Colgate Palmolive (PNG) Ltd. is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its National Tooth Brushing Day, with a total of 484, 265 students and teachers taking part in this year's nationwide event.The annual campaign, held in partnership with the National Department of Health's Oral Health Services, promotes good oral hygiene among Papua New Guineans.General manager for Colgate-Palmolive PNG, Mr. John Wood stated that Colgate is all about creating a healthier future for people.“We are committed to giving every person in Papua New Guinea a future that they can be proud of and they can smile about every single day.”National Tooth Brushing Day is a key part of its global Bright Smiles, Bright Futures programme, which has positively impacted more than four million people across Papua New Guinea since 2010 through oral health education and awareness.This year's event was hosted at Lahara Avenue School in Port Moresby, while schools across all four regions of the country also participated.Meanwhile Dr. Shirley Kauba, Vice President of the PNG Dental Association emphasized that good oral health is a personal choice and also gave additional tips on keeping one’s teeth in good condition, which included reducing sugar intake.The event also awarded three young essay winners for their thoughtful write-ups on oral health.April Hamata who took first place, read her winning essay after receiving her prize.“Every smile tells a story, and every bright, healthy smile begins with good oral hygiene.”“A smile is more than just showing our teeth—it is a symbol of joy, kindness, confidence, and good health. It brightens our faces, lifts our spirits, and has the power to make someone else's day a little happier.”“That is why every smile deserves to be treasured and protected.”The event concluded with a nationwide countdown with every participant brushing their teeth with free toothbrushes and toothpaste distributed by Colgate-Palmolive.

Port Moresby National School of Excellence (PMNSOE) is confident its Grade 12 students will perform strongly in the 2026 Written Expression Examination, with 277 students from the school preparing to sit for the national assessment next week on Monday August 3rd, 2026.PMNSOE Principal Mr. Teddy Feria said the school achieved outstanding results in last year’s English examination, with its students securing the top three rankings nationwide.“Last year, we got rank one, two and three in the English examination across the country.”He said the school is hopeful of maintaining the same level of performance this year, crediting the dedication and quality of its teaching staff.“We are confident that we might maintain the same results just like what we had last year because our teachers are very good.”Mr. Feria encouraged the 277 Grade 12 students to approach the examination with confidence, saying they have worked hard to reach this stage.“I would like to first congratulate them because they managed to come this far. Now they are going to sit for the final one.”He added that students are prepared, especially with the examination topics focusing on Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence anniversary.“I am pretty sure that they are all ready to sit for this one.”Feria also pointed out challenges brought by the ongoing El Niño conditions, particularly water supply concerns, but said the school has been able to manage the situation with support from Water PNG.Despite the dry conditions, Mr. Feria said the school has continued its academic activities, with some events postponed as students focus on examination preparations.He said the school carnival held in the first week of the term is yet to have its awards presentation, while the Student Representative Council (SRC) election was completed recently, with results to be announced next week.

