South Korea’s Wonkwang University shared interest in collaboration with the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Universities, following PNG Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru and his delegation’s visit to South Korea.The progressive news was announced during a meeting while visiting the Wonkwang University between Minister Maru, his delegation and the President of Wonkwang University, Mr. Park Sung Tae and his executives on Monday 27th October 2025. Minister Maru’s visit to Wonkwang University followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of International Trade and Investment and Wonkwang University in September, outlining cooperation in vocational training, talent development, research, trade, and industrial collaboration. Meanwhile, the meeting revealed South Korea’s Wonkwang University stands attentive to a cooperative effort with the Papua New Guinea University of Technology and the new Papua New Guinea University of Medicine and Health Sciences, especially in the agriculture and Health space. According to Minister Maru, the Wonkwang University will be introduced to the Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology to discuss and establish a path forward. “With Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to open its office in PNG, we hope to work them to identify what programs Wonkwang University can assist us with through our universities,” said Minister Maru. Moreover, Mr. Sung Tae also announced that Wonkwang University will be sending a medical team to Port Moresby late this year to provide free medical services to reinforce the relationship between the two countries. Minister Maru thanked the university for their drive and passion in pushing to enhance the relationship between PNG and South Korea. “I will put them in contact with the Chief Executive Officer of Port Moresby General Hospital to arrange for their visit,” he said.

Five (5) police officer based in Manus Province have been arrested and charged in relation to the murder-case of a colleague, Late Constable Ralwin Lamu, who died on May 5th, 2021.Assistant Commissioner of Police Crimes Hodges Ette confirmed that the five individuals, four Manus-based police officers and an ex-Manus-based police officer charged are now in police custody in Manus and appeared in court yesterday. The court adjourned their case to January 26th, 2026. Moreover, ACP Ette pointed out in police reports that allegedly on May 5th, 2021, the deceased was attacked while on a boat heading to N'dilau for a job. He said that while on board, the suspects were seen hitting the deceased with hard objects at locations near the village. "From information obtained by police after executing their task, they returned to Manus Police Station. Before they reached the shore, they found out that the late Lamu was not talking, so they called for a police vehicle to assist.” “When they reached the shore, they transported him in a waiting police vehicle to Manus Provincial Hospital. At the hospital, he was pronounced dead. A police complaint was registered, which my officers went to Manus to carry out the investigation that led to the arrest of the five after four years,” Ette said. He added that the five were charged with murder and are currently detained at Manus Police Station.

The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary’s (RPNGC) Human Resource Division will once again be spearheading the October 2025 Breast Cancer Fund-raiser at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGM). The Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Police Administration Dr. Philip Mitna announced this year’s theme for the upcoming Breast Cancer Fund-raiser is, “Together we Fight, to save lives through cancer awareness.” DCP Mitna declared this in a statement on Friday 23rd October 2025, emphasizing the purpose of the Fund-raiser to aid the work of the Cancer Foundation and PNG Cancer Ward at PMGM on the Wednesday 29th October 2025. Moreover, DCP Mitna said, apart from breast cancer, the RPNGC recognizes the existence of all forms of cancer in the communities and their serious impact on the society. Acknowledging the rise in deaths from different forms of cancer, the RPNGC is to recognize with emphasize the importance of this fundraising drive. · To commemorate the start of the Pinktober campaign the policemen of the NCD/Central Command will walk from 4 Mile Traffic Office to the Boroko Police Station in a show of solidarity and strength. · They are not alone in this campaign because several countries around the world are also staging similar events in their quest to prevent or minimize breast cancer across the world. The Constabulary raised over K90,000 last year, mostly from donations coming from generous individuals and corporate entities in NCD and Central Province. Furthermore, Dr. Mitna stated that anyone in the society can one day fall victim to cancer, and once again appealed to the residents of NCD both within the private and public sector and the corporate entities, to support this worthy cause. "The Pinktober initiative is all about uniting people in the fight against cancer. They must help each other to protect and fight against cancer in the community," Dr Mitna pointed out,

