Health outcomes for women experiencing prolonged or obstructed labour will be improved following capacity building for midwifery trainers and educators. Fourteen Midwifery Master Trainers and four Midwifery Educators from educational institutions across the country participated in a four-day workshop in Port Moresby with specialists from the Burtnett Institute. These participants were guided through how to assess, monitor, and support women and babies when labour is not progressing normally. In partnership with the Burnett Institute, the United Nations Population Fund in Papua New Guinea is supporting the National Department of Health to conduct Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) training with midwifery professionals around the country. The program began in 2019 and over 100 midwives have been trained. Facilitating this training was Burnett Institute’s Midwifery Specialist Kara Blackburn and Research Midwife Boe Calvert, who introduced how to complete a rapid assessment of mothers in labour when prolonged labour is suspected, what to do during ineffective contractions and how to manage hyperstimulation especially by managing oxytocin infusion. “I hope to see an Improvement in the initial assessment of a mother in labour by midwives to identify any complications as soon as she arrives in the health facility and maternity ward,” said Ms. Blackburn. “Midwives in PNG are doing extremely well in really challenging circumstances. especially in the rural areas when it is identified that a woman is in prolonged obstructed labour. I really commend the midwives for doing an outstanding job.” Obstructed or prolonged labour can be dangerous both mothers and babies. It can lead to newborn deaths and conditions like obstetric fistula. Central to this training is participation in, and repetition of, simulations using state-of-the-art models. By providing this training to educators, the nation’s next generation of midwives are being provided with the highest standards of preparation before joining this essential workforce. Simulation supports the development of midwifery skills and creates a link between theory and practice. According to Ms. Kara Blackburn simulations increase confidence and competence among midwifery students and healthcare professionals and strong evidence shows that students and healthcare professionals are able to retain the knowledge and are confident and competent in performing in a real life situation. A senior Midwifery Lecturer from the University of Papua New Guinea , School of Health & Medical Sciences, Mrs. Lillian Temo was grateful for the enhancement of her skills in using simulators when teaching. “I will encourage more student interactions through the case presentation of simulations which will increase their knowledge capacity as well,” said Mrs Temo. In opening the training, UNFPA Country Representative Ms. Marielle Sander reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to the midwives working to serve women and babies in PNG and committed to a stronger, and more direct relationship between midwives and UNFPA.

Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey today welcomed the statements of the United States to expand investment in Papua New Guinea and the wider Pacific region. This follows meetings between Prime Minister James Marape and US President Joe Biden at the US-Pacific conference at the White House last month. This was a crucial meeting significantly expanding Treasurer Ling-Stuckey’s initiatives last year to step up PNG-US relations when meeting with Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro at the pentagon, as well as the US Treasury and USAID. The US has committed, as part of its expanded engagement, to around US$800 million [K28.4 Trillion] in additional aid to the participating pacific nations in the partnership. In addition, the US has declared Papua New Guinea a strategically important country, meaning that key agencies in the US Government will have to develop a co-ordinated strategic approach to investment and support in PNG. “We are grateful for the US promise to expand their presence in the Embassy in Papua New Guinea- to successfully work with our country on the ground relationships are crucial”, said Ling-Stuckey. He added that as they work to expand the range of investment opportunities in the country, it is vital that they [Government] engage other countries like the US. Ling-Stuckey further elaborated that USAID has already been making investments in the country, through a program of power support and other smaller investments and is looking forward to engaging with the US to help develop their 10-year strategy for PNG . The Marape-Rosso Government has been working to re-engage PNG with the international community: through their engagement with the IMF and the World Bank, the engagement with the United States and our efforts to expand agriculture to become a supplier to the world.

