The SP PNG Hunters are set to take on the Brisbane Tigers in Round 4 of the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Hostplus Cup this Sunday, March 30th, at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. The kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM, the Hunters will be looking to secure their first win of the season and climb from 14th position on the ladder. Coming off a tough start to the season, the Hunters are eager to turn things around in front of their passionate home crowd. The return of key players, including Lynchill Kiap, Manisa Kai, and Manuel Anis, brings added depth to the squad. Meanwhile, they will be without Clent Lama, Jacob Lot, and Morea Morea for this crucial encounter. The Brisbane Tigers, currently 11th on the ladder, have also made several changes, welcoming Jackson Chang, Jyde Dwyer, and Tony Thompson into the side. However, they will be missing key players such as Coby Williamson and Kane Bradley. With both teams seeking a desperate win, this showdown promises to be a thrilling battle. Fans can catch all the action live via QPlus or head down to NFS as the Hunters look to defend their home turf and ignite their season.

The 31 years old Papua New Guinea (PNG) international rugby league star Justin Olam has officially announced his retirement from the National Rugby League (NRL) after succumbing to a knee injury suffered last year, bringing an end to a remarkable career that spanned over 100 games with two big league Clubs—the Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers. In an emotional farewell video delivered by West Tiger’s Media, Olam expressed deep gratitude to those who stood by him throughout his journey, from his early days in PNG to playing at the highest level in Australia. Reflecting on his career, Olam shared that his initial goal was simply to play one NRL game. However, through his determination, resilience, and unwavering support, he managed to achieve much more. “I came here hoping to play one NRL game, but I was blessed to play over 100 games for two very big clubs. For that, I am really grateful, and I hope I’ve inspired young kids in PNG to chase their dreams. With God, everything is possible.” Meanwhile, Olam took the time to acknowledge those who shaped his career, starting with his roots in PNG. He expressed heartfelt thanks to his local club, the Lae Snax Tigers, and his early coaches, Stanley Tepend and team staff, for giving him the foundation to pursue professional rugby while balancing his studies. Also extending his appreciation to his teammates and mentors from his time at the Sunshine Coast, where he built cherished memories. Olam credited Craig Bellamy, Frank Ponissi, Aaron Bellamy, At the Melbourne Storm, and the coaching staff for their patience and guidance in developing him into the player he became. He acknowledged the Wests Tigers’ Benji Marshall and the staff for believing in him and giving him the opportunity to continue playing at the highest level despite injuries. Above all, Olam reserved his deepest gratitude for his family, especially his parents, as well as the pastors in PNG and Australia who nurtured his spiritual journey. “Most importantly, I want to thank my mum and dad, and all the pastors who have always prayed for me and supported me spiritually. I would love to keep playing, but my body is not allowing me. At the end of the day, it’s God’s plan, and I’ll follow wherever He leads me.” Olam’s retirement marks the conclusion of an inspiring chapter in rugby league, but his legacy will live on. His journey from PNG to the NRL has become a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes, proving that with hard work, faith, and the right support, anything is possible. As he closes this chapter, Olam leaves behind a career filled with unforgettable moments, lifelong friendships, and the undying love of his fans. With humility and gratitude, he signs off, saying, “Thank you to everyone who helped me throughout my career. All glory to God.”

Police Mobile Squad (MS) Deputy Director Chief Inspector Luvi Florian has expressed gratitude for the contributions of new Britain Palm Oil and Santos for showing its commitment to the growth of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC). Chief Inspector Florian said this after Santos renovated the building at the Mobile Squad Headquarters at McGregor Barracks in Port Moresby. They also installed Solar Panels and put up fences at McGregor, including the donation of Seven Computers from the New Britain Palm Oil. He said the renovated training facilities will serve officers across all of Papua New Guinea and not only in Port Moresby. As a member in the RPNGC, Florian acknowledged the contributions and emphasized the strong working relationship they have maintained. He highlighted Santos' reliable support during emergencies, including providing transportation for SSD members, and noted that the installation of solar panels will ensure consistent power supply by storing energy for use during outages. He expressed relief for the installed Solar Panels and its critical role for communication, particularly for officers in high-risk areas who are always on call and need operational communication equipment to keep headquarters updated. Florian further expressed his gratitude to the New Britain Palm Oil, Milne Bay office, for donating seven computers that will help officers work effectively. Meanwhile, he highlighted the positive collaboration between police and the community, emphasizing how corporate support strengthens this relationship. He also expressed gratitude to all individuals who assisted the police in their operations across the country.