Air Niugini welcomed a signed Contract agreement with Airbus to support the new fleet of eleven A220 aircraft with Airbus Flight Hour Service (FHS), including integrated component services, on-site stock, pool access and repair services.The official signing commenced in a recent ceremony in Port Moresby to mark the arrival of the airline's first aircraft from the A220 main assembly facility in Canada. Present at the ceremony and signing the official document, the President Airbus Asia Pacific Mr. Anand Stanley and Captain Samiu Taufa, Air Niugini’s Officer in Charge and Acting Chief Operating Officer. “We are pleased to sign this agreement with Airbus as part of our comprehensive preparations for our new A220 fleet,” said Captain Taufa. “The arrival of the A220 marks a milestone in our long history and for the whole nation of Papua New Guinea (PNG).” “Working together with Airbus and our other partners, we are working at every level not only to meet but to exceed the expectations of our customers and the country with the best products and services the industry has to offer.” Meanwhile, Anand Stanley, President of Airbus Asia-Pacific, expressed enthusiasm about Air Niugini joining the Airbus Flight Hour Services (FHS) program while underlining Airbus’s commitment to delivering top-tier maintenance support to enhance the efficiency and performance of Air Niugini’s new A220 fleet. “We look forward to supporting Air Niugini in bringing the full potential of the A220 to their passengers and markets.” Furthermore, Airbus FHS provides airlines with a flexible, power-by-the-hour model designed to maximize aircraft availability while reducing overall operating costs. Leveraging Airbus’ engineering expertise, predictive maintenance tools, and global logistics network, FHS ensures operators are well-placed to achieve best-in-class fleet performance and reliability.

The 15km all-weather road starting at Boinahitim will reach Boinam in West Yangoru Local Level Government (LLG), taking down the last frontier in Yangoru Sassia District after fifty years.Worth K4 million, The District Engineer, Mr. Josiah Sengi, confirmed that based on the scope-worth of operation, it the highest cost in the district and will be completed in three months. He stated that the K4 million road budget covers essential construction components such as earthworks, drainage systems, culverts, and gravel surfacing. Meanwhile, member of Yangoru-Sassia District Richard Maru, pointed out his initial plan to connect the Entire Yangora-Saussia District by Road, within the country’s fifty years. Mr. Maru addressed the challenge of Residents of Boinamhitim and Boinam previously carried school building materials by foot for 15km, relying only on planes overhead. He described the new road as the final and most challenging link, cutting through mountains and jungles to reach villages that have never seen a vehicle. With this road, long-awaited services like health centres and schools will finally arrive, fulfilling the Marape-Rosso government’s promise to “leave no one behind.” “We gained independence without many roads and many villages unconnected. In my time, I am determined to connect every village in my district.” “I want to thank the Prime Minister James Marape, and the Marape-Rosso government for making available additional funding to all the districts called the Kina for Kina and District Infrastructure Funding.” “At Yangoru-Saussia, we are using these funding to deliver roads like this.” He also said that this road also meant more people working on cocoa gardens and bringing their produce to the market. “The value of cocoa exports is twice the value of coffee exports in Papua New Guinea (PNG).” “Last year, the export value of coffee was K500 million, and the value of cocoa exports was K1.2 billion.” “More funding has been going towards roads for coffee-growing regions, and it is time the Government focuses on building and maintaining economic roads in cocoa-growing regions in PNG.” Moreover, Maru acknowledge the roads upcoming contribution to enable more farmers to access markets and expand cocoa production, pointing out K1.2 millions of PNG Cocoa exports last year, more than double the value of coffee exports at K500 million. Maru urged the Government to prioritize infrastructure investment in cocoa-growing regions, which have been historically underfunded compared to coffee-producing areas. Furthermore, Maru urged the Asian Development Bank to extend its economic road program to coastal provinces, not just the highlands. He emphasized that Yangoru-Saussia District produces 20% of PNG’s cocoa and needs better infrastructure to boost output. In addition, he highlighted the Tangori to Koboibus Road as the province’s most economically viable route, deserving priority maintenance. “The new Boinahitim to Boinam Road, upon completion, will be one of the very critical high-value economic cocoa roads into the future.” “We are spending significant government funding on roads that are economical and those that will generate revenue to support the national purse.”

The first delegation of high-profile Korean investors visited Papua New Guinea (PNG) this year to explore investment opportunities in the country.Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru, said that this is the first visit they have had from the Koreans this year.“Korea has transformed from being war-ravaged to a global economic powerhouse.”The delegation includes a representative from Charmfre Inc, a leading animal welfare chicken company, the second largest Korean chicken company with a global presence, who are looking at a possibility to invest in the poultry industry in PNG.According to Minister Maru, more than K200 million worth of chicken is imported each year to PNG due to insufficient local production, relying on expensive supplies from Lae due to additional freight costs. He emphasized the need for major investors, like Charmfre, to establish a full poultry operation in Central Province to meet demand for meat, eggs, and chicks while also exploring exports. He added that the project would qualify as a Special Economic Zone with incentives, noting that PNG’s 4% annual population growth and upcoming projects will keep driving demand for chicken.“The Marape-Rosso Government is keen to replace all chicken imports and be a net exporter of chicken.""Partnerships with countries like Korea and its leading poultry companies who own global export brands like Charmfre would be a very exciting investment prospect.”In Minister Maru’s support, the PNG Poultry Industry Association Chairman Mr. Chris Prestwood underlined that chicken supply shortages this year were caused by mainly avian influenza outbreaks in exporting countries.He stressed the need for government support to attract international partners, build local capacity, and reduce reliance on imports. Prestwood added that over the next decade, more than K1.2 billion must be invested in the poultry industry to tackle malnutrition and achieve these goals.“We have the potential. Meanwhile, our existing producers are doing wonderful job as this year, production in PNG has grown by forty percent which is tremendous.”A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was the highlight of the Delegation’s visit, signed between the Ministry of International Trade and Investment and the Wonkwang University represented by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Jin-Soo Hwang, a member in the delegation.Furthermore, Minister Maru pointed the purpose of the MoU aims to boost economic development and strengthen industrial cooperation between the two countries by working together in vocational training, talent development, trade, investment, and research on imports and exports.“This is a start of our relationship. While they have signed an MoU with my Ministry, I will channel them to other Ministries and agencies that will be required to work with them.”“We are hoping that as a result of this visit, they (the Korean investors) will make some investment decisions in PNG. I am extremely delighted and excited about the future,” said Minister Maru.

