The Fraud and Anti-Corruption section of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) in Kokopo East New Britain have been equipped with new desktops and laptops to do their work. The assistance came from the East New Britain provincial administration under the law and order sector. The items were presented to the OIC Fraud Senior Constable Brian Kundi and witnessed by the Acting Divisional Commander chief inspector Gordon Magun, Provincial police commander chief inspector Januarius Vosivai and other police officers in the headquarter. Presenting the items on behalf of the provincial government deputy administrator Social Services Marakan Uvano said that the officers in Fraud office need laptops and desktops to do their work and it is timely it is the beginning of a new year and with the assistance it will greatly help the officers. He said there are other sections under the police that also need similar assistance however with the partnership of police and the ENBPA more help will come not only with vehicle but with such items in their officers. “There are so many aspects of police apart from police operation if we assist officers in identifying other areas of weakness we can minimise the law and order issues in the province not only here but also in the court system,” said Mr. Uvano. He encouraged the four districts in the province to also work closely with police establishments in each district in this way we help each other in curbing law and order issues. The deputy PA urged that police and the ENBPA plus other stakeholders need to strengthen the partnership and move forward as there are many other issues that are challenging us and will keep challenging us. He added that this is not the last but this is the first of such assistance to the small units in the police department in the province. Drug is also in the rise in the province and the criminal investigation unit is also an important unit as needed to the supported. PPC Vosivai thanked ENBPA for the assistance stating that since the operation of the unit in 2019 there was no such items but with this support they are thankful and urged the unit to take good care of the items.

The people of Ratubu in West Coast Namatanai of New Ireland province uprooted a total of 680 marijuana plants in the past week. This follows a 7 days operation which ended on Friday 13, Jan. This was a grace period to allow those involved to uproot plants with the support of community leaders. After the grace period, police will be involved and any plants found not uprooted, then arrests will be made. From the 680 marijuana plants, 34 were matured enough and ready for sale while the rest were young and medium plants. Ratubu ward elder Tomuga Malagen said youths were heavily involved in drug cultivation and were growing marijuana like any other ordinary plant around their homes and food gardens. “There is lack of police presence in our area including government officers to do more awareness on such illegal activities. Youths no longer have respect for ward leaders,” he said. “Our youths that are using marijuana cultivation to make a living must be aware of the destruction this herbal plant is causing. It will destroy the future generation,” Mr Malagen said. Meantime village court chairman for West Coast Patar Mission Balamaris said marijuana cultivation is widespread with youths planting and smoking at the same time. “Even some families are making money from this illegal business such as growing and selling marijuana, which is very sad, because there are other positive options to look into,” Mr Bulumaris said. As village court chairman, he gave a stern warning to people cultivating and selling marijuana to stop what they are doing because it is illegal and affects people’s health. Mr Bulumaris has recently referred two drug suspects to Namatanai police but nothing has been done about it. Two gas cylinders used for producing homebrew were brought in. All the uprooted plants have since been burnt. A committee is now in place to monitor this illegal activity.

Singer Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of the late Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, died Thursday, hours after being hospitalized following an apparent cardiac arrest, her mother said. She was 54. “Priscilla Presley and the Presley family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie,” Priscilla Presley said in the statement, provided to CNN by a representative. “They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.” Lisa Marie Presley had been rushed to the hospital earlier in the day, her mother said on Instagram. “Please keep her and our family in your prayers. We feel the prayers from around the world, and ask for privacy during this time,” her statement said at the time. TMZ was first to report the news of Lisa Marie Presley’s hospitalization on Thursday. LA County Fire Department spokesperson Kaitlyn Aldana had told CNN that emergency responders were dispatched to a call in the 5000 block of Normandy Dr in Agoura Hills, California, at 10:37am local time for a cardiac arrest. Aldana would not confirm the name of the the patient, who could not be identified due to privacy laws, but said the patient was taken to a to a local hospital at 11:17am. A spokesperson for the LA County Sheriff told CNN they assisted fire officials on a medical call this morning, but also would not confirm the patient’s name. Lisa Marie Presley was most recently seen on Tuesday night at the Golden Globe Awards, which she attended with her mother to support the Baz Luhrmann film “Elvis,” about her late father. [caption id="attachment_34341" align="alignnone" width="1123"] Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley in 2013.[/caption] In 2020, Lisa Marie Presley’s son Benjamin Keough died by suicide at the age of 27. Last July, she marked the second anniversary of Keough’s death on Instagram, sharing a photo of their matching foot tattoos. Lisa Marie Presley, was previously married to Michael Lockwood, Nicolas Cage, Michael Jackson and Danny Keough. In addition to her late son, she was the mother of actress Riley Keough, Finley Aaron Love Lockwood and Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood. In September, Lisa Marie Presley wrote an essay for National Grief Awareness Day, in which she opened up about the loss of her son. “My and my three daughters’ lives as we knew it were completely detonated and destroyed by his death. We live in this every. Single. Day,” she wrote. “Grief is something you will have to carry with you for the rest of your life, in spite of what certain people or our culture wants us to believe. You do not ‘get over it,’ you do not ‘move on,’ period.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="3000"] Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood, Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, Riley Keough, and Finley Aaron Love Lockwood in 2022.[/caption] Lisa Marie Presley also said in the essay that she found comfort in the company of people who have faced similar tragedy, adding that her daughters help keep her going. “I keep going for my girls,” she wrote. “I keep going because my son made it very clear in his final moments that taking care of his little sisters and looking out for them were on the forefront of his concerns and his mind. He absolutely adored them and they him.” Source: CNN News

