In light of the festive operations officially launched by the NCD police on December 19th at the Unagi Oval in Port Moresby, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) for the NCD/Central Command Benjamin Turi, announced that police will be relying heavily on neighborhood watch and community initiatives.Police units from both the National Capital District (NCD) and Central Province, have signaled a unified front against crime and disorder by officially launching this joint Christmas and New Year operation. In his address, Commander Turi emphasized that the operation is already underway, with officers from both commands focusing on the safety and security of all residents. He highlighted that this strategy has already seen significant success; over the past weekend, several suburbs reported a total absence of community fights due to local street-level cooperation. “It is not just about the police; it is about the public.” “We have city wardens and neighborhood watch groups in every corner, especially from Waigani Drive to Tokarara.” “We encourage those areas that have not yet organized, to come together and look out for one another.” This initiative follows a month of specialized training for city wardens at Kuriva, who have now been deployed back into the suburbs to curb petty crime and “bag-snatching” activities. As part of the festive crackdown, the public can expect a high-visibility police presence targeting the following key enforcement areas: Drunk Driving: A strict zero tolerance policy is in effect. Offenders will be detained at the Waigani or Boroko police cells. Public Drinking: Drinking five meters away from a person’s home is already on public property and is strictly prohibited, regardless of whether it is a main highway or a small suburban street. Noise Pollution: Police have the authority to enter premises and seize sound systems if residents disturb the peace. He urged citizens to stay indoors, drink indoors, and cut the music by 10:00 PM. Misuse of Government Property: Any government vehicles found being used for non-official purposes or during late-night hours will be impounded immediately. Furthermore, the police also issued a stern warning against the practice of burning tires and blocking roads during New Year celebrations, labeling it a “primitive style” of celebration that causes damage to infrastructures. “Our governors have worked hard to build good roads. Burning tires melts the bitumen, and when the rains come, it destroys our roads.” Neighborhood watch groups have been tasked with preventing residents from dragging rubbish, old drums, or car parts onto public streets for bonfires. He further called on all citizens to respect one another and to ensure that the true meaning of the season is expressed.

Police in Port Moresby city have launched the festive security operation this morning with a show of force parade to the public at the Unagi Oval in Gordons.The NCD/Central Commander’s parade showed the police force’s readiness for the Christmas and New Year period. Addressing the assembly of officers, city wardens, and international partners, the NCD Governor Powes Parkop, delivered a stirring call for peace, inclusivity, and national unity. Reflecting on the nation’s “momentous and historical” journey since 1975, the speaker praised the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) for remaining at the forefront of progress despite five decades of challenges. “Your service, dedication, and loyalty to our city and country in 2025 has been exemplary,” Governor Parkop noted, describing the police force as one of the highest honors of the capital. Following parliament’s recent resolution to declare Papua New Guinea a Christian country, the NCD Governor highlighted the spiritual significance of the season. “The core gospel values of peace and goodwill were framed as fundamental pillars of nation-building.” While the majority of citizens are expected to celebrate peacefully, the RPNGC has been given a clear mandate, and that is to ensure that the few who exceed their limits, do not disrupt the harmony of the law-abiding majority. In addition, Governor Parkop acknowledged several key partners for their support. They include: • Local Leadership: Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) for the NCD/Central Command Benjamin Turi, and NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Warrick Simatab. • Indigenous Oversight: The Motu Koita Assembly, ensuring the involvement and respect of the city’s traditional landowners. • International Partners: The Australian Federal Police (AFP), led by Superintendent Ross Williams. • Private Sector & Community: Support from Telikom, private firms like Pacific Corporate Security and Guard Dog Security, and the newly trained City Wardens under the Port Moresby City Watch program. Meanwhile, a significant portion of the address by the governor also focused on maintaining the capital’s image. “Market places are the designated places for vending. We must ensure vendors stick to these areas to keep our city clean and safe.” Looking ahead, plans are already in motion for 2026 to address informal market “hotspots” areas ensuring the capital remains accessible for both pedestrians and motorists. Furthermore, Governor Parkop stresses that as the heart of a nation where 860 languages meet, Port Moresby has been described as the place where this dream must become reality. “By fostering a city that is inclusive and safe, the capital sets the standard for the rest of PNG.” “When we show unity here in our capital, that is when the entire nation will come together so let us work towards a prosperous 2026.”

