New York CNN— Around 12 hours after shutting itself down in the United States, TikTok is back for many users almost like it never left, attributing its return to a move by President-elect Donald Trump to save the app. TikTok welcomed users back with a notification that said: “Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!” The whiplash move to bring the app back comes after TikTok became unusable for Americans late Saturday night. Users who tried to open the app at that time were met with a message saying it was offline and asking users to “stay tuned.” “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now,” TikTok’s message read in part. The app was also unavailable on the Apple and Google Play stores, along with Lemon8 and CapCut, which are also owned by TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance. Early on Sunday, Trump said he would issue an executive order following his inauguration on Monday to delay enforcement of the divest-or-ban law. And within hours, access to TikTok’s app and webpage began to return for US users. TikTok’s restoration will be welcome news for the app’s 170 million American users, many of whom use the app for hours every day to find news, entertainment and community and, in some cases, to make a living, after weeks of uncertainty. And it signaled that Trump may be poised to score a major political victory by claiming responsibility for bringing back the popular platform. In a statement midday Sunday, TikTok said Trump’s promise to save the app allowed it to restore US users’ access even before his expected executive order is signed. “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive,” the company said in a statement. “We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.” TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend Trump’s “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” in Washington, DC, Sunday night, before being seated prominently at the incoming president’s inauguration Monday. But while TikTok’s shutdown lasted just a few hours, securing the app’s long-term future in the United States is likely to be more complicated. The path to securing TikTok’s future Trump said Sunday in a Truth Social post that he plans to issue an executive order following his inauguration on Monday to “extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.” He urged TikTok’s partners to allow the app to be restored, saying “the order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.” “Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump said. Trump had said he was considering a 90-day extension in the ban to give him time to work out a deal to sell the app to a non-Chinese owner. In his post, Trump said he would seek a 50-50 joint venture between TikTok’s existing parent company, China-based ByteDance, and a new, American owner. Such an announcement could serve as a kind of immediate political victory for Trump with America’s youth. Although Trump supported a TikTok ban in his first term as president, he has recently said he wants to keep the app alive — posting on Truth Social Sunday morning: “SAVE TIKTOK!” Last month, he asked the Supreme Court to stay the law so his incoming administration could work out a deal to keep TikTok available to Americans. The Supreme Court upheld the law on Friday. TikTok appealed to Trump in its pop-up message on the app starting late Saturday night notifying users that the app was unavailable in the United States. “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office,” the company posted in its pop-up message. “Please stay tuned!” And Chew also lauded Trump in a video responding to the company’s Supreme Court loss on Friday, saying, “we are grateful and pleased to have the support of a president who truly understands our platform, one who has used TikTok to express his own thoughts and perspectives, connecting with the world and generating more than 60 billion views of his content in the process.” Trump attributed his election victory in part to TikTok at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in December. “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” Trump said, then claiming to have won the youth vote by a significant margin. “And there are those that say that TikTok had something to do with it.” The law banning TikTok passed with strong bipartisan support in Congress, citing national security concerns. Although a Pew Research Center Survey in 2023 found about half of Americans supported the ban, it has consistently proven unpopular with younger generations. With his executive order, Trump is expected to delay enforcement of the ban to give TikTok parent company ByteDance more time to find an American owner. Trump’s Sunday message may have been enough to reassure TikTok’s technology partners, including Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s content in the United States, and Apple and Google, which host the app on their app stores, to continue supporting the app. Under the law, those companies could face penalties of up to $5,000 per person who has access to TikTok, if it is enforced. Not a permanent solution But the executive order could face challenges, including from members of Trump’s own party, who say they oppose any extension of the ban. “We commend Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft for following the law and halting operations with ByteDance and TikTok, and we encourage other companies to do the same,” Republican Senators Tom Cotton, of Arkansas, and Pete Ricketts, of Nebraska, wrote in a joint statement Sunday. “The law, after all, risks ruinous bankruptcy for any company who violates it. Now that the law has taken effect, there’s no legal basis for any kind of ‘extension’ of its effective date.” Cotton and Ricketts said TikTok should only come back online by “severing all ties between TikTok and Communist China. Only then will Americans be protected from the grave threat posed to their privacy and security by a communist-controlled TikTok.” The app’s brief blackout marked the realization of a yearslong effort to