Entering his ninth season in the NRL this year, Kodi Nikorima is excited for what lies ahead and is looking to make history with the Dolphins. Signed in July last year from the Rabbitohs to be a foundation player with the club, the move sees him reunite with head coach Wayne Bennett, who he played under when at the Brisbane Broncos. Nikorima is another of the Dolphins players who has embraced the opportunity to return “home”, with the utility hooker / halfback having spent his formative years growing up in Queensland. “(It’s) history; being back with Wayne and then, it's sort of like a homecoming for myself,” Nikorima said of the appeal of signing with the Dolphins. “Although I was born in in New Zealand, I’ve got all my family here and when we first moved over here, this is where we moved, so it's nice.” With all players – including the various Rugby League World Cup representatives – having now joined the squad for preseason training, preparations are in full swing for the year ahead, with the former Warrior holding high hopes for his side, despite them taking part in their inaugural season. [caption id="attachment_34310" align="alignnone" width="1005"] Kodi Nikorima in action for the Brisbane Broncos.[/caption] “Well, my goal every year is to win a premiership,” Nikorima told NRL.com. “I think that should be everyone's goal, but obviously, smaller steps would be to get into top eight first and it all starts now. “It all starts there on the training paddock, so I'm doing all little things that I believe me as an individual can help this team moving forward. “One hundred percent (we can aim for the top eight); we can't have the mindset of just making up the numbers. And I know Wayne will instill that into this group … and obviously, with Wayne, there's high standards there … but that's up to us as a team to buy into whatever he wants and apply that onto the field.” While there is plenty of hard work on the horizon, the season ahead also presents opportunity, with Nikorima hoping the stars align and he can get the chance to face off against his brother Jayden when the Dolphins play the Melbourne Storm in Round 12. The younger Nikorima has turned his life around in recent years after being serving a suspension from the game, and was last year signed by the Storm, making his return to the NRL. The pair also played together at the start of the 2022 season, with Jayden joining team co-captain Kodi in the Māori All Stars line-up. “It's pretty exciting, because I've never played against my brother before,” Nikorima said of the prospect of a future face off. “We actually played together last year for the first time in Māori’s ... we played 20s together, but at NRL level, it was the first time so that's pretty cool. “I'm super proud of his turn-around, obviously spending two-and-a-half, three years out of the game to then come back and apply himself, because game changes every year I believe, and he hasn't looked out of place since he's been back. “My only advice, which I tell him all the time, is just continue to work hard and opportunities will come. “We're obviously really close; we've actually started our own personal business called the Nikorima Bros and it's designed for us to give back to kids similar to us who had nothing growing up. “We'll try and get out in the communities whenever we can and with me being back here where I sort of started my career, I want to try to get out and help out some young kids as well.” Another opportunity both brothers will be hoping arises for them is the upcoming NRL Harvey Norman All Stars match which will be held in New Zealand for the first time next month. “It's more than a game when we go into these camps,” Nikorima said of being part of the Māori All Stars team. “Obviously, learning more about my culture and just getting back to the Māori community and Indigenous community; being in Australia the last couple of years we've been able to learn about their culture too. “I love just being in those camps during the week, it’s always special, and hopefully I can get picked. “I haven't spoken to Wayne about it yet, but I'm hoping that he'll let me play!” Source: NRL.Com