Stop & Shop (SnS) has officially launched the festive season with its annual “Light Up Christmas” event in Port Moresby. The dazzling Christmas Light launch took place at the SnS Waigani Central outlet on Friday, November 21, 2025, marking the start of holiday cheer across all SnS locations in the city. In addition to the launching, this year, Stop & Shop is enhancing its holiday offerings by selling its own branded gift cards for the first time, moving away from the previous practice of selling them under the parent company, City Pharmacy Limited (CPL). The gift cards can be purchased at any of the seven Stop & Shop outlets in Port Moresby, including Airways, Badili, Boroko, Downtown, Waigani Central, Rainbow, and 8Mile. The cards are available in convenient values of K20, K50, and K100. According to SnS Marketing and Promotions Manager Marjorie Singu, the gift cards offer a great alternative for customers to give a valued gift to loved ones and friends this Christmas. Meanwhile, in another addition to the light launch and new gift cards, SnS is also running a major Christmas promotion where customers can win a share of K60, 000 in prizes. How to Enter: 1. Spend K100 or more at any of the seven SnS outlets in Port Moresby. 2. Write your personal details on the back of your receipt. 3. Drop the receipt into the designated Promo Entry Bin. Exciting prizes include A Family Getaway to Loloata Island Resort, K1, 000 Cash, Seven Small Pigs, Trolley Dashes, A 55-inch Smart TV and Food Hampers. The promotion began on November 3, 2025, and will close on December 14, 2025. For more information, can visit the nearest Stop & Shop outlet and have a chance to feel the festive spirit this Christmas.

The University of Goroka at Eastern Highlands province has been thrust into chaos after violent clashes erupted between students and local community members, leaving over 30 students injured, several critically. The conflict, which began as an altercation between the students and the locals that turned into an eight-hour fight starting this morning. Student Representative Council President Justin Muna who spoke to PNG HAUSBUNG, said that the incident was sparked last night when a non-residential student, attending a function hosted by a particular student association, was reportedly attacked by drunk locals while making his way to the event. The victim alerted fellow students who rushed to his aid, initiating a major confrontation with locals living near the Ato Market area. During this initial fight, students reportedly retaliated by destroying some local properties. The situation dramatically worsened this morning as locals regrouped and launched a large-scale retaliatory attack. The group headed straight for the campus, attacking students with various objects, including bows and arrows. The fighting continued for eight hours before police arrived to intervene, eventually deploying tear gas to disperse the crowds and restore order. “At this moment, we are able to confirm that over thirty students sustained injuries, including ten who suffered serious injuries and about five to six students who are in critical condition. They are currently receiving treatment at Goroka General Hospital.” Muna also confirmed that there are no deaths reported at this time. “The situation on campus remains extremely tense at this time as students, many of whom are scattered and living in fear, are awaiting further direction.” Muna also stated that the violence has had an immediate and severe impact on academic life. “The university is currently in its second week of exams, which are now badly affected and will have to be postponed indefinitely.” Students are awaiting an official statement and decision from the university administration regarding the future of the academic term under these strained circumstances. Meanwhile, the University's Vice Chancellor Dr. Teng Waninga is currently Kavieng, New Ireland province and is expected to return to the campus tomorrow to attend to the situation. Also, PNG HAUSBUNG was unable to get any updates from police on the situation after numerous calls made to the police high command in Goroka went unanswered.