Papua New Guinea’s National Department of Education has just launched the Edunex Learning Management System (LMS) and the Integrated ICT Policy for Education marking the beginning of a nationwide effort to integrate sophisticated technology in the education system.Speaking at the Port Moresby National School of Excellence, Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra said the reforms align with Prime Minister James Marape's directive for government agencies to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology to improve public services and drive economic growth.Dr. Kombra said the Department of Education is committed to turning that vision into reality by introducing digital learning tools that will reach classrooms across the country."We would like to see this in every classroom, in every province, in every corner of Papua New Guinea.”He said the newly launched Integrated ICT Policy brings together years of digital education initiatives into a single framework that sets standards for infrastructure, internet connectivity, digital classrooms, data protection, teacher training and long-term financing.The policy was approved by the National Executive Council in 2025.Dr. Kombra described Edunex as the next stage in the evolution of education, following the transition from slates and blackboards to whiteboards and now smart digital classrooms."Edunex is going to be transformational, a reform that will disturb the normal traditional way of teaching and learning.”The platform will connect schools through reliable internet services, including Starlink where required, allowing students and teachers in remote areas to access lessons, digital resources and specialist teachers regardless of location.AI will also be integrated into classrooms to provide customized learning experiences and help students prepare for higher education both in Papua New Guinea and overseas.Dr. Kombra said the Department partnered with technology company PowerX and the University of Western Pacific to develop the platform after reviewing learning management systems used internationally and within Papua New Guinea.Initially, the Department will digitize Grade 11 and 12 curriculum materials before expanding to lower grades.Students will be able to access learning resources, complete homework online, receive instant feedback, and sit on digital assessments through the AI-powered system.One of the vital features of Edunex will allow expert teachers to deliver live lessons simultaneously to multiple schools, helping address teacher shortages in remote areas.An AI presentation at the launch explained that Edunex is designed as a complete digital education ecosystem that enables teachers to create lessons, conduct assessments, monitor student progress, and communicate with learners through a single platform.Students will have access to digital classrooms, assignments, quizzes, and learning resources from anywhere.The system is powered by Nexa AI, an intelligent assistant developed in Papua New Guinea to support teachers and students by answering academic questions, generating lesson plans, recommending learning resources and assisting with administrative tasks.According to the presentation, Nexa AI has been built specifically to meet the needs of PNG's education system.Edunex will be rolled out in phases, beginning with all seven National Schools of Excellence during the 2026–2027 implementation period before expanding to secondary schools nationwide and eventually all primary schools by 2035.Participating schools will receive Starlink satellite internet and supporting digital infrastructure to ensure maximum connectivity.Dr. Kombra said the launch marks only the beginning of a long-term transformation of PNG's education system."Today is not the end – it is the starting point – a transformation that we cannot wait for."

“Obsession (2026) blends supernatural horror with psychological tension, examining the dangers of control and false devotion while delivering a disturbing picture of identity lost.”Baron “Bear” Bailey (Michael Johnson) a shy and insecure music store employee, purchases a supernatural product known as the “One Wish Willow”, which grants the user a single wish. He uses it to force his co-worker and crush Nikki’s (Inde Navarrette) affections which turns into twisted artificial devotion.Female lead, Inde Navarette delivers a brilliant and terrifying portrayal of woman who’s lost all agency against her will. Her acting particularly during scenes when her character switches between her genuine self and her wish-influenced persona, ‘Freaky Nikki’ is not only very disturbing but flawless in its execution. She slowly regresses from a mature and independent person to an obsessed woman-baby who’s only desire is to please Bear. Overall, Navarette consumes the role to perfection capturing the chilling nature of an individual completely at the mercy of someone’s else’s entitlement and dark desires.  The film dives into themes of identity, self-destruction and psychological distress, examining the consequences of surrendering autonomy and control. By depicting its antagonist as someone manipulated by forces beyond her own will, the film delves into how distorted devotion and dependence can destroy individuality, diminish humanity, and transform a once-defined sense of self into something unrecognisable.Supernatural activity is naturally woven into the storyline and does not overshadow the psychological aspects of the film. Rather than relying solely on supernatural elements to create fear or tension, the supernatural elements function as a narrative device to expose the hidden desires of a seemingly innocent character. This balance allows Obsession to maintain psychological depth, with the paranormal aspects enhancing rather than exchanging the emotional and thematic foundation of the story.Obsession’s excessive use of profanity often overdramatizes the narrative, with frequent F-bombs feeling more distracting than impactful. Strong language can enhance intensity when used purposefully, however, its constant inclusion throughout the dialogue makes certain scenes feel overstated rather than emotionally compelling. The repetition weakens their impact and creates a sense of exaggeration that occasionally detracts from the overall experience.Overall, Obsession presents a gripping psychological horror and thriller that explores the destructive consequences of control, artificial devotion, and the loss of personal autonomy. While its excessive profanity infrequently weakens the emotional weight of certain scenes, the film’s strongest aspects lie in its examination of underlying themes and Navarrette’s excellent performance. By blending supernatural horror with psychological tension, Obsession creates a disturbing examination of identity and manipulation, leaving audiences torn between mental distress and thoughtful reflection.Final VerdictObsession is a haunting psychological thriller elevated by a powerful lead performance and a thoughtful exploration of identity, control, and distorted devotion. Although its overstated dialogue and excessive profanity occasionally undermine its seriousness, the film remains an unsettling and thematically rich experience that effectively blurs the line between supernatural horror and psychological tragedy.★★★★☆ (4/5)