It’s not all the time you get to meet up with prominent Papua New Guineans especially medical professionals who are very busy people. NCSL was pleased to have a visit from Professor Sir Isi Kevau at its Head Office at Harbor City, calling on the Chief Executive Officer Mr. Vari Lahui, for some financial advice. Having passed the retirement age and still working, our first national medical and renowned cardiologist decided to call in and seek advice on the options available to him as he prepares to finally retire. He has reached retirement age however still provides consultancy services given his vast knowledge and is also heavily involved in church work in his village of Pari in NCD. Professor Sir Isi was presented with a NCSL bag of merchandise after the meeting as a token of appreciation for his surprise visit. He is believed to be the first Papua New Guinean to get a medical degree and was awarded a PHD in medicine, specialising in the workings of the human heart. He was also recognized by the Queen with a knighthood for his services to health and the community. Mr Lahui thanked Professor Sir Isi for his visit and wished him well in his retirement and encouraged non contributors like the esteemed Professor who wish to save with NCSL.

Papua New Guinea’s biggest rugby league off-season competition, the Coca Cola Ipatas Cup (CICC) has received a huge funding support from the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB). The sponsorship of K300, 000.00 to the largest off-season national competition stiffens NGCB’s progressive support towards the competition since 2012. Minister Responsible for NGCB, Manasseh Makiba while presenting the cheque to the CICC Patron and Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, said rugby league in PNG has evolved over the years and this competition has contributed significantly to the growth of this sporting code since its inception. “This year marks NGCB’s eleventh year of ongoing support to the Ipatas Cup because we believe in the competition’s vision in creating opportunities and identifying raw talents in the rural and suburban areas and developing individuals to become good role models. “We also acknowledge the enduring efforts of CICC led by the visionary patron and Enga Governor  Sir Peter Ipatas in giving second chances to youths to showcase their talents in the off season competition so that they may have the golden opportunity to be selected in the Digicel Cup competition. “The NGCB is pleased to support CICC and through our ‘Give Back Program’, we will continue to support community-based impact projects and programs that will directly impact the lives of people and sports is one area we continue to support. “I would like to thank the Prime Minister James Marape, Board Chairman Clemence Kanau, the board of trustees and CEO Imelda Agon for making funding available to CICC”, Minister Makiba said. The NGCB through its ‘Give Back Program’ has supported all sporting codes around the country including rugby league, soccer, basketball, volleyball, golf, rugby union, netball, softball, and other sporting codes. More so, the NGCB has also supported other sectors in Agriculture, education, health, SME programs, fashion, law and order, infrastructure development, disaster relief support programs and many others. Minister Makiba said the NGCB is committed to the government and the people of PNG to develop the country because NGCB is owned by the eight million plus people of PNG.

Farmers from all over PNG enrolled in a rice farming training conducted and funded by Trukai Industries in partnership with the University of Technology. Trukai Industries’ Smart Farmer Program is a two-week certificate course that is currently taking place at the University of Technology’s Taraka Campus. A total of 100 participants from Morobe, Madang, Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Simbu, Easten Highlands and Central Province will undergo both practical and theory aspects of this program with the underlying aim to help farmers start their rice farming business. Rice Development Manager for Trukai Industries Aina Davis said participants will be taught using four modules. “We have already covered the first and second modules which were Introduction to Rice and Rice Environment and Irrigation Farming. By the last week of the program, we will complete modules three and four which are Rice Cultivation Cycle and Rice Farming Business and Management,” said Davis. She added that the participants were excited to be a part of the Smart Farmer Program as they will be certified farmers under the Agriculture Department of the University of Technology. CEO of Trukai Industries Alan Preston said this program is for farmers of all levels from elementary to commercial based farmers and demonstrates the company’s support for local rice farmers in PNG. “This program is our contribution towards rice development in PNG and we are looking forward to the positive outcome this will have on the livelihoods of the participants and their surrounding communities,” said Preston. “UNITECH have been a long time agriculture partner of Trukai Industries working collaboratively on rice farming projects in the past. Through this new program with the institution we aim to enable local rice farmers to become small holder farmers then transition into commercial farmers,” he added. Participants of the Smart Farmer Program will engage in work-integrated-learning experiences with Trukai Industries’ Agriculture team and learn hands on skills from professionals in the field. Unitech Agriculture Department’s Plant Breeder, Professor Tom Okpul, commended Trukai’s initiative in teaching valuable rice cultivation skills to local farmers. “Trukai is one of our major corporate contributors in it’s support in agriculture research and scholarship programs. “The Smart Farmer program will help local farmers acquire skills in irrigation farming, which will be beneficial for them in the long run.” This new partnership with the PNG University of Technology’s Agriculture Department will enable participating farmers of the Smart Farmer Program to share and access classrooms, research laboratories and farm or field facilities for farmer training as well as undergraduate and postgraduate student training, research and development and extension activities.