The Minister for Police Peter Tsiamalili Jr. MP, has confirmed the arrest of wanted fugitive Mileng Kapli in Wewak in the East Sepik Province (ESP) on March 22nd for the brutal murder of his partner, Lina Numbalihi, Minister Tsiamalili made this announcement today Monday 24th March, stating that police arrested Mr. Kapli in the centre of Dagua Market in Wewak town. Minister Tsiamalili emphasized that the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNG) and Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) collaborated to apprehend the fugitive soldier accused of the heinous crime. He emphasized the need to address rapes and assaults, called for high standards among disciplined services, and refrained from commenting on the case specifics as it is now before the courts. Meanwhile, Tsiamalili added that public outrage on such cases demands justice. The accused will face trial under the criminal justice system, with the possibility of a maximum penalty if convicted. The PNGDF will also conduct internal procedures, and Disciplined Forces Commissioners are ensuring accountability among their members. “Police, Defence and Correctional Services have improved their accountability and will not tolerate crimes within their ranks.” “Investigations are ongoing to identify any individual that may have assisted the accused in traveling to Wewak or had hidden him from security forces.” “Harbouring a fugitive is a serious crime, and anyone identified as doing so can expect to be arrested and charged,” said Minister Tsiamalili. Furthermore, Minister Tsiamalili expressed sorrow over the victim's death and urged the nation, police, and public to unite against senseless violence. He emphasized the need to combat gender-based violence and called for vigilance from community leaders and citizens, while assuring continued efforts to bring offenders to justice. “If threats or violence are taking place, we must all intervene and call the police to step in to ensure the safety of vulnerable women and girls.”

Pastor Tania Parenduo and her husband Clement in Nambare, East Sepik Province, successfully processed cocoa beans in their six-by-five-meter solar dryer shed, surrounded by the rich smell of drying Cocoa fills. This achievement was made possible by the solar dryer shed, provided through a partnership between the Australian Government and cocoa exporter Outspan Limited, greatly improving their lives. For years, the couple dried cocoa beans over a woodfired kiln, a labor-intensive process with constant firewood gathering and the risk of woodsmoke reducing cocoa quality and market value. The solar dryer shed has changed all that. Now they can dry their cocoa with much less effort and expense, and with much better results in terms of quality. Pastor Tania says having the solar dryer has dramatically improved their lives. Improved cocoa quality and rising global prices have significantly increased the family's income, benefiting both them and their community. Pastor Tania is a community leader in addition to farming. The extra income has allowed her family to build a women’s resource center, an early learning facility, and a church. They can now afford their daughter's tuition at Pacific Adventist University, and their younger children have bicycles to commute to school. "I am a happier wife and mother," Pastor Tania affirms. "My workload has significantly decreased, allowing me to fulfill my other responsibilities more effectively." The Australia-Outspan initiative provided solar dryers to 35 cocoa fermentary owners in East Sepik, improving cocoa quality, reducing labor, costs and environmental impact, and empowering women farmers like Pastor Tania. Outspan Project Manager James Suanga and extension officers have trained farmers to use solar dryers, boosting productivity and improving livelihoods. This initiative reflects Australia's commitment to fostering a resilient, diversified economy in PNG and enhancing living standards for its people.