Children of the Lealea community in Central Province will soon benefit from a new double classroom facility following support from Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited (BSP) under its 50for50 Givim Bek initiative.The ground-breaking ceremony for the new classroom was held today (Tuesday 28/07/2026) at Lealea Village, with community leaders, parents, students and BSP representatives attending the event.The centre began in 1999 as a literacy class aimed at helping community members learn to read and write before being transformed in 2014 into the Salvation Army Early Learning Centre, focusing on early childhood education.For 26 years there were no proper learning facilities to house the students.BSP Group Chief Information Officer, Ray Naicker said the project reflected BSP’s commitment to giving back to communities across Papua New Guinea.Naicker said the 50for50 Givim Bek initiative was created to mark Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary by delivering 50 community projects valued at K50,000 each to 50 communities nationwide.He said the Lealea project was nominated by BSP staff and represented their passion to support the communities that have shaped them.“This centre has played a vital role in nurturing young children between the ages of four and seven through their early childhood education developments, and this included character building through strong Christian values.”“It has operated with modest resources and means, but with a strong commitment to providing quality education and a solid foundation for young learners.”Naicker also announced an additional K30,000 commitment under BSP’s community projects program to further support the development.Member for Hiri-Koiari, Keith Iduhu welcomed the development, saying investment in education was an investment in the future.“We invest in education, we invest in our children, we invest in the future of our communities, in the future of our local government, our district and our country.”Iduhu said education remained a priority under the district’s development plans and praised the Salvation Army for maintaining the learning centre for more than two decades despite limited resources.He further announced an additional K50,000 support commitment from the district towards the project.

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop has renewed his call for Port Moresby residents to prioritise their health and wellbeing following the recent World Population Day 2026 commemoration, which also marked the return of the Walk and Yoga for Life program.Held on July 19 from Sir Hubert Murray Stadium to Ela Beach, hundreds of participants took part in the first community walk since the program was suspended in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Governor Parkop said the revival of the walk was an important step towards encouraging healthier lifestyles while solidifying community unity in the nation's capital.He urged residents to view good health as an investment, saying personal wellbeing is essential to achieving success in education, business, employment, and family life."Your health is your wealth.”He encouraged people to incorporate simple physical activities such as walking into their daily routines.The Governor also stressed the role of the weekly Walk and Yoga for Life program in bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, creating a stronger sense of belonging and shared responsibility for the city. “It's very important that we have a platform by which we come together so we can feel a sense of community.”“There are so many tribes, so many clans, and so many cultures. How do we interact? How do we have a sense of community? This program is for health, fitness and wellness, but importantly it's for us as a city to come together.”He acknowledged the continued support of the Active City team and other partners for promoting health and wellness in Port Moresby.Governor Parkop encouraged more residents to participate in the free weekly fitness activities, saying maintaining an active lifestyle would help improve both individual wellbeing and the overall health of the community.