block US access to TikTok over national security concerns related to its China-based owner ByteDance. Outgoing President Joe Biden signed a law last April that gave ByteDance 270 days to sell TikTok to an owner from the United States or one of its allies or face a ban. So even if Trump pledges to reverse the ban, he can’t simply undo a law passed by Congress and signed by a president with an executive order. That’s why TikTok shut down in the first place. Despite the Biden administration all but saying they would defer enforcement to the incoming Trump administration, a person close to TikTok says “multiple critical service providers” indicated to TikTok that they were concerned that the ban might be enforced starting Sunday. For example, Apple released a statement Sunday that cited the ban as its reason for removing TikTok from its app store. It noted the app will remain available for customers who already downloaded it, but it won’t be able to be redownloaded if deleted. “Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates,” the company said in its statement. “Pursuant to the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, apps developed by ByteDance Ltd. and its subsidiaries — including TikTok, CapCut, Lemon8, and others — will no longer be available for download or updates on the App Store for users in the United States starting January 19, 2025.” The long-term fix The only truly permanent solutions to keep TikTok online appear to be: 1) pass a new law reversing the old one — no easy task, considering that the existing bill had such broad bipartisan support in Congress — or 2) force a sale to an acceptable buyer. Two potential buyers — a group led by billionaire Frank McCourt and “Shark Tank’s” Kevin O’Leary, as well as AI search engine PerplexityAI — have submitted formal bids for the app and others have reportedly shown interest in TikTok. ByteDance, however, has long been adamant that it has no intention of selling. TikTok’s near-magical algorithm, keeping users hooked on the app, is its secret power, and putting a price tag on such a valuable commodity, envied by every other social media app, is difficult. McCourt’s buyer group has said it would buy TikTok’s US assets without the algorithm and rebuild the app, but tech giants like Meta and YouTube have for years worked to replicate TikTok’s popular algorithm without quite succeeding. O’Leary told CNN he met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month to discuss the outlook for the app. Spinning off an American-only version of TikTok could also mean the rest of the world has to download a new app to access US users’ content. Yet Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal reported last week that China is weighing a sale — to Elon Musk. Musk may have the resources to buy the app, and he’s a major Trump supporter and about to take a quasi-role in his government. But it’s unclear that he would want to, and he has not publicly commented directly on the acquisition reports. On Sunday, Musk posted on X that he opposes the TikTok ban “because it goes against freedom of speech.” “That said, the current situation where TikTok is allowed to operate in America, but X is not allowed to operate in China is unbalanced. Something needs to change,” Musk said. If ByteDance chooses to engage, Trump could perhaps argue that significant progress has been made on a deal — a legal threshold that would legally permit Trump to reverse the ban to allow the sale process to commence. In his Truth Social post Sunday, Trump said the United States should have “a 50% ownership position in a joint venture.” “By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to say (sic) up,” he said. “Therefore, my initial thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners whereby the U.S. gets a 50% ownership in a joint venture set up between the U.S. and whichever purchase we so choose.” That’s only a temporary measure, though, as the sale would ultimately need to go through. Until then, TikTok’s future will remain very much in doubt. When asked about the app’s restoration and Trump’s desire for a deal, China’s foreign ministry told reporters Monday that it believed companies should decide independently about their operations and deals. “We hope the US can listen to rational voices and provide an open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for market players from all countries,” said ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. A ‘surreal’ shutdown Many TikTok users had held onto hope that the shutdown would be short-lived. Still, the Saturday night shutdown was a sad loss for some users — a reminder of the app’s cultural influence. Many users joined the app in early 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic was otherwise isolating them from community and other creative outlets. “I’m so sad for so many people. I was shocked. I think I was probably in denial a little bit that it would actually just go dark,” influencer Shannon Lange told CNN early Sunday, before access to the app was restored. Influencer Alix Earle, who had nearly 8 million TikTok followers, posted a tearful video on the platform ahead of the shutdown saying, “I feel like I’m going through heartbreak. This platform is more than an app or a job to me. I have so many memories on here. I have posted every day for the past 6 years of my life.” Julie Turkel, a TikTok creator who said she was scrolling the app when it stopped working Saturday night, called the shutdown “surreal.” “It was just surreal, it did have a very eerie feeling,” Turkel told CNN. She added that although she had anticipated the shutdown after TikTok’s warnings last week, “seeing it actually go down is different.” Turkel told CNN early Sunday she was taking a digital “detox,” opting not to spend time on Instagram or other short-form video platforms, while TikTok was down. The break didn’t last long. When the app returned on Sunday, Lange posted a video smiling and dancing, with overlaid text that read: “Longest 13 hours of my life and I was sleeping for 9 of them.”  

Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) took a significant step in its 2025 stakeholder engagement by joining over 2,500 teachers at the Sioni Kami Memorial Church for the Teachers Dedication Service in Port Moresby city today. This marks NSL’s first major event of the year and highlights the important relationship with the education sector, which comprises approximately 50% of NSL’s membership base. At the event, CEO Mr. Paul Sayer addressed the teachers, emphasizing the importance of updating beneficiary information and investing in their future through voluntary contributions. Mr. Sayer encouraged the teachers to take full advantage of NSL’s offerings, including the FREE Financial Literacy Program designed to help members achieve a financially secure retirement. "We want to ensure that our members are well-prepared for retirement," said Mr. Sayer. "Updating beneficiary lists and considering additional contributions not only secures your future but also positions you for opportunities like Housing Advances," he further explained. In addition to these important messages, Mr. Sayer shared positive news for long-term contributors. He thanked the government on behalf of NSL’s 235,000 members for the decision to remove a 2% tax on retirement savings for those who have contributed for 15 years or more. This change, set to take effect this year and will allow eligible members to access their full superannuation savings upon retirement. In addition to the announcement, NSL shared preliminary financial results for 2024, with a current interim crediting rate of 6%. The final interest rate for 2024 is expected to be one of the highest in recent years. The results highlight NSL’s solid performance amidst challenges, with significant payouts to members, including K450 million in benefits and K106 million in housing advances to support homeownership for over 5,000 members. The event also provided an opportunity for NSL to address queries and collect updated member details from teachers ahead of the new academic year.

Haus Kunai Films is bringing an incredible opportunity to Port Moresby city with its first-ever film and video production training. This five-day program is tailored for anyone passionate about entering the creative industry or enhancing their social media content. Scheduled to take place from February 3rd to February 7th, 2025, at the American Corner, National Library in Waigani, the training sessions will run daily from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. This training is designed to cater for all levels, offering skills that can be applied to various devices such as DSLRs, GoPros, and mobile phones. Editing training will cover professional software like Adobe Premiere Pro, as well as beginner-friendly tools such as CapCut. Haus Kunai Films has a proven track record of success. In 2023, participants in Kavieng worked on the set of the National Geographic TV series Welcome to Earth starring Will Smith. In 2024, students in Colorado Springs saw their documentaries broadcast on PBS TV and with the experience delivering training both locally and internationally, Haus Kunai Films ensures participants receive world-class instruction. To make the program even more exciting, two lucky participants will be selected to join an upcoming film production in March, offering hands-on experience on a professional film set which is an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring creatives to launch their careers. For those interested, registration is now open. To secure your spot, contact Haus Kunai Films at 78588890 or email hauskunaifilms@gmail.com. You can also reach out via their social media platforms for assistance. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker or looking to enhance your marketing efforts, this training promises to be a valuable steppingstone into the world of video production.