Owners of vehicles stored at the Traffic Office in Boroko, Port Moresby, are urged to collect their vehicles to provide space for investigative purposes. The Commander of the National Capital District (NCD) and Central Provinces Benjamin Turi made this announcement in a statement on the 20th of March 2025. Commander Turi stated that the traffic office car park should only hold accident vehicles under investigation. He also mentioned that efforts are underway to find a storage location for unclaimed vehicles. “Vehicle hire companies or individuals that have their vehicles at the traffic office must visit the case officers and discuss how they will remove their vehicles home if the investigation has been completed. It doesn’t look good when the ragged vehicles are lying there. If the vehicles are there and the investigators are not doing their job, please write to us so my office can check on the investigators and find out why they are not attending to you. With that, I want you all to communicate with each other, especially the victims, the drivers, and the police investigators. Frequent communication will help speed up the investigation and also ensure justice is served to all parties involved,” Commander Turi said. Turi also suggested that unclaimed vehicles should be stored at Bomana Driving School, where old police vehicles are already being kept. Although accidents are happening every day in the city of Port Moresby, the storage location at the traffic office need to be reserved for police and court investigative purposes.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police Highlands Eastern End Clement Dalla challenged the notion for Vagrancy Act saying it is not the right solution to minimize Papua New Guinea's growing law and order issues. ACP Dalla Stated this in an interview with PNG HAUSBUNG where he pointed to systemic government failures as the root cause of rising crime and informal settlements in urban centers. ACP Dalla strongly argued that poverty and lack of development in rural areas drive migration to cities, creating informal settlements and subsequent law enforcement challenges. He emphasized that migration into productive or economic centers are driven from lack of essential services from rural area, which by than complicates livelihood further forcing crime to ignite. "People are not moving to cities because they want to cause trouble, they are moving because their home villages lack basic services—no schools, no hospitals, no jobs. If the government invested in rural areas, we wouldn’t be facing these problems." Dalla also highlighted that policing alone cannot solve the crisis. "There are already enough laws in place to deal with crime," he said. "Instead of passing new laws, our leaders should be asking: Where is the money? Where are the services?" Moreover, he warned that the Vagrancy Act can exacerbate social tensions, as it would disproportionately target the economically disadvantaged while failing to hold accountable those who profit from the current system. "The real issue is the lack of enforcement due to underfunding, corruption, and poor planning. Even basic things like police logistics and station resources are inadequate." "If settlements are a problem, who is allowing these settlements to grow? Landowners, local leaders, and even officials are involved," he pointed out. ACP Dalla’s position remains clear, law and order problems cannot be solved by restricting movement but must be tackled by addressing the economic disparities that fuel migration. In his conclusion, he stated that strengthening rural economies, providing better education and job opportunities can contribute to enforce existing laws effectively. "If people can live sustainably in their home provinces, they won’t need to migrate." "We need to fix the problem at the source, not punish those suffering from it."

Nearly 250 community members of Yule Island gathered at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby to voice their concerns over the recent National Gazette notice on Wednesday 29th January 2025, declaring their ancestral land will soon be government-owned. The event was held in the Indoor complex with members of all ages in and around Port Moresby listening attentively and ready to support each other. The awareness event was spearheaded by local leaders, including Mr. Alfred Aruru, Chairman of Wholesome Bay Sustainable Development Limited, who emphasized the community’s situation and legal options to challenge the state’s claim. The meeting provided a platform for more than 15 elders to express their frustration, stressing that the 670.8-hectare land on Yule Island has been inhabited by their ancestors long before Papua New Guinea’s independence. They argued that the government's decision to classify the land as National Land, without proper consultation, was a violation of their rights. Mr. Aruru who recently informed the locals by a visit to the island on Wednesday 19th March 2025, informed locals about the 90-day objection period provided in the Land Commission Act 2022. He assured them that steps were already being taken to file a formal objection against the state’s claim. "This land has been occupied by our people for generations. The government cannot make decisions like this without first consulting those who have lived here for centuries," Mr. Aruru stated. He urged the community to remain united and proactive in their fight. Acknowledging the legal 90-days timeframe for objections, Mr. Aruru emphasized that the community's immediate priority was to ensure their case was presented without delays or setbacks. He reassured attendees that their legal strategy would be structured to eliminate any loopholes that might weaken their objection. Despite limited number of individuals and families from Yule Island in the city, strong determination and collective support has been declared. Yule Islanders are now mobilizing to challenge the state’s claim and protect their ancestral land, ensuring their voices are heard at the highest level.

More than 100 police reservists, including 15 women, have completed four weeks of intensive training at the Gusap Training Centre in Morobe Province, marking another step in strengthening law enforcement in the region. Deputy Police Commissioner Dr. Philip Mitna made the remarks today during the opening of the second batch of reservists, highlighting the program’s role in addressing police manpower shortages. He said the reservist program was reintroduced before the 2022 elections to support recruitment efforts and reinforce security across the country. "Despite a long-standing plan to increase police numbers to 10,000, a lack of political will and commitment hindered progress," Dr. Mitna said. He added that while the Marape-Rosso government has supported recruitment efforts, Bomana Police College can only train 500 officers per year, which remains a challenge. To bridge this gap, he said police rely on partnerships with provincial governments, as the national budget alone is insufficient to support policing in all 22 provinces. "Reservists serve as a backup force for regular officers, and while some provinces have supported this initiative, we need more to see the value in working together," he said. Dr. Mitna acknowledged Morobe’s commitment to the program, stating that while some provinces refused to participate, Morobe recognized its unique security challenges and stepped up. "The policy allows police to maintain command and control, while provincial governments provide administrative support such as uniforms and operational costs," he said. He added that the reservist program would also serve as a recruitment pathway into the regular force, addressing long-term staffing shortages. "New recruits will have full arresting powers and be held to the same disciplinary standards as regular officers," he said. Dr. Mitna said the police force currently has around 6,500 officers, but retirements and an aging workforce have reduced its active numbers. He urged the new reservists to uphold discipline and integrity as they play a vital role in strengthening law enforcement. "Morobe is preparing for the 2027 election, and this reservist program is a crucial step in ensuring security for our nation," he said.