Pacific Reinsurance Corporation (Pacific RE) has celebrated its continued growth, strengthened partnerships and expanding role in the Pacific insurance market during its third annual cocktail evening held in Port Moresby last evening.Pacific RE Chairman Joe Krammer welcomed stakeholders, partners, board members and guests at the event, acknowledging their support in helping the company grow into the region’s only homegrown reinsurer.Krammer said Pacific RE had come a long way, crediting long-serving directors and management for their contribution in revitalising the organisation.He also announced the renewal of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lolesh Sharma’s contract for another three years, describing him as an important part of Pacific RE’s ongoing success.“We are very fortunate to have him, and he is going to remain with us for the next three years,”Pacific RE CEO Lolesh Sharma said the annual cocktail evening had grown from a small gathering between the company’s board, management and local stakeholders into a major networking event for the Pacific insurance and reinsurance sector.This year’s event recorded around 120 attendees, almost double the number from Pacific RE’s first year.Sharma welcomed global reinsurance brokers Guy Carpenter and Aon Re from Sydney, along with long-term retrocession partners Korean Re and Odyssey Re, who have supported Pacific RE for more than two decades.He said Pacific RE’s unique position brought together underwriters, insurers, brokers and regulators, creating opportunities for greater collaboration and knowledge sharing across the industry.Sharma highlighted Pacific RE’s commitment to innovation, particularly in parametric insurance products designed to support communities affected by climate-related risks.He said Pacific RE, in partnership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund and the Development Bank of Tuvalu, launched its first tide-based parametric insurance product for fishermen in Tuvalu earlier this year.He also revealed that under the PNG Parametric Program, in partnership with Women’s Micro Bank and PMMI, payments had recently been made to 4,800 beneficiaries affected by drought conditions across Central, Gulf, Morobe and Milne Bay provinces.Sharma said there was significant potential for parametric insurance products to support Papua New Guinea’s informal sector in the future.He also emphasized the company’s growing confidence among insurers, noting a major increase in business placements.“Five years ago, we would receive three to four Facultative reinsurance (FAC) offers per week, or sometimes per month. Now, we receive three to four FAC offers per day.”Sharma said the growth reflected increasing trust and confidence in Pacific RE as the Pacific’s only 100 percent Papua New Guinea-owned and operated reinsurer.He encouraged stakeholders to continue working together to strengthen the region’s insurance sector.The evening concluded with networking, food and cultural showcases featuring Pacific cuisine, celebrating Pacific RE’s journey and its vision for the future.

Papua New Guinea's rapidly growing population is placing increasing pressure on the country's health system, with more women experiencing unplanned pregnancies and hospitals struggling to cope with rising demand.Speaking during a World Population Day panel discussion with Marie Stopes PNG at the University of Papua New Guinea's Waigani Campus, Dr Glen Mola, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Head of Reproductive Health at the University of Papua New Guinea School of Medicine, said Port Moresby General Hospital has seen the number of women seeking maternity care more than triple over the past five decades."Last year alone, more than 17,000 women came to our labour ward for safe, supervised births.”"When I began my medical training in the 1970s, we were seeing only about 5,000 to 6,000 women a year. The demand has continued to grow, placing enormous pressure on the health system."Dr. Mola, said while births temporarily stabilized after the introduction of post-delivery family planning services through a partnership with Marie Stopes PNG, numbers have increased again over the past five years due to continued population growth and migration into the capital.He said many pregnancies remain unplanned, particularly among young people.According to Dr. Mola, around 10 per cent of women giving birth at Port Moresby General Hospital are teenagers who are still attending school, while between 30 and 40 per cent of pregnancies among women in their twenties are also unplanned.Research conducted at the hospital found that approximately half of the women attending one of its reproductive health clinics reported their pregnancy was unplanned.Dr. Mola said Papua New Guinea must begin changing its traditional thinking about family size, noting that large families, once important for farming, community labour and survival, are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain in modern society."The cost of raising and educating children today is much higher than it was in the past.”He estimated that educating one child from primary school through university can cost families between K100,000 and K200,000."Parents need to understand the commitment they make when they have children. Every child deserves proper education, healthcare and opportunities to succeed."Dr. Mola also warned that the increasing population is stretching hospitals beyond capacity, with pregnant women sometimes forced to sleep on floors while waiting for beds because maternity wards are full."The health service is not coping.”Beyond the financial burden, he said inadequate family planning contributes to wider social challenges, including school dropouts, youth unemployment, gender-based violence and child neglect.Additionally, Dr. Mola said healthcare workers regularly treat survivors of sexual violence, including very young children, describing such cases as some of the grimmest aspects of his work.Family planning should not be viewed as limiting families, but as ensuring every child is wanted, healthy and given the best chance to succeed.