The Minister for Education, Lukas Dekena, has outlined the government’s 2025 Academic Year Plan and its commitment to ensuring quality education for all students in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Minister Dekena, when speaking at the Dedication Service for Education today in Port Moresby city, emphasized that education remains a fundamental right for all children and a powerful tool for the country’s development. “Education is the key to unlocking the potential of our people,” he said, urging all stakeholders to work towards ensuring that every child has access to quality education. Recognizing the challenges faced by educators, the Minister confirmed that efforts are being made to improve teacher welfare. He highlighted the importance of providing resources, such as free airfares, teachers leave allowance and improving the quality of teaching through ongoing training and support for teachers. One of the major announcements in the Minister’s speech was the phased elimination of the Grade 8 and Grade 10 selection processes. “Beginning this year, five provinces will pilot this initiative, with the goal of extending access to education for all students up to Grade 12 by 2027. This initiative will ensure that more students stay in school and continue their academic journeys without being hindered by examination-based selection,” the Minister explained. To accommodate students who may not follow the traditional academic route, Minister Dekena highlighted the importance of alternative education pathways, such as vocational training and the Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) program. These programs will provide opportunities for students who drop out of the formal education system to continue learning and developing practical skills. In line with the government’s commitment to integrating Christian values into education, the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) curriculum will be piloted in selected schools within the National Capital District in 2025. The curriculum is designed to embed Christian principles into the learning environment, shaping students to become law-abiding and God-fearing citizens. Minister Dekena also revealed the long-term Education Transformation Mission 2075, which will be officially launched during Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations in September 2025. The mission will focus on transforming the education system by embedding Christian values, enhancing the quality of education, and producing a generation of well-rounded citizens committed to the country’s growth and development. As the ceremony concluded, Minister Dekena called on all education stakeholders to remain dedicated to the mission of delivering quality education and ensuring that no child is left behind. “Together, we can restore the future of our children,” he stated, reinforcing the collective responsibility to commit to the education sector and help create a brighter future for PNG. The event ended with a pledge of dedication from all attendees, symbolizing their collective resolve to support the Ministry’s initiatives and make the vision of quality education a reality for every child in the country.

This morning, the Ministry of Education held its Dedication Service and Launched the 2025 Academic Year at the Reverend Sione Kami Memorial Church in Port Moresby city, dedicating the year to God. The ceremony revolved around the theme, “Restoration of Wholeness Through Jubilee with God”, inspired by Leviticus 25:10. This annual event marked a significant milestone in reaffirming the Ministry's commitment to delivering quality education across Papua New Guinea. The Dedication Service and Academic Year Launch is a key event for the Ministry of Education, setting the tone for the year ahead. It provides an opportunity to align the department’s plans with its vision of accessible and quality education for all. This year’s theme emphasizes spiritual guidance and unity as the foundation for achieving educational excellence. The program opened with a prayer by Pastor Onamusi, followed by a welcoming address from Mr. Paul Ainui, Deputy Secretary of the Curriculum & Standards Directorate. The RSKMC Church Band then led the congregation in an uplifting session of praise and worship. Key messages were delivered by, Mr. Dennis Bagelo, Director General of OLA; Mr. Samson Wangihomie, TSC Chairman; and Dr. Uke Kombra, PhD, OBE, Secretary for Education. The Keynote Address was presented by Lucas Dawa Dekena the Minister for Education and Member for Gumine. During his speech, Minister Dekena highlighted the government’s bold commitment to free education. "The government’s commitment to free education in 2025 ensures that every child in the system will have access to fully funded education, leaving no child behind in our pursuit of shaping a brighter future." Dr. Uke Kombra also emphasized the Ministry’s mission to provide equal opportunities for all students. "We are committed to creating accessible, quality education pathways for every child in Papua New Guinea, ensuring no one is left behind as we transform our education system for a brighter future." The ceremony also included the Dedication of the Ministry’s Plans for 2025, led by Reverend Jack Moha, and a Dedication Prayer for all Ministry of Education officers by Pastor Onamusi. The event’s program featured an item presentation and a freewill offering led by Mr. Dominic Mealin, the Ministry’s Legal Officer. The ceremony highlighted the Ministry's unwavering resolve to empower the nation through education. The focus on free education and accessible pathways reflects the government’s pledge to support children in every corner of Papua New Guinea, ensuring no child is left behind. The event concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Wailipe Wingi, Deputy Secretary of Schools Directorate, and a closing prayer by Pastor Edwards. This year’s Dedication Service not only reaffirmed the Ministry’s goals but also united all stakeholders in a shared vision for a brighter, more inclusive future in education.

The Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF), with support from the Australian Government’s Pawarim Komuniti Partnerships program, is delivering a transformative solar energy project in Madang Province’s Rai Coast District for the first time. This ambitious initiative marks one of the largest solar roll- outs the district has ever seen, with over 12,100 household systems, 22 community facility systems, and 777 streetlights being installed across 157 remote villages. The project is set to illuminate the lives of more than 60,500 people in some of Papua New Guinea's most underserved communities. The large-scale solar initiative, funded by the Australian Government under the Pawarim Komuniti Partnerships program, spans three provinces: Morobe, Madang, and New Ireland provinces. It is designed to bring reliable, sustainable energy to remote regions, impacting over 155,000 people in 280 villages. In total, the program will deliver over 31,100 household systems, community facility systems, and streetlights, revolutionizing access to clean energy in these rural areas. With KTF's groundbreaking work in Madang, this project is a significant step toward enhancing the quality of life in remote communities by providing access to solar energy. It underscores a shared commitment to empowering rural populations and fostering sustainable development in Papua New Guinea.