As part of promoting tourism in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, the community of Hanpan village in the Haku Constituency of Buka offered a truly special welcome, blending rich culture with historical interest.The ceremony, led by the Puna group at the Hanpan Resource Centre, began with the traditional foot washing ceremony, "tsutsu". Following the welcome, a series of vibrant bamboo band traditional dances were performed. The leader and group representative, Anna Sapur, guided her bamboo band through several emotional performances, including a powerful singsing that reflected on the history of the Bougainville Crisis. Sapur also demonstrated the preparation of "Menaka" (tamatama), a traditional dish reserved for special occasions. She described how the traditional dish is made which consists of taro and pure coconut cream. “After the taro is boiled, it is mashed and mixed with coconut cream, which is squeezed after the coconut is scraped. No water is added into the coconut; just pure coconut cream.” “The mixture is then rolled into round balls and drizzled with more coconut cream before being served.” After the cultural demonstration, the experience continued with a tour to the Japanese Bunkers from World War II. Located at base of Kangu hill, the area is scattered with numerous relics throughout the jungle, each marking stories from the war. Sapur explained that this site was where the Japanese military would sit to mind the ships and planes that come in whilst looking out Kangu beach. The bunkers are a significant draw for international visitors such as tourists, particularly those from Australia and New Zealand who visit the site regularly. “They come to Bougainville for a range of interests, including the historical significance of the Japanese Bunker, eco-tourism, bird watching, and the experience of shipping/sea travel.”

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) Doctor Paki Molumi, said that the hospital has made a definitive decision, based on the advice of its clinical team, to not provide a referral letter for the conjoined twins under their care to be sent to an overseas facility.The hospital management, administration, and board have unified in their position, stating that referring the patients at this stage poses a “huge risk” due to the severity and complexity of their congenital anomalies. “The primary reason for the decision is the clinical assessment of the twins’ condition.” The twins who were born at the Angau Memorial General hospital in Morobe province, were admitted to PMGH on October 15 where they are now receiving critical care. He emphasized that the decision is “purely based on medical conditions,” not financial constraints. In terms of risk assessment, the clinical advice is that transferring the babies is a risky path. “The hospital is unwilling to take on the risks and responsibilities associated with a referral, especially considering the likelihood of the outcome remaining the same, whether the surgery is performed or not.” He further suggested that pushing for a referral, knowing the potential outcome, would give the parents false hope. Dr. Molumi said that the twins present multiple shared and defective vital organs, making any intervention extremely challenging outlining the shared organs, explaining them in layman’s terms to the parents: • One single kidney • Very small lungs (both twins) • One liver • One bladder • Shared portions of the gastrointestinal tract and rectum • One of the twins has a congenital heart disease • Spinal lesions “The babies are quite small, with a combined weight of less than three kilograms at three weeks old.” In addition, clinical advice, including consultation with Australian specialists, suggests immediate surgery is not a priority. “The twins need time to grow, be fed, and mature before any separation surgery can be considered.” He also confirmed that even before the babies arrived from Angau Memorial Hospital in Morobe province, there had already been discussions about sending them to Sydney. The hospital continued these discussions with its Australian counterparts, including teams from the Sydney Children’s Hospital and visiting professor Trevor Duke from the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. After taking into consideration the discussions and assessment, the hospital reached the decision that referral was a significant risk. “We have also escalated the matter to the Secretary of Health and the Australian Government, who are ready to assist if the hospital decides to proceed with a course of action like surgery that would require their support.” Despite the hospital’s official position against a formal referral, he stated that PMGH is happy to support any organization or any non-government organizations (NGOs) who are willing to take on this case and refer the twins to facilities anywhere in the world. He also stated that PMGH is willing to communicate with suitable hospitals, doctors, and surgical teams and also provide the necessary clinical information, medical reports, and medical images to support any led referral. The twins remain under the care of PMGH. They are currently tolerating feeds, with the stronger twin (Twin Two) taking up to 30ml of milk via a tube. The clinical team is managing infection and providing other appropriate treatment, such as oxygen, when needed. The parents have undergone continuous counselling by a multidisciplinary team, including surgeons, paediatric anaesthetists, and social workers. The goal is to ensure the parents fully understand the complexity of the twins’ condition and the likely outcomes.