Wewak Police have apprehended the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) Member, Private Mileng Kapli, responsible for the abuse and murder of his 29- year- old wife/partner Lina Numbalihi. Police under the command of East Sepik Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Christopher Tamari apprehended Mr. Mileng Kapil at the heart of Dagua Market in Wewak, this Sunday morning 23rd March 2025. PPC Christopher Tamari confirmed his arrest in an interview this morning with PNG HAUSBUNG. PPC Tamari emphasized that the suspect is in police custody and will be on the first flight tomorrow to the National Capital District to stand for his crimes. According to PPC Tamari, todays event was a third and final successful apprehension as two previous attempts were unsuccessful due to the suspects swift and timely relocation. This is a developing story and we will update you as more information comes in.

The Simbu Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent, Mazuc Rubiang and commends his police personnel for improving Law-and-Order Kundiawa Township. PPC Rubiang made this statement on Thursday 20th March 2025, after several positive feedback from the General Public and local leaders. PPC Rubiang was pleased to receive positive and appreciative messages for good policing from the general Public and local leaders of Nimai ward one, two, and three (Koge) of Sual Local Level Government (LLG) in Sinesine Yongomugl electorate, comparing previous police efforts under various PPC’s. Superintendent Rubiang acknowledged that past issues with police discipline significantly impacted law and order in Kundiawa town but noted improvements. He stated that in-house matters have been addressed, and the situation has stabilized. “We are focusing on the concept of police visibility to the community, and this has given great confidence to our business communities and the general public in the province." “The public can physically see and witness the biggest improvement in Kundiawa township as we got lots of appreciations from the public." Furthermore, the Sual LLG leaders in Sinesine Yongomugl electorate, sent an official written-letter to PPC Rubiang commending the police under his command for effectively enforcing the liquor ban law initiated by Governor Hon Noah Kool and the Provincial Executive Council. PPC Rubiang noted the leader's appreciation for the tireless efforts of police in maintaining law and order, highlighting positive changes in Kundiawa town, including improved public order, freedom of movement, and a safe environment for business activities.

Acting Assistant Commissioner (ACP) Highlands Eastern, Clement Dalla praised the Simbu Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Mazuc Rubiang’s swift response to an unsanctioned protest by students of Kondiu Rosary High School. ACP Dalla stated this in a statement on Friday 21st March 2025. According to ACP Dalla, students of Kondiu Rosary High School extended their petition to the Provincial Education Authority for immediate removal of their school principal, following a peaceful yet captivating march from school grounds to the Kundiawa Provincial Education Office (KPEO) in the morning of Wednesday 19th March. The students were escorted to the KPEO following the swift arrival of local Kundiawa Police under the command of PPC Rubiang. The students were then escorted back peacefully after successfully delivering their petition without any extra-ordinary activity along their path. Acknowledging the dangerous outcomes from opportunists during protests, ACP Dalla emphasized the prompt police intervention during the protest, prevented escalation from opportunists. He stressed that proper protest procedure of 14 days' notice approval to authorities allows adequate time for authorities to aid in coordinating security for public safety. “We have learnt and know how protests often lead to bigger scale of criminal activities caused by opportunists taking advantage of the situation." "That is the main reason why all planned protests are required to give enough time, including 14 days’ Notice, to the local authorities and the police for proper security assessment before an approval is obtained." ACP Dalla noted it was an unprecedented event in Simbu Province and commended PPC Rubiang for his leadership and decisive efforts during the student protest. He emphasized that such incidents should not occur again in the future. Furthermore, ACP Dalla urged authorities to promptly investigate the situation and make informed decisions for the school and its students. He emphasized the role of Boards of Governors in schools as essential for addressing administrative issues and ensuring effective oversight. ACP Dalla said such a situation must be addressed quickly by relevant parties concerned with a strong message to all the teachers, students, parents that this must not be repeated in the future as it may be detrimental to the future of their children’s education prospects.