A bold step towards peace and conflict resolution has emerged in the nation’s capital Port Moresby city that focusses on communities working together. The community-based organization, Port Moresby Hevi Toktok, was established in 2023 by founder Mr. Ricky Narewec and aims to address violence and conflicts by equipping communities with essential problem-solving and conflict management skills. Registered with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA), the initiative is rooted in Narewec’s experience working with community leaders in dispute resolution at the Morobe Block Settlement. His vision is to empower grassroots communities where violence and conflicts range from ethnic clashes to sorcery-related violence that are prevalent, with the right tools to address these issues. "The level of violence and its devastating impacts on families, clans, and tribes is unprecedented," said Narewec. "It disrupts lives, displaces communities, and brings about anxiety, chaos, and poverty. Addressing these issues requires proactive measures at the community level." Conflicts often spiral out of control due to a lack of formal systems or skills for non-violent resolution. While institutions like the police and village courts provide some support, they rarely reach the grassroots level, leaving families and informal groups unequipped to handle disputes. "We believe that problem-solving and conflict management are essential life skills that everyone should have," Narewec explained. "These skills are as fundamental as cooking or carpentry. If we can empower people to manage conflicts safely and non-violently, we can create stronger, more resilient communities," he added. Port Moresby Hevi Toktok targets several areas of conflict, including family and gender-based violence, sorcery-related violence, political and election-related violence, criminal violence, and tribal conflicts. The organization advocates integrating conflict management education into the school curriculum to build a conflict-resilient younger generation. "Teaching these skills in schools will empower our children to resolve disputes and conflicts as they grow. This proactive approach can cultivate a generation of peacemakers and problem-solvers, reducing the number of troublemakers in our communities." Mr. Narewec emphasized. So far, the organization has conducted seven awareness sessions across three settlement communities in Port Moresby, with plans to expand its outreach to schools and other community groups throughout Papua New Guinea. Port Moresby Hevi Toktok also aligns its mission with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions. By providing communities with tools for peaceful dispute resolution, the organization contributes to the broader vision of global peace and justice. "Our work supports SDG 16 by enabling communities to build strong institutions through peace and justice. Peaceful communities create a foundation for prosperity, not just locally, but nationally," said Narewec. The organization is self-funded and calls for support from individuals, development organizations, and corporate donors to sustain its mission. "Peacebuilding is a collective responsibility and we all prosper in peaceful communities, so we need everyone’s support,” he concluded. Port Moresby Hevi Toktok remains committed to fostering peace and conflict resolution in communities, offering hope for a more harmonious and prosperous Papua New Guinea.

Access to clean drinking water remains a critical health and wellbeing concern, particularly in rural areas of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Managing Director of Madfox Enterprise, Gary Litz, has been at the forefront of addressing this issue with the Madfox Pawa x Sawyer Clean Water Bucket Filter, an innovative solution aimed at improving water accessibility and quality for rural communities. In PNG, around 66% of the population lacks access to clean drinking water, while 76% do not have access to safe sanitation facilities, as highlighted by UNICEF. This lack of access significantly impacts public health, with the absence of clean water leading to waterborne diseases that result in stunting, wasting, and other chronic health problems in rural communities. A 2019 report from the United Nations Joint Monitoring Program estimated that only 41% of the population had access to safe drinking water, and just 13% had access to improved sanitation. These figures demonstrate the significant challenge faced by PNG in providing basic clean water infrastructure, especially in its rural and remote areas. Born and raised in the picturesque province of Madang, Gary Litz grew up witnessing the daily struggles of rural communities to access clean water. He saw families walking long distances to fetch water that was often unsafe to drink, a challenge that deeply impacted their health and quality of life. These experiences left a lasting impression on Litz, inspiring him to develop a solution that could bring clean water to even the most remote villages, a solution that would be both cost-efficient and effective for those who needed it most. Determined to make a difference, Litz conducted extensive research and testing, eventually introducing the Sawyer