Nambawan Super is pleased to announce that its second cohort of Trainee Directors have successfully completed their two-year development program. The four Trainee Directors; Ms Michelle Taumpson, Ms Josephine Pitmur, Mr Thomas Constantinou and Mr Sylvester Banibia all received their Certificate of Completion from Nambawan Super Chairman, Mr Reg Monagi in recognition of their achievement. The current Trainee Directors' areas of expertise:  Michelle Taumpson is currently the Director of Policy, Planning, and Development for the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission. Ms Taumpson holds a Master's in Business, and a Bachelor's in Liberal Studies.  Josephine Pitmur is the Deputy Secretary for the Department of Justice & Attorney General. She holds a Master’s in Public and International Law, a Bachelor of Law, and a Diploma in Government Management.  Thomas Constantinou is the Managing Director of Perpetual Niugini Limited; PNG Environmental Services Limited; Savvana Constructions Limited. He holds a Master's in Business Administration specializing in Property Development and a Master's in Professional Accounting. Mr Constaninou also has a Bachelor of Commerce in BankingFinance & Risk Management and is an Australian Certified Practising Accountant.  Sylvester Banibia is the Manager Staff Development for the Royal Police Constabulary. He holds a Master’s in Human Resource Management, Bachelor's in Business Management, a Certificate in Leadership and Governance, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a Certificate in Accounting, Advance Diploma in Religion Studies. Mr Monagi was pleased with the performance of the cohort saying: “On behalf of the Nambawan Super Board, I congratulate our Trainee Directors on their successful completion of this program and I commend them on their commitment and dedication over the past two years. It has been satisfying to observe their growth both professionally and as individuals throughout this period”.' “I would also like to thank them for the valuable contributions they made to Nambawan Super. Their unique set of skills, expertise and experiences proved invaluable to several of the Funds activities over the last two years.” “We look forward to their continued engagement with the Fund and wish them all the very best as they progress through their careers with their newly developed Directorship skills”, he added. Nambawan Super’s Trainee Director Program is designed to develop a pool of aspiring Directors and better equip them to take on future leadership roles in any organisation. “Participating in the Program exposes Trainee Directors to the roles, responsibilities and stringent standards required of Directors in the superannuation industry. The program helps them to become accustomed to Board room processes and dynamics, and to build the confidence and skills needed to contribute and lead at the Board level”, Mr Monagi added. “The Trainee Directors were also exposed to the Bank of PNG Superannuation Prudential Standards on Corporate Governance which sets out specific requirements for the Board Structure and Responsibilities, including Investment, Risk Management and Remuneration of Directors, Management, staff and parties engaged by the Fund. This ensures that Member’s funds are prudently managed and that reasoned, informed and impartial decisions are made in the best interest of Members.” “Nambawan Super’s Trainee Director Program is excellent in providing an opportunity for potential Directors to gain experience in the role while also contributing meaningfully to the Fund's growth for the benefit of our 214,000 Members”, he explained. Nambawan Super will soon commence the recruitment process for the third cohort of the Trainee Director Development Program. Interested individuals are encouraged to monitor the Nambawan Super website and media channels for more information on how to apply.

Opening of ANGAU Memorial Hospital Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon. Richard Marles MP, joined Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. John Rosso MP, Minister for Health, the Hon. Lino Tom MP and Morobe MPs, to open the redeveloped ANGAU Memorial Provincial Hospital, Australia’s largest single infrastructure investment in PNG since independence. The project will position ANGAU as a leading healthcare provider for Papua New Guinea, serving the people of Morobe Province, and beyond, and providing health workers with the facilities and equipment to provide high quality care and improve health outcomes for patients. The state-of-art health facility is being delivered alongside a comprehensive commissioning and clinical upskilling program to ensure that equipment is properly installed, staff are trained and there is an effective transition to the new facilities. The acute facilities, like the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit, will commence operations next year. Australia has also supported new rural and urban health facilities in Morobe Province which will play an important role in managing the overall flow of patients, through referrals. Deputy Prime Minister Marles said “Together, we’re working to realise the PNG Government’s ambitions for the health sector and achieve the important agenda set out in PNG’s new National Health Plan - including access to quality health facilities close to where people live, in rural and urban areas across PNG. ANGAU will have a significant, tangible impact towards this agenda”. Australia understands the PNG Government’s infrastructure priorities and recognises that strategic and high-quality infrastructure projects are vital for economic prosperity and social development.