Two Papua New Guinean developing artists are calling for greater investment in the country's music industry after taking part in the Musik Blok program in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province describing the experience as life-changing and a major step towards building professional careers in music.Philip Kasibuda Kurina known by his artist name, Kazibuda and Brendan Lahui were among the first participants selected for the pilot music school, founded by PNG artist Ngaiire, which aims to mentor and develop aspiring musicians, songwriters and creatives.Lahui said he discovered the opportunity through TikTok and admitted he initially expected only a few lessons before returning home, instead, he found a well-structured program that exceeded his expectations."I thought we would just go there, learn a few things and come back, but it was much more than I expected,” he said. "The program had structured daily sessions and gave us valuable knowledge about the music industry."Kazibuda added that the program covered every stage of music production, from song writing and recording to understanding how a song becomes a finished track and the participants also received mentorship from experienced industry professionals and learned valuable life skills beyond music."We learned how to create music from the beginning, how to write songs and also how to navigate the music journey. It wasn't just about music; it was also about life and reality.”One of the biggest lessons, the pair said, was understanding intellectual property rights and how artists can earn royalties from their work.He explained that many local artists are unaware of these opportunities because of the limited professional development available within PNG's music industry."We learned about intellectual property and royalties, which many artists in PNG don't really know about.”Inspired by the experience, both artists hope to give back to the next generation by creating opportunities for young musicians and encouraging more creative spaces across the country.Lahui said the program had changed how he viewed his future as an artist."I've always wanted to make music, but work and financial challenges made it difficult, this program gave me the break I've been looking for.”The artists also believe technology, including artificial intelligence, will continue to shape the music industry but say authentic human creativity will always remain important.Lahui emphasized that AI follows algorithms, while musicians bring emotion, originality, and authenticity to their work."We can't stop technology, but human creativity steps outside the box in ways AI cannot.”Both individuals are now urging the Government, private sector and industry stakeholders to invest more in initiatives such as Musik Blok to help develop PNG's growing creative sector.Kazibuda stressed that the country has enormous untapped musical talent but lacks the support systems needed for artists to succeed."I would appreciate it if the Government, businesses and individuals worked together to support more initiatives like this and create more opportunities for young creatives.”Lahui echoed the call, saying Musik Blok had given him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and hoped the program would continue to expand so more aspiring musicians could benefit in the future.

Schools in Central Province have been advised to introduce temporary measures to manage water shortages as dry conditions continue to affect learning environments.Central Provincial Education Advisor Aeva Omuru said schools experiencing water shortages may close classes earlier each day, provided students are given homework to make up for the lost afternoon lessons."They have written in seeking permission for early closure of classes each day. We have advised them to do that. Before they send the children home, there must be homework given to cover the afternoon classes.”He said the Education Division is also encouraging schools to use their Government Tuition Fee Subsidy (GTFS) funds to purchase additional water tanks for students and staff.Schools located in areas accessible by road have also been encouraged to buy water carts to refill their tanks when needed.However, Mr. Omuru acknowledged that finding solutions for more remote schools remains a challenge."Those further out, we still haven't come up with what type of actions we are going to take, depending on their situation. Some might be close to rivers. As we go along, we will decide.”He urged schools to continue reporting any challenges they face so the Education Division can assess each situation and provide appropriate support."Whatever issues the schools are facing, they report to us and we make a decision to address those as we go along.”The measures come as education authorities prepare for the impacts of dry weather conditions linked to El Niño, with schools looking at practical ways to maintain learning while ensuring students have access to safe water.