Clean Water Filter through his initiative, Madfox Pawa. This innovative filtration system was designed to be a practical and affordable answer to the water crisis, providing households and communities in rural regions with a sustainable way to access clean drinking water. Each filter costs just PGK192.50 and lasts over five years, providing a lasting impact in areas where access to clean water is scarce. It removes over 99.94% of bacteria, dust, and impurities that cause diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, which lead to developmental problems in young children. Angela Pennefather, Founder of Melanesian Luxury Yachts, has been a strong supporter of this clean water initiative. Ms. Pennefather recently announced on LinkedIn that Melanesian Luxury Yachts has ordered the first 200 filters to be delivered during their upcoming expedition to West New Britain. These filters will be distributed to rural hospitals, schools, and families in need. “Having seen the results firsthand, I’m thrilled to announce that Melanesian Luxury Yachts has ordered our first 200 filters, which will be delivered as part of our next expedition to West New Britain,” said Pennefather. “The goal is to alleviate the daily burden of collecting water and significantly improve health outcomes for communities,” she added. Each water filter, purchased through Madfox Pawa, has the potential to create a tangible, lasting impact, providing a solution to an urgent challenge facing millions of people in rural PNG. Gary Litz is committed to addressing the clean water crisis in PNG, working closely with partners like Angela Pennefather and Melanesian Luxury Yachts to bring life-changing solutions to the country’s most underserved communities.

TikTok went dark in the United States on Saturday night (local time), less than two hours before a ban was slated to go into effect. Visitors to the app were greeted with a message reading: "Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now. "A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now." In Australia, users clicking on American-based users were also greeted with the message. TikTok was expected to go dark in the United States on Sunday (local time) after the Supreme Court upheld a ban on the Chinese-owned social media platform — but it could be back as early as Monday. Late on Saturday, TikTok began displaying a message reading: "We regret that a US law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable. "We're working to restore our service in the US as soon as possible, and we appreciate your support. Please stay tuned." The notice came just hours before the ban was set to go into effect. But how long the ban will last was in question after President-elect Donald Trump said he will "most likely" delay a ban on TikTok for 90 days after he takes office on Monday, adding that he has not made a final decision in a phone interview with NBC News on Saturday. "I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it's appropriate. You know, it's appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It's a very big situation," Trump said in the interview. "If I decide to do that, I'll probably announce it on Monday," he added. The warning from TikTok — and the suggestion of an extension — is the latest twist in a saga that's dragged on for months, leaving the fate of the app, with its 170 million US users, in limbo. The law blocking TikTok was passed last year with strong bipartisan support and signed into law by President Joe Biden. Lawmakers said TikTok's ties to China and its access to reams of data posed a threat to national security. Many US users told CNN they were bracing for an end to the app, including influencers and other small businesses that said they depended on the platform for a living. Still, they said, they held out hope the app would somehow be saved. But the Supreme Court on Friday upheld the ban, dashing hopes of a last-second judicial assist. Later on Friday, TikTok said it would go offline on Sunday unless there was intervention from the Biden administration. Some of the companies that operate app stores and run computer servers are said to be concerned that they will be held liable. If TikTok goes dark, it will be because those service providers stop carrying the app to avoid legal consequences. Meanwhile, Trump — who first warned of TikTok's dangers five years ago — is now casting himself as the app's saviour. Earlier this month, on his Truth Social account, he posted stats about his own popularity on TikTok and asked, "Why would I want to get rid of TikTok?" TikTok's CEO Shou Chew has met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago home in the weeks leading up to the ban taking effect and is expected to attend Trump's inauguration on Monday. The law passed last year allows the president to delay the ban from going into effect by 90 days but requires evidence that parties working to arrange a sale of TikTok to a US-owned company have made significant progress. But TikTok's owner, ByteDance, has rejected would-be buyers. The company has cited its popularity among American users, and its value to small businesses across the country, as it fights to stay online without any change in ownership.