Grand Chief Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae, Governor General of Papua New Guinea, has thanked the Department of Works and Highways for the installation of a brand new power generator set at Government House. At a brief but significant presentation ceremony yesterday afternoon, Grand Chief Sir Bob acknowledged the presentation of the power generator as an essential asset to the Office of the Governor General in the execution of its daily operations and duties of the State. Grand Chief Sir Bob said, the continuous power outages experienced in the city has sometimes resulted in delays and cancellation of important State and ceremonial events. Grand Chief Sir Bob related that one such occasion involved the signing of an important road construction project between the State, Department of Works and Highways and an international construction company, which had to be delayed due to an unscheduled power outage by PNG Power at the time. Works and Highways Department Secretary David Wereh was present at the signing ceremony then and made an undertaking for his Department to provide a power generator to Government House. Acting Official Secretary Mr. Bill Toraso said, soon after Secretary Wereh made the undertaking, a brand new (CAT) diesel power generator was brought in and successfully installed by JV PNG Construction Limited at Government House. “Power outages at Government House should now be a thing of the past. Thanks to the new generator, Government House can now carry out its duties to the State and operate without being inconvenienced by the constant power blackouts. I wish to thank the Secretary (David Wereh) for recognizing our need for a power generator and for responding swiftly as he did,” Grand Chief Sir Bob said. Meantime, Minister of Works and Highways Hon. Solan Mirisim has made an undertaking for his Department to look into renovation and construction of a new State House to replace the existing building which has been in existence since 1913 during colonial administration. “The Department (Works & Highways) is now taking on the responsibility for construction and renovation of State assets and buildings. I can see there is a need for further extension and a new office to cater for the important signing ceremonies that take place here. I will take this up with my Department and Secretary to look into this further,” Minister Mirisim said. Minister Mirisim and the Governor General marked the event with a ribbon cutting ceremony signifying the official presentation of the new power generator from the Department of Works and Highways to Government House.

It is with great sadness that the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) has come to learn that PNG Kumul #48 Napoleon Bangkoma had suddenly passed on last week Monday 3rd October 2022. PNGRFL Board Chairman Sandis Tsaka expressed sincere condolences on behalf of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League to late Napoleon Bangkoma’s family as he was one of the pioneer great players who represented the country. “Our sincere condolences to the family of the late Napoleon and we can only pray for strength and comfort to the surviving family members during this time of sorrow,” Mr Tsaka said. PNGRFL Chairman Mr Sandis Tsaka said that the game acknowledges the contribution of our early pioneers who have contributed to the rich history of our sport which is interwoven with the history of our nation. “To be a Kumul is a great privilege accorded to a select few who have over the years built a huge legacy and heritage that the new generation can look to build on, and we thank Kumul Bangkoma and our earlier pioneers who built a great foundation for the sport,” Mr Tsaka acknowledged. Bangkoma was selected in the 1979 Uve Sabumei coached-side that took on France in Albi, he played as a second rower. Born on 1st January 1954 in Aiyura in the Eastern Highlands Province, the late Kumul was from Anamunampa village in the Obura-Wonenara District. He was born third in line of 6 children, 5 males and one female. He was married to Ete Bangkoma and they had three beautiful children, daughter Doreen, and two sons Koma and Naidus. At the time of the late Kumul’s sudden death, he was employed at the Aiyura Aircraft Maintenance Engineering School (AAMES). “Late Napoleon Bangkoma joined Aiyura Aircraft Maintenance Engineering School in 2018 after retirement from Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL). He was our welding instructor and machinist,” said Mr Cedric Agion, Chief Executive Officer of AAMES. “He has worked in our workshops since his recruitment. The reason for his recruitment with the school was to have him train our new aircraft maintenance engineers welding skills and safety workshop practices. We have lost a very skilful instructor,” Mr Agion sadly said. On behalf of the Highlands Confederate, including former Kumuls and current players and the league fraternity in the Highlands region, Highlands Confederate Director Joe Tokam expressed sincere condolences to late Napoleon Bangkoma’s families in Aiyura Valley in Kainantu. Kumul #170 James Kops also conveyed his sympathy. “It is indeed a very sad moment for the rugby league family for the loss of one of the legends of the greatest game of all, rugby league,” Mr Kops said. “The news of the passing of Mr Napoleon Bangkoma Kumul #48, he is one of the many that laid his body, heart and soul for the love of this great game that we all enjoy and part take. I was fortunate to meet him in Kainantu just recently before his passing. On behalf of my family, fellow former Kumuls and the former players of this great game, I salute you and farewell you. May his soul rest in peace.” Kumul #197 and former Kumuls Coach, who is also the current East New Britain Governor, Honourable Michael Marum has conveyed his condolences to the late Napoleon Bangkoma’s family. “Anyone who had the privilege to put on the national jersey whether at home or away, and played one or more matches, won or lost, played with pride,” Governor Marum said. Late Napoleon Bangkoma was 68 years old when he passed, his body will be laid to rest in Aiyura tomorrow.

The Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA) wishes to inform its valued clients that you may continue to experience prolonged delays in processing times for your PNG passport applications. The delays experienced now is due to an unprecedented increase in volume of PNG passport applications received by ICA in the last 6 months which has put a strain on the capacity of our systems to respond within our turn-around times. Due to the significant increase in the daily intake of passport applications including those submitted under our Fast-Track processing arrangement, ICA continues to triage these applications to minimize disruptions to the clients planned travels. Under this arrangement, we have been prioritizing passport applications for those that require emergency medical treatment abroad, students traveling to take up studies in educational institutions overseas and those travelers who can demonstrate to us the genuine need to obtain a passport quickly with evidence of their travel. Similar circumstances are now being experienced by passport issuing authorities worldwide, partly attributed to effects of covid-19 pandemic on people and businesses including ICA. At this stage, we are doing all we can to manage this situation in a manner that is beneficial for both clients and staff. However, we aim to clear all outstanding passport applications in the coming weeks. We therefore, seek your understanding while we work towards processing all passport applications in the coming weeks including those submitted under our Fast-Track processing arrangement. Source: PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority FB Page

Trukai Industries Limited has ventured into a partnership with the Papua New Guinea University of Technology to train rice farmers under its Smart Farmer Program. Trukai’s Smart Farmer program aims to pave the way for local rice farmers to be able to receive an education accreditation from a recognized tertiary institution in Papua New Guinea. This partnership long term aims at transforming local rice farmers from sustainable farming into commercial rice farming. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed today at the University of Technology’s Taraka Campus in Lae. This five-year agreement is a private-public partnership for the promotion of academic and professional collaborative of rice research and training through the advancement of science and technology. Trukai Industries’ Chief Executive Officer Alan Preston said this partnership demonstrates the company’s support for local rice farmers through Trukai’s Smart Farmer Program and is their contribution towards rice development in PNG. Trukai Industries’ Rice Development Manager Aina Davis said this training will be more practical based and will be for a period of two weeks. It is through this program that the company aims to enable local rice farmers to become small holder farmers then transition into semi commercial and commercial farmers. She said the Trukai Smart Farmer Program will touch on the basics of irrigation rice farming and will be for farmers of all levels from elementary to commercial based farmers. The collaboration with the University’s Agriculture Department will enable farmers 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. Head of the Agriculture Department, Professor Macquin Maino stated that the department and University is pleased to collaborate with Trukai in this five-year agreement. He said this MOA is beneficial for students from the department as well as part of the agreement will have students engage in work-integrated-learning experiences with Trukai, and learn handson skills from professionals in the field. Prof. Maino added that as part of the agreement, the University will provide eight hectares of land at the University Farm for the purpose of rice development projects and training on rice farming systems. Vice Chancellor, Associate Professor Dr. Ora Renagi, said Trukai Industries is a longtime partner and supporter of the University and the Agriculture department for over twenty years. This partnership further strengthens that professional relationship between the two organizations. Registration will open for the Certificate in Irrigation Rice Farming later this year. The Trukai Smart Farmer program will see three hundred farmers certified in its pilot training in 2023.

Xbox owner Microsoft has hit back at claims its plan to buy the maker of Call of Duty may unfairly affect its rivals, including Sony, which owns PlayStation. Microsoft wants to buy Activision Blizzard, which also makes Overwatch and Candy Crush, for $68.7bn (£59.2bn). The UK watchdog looking into the plan has said Microsoft could use Activision games to "out-compete" its rivals. Microsoft said it still hoped the deal would be closed by June 2023. Competition regulators in Saudi Arabia and Brazil have already approved it. But last month, the Competition and Markets Authority announced it would be asking an independent panel to look into the proposal. Activision Blizzard is one of the world's largest video game developers and publishers, and the Call of Duty franchise has attracted millions of players. And the CMA suggested buying it could allow Microsoft to monopolise top games such as Call of