The SP PNG Hunters currently have four players undergoing fulltime preseason training with the Dolphins NRL squad in preparation for the 2023 season. This arrangement is part of a strategic partnership between the SP PNG Hunters and the Dolphins NRL club which aims to get more local players of Papua New Guinean heritage into the NRL competition. The four Hunters players – Judah Rimbu, Rodrick Tai, Sherwin Tanabi and Emmanuel Waine – began training with the Wayne Bennett-coached Dolphins this week and will be working towards earning a fulltime NRL contract over the next eight weeks of preseason. SP PNG Hunters CEO Scott Barker is genuinely excited by the opportunity afforded to the Hunters players. “This is a unique and exciting opportunity for some of our players to get elite level coaching and take their game to the next level,” said Barker. “We’re extremely thankful to be working so closely with the Dolphins NRL team and hopefully this is the first step to seeing more Papua New Guineans competing in the NRL.” Dolphins NRL CEO Terry Reader echoed Barker’s sentiments. “We are proud to host the four players from the SP PNG Hunters and to provide the opportunity for this pathway for Papua New Guinean Rugby League players. I look forward to seeing them compete with our newly formed squad during pre-season,” Reader said.

Owning a house comes with a lot of sacrifice, commitment, and determination. NCSL is pleased to share the story of a loyal member who religiously deposited funds into his NCSL savings account for 19 years purposely to build his dream house. Continuously saving money for 19 years may seem like a long time, especially as Papua New Guineans with culturally diverse obligations. Ignatius Dongmai hails from Bunu village along the north coast of Madang province. Ignatius became a member when NCSL first commenced operations back in 2003. His commitment paid off with savings interest earned over the years resulting in him meeting his goal. His house in the village was built using his savings accumulated over 19 years without resorting to loans. Here’s what he shared. “The possibilities are endless and it’s amazing what you can do with your savings. I started building my house in 2019 and saved for my household items for years. “I have been saving with NCSL since it was established in 2003. In the 19 years, I benefited a lot from NCSL'S service and product offerings which are easily accessible and you can achieve your goals with  disciplined savings habit,” he said. “I have been utilizing savings products at NCSL and have also been buying items using the Value Back discount program where you present your membership card to receive instant discount. “All in all I see almost every product introduced by NCSL is geared toward improving my well-being and that of my family,” he said. With a strong savings culture, Ignatius was also able to put his son to a private school in Port Moresby using his savings with NCSL. “My son was also put through a private school and I couldn’t be more satisfied with how many things I have accomplished with my savings. Ignatius is among many advocates who have shared their stories on the personal achievements through their savings and association with NCSL.

East New Britain province in Kokopo will facilitate a two days important meeting for the Pacific Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministers forum this February 13th to the 14th 2023. The National Department of ICT, National Information Technology Authority (NICTA), National Broadcasting Operation (NBC) the three agencies under the ministry of ICT are the leading hand in this event plus other agencies in the national government are in the province to meet with the ENB provincial government. The delegates met at Rapopo Resort today to host, consult and work on resolutions with the ENB provincial government in preparation for the event. According to the Dupty Secretary ICT and digital government Russel Woruba the team consist of technical officers and policy makers of different agencies are in the province to established contacts, do ground assessment, collect ENB government input and resolutions to formulate the program. Mr Woruba explained that the purpose of the meeting to initiate logistics and arrangements towards the hosting of the inaugural senior officer’s ICT workshop in the month of February. He said this is a very important meeting because in the field of ICT the national government passed a ICT road map in 2018 which indicated key elements on how to grow the local economy. “This has given rise on how we as a country can run as technology in ICT so that we can better serve our people and these has cause some of these challenges for us to have this meeting,” he said. Mr Woruba said that is why the good minsiter has gone ahead to initiate discussions counter-part ministers in the pacific such as Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and others for this summit. He said up to 17 countries in the pacific will be part of this meeting and expect up to 100 senior ICT officers will be in Kokopo for this important meeting. T he summit in Kokopo purposely to work on resolutions that will be passed to the ICT ministers in the future. The meeting is the key summit where they will align all the ICT agenda for the pacific. Mr Woruba further stated that many times the government go to international forums but do not have one voice for the pacific and it is very sad that all the good things that the national government want to do in ICT sector such as how to manage social media in Facebook, how to roll out digital services, upgrading mobile and other ICT services all these are common challenges across the pacific. “We are excited for this event and we thanked the Governor Michael Marum and the ENB provincial administration for welcoming us and for working together to have this meeting,” he added.

