shelters, 554 injured and 16 suffering severe burns who are in serious condition, she said. Twenty-eight of the hundreds of fires in Chile in recent days have burned the amount of forest and woodland the country typically loses over the course of a year, Tohá said. The minister also described record high temperatures in several of the affected regions of Chile. “The thermometer has reached levels that we’ve never seen until now,” Tohá said. On Saturday, President Gabriel Boric announced via Twitter that neighboring Argentina will send firefighters and machinery to combat the fires engulfing Chile’s south-central area, according to CNN Chile. Boric said he had spoken to his Argentinian counterpart, Alberto Fernández, to “coordinate and thank Argentina in the fight against the fires. Besides firefighters, we will receive machinery.” Boric added that he will seek further help fighting the fires from other countries. “We are arranging support from various countries to face the emergency. We will not leave them alone,” he said tweeted. Source: CNN

A young Brisbane Broncos outfit posted eights tries in a clinical 44-12 trial win over Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Kougari Oval. Built on tireless efforts by lock Shalom O’Ofau and prop Logan Bayliss, the Broncos’ ball players were able to run rampant with fullback Tristan Sailor a standout with three try assists and a four-pointer of his own. Playmaker Josh Rogers and hooker Tyson Smoothy also impressed, as did centres Deine Mariner and Ethan Quai-Ward who looked sharp collecting a try each and being sharp in defence. The young Broncos carried the ball strongly in the early exchanges and were rewarded when Smoothly darted over from dummy half after a repeat set to make it 6-0 in the 3rd minute. And the Broncos went ahead 10-0 soon after when Smoothy and fullback Tristan Sailor combined with some slick passing up the middle of the ruck to put Diene Mariner in the clear, the centre taking the tackle before playmaker Josh Rogers produced a pinpoint cross-kick for winger Israel Leota to catch and score in the left corner. Sailor turned creator again in the 19th minute when he held up the ball nicely before feeding Mariner with a lovely face ball that sent the centre crashing over for a 16-0 lead. The Broncos spend a 12-minute period stuck inside their own half and showed good defensive resilience before it was Sailor in the action again, grabbing an intercept and racing 50 metres before offloading to Liam Horne who was pulled down just short of the line. The ball was then spread wide to the left through multiple sets of hands for centre Ethan Quai-Ward to stroll over in the corner to make it 20-0 after 42 minutes, and it was 26-0 a short time later when rangy young winger James Johnson showed great determination to scramble over from close range. Jack Campagnolo did some nice work to score in the 50th minute before Sailor registered a try of his own after setting up three, producing a nicely timed run to hit a lovely pass from playmaker Josh Ahern and score on the right edge to make it 38-0. Backrower Will Samuel finished off some crisp passing close to the line to make it 44-0 before a couple of late tries to the Seagulls.   Source: NRL.com

Samarai Murua District Authority (SMDDA) and Women’s Microbank Limited (WMB) launched the MSME Credit Scheme on Friday (03/02/23). Local MP Isi Henry Leonard who is also the Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture expressed the importance of this partnership during the signing of the agreement at the WMB Headquarters in Port Moresby. Mr Leonard wants to see his people involved in SMEs and to be financially empowered. He said partnership was the way and the signing of the agreement with Women’s Microbank Limited was the catalyst to drive financial literacy and economic inclusion in his district. “Banking cannot be ignored neither can it be denied, it’s a core fundamental institution that is a must for progress and prosperity. If you want to develop a society and community, we must provide in financial literacy programs and training,” he said. “Giving knowledge alone is not important, but we must also enable them to amass the little resource they have to group it together, bulk it and compound it together so we can all use it communally for the purposes of business,” Minister Leonard said. He took it as a challenge to drive the Marape-Rosso Government’s determination to go rural with its programs to engage with the people, to make it simple, basic and applicable to everyone in the rural areas, in the villages and wards to participate meaningfully in the pursuit of development and self-sustenance. Mr Leonard reiterated that the DDA was an enabler and he was determine to see it provide the necessary foundation for his people during his second term as an MP. Adding that it was vital for the people of Samarai Murua to have access to such financial services and facilities. The scheme provides the opportunity for accessible loan facilities for entrepreneurs in rural Samarai Murua District to participate in income earning opportunities. WMB provides gender balanced economic pathways for financial inclusive and sustainable development. The partnership will; - Generate village-based income generating activities relating to Agriculture, Informal and Commercial Projects in selected and viable areas of SMD. Utilizing government and NGOs amongst other things. - Assist in improving socio economic lifestyle for rural SMD Key products will include; 1. Microfinance Credit Scheme – Loans from PGK300.00 – PGK5,000.00 2. SME Credit Scheme – Loans from PGK10,000 – PGK150,000.00 Since the closure of banking institutions in Samarai Murua District, people have had to travel to Alotau, which is an expensive and risky exercise. The SMD and WMB partnership will allow our citizens to conduct their loan activities in the district capital – Bwagaoia, Misima Island. With the partnership now been established, Mr Leonard said security was fundamental to any progress whether it was social or economic development. He highlighted that cross-sectorial security support programs such as the tourism policy will alleviate the issue. He is committed to see the Tourism Policy roll out first and piloted in his district in partnership with the Tourism Promotion Authority. He confirmed the announcement had been made by the Tourism Promotion Authority recently. The rollout of the tourism policy program will see the district engage its own people, trained to respond to Law and Order issues. He said his District Scholarship Scheme will also see youths from his district with minimum grade 12 education sponsored to attend formal police training programs. Among the many issues, he highlighted the need to assist those living with disabilities in the district. “I provide assistance to those with disability or if there is a death and the people need my support, I help because it is our culture to assist where we can. I do not have the capacity to provide all the help, so we need the Bank to help us with our disability program. “This includes the elderly; our culture demands that we care for our old folks because we do not have social programs to support them. I want a bank that can help support our people living with special needs and old age people through the respective programs we will initiate,” Mr Leonard said. The MOA with WMB will go into full swing after his DDA meets to resolute next month. The initial discussions between the Office of the Member for Samarai Murua and the WMB were held before the 2022 national General Elections but the program was delayed due to COVID in the past two years. The signing of the agreement was witnessed by Minister Leonard, his staff from the Electorate and Ministry including the Board and Management of the Women’s Microbank Limited.