The medical team at the Port Moresby General Hospital overseeing the care of the conjoined twins admitted to the neonatology unit last month has shared a difficult prognosis, stating that the infants have a very small chance of long-term survival due to significant congenital anomalies.The announcement was made today during a press conference intended to provide the media with the most appropriate and correct information regarding the challenging case. The twins were admitted to the unit on October 15, following an evaluation by a medical team from Angau Memorial Hospital in Morobe province. Since then, they have been under the continuous supervision of a team comprised of anaesthetists, intensive care staff, surgeons, and paediatric surgeons. The hospital has also engaged in multiple consultations with international counterparts. According to Director of Medical Services, Doctor Kone Sobi, they have had a number of consultations with their counterparts in Australia. These extensive discussions, including those with doctors from Sydney Hospital who have experience in separating conjoined twins, led to the unanimous decision on the current care plan. Despite public concern about transferring the babies to a specialized unit overseas, the medical team has decided against it. “The underlying thing is that both twins present with significant congenital anomalies. And we feel that even with treatment in highly specialized units, the chances of survival are very, very small.” Based on the poor prognosis, the decision has been made for the twins to remain at the local hospital, where the team will continue to provide care “as long as it’s possible.” The medical team acknowledged that an overseas transfer might seem like “the best thing” from a non-medical point of view, but their professional consensus dictates otherwise. The precarious nature of the twins' condition is due to severe malformations: • Congenital Heart Defect: One of the twins has a congenital heart defect. • Renal Agenesis: The same twin possesses only one kidney. • Pulmonary Issues: It is also believed that this twin has “healed or malformed lungs.” The situation is highly fragile, as one twin appears to be compensating for the other. “One of the twins is doing a lot of the work in terms of supplying oxygen for the heart or the other.” “It is a precarious position for both. They both depend on each other.” The immediate focus for the medical staff is that providing supportive care is ensuring the babies receive adequate nutrition, which is a top priority and infection control. “Guarding against infection is critical, as an infection affecting one twin could quickly impact both.” Dr. Sobi stressed the difficulty of the scenario, noting that it is the first time many on the team have encountered such a complex case. They also confirmed that discussions have been held with the family, who are facing the immense emotional challenge of understanding the difficult circumstances. While the current medical consensus suggests continued local care, he reiterated that if another hospital is willing to take the challenge anywhere around the world, the local team and the parents would be supported in pursuing those options.

The medical team at the Port Moresby General Hospital overseeing the care of the conjoined twins admitted to the neonatology unit last month has shared a difficult prognosis, stating that the infants have a very small chance of long-term survival due to significant congenital anomalies.The announcement was made today during a press conference intended to provide the media with the most appropriate and correct information regarding the challenging case. The twins were admitted to the unit on October 15, following an evaluation by a medical team from Angau Memorial Hospital in Morobe province. Since then, they have been under the continuous supervision of a team comprised of anaesthetists, intensive care staff, surgeons, and paediatric surgeons. The hospital has also engaged in multiple consultations with international counterparts. According to Director of Medical Services, Doctor Kone Sobi, they have had a number of consultations with their counterparts in Australia. These extensive discussions, including those with doctors from Sydney Hospital who have experience in separating conjoined twins, led to the unanimous decision on the current care plan. Despite public concern about transferring the babies to a specialized unit overseas, the medical team has decided against it. “The underlying thing is that both twins present with significant congenital anomalies. And we feel that even with treatment in highly specialized units, the chances of survival are very, very small.” Based on the poor prognosis, the decision has been made for the twins to remain at the local hospital, where the team will continue to provide care “as long as it’s possible.” The medical team acknowledged that an overseas transfer might seem like “the best thing” from a non-medical point of view, but their professional consensus dictates otherwise. The precarious nature of the twins' condition is due to severe malformations: Congenital Heart Defect: One of the twins has a congenital heart defect. Renal Agenesis: The same twin possesses only one kidney. Pulmonary Issues: It is also believed that this twin has “healed or malformed lungs.” The situation is highly fragile, as one twin appears to be compensating for the other. “One of the twins is doing a lot of the work in terms of supplying oxygen for the heart or the other.” “It is a precarious position for both. They both depend on each other.” The immediate focus for the medical staff is that providing supportive care is ensuring the babies receive adequate nutrition, which is a top priority and infection control. “Guarding against infection is critical, as an infection affecting one twin could quickly impact both.” Dr. Sobi stressed the difficulty of the scenario, noting that it is the first time many on the team have encountered such a complex case. They also confirmed that discussions have been held with the family, who are facing the immense emotional challenge of understanding the difficult circumstances. While the current medical consensus suggests continued local care, he reiterated that if another hospital is willing to take the challenge anywhere around the world, the local team and the parents would be supported in pursuing those options.