The soon to be “Wingei Secondary school” in Yangoru Saussia District of East Sepik Province will open its classrooms to enroll the first batch of Grade-11 students in the upcoming 2026 academic year.The Yangoru-Saussia District MP and Miniser for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru confirmed the Wingei Junior High School will transition into a Secondary school and enroll first four classes of Grade-11’s following a full submission to minimum requirements within this year.Following the official announcement of the Wingei Secondary School transition by the late Minister for Education Jimmy Uguro in 2024, the Yangoru-Saussia District Administration (DDA) have spent K3 million to build four new teachers houses, an administration building, a library, a computer lab to cater for 50 desktops, fencing around the school, and three science labs (construction to commence this month) to meet the minimum requirements of a secondary school.Wingei Junior High School is situated on the border of Yangoru-Saussia and Maprik Districts, serving all West Yangoru LLG and Roma and Ulupirin Villages in Tami-Tamawi LLG of Marpik District. In recognition, the Maprik DDA under the leadership of Member, Libert Kapris, had invested in a state-of-the-art 4-in-1 classroom (a grade 11 block) for the school.“I want to acknowledge Hon. Kapris for his support and for being the first Member for Maprik to invest in Yangoru-Saussia District. I want to also thank the Marape-Rosso Government for making available additional through the Kina for Kina and District Infrastructure Funding. We are accounting for every toea and making sure we have an impact and that we deliver our dream and do what we have to do for our people and our district,” said Maru. “Wingei Junior High School has demonstrated good academic performance, and it has the land and the support of the community to be upgraded to a secondary school. With its upscaling to a secondary school, this will bring the number of our secondary schools in the district to four, out of nine high schools (including the new Witipi High School that is under construction).Minister Maru declared that Yangoru-Saussia District would rank with the highest number of high schools in ESP. He mentioned the Wingei Secondary School is expected to become a boarding school after 2027, highlighting the need for more boarding institutions. Maru stressed that boarding schools are important to ensure students are disciplined and properly mentored.Wingei Junior High School is a newly established high school in Yangoru-Saussia District, established in 2019 under the leadership of Minister Maru and opened its doors for first enrolment of grade 9s in 2020. It is the only school in the district that had been a permanent school since day one with no classrooms built with bush materials.The Chief of Wingei Census Division, Wesley Sangai, said he was impressed with the fast development progress of their new school and thanked the good Minister for his support and vision for Wingei Junior High School.

Members of the Police Mobile Squad 05 apprehended a wanted criminal involved in domestic terrorism and serious criminal activities in the Wau Township in Morobe province on Monday 12th May 2025. The police officers apprehended the wanted criminal at 3:30am at Wau Block, Vitis Plantation in Wau. The Morobe Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Jacob Singura confirmed this news in a statement, emphasizing the capture as a result from a tip-off from a reliable source. Further investigation following the arrest also led to the apprehension of an associate of the wanted person; a 26 years old from Ono Village, Wau District. PPC Singura stressed that until Monday, the initial capture of the perpetrator was a challenge. He was pleased to acknowledge the tactical and strategic planning by the MS 05 Squad to execute a successful apprehension. PPC Singura also highlighted that a homemade pistol was confiscated in the first arrest while in the second arrest, a homemade shotgun was confiscated. “Both suspects are now detained at the Wau police station for further police investigations with applicable charges or related charges to be laid against them for prosecutions.” “I commend the good work done by the MS 05 members who were deployed to Wau under the funding support of Wau District Development Authority to support local police there and curb criminal activities,” PPC Singura said. The PPC is warning criminals to do away with criminal activities and engage in meaningful activities to make a living, emphasizing that crime will not pay.