After winding back the clock to produce some of his best ever form last season, Corey Oates is hoping to be even better this year after spending more time working with his centre partner Herbie Farnworth. Speaking to media following the Broncos' training session on Tuesday morning, as well as saying what he was doing to work on his own game, Oates was full of praise for the England star who has returned to Red Hill following a huge World Cup campaign. "(To improve, I will need to) stick with what I've done well, just do my job, my effort areas, work hard with my centre partner Herbie and get my carries and try and be error free," Oates said. “Herbie, I always say it, he's going to be a massive talent if he keeps his head on and to be honest, he's done that well the last 18 months with what's going through the club and how the performance has been, and I think he's been a really, really big improver for us, and he’s going to keep improving. "He’s got a lot more to offer and he knows that and he's working hard; and for him and I as an edge combination, we have got a lot to work on, just finishing those half-a-dozen tries that we probably didn't do last year. “We are just trying to get that completion on the finishes, try and get that to a high percentage. “(Since his return from England duty) he's coming back confident and really, really confident in what he set up talks about in the in the group huddles and he’s been good to be honest. "Really happy for him and how he went as an individual performance and their team played really well.” Oates also addressed questions about the well-being of Payne Haas, who has been granted personal leave by the club and who he expected back at training next week, and the feeling amongst the group following the resurfacing of a podcast in which Selwyn Cobbo questioned Kevin Walters' coaching ability. The Broncos were quick to address the comments, issuing a club statement, and Oates said Cobbo and Walters had also put the issue to bed just as quickly, avoiding any awkwardness at training. “They cleared it up, and it had nothing to do with us, it was just between those two,” Oates said. “And yeah, to be honest, they had it all sorted before we come back in and we cleared the air really quick and they’re fine, the team’s fine. “We're all training great, nothing’s really changed to be honest, so it’s happened and yeah, that's between those two. “I've been here through a lot of things and I think I think Kevin's done a great job … I think he's done a great job to be honest … bringing players to the club and getting boys to perform and for me, I think that's a coach on the way to really knowing what who they are as a coach, so I think he's doing a really good job.” Oates also said that while it was up to each individual player, he often turned down requests to speak on podcasts unless asked to through the club. "Yeah, if he [Selwyn] asked me if you should have done it, yeah I would have probably said no, but he might feel comfortable doing it," Oates said. "I'm not too sure, but yeah, if you ever ask me on that sort of stuff, I'd just say no. I don't like it, I've never really done unless it's through the club, (but) yeah, I probably wouldn’t do them." With the NRL pre-season challenge fast approaching, as well as a trial match against Wynnum Manly Seagulls on February 4, the Broncos will be hoping more focus turns to their on-field preparations with all their fit players – including World Cup winning forward Pat Carrigan – having returned to pre-season training. Source: NRL.Com

H.E. Grand Chief Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae, GCL, GCMG, KStJ, Governor General of Papua New Guinea, officially welcomed the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese to the country at Government House this morning. Prime Minister Albanese is on his first Official Visit to Papua New Guinea since becoming Australia’s Prime Minister in 2022. Mr. Albanese visited the Governor General shortly after his arrival to a military guard of honour at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby. Speaking with the Governor General, Prime Minister Albanese expressed his gratitude for the ‘warm welcome reception’ he received on his arrival. He informed the Governor General that his visit to PNG was to build on the existing close relations shared between Australia and PNG and to lay the groundwork for closer ties between the two countries as PNG heads towards its 50th independence anniversary. “I have strongly campaigned for greater interaction with Papua New Guinea for stronger economic and social interaction. We have a lot in common as far as our history is concerned and my visit aims to lay the groundwork for closer ties between our two countries for the next 50 years as PNG celebrates 50 years of independence in 2025,” Mr. Albanese said. Regarding his visit, Prime Minister Albanese also expressed his gratitude for the honour to extended to him by his counterpart Prime Minister James Marape to address Parliament today. “It is the greatest honour and privilege in my life and as Prime Minister of Australia to be given this honour to address the Parliament during my visit and I feel privileged for the opportunity to do so,” Mr. Albanese said. Grand Chief Sir Bob said, Papua New Guinea cherishes the close relationship shared between PNG and Australia, adding that both countries look at more meaningful people to people interaction and corporation in the areas of education exchange programs and employment opportunities. Prime Minister Albanese will travel to Wewak, East Sepik province as part of his two days Official Visit.