The barter system, a method of direct economic exchange without the use of money, has been practiced for many years in the past. While this practice has faded in many parts of Papua New Guinea, it remains a vital lifeline for mothers trading between the Pororan island and the mothers of the mainland at the Carola market on the West Coast of Buka.This unique exchange sees island mothers swapping fish and seafood directly with mainland mothers for garden produce such as sweet potato (kaukau), bananas, and other staples.Magdelene Hakaria, a representative from the market’s steering committee, confirms that this market has been operating for many years based on the principles of the barter system.She emphasizes that the introduction of money is what typically causes the system to decline, stressing that this traditional practice must be preserved.“The mothers still practice (barter) from both sides because not many have the money to buy goods from either side, and so this system greatly helps the needs of mothers.”“We must continue to practice this just like the past generations did.”“That is why I always encourage our elders to keep this practice going. It must not die out.”Hakaria noted that many of the women, particularly those from the island, lack cash funds, making the exchange of their goods for mainland produce essential. This vital barter market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday.

The Bougainville Experience Tours (BET) has been instrumental in its success, managing the event and bringing in valuable tourism to the Bougainville Chocolate Festival since it began eight years ago.BET’s involvement goes back to “day one,” making them a long-standing partner in the festival’s growth. Based in Arawa, where their office is located, BET has taken on the crucial role of event management, particularly in their home base. Managing Director for BET Zhon Bosco Miriona, said that since this Bougainville Chocolate Festival started, Bougainville Experience Tours have been at the back of it, helping to manage the event, especially when the event was held in Arawa back then. A key function of BET is to bring tourists to the festival. “This year, their efforts include hosting an impressive contingent of international participants.” “A dedicated tour guide is currently looking after ten to twelve chocolatiers who are exploring the festival.” The focus on tourism aims to benefit the local community broadly. While cocoa is the main theme, the festival provides a platform for local mothers to sell their arts and crafts. “Our aim is to bring tourists so they can purchase some of these arts and crafts and also bring people in.” “So maybe they can be in contact with the farmers, especially for export of Bougainville cocoa.” He stated this whilst highlighting the dual purpose of tourism, which is supporting local artisans and facilitating international business connections for farmers. A significant development this year has been a request from the organisers for BET to bring a cruise ship during the festival. However, Mr. Miriona set a clear condition to make this possible is that the event needs a fixed, annual date. “We told them that the event has to have an annual date, that every year it has to happen on the same day.” “A fixed schedule is essential for the logistics of expedition vessels to commit to stopping in Bougainville, specifically Buka or Arawa, thereby ensuring a greater influx of tourists.” He stressed that consistency is crucial for the tourism sector, as international travel requires extensive planning. Mr. Miriona urged the respective department overseeing the festival to maintain the same exact date for next year and all future years. This he said allows operators like them to effectively market the dates on their platforms including social media, websites, and others, to secure international bookings and ensure the continued growth and success of the Bougainville Chocolate Festival.