The Port Moresby Corporate Volleyball Competition (POMCVC) will be kicking off its highly anticipated Season 6 on March 2nd, 2025, at the Taurama Aquatic Indoor Complex (TAIC), introducing a bold new era for the competition. With the exciting introduction of tiered divisions, a promotion and relegation system, and a revamped finals structure, this season promises to take the stakes to new heights. Teams will no longer compete in traditional Cup, Plate, and Bowl finals but will battle for division titles in the newly structured Premier Division, Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, and Mixed Division. The top two teams in each division will rise through the ranks, while the bottom two will face relegation, ensuring that every match has heightened importance, and every team has something to fight for. In this new format, competition will be fierce, with each division featuring 16 to 17 teams, divided into pools to ensure a balanced and competitive structure. Only the top eight teams from each pool will qualify for the finals, with the first four securing a “double chance” while the others will face elimination matches in their fight for the Grand Final. New teams entering the competition will begin in Division 3, giving them the chance to prove themselves before climbing the ranks. A major focus of Season 6 is youth development, with the launch of the Junior Development Program, designed to nurture future champions and prepare players for the U21 National Championships. Additionally, the POMCVC Premier League will provide a platform for non-workers and seasonal teams, ensuring the competition remains inclusive and open to all skill levels. With all eyes on the action and the new format in place, Season 6 of the POMCVC is set to be a thrilling and competitive journey for players and fans alike. Team registration is open until February 10th and the Team Representatives Meeting will take place on February 22nd. Get ready for an unforgettable season of volleyball at the Taurama Aquatic Indoor Complex.

The long-awaited Motukea to Lealea road maintenance project in the Central province is nearing completion, bringing improved connectivity and safety to the area. Laba, the company overseeing the project, has confirmed that 90% of the second coat 14mm seal application has been completed. Final touches, including line marking and guardrail repairs, are currently underway, keeping the project on track to meet its deadline. This major infrastructure development has been a collaborative effort involving Laba’s supervisory, Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE), and Construction Administration (CA) teams, working seamlessly with Global. Special recognition was also given to the hardworking Global employees from the Laba villages, whose contributions have been instrumental to the project's success. Once completed, the road is expected to enhance travel reliability and safety for the community, marking a significant milestone in the region’s infrastructure development. Residents can anticipate the project’s completion in the coming weeks, paving the way for a smoother and safer journey.

A pregnant woman en route to a remote village in Central Province found herself in a life-threatening situation when she suddenly went into labour, requiring immediate medical attention, but thanks to a police officer, she was able to receive assistance. The distressing incident unfolded as the woman struggled to breathe and experienced severe pain, with no immediate access to healthcare services. In a stroke of timely intervention, Reserve Constable Clement Yobunas, a trained first aider, stepped forward to offer critical assistance. The incident was quickly reported to the 7-Mile Police Station, prompting an immediate response from Station Commander and Reserve Constable Yobunas, who rushed to the scene. “When I arrived, I immediately applied the St John Action Plan, also known as ‘DRSABCD,’ and knew exactly what to do,” said Reserve Constable Yobunas. “I introduced myself as a police officer and a first aider, reassuring the woman and others present that I was there to help until the ambulance arrived.” The woman was in severe pain and unable to stand. Efforts were made to stabilize her as the police headquarters at Konedobu was notified and the National St John Ambulance operations centre was contacted for further support. In recognition of the Reserve Constable’s quick and decisive action, Commissioner David Manning of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) commended Yobunas for stepping up in a critical moment to assist the distressed woman. “We commend Reserve Constable Yobunas for his quick thinking and decisive action in assisting a pregnant woman in distress. His actions highlight the essence of our duty as police officers—to protect. His ability to step up in such a situation reflects the core values of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, emphasizing the importance of being prepared to safeguard lives in any circumstance,” said Commissioner Manning. He also encouraged all police officers to undertake first aid training, acknowledging the National St John Ambulance Council for offering this vital training at no cost to officers or the Constabulary. Reserve Constable Yobunas is among 109 individuals who participated in the free community first aid training organized for taxi and bus drivers in the National Capital District in December. The National St John Ambulance Council (NStJA) continues its commitment to expanding first aid knowledge within the community. This year, NStJA plans to train approximately 400 police officers across the Highlands region in basic first aid, preparing them to handle emergencies effectively. As part of its legislative mandate, the National St John Ambulance Council aims to help communities across Papua New Guinea become better prepared for emergencies. One of the key strategies is providing first aid training to ensure individuals can step in and assist in times of need, enhancing the overall safety and preparedness of the population.