Lightspeed PNG, a locally registered communications and digital infrastructure provider and authorized Starlink reseller recently rolled out its first community deployment under its Pacific Connect Foundation initiative in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.The setup, which took place at Tubusereia Junior High School in Central Province, replaces older satellite equipment which could not match the lower latency and higher performance of Starlink.Lightspeed PNG CEO Richard Broadbridge, during the installation, stated that this marked one of the early school partnerships for Lightspeed PNG.Additionally, such a service can support other community institutions. “This is designed to support schools, health centres, police stations, and so forth.”“Lightspeed PNG provides Starlink hardware and a managed service, including firewall protection, with no upfront equipment cost for schools.”Estimated contribution is at around K10,000 per installation, while participating institutions cover ongoing service and data costs of about K600 per month.A defining feature of the initiative is what Broadbridge describes as “clean internet,” where access is filtered to block adult content and restrict social media use in order to prioritize learning for students.He encouraged students to use the internet as a tool for education, stressing opportunities to access learning platforms, research tools, and emerging technologies such as AI for creative and academic development.Lightspeed became the first reseller in the Pacific following PNG’s Starlink licensing in 2024 and has been in the digital space for over a decade.

Director: Aaron Horvath, Michael JelenicCast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, Brie LarsonRating: PG | Genre(s): Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy | Run Time: 1hr 38minGREAT FOR NOSTALGIA – OCCASSIONALLY CORNY“Straight out of Illumination Studios, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) delivers vibrant animation and nostalgic game call-backs, but ultimately leans on familiar storytelling and formulaic structure, making it more of a visually enjoyable experience than a narratively bold one.”Mario (Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day), Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) and Yoshi (Donald Glover) must journey across various planets in the galaxy after Rosalina (Brie Larson) – Guardian of the Cosmos – got abducted by Bowser Jr (Benny Safdie).The film’s plot is simple and fairly easy to comprehend through its usage of the classic damsel-in-distress trope – but with a twist. Pacing was slow during close up interactions between Peach and Mario, resulting in the scenes feeling more of a bore than emotionally charged. In terms of originality, Princess Peach taking initiative to be the primary rescuer was a fresh change from outdated stereotypes in film. Overall, the movie still retains formulaic storytelling.The Super Mario Galaxy Movie features iconic tracks from the original games (arranged by Brian Tyler) woven into adapted scenes to evoke a strong sense of nostalgia among viewers. Titles such as Overworld Theme (Ground Theme) remixed into an orchestral score, are utilized rather than pop music. This results in a more immersive and game faithful landscape.Bowser Jr was underwhelming as a villain, despite getting a strong start. There was potential for him to be written into a much stronger antagonist. The drawback occurred when he was given an empathetic and cheesy backstory shifting the focusing to a cliché father-wound rather than putting more emphasis on him and Bowser’s naïve ambitions of power. Ultimately, Bowser Jr’s character suffers from poorly handled development.Overall, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) brings a visually vibrant and musically rich adaptation of Nintendo’s beloved franchise, effectively capturing the charm and energy of the original games. While its animation, soundtrack, and world-building stand out as clear strengths, the film struggles with uneven pacing and a reliance on cliché storytelling structures that diminish its narrative impact. Some character arcs, particularly Bowser Jr.’s, feel underdeveloped, preventing the film from reaching its full emotional or thematic potential. Nevertheless, nostalgic references and strong visual design help keep the experience engaging for fans.Final Verdict:A colourful and reminiscent space adventure elevated by striking animation and iconic soundtracks but held back by formulaic storytelling and inconsistent character development. Enjoyable for fans, but not groundbreaking.★★★⯪☆ (3.5/5)