Both Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts spoke to the media on Thursday as they recognized the significance of being the first two Black quarterbacks to start in the same Super Bowl. Almost exactly 35 years after Doug Williams became the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl with the then-Washington Redskins, Mahomes and Hurts made history as the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles reached the NFL’s season finale. For 27-year-old Chiefs quarterback Mahomes – who is looking for his second Super Bowl ring when the two teams face off in Arizona on February 12, which would make him the first Black quarterback to win multiple titles – the moment of history is “special.” “I’ve learned more and more about the history of the Black quarterback since I’ve been in this league,” he told reporters. “The guys that came before me and Jalen set the stage for this, and now I’m just glad we can set the stage for kids that are coming up now. It’ll be a great game against two great teams and against another great quarterback. I’m excited to go out there and do what we can against a great team.” Eagles quarterback Hurts, in just his second full season as a starter, is just the eighth Black quarterback to start in the Super Bowl and Philadelphia’s second Black quarterback to start in a Super Bowl, joining Donovan McNabb who started Super Bowl XXXIX. “I think it’s history,” Hurts said. “I think it’s something that’s worthy of being noted and it is history. It’s come a long way. I think it’s only been seven African-American quarterbacks to play in the Super Bowl, so to be the first for something is pretty cool. I know it will be a good one.” Should the Eagles win at State Farm Stadium, Hurts will become the fourth Black quarterback to win an NFL championship after Williams in 1988, Russell Wilson with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014 and Mahomes in 2020. Mahomes outlined that he has come to understand the platform he and others in his position have to push others forward. “I think you’ve seen over time,” Mahomes said, “whenever a guy like Doug Williams or Michael Vick or Donovan McNabb go out and play great football, it gives other guys like me and Jalen this platform and have this spot on another NFL team. “If we can continue to show that we can consistently be great, I think it will continue to open doors for other kids growing up to follow their dreams and be a quarterback of an NFL team. It’s good we have guys like Jalen on the other team because he’s a great person and, obviously, a great quarterback.” Both Mahomes’ and Hurts’ runs to the Super Bowl are inspiring to their contemporaries around the league. “I know those guys are going to be hyped up and ready to play,” Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields told CNN Sport. “But it’s definitely a big moment for a lot of Black, young QBs coming up and having them inspire them and maybe they’re saying to themselves: ‘That could be me one day.’” Fields added: “Jalen and Patrick, they can do a lot of great things on the field in terms of throwing the football and being able to extend plays with their feet. “It’s just awesome – having the first Super Bowl [with] two Black quarterbacks in is definitely a historic moment, for sure.” Source: CNN

A 30-year-old Portuguese dog has been named as the world's oldest ever by Guinness World Records - beating a record that stood for a century. Bobi is a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo - a breed that has an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. The previous oldest dog ever was Australia's Bluey, who died in 1939 at the age of 29 years and five months. As of 1 February, Bobi was 30 years and 226 days old, and is said to be doing well for his age. His grand old age has been validated by the Portuguese government's pet database, which is managed by the National Union of Veterinarians, according to Guinness World Records. He has lived his whole life with the Costa family in the village of Conqueiros, near Portugal's west coast, after being born with three siblings in an outbuilding. Leonel Costa, who was eight years old at the time, said his parents had too many animals and had to put the puppies down, but Bobi escaped. Leonel and his brothers kept the dog's existence a secret from their parents until he was eventually discovered and became part of the family, who feed him the same food they eat. "Between a can of animal food or a piece of meat, Bobi doesn't hesitate and chooses our food," said Mr Costa, who always soaks the food in water to remove most of the seasoning. Apart from a scare in 2018 when he was hospitalised after suddenly collapsing due to breathing difficulty, Mr Costa says Bobi has enjoyed a relatively trouble-free life and believes the secret to his longevity is the "calm, peaceful environment" he lives in. It may also be in the blood - Bobi's mother living to the age of 18. However, time has taken its toll on Bobi, who now has trouble walking and worsening eyesight. Mr Costa says Bobi is the "last of a long generation of animals" in the Costa family and describes him as "one of a kind." Bobi's crowning as the oldest dog ever comes just two weeks after Guinness World Records named another dog, Spike the Chihuahua, as the oldest living dog - at 23 years old. Guinness have since updated its records, and announced Bobi as both the oldest dog living, and the oldest dog ever. Source: BBC