What began in 2016 as a modest, one-day event focused solely on a project for DPI (Department of Primary Industry) one-time partners has blossomed into a comprehensive, three-day festival called the Bougainville Chocolate Festival. Now in its 8th year, the festival has brought together over 120 stalls comprised of cocoa farmers, SMEs, corporate entities, and agriculture stakeholders. The first day started off with people from all over Bougainville who have come to be part of this festival, either selling, buying, or engaging in activities. Chief Compliance Officer for Autonomous Bougainville Government DPI (ABGDPI), Bougainville Commodities Regulations, Mr. James Butubu, told PNG HAUSBUNG that the initial project, was designed with multiple ambitious objectives for local farmers including improving production and farm productivity, diversity farms, improve health and nutrition awareness and to provide market access for farmers to connect with outside farmers. The original festival aimed to provide a direct avenue for farmers to showcase their beans, with the hope that attending outside buyers and chocolatiers would establish valuable partnerships and market connections. “This strategy saw early success, connecting some local farmers with chocolate makers in Australia.” However, the limited, one-day format quickly proved inadequate. farmers expressed a need for more time and more information. “We have views from the farmers complaining that they are not getting the right or enough information during this one day.” To meet this demand and broaden its scope, the festival was expanded to its current three-day format, transforming it into a significantly larger show. The festival has evolved beyond a pure cocoa event to become a central hub for economic activity, tourism, and governmental outreach. The focus remains on the farmers, who are the "central part of the festival," with significant investment made to bring 114 farmers from the South, Central, and North areas of Bougainville to attend. This 3-day festival aims to give farmer exposure and learning where farmers are encouraged to circulate and engage with not just cocoa-related programs but also other SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) programs and government information. “The event is seen as a crucial opportunity for the average village farmer to gain exposure and information they might otherwise never access.” With a number of areas to consider, this event allows organizers to better emphasize efforts in targeted extension programmes and to address challenges and improve cocoa quality across the board. Information sharing and collaboration is a main area which includes discussions on cocoa regulations and quality issues which were instrumental, and give a platform towards all farmers to come together to sell and getter better exposure to their products. “The festival serves as a vital platform for learning from each other and identifying collective weaknesses that need attention.” Meanwhile, in terms of tourism, the festival now actively considers the broader economic impact and the development of the tourism industry in the region. The inclusion of all ABG departments signifies a major expansion, ensuring comprehensive information is available in solidifying its role as a key development platform. The festival is no longer just a meeting point for cocoa buyers and sellers; it is a dynamic, multi-faceted platform designed to empower farmers, drive quality improvement, and stimulate wider economic and sectorial development. The festival will conclude this Friday, the 31st of October 2025.

The Bougainville Chocolate Festival is set to kick off tomorrow, October 28, 2025, for a three-day celebration of cocoa, culture, and tourism.Running until October 30 at the Hutjena Oval, the seventh annual event promises to be a key economic and cultural highlight for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. The festival’s origins date back to 2016 when it was launched as the "Cocoa Festival" by the Department of Primary Industry and the Department of Commerce, Trade and Economic Development. A significant shift occurred in 2018 when the name was officially changed. This rebranding strengthened its ties to the PNG-Australia Government’s Bougainville Partnership Program, which now co-funds the event alongside the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Department of Primary Industry and the Department of Commerce. The Bougainville Arts, Culture and Tourism Authority (BACTA) is central to the festival’s organization. According to BACTA Website and Information Officer Marcia Jeraha, the authority’s primary goal is to use the event to increase visitor arrivals. “BACTA's main role is to promote the chocolate festival as a major tourism attraction here in Bougainville.” “In the future, we will have more visitors coming in, not only for the festival, but also to see the other tourism hotspots in Bougainville as well.” The festival features a confirmed number of 120 stalls, which were fully booked and began setting up today, October 27. The stalls represent a diverse array of corporate entities, SMEs, and agriculture stakeholders. Visitors can look forward to a range of cultural and industry exhibits: • Cultural Demonstrations: The North Bougainville Tourism Association and Bougainville Artisans Association will display traditional Bougainville food and host demonstrations of basket weaving, including the preparation of the traditional dish, tamatama. • Industry Deep Dive: The Department of Primary Industries’ stalls will be "showcasing the cocoa value chain," highlighting the journey from bean to finished product. • Information Hub: BACTA's Information Hub will provide details on all of Bougainville’s tourism attractions and industry co-operators. The festival will officially open on Tuesday morning with welcoming remarks from government leaders and development partners, culminating in a keynote address by President Ishmael Toroama. Festival Highlights include: • Live Demonstrations: Showcases of the cocoa value chain by the ABG Department of Primary Industries. • Farmer Seminars: Information sharing and learning sessions with industry experts. • Competitions: Including the popular Cocoa Budding Competition and Big Pod Competition. • Entertainment: Live music from the local KAWAS Band and a dedicated Kids Corner with games and activities. Meanwhile, an information booth will be located next to the main stage, where festival-goers can visit to receive Festival merchandise.