A Twin Otter aircraft registered as P2-AXL with Tropicair veered off the Kerema Airstrip whilst making a landing in Gulf Province yesterday. The aircraft was unintendedly steered into a ditch on the edge of the Kerema Airstrip towards Kerema Hospital at around 11am. The aircraft was chartered by TotalEnergies, traveling from Purari with two Fijian pilots and eight employees of Total Energies as passengers including their flight Superintendent, a French national. The trip was initially made to transit to Port Moresby city after boarding two female Total Energies employees in Kerema to leave on break. Gulf Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Jeffery Lemb told PNG HAUSBUNG that the aircraft came to a stop in a grassy area beside the airstrip, its nose slightly tilted downward, and tail elevated. No major structural damage or injuries were reported. PPC Lemb added that the recent strong winds and wet weather may have been the main contributing factor due the aircraft landing in the direct opposite direction of the strong winds coming from the seaside near the airstrip. Although the pilots did not provide any official statement, authorities believe the recent strong sea winds was the major contributing factor to unsettle such a small plane. Initial police investigations suggest no mechanical faults or pilot error; however, it was suspected as well that the poor runway conditions and edges of wet grass coupled with the strong winds may have also played a role in the aircraft veering off course during landing. Meanwhile, 4-hours after the incident, five total energy employees were airlifted to Port Moresby by a Hevilift helicopter, while the other five remain awaiting next pickup to Port Moresby, including the two female employees. The Fijian pilots remain at the airport to assess their next course of action.

The excitement of the Rigo Rice Cup Leg 2 Round-3 continued on Saturday delivering an intense between Vadatau Brothers and Odesh Magarima United, which ended in a draw. The match showcased competitive rugby, ending in a dramatic 10 points all draw at Bava Park Field 2. In the first half, Odesh Magarima United struck early, with Mark Hip scoring a try in the second minute, giving his team an initial 4-point lead. However, the Vadatau Brothers quickly countered with Thomas Donald’s try in the 4th minute, followed by Joshua Winnie’s penalty kick, taking them into halftime with a narrow 6-4 lead. The second half saw continued action, as Karl Tangial of Odesh Magarima United scored a try in the 40th minute, complemented by a successful conversion, pushing his team ahead. But the Vadatau Brothers leveled the score with another try from Thomas Donald. Tensions also flared during the game, resulting in the sending off of Odesh Magarima United’s Lock (#13) following a heated argument with the referee. Despite the equal score line, the game reflected the resilience and skill of both teams, setting the stage for more excitement in the Rigo Rice Cup.

Despite the commendable efforts of police and wardens at the Gordons bus stop area in Port Moresby city, a few stubborn vendors continue to defy regulations and sell their goods. This stubborn behaviour continues to create challenges for law enforcement. The community has largely acknowledged the positive impact of the wardens alongside the police presence, yet some vendors persist in their disobedience, undermining these efforts. The Gordons bus stop and market is a vast area, making it impractical for police to always be present in large numbers to enforce the rules, hence this situation demands a cooperation from the public. It is crucial for everyone to respect authority and adhere to the guidelines set forth by the police. Should a lone police officer or warden approach and instruct vendors to cease their activities, it is imperative to comply immediately with instructions. The police have also informed the public about changes to the main bus routes, including advise to commuters to transit through Gordons bus stop before 5:30 PM to avoid inconvenience. This change aims to streamline operations and enhance safety for all passengers. The cooperation of the vendors and the public is essential for maintaining order, especially at Gordons bus stop. The community’s support in following these regulations will contribute significantly to a safer and more organized environment. While the police and wardens continue to play a vital role in maintaining order, the responsibility also lies with the public to listen and adhere to their instructions.

The PNG Air National Athletics Championships is set to commence tomorrow, Thursday 5th December in Port Moresby city, and with over 300 athletes nominated to participate, the event is expected to be big to close off the year. These athletes represent their respective clubs from the Nation’s Capital, Chimbu, Manus, New Ireland, East and West New Britain, Morobe, NSI East Sepik, Gulf and Oro. Athletics PNG President Tony Green thanked all the teams who submitted their entries by the deadline. Athletics PNG can now ensure that the National Athletics squad will not face funding constraints thanks to the major sponsor of PNG Air with their return flights from Goroka, Rabaul and Lae being covered. Athletics PNG thanked its sponsors and supporters PNG Air, Prima Smallgoods, PNG Olympic Committee Lae Biscuits and Security Systems for their support, as well as the team from the PNG Sports Foundations High Performance Unit for their support. Team PNG Doctor Kapua Kapua will lead awell-qualified medical staff to be on hand to support the championships and deal with any emergencies. The championships will commence on December 5th at 2pm and concluding on the afternoon of December 7th at the Sir John Guise Stadium. Meantime, the Entries and Results Manager Monica Kalua urged all teams to send a representative to the technical meeting, which will be held at 9:30 am on Thursday December 5 at the Sir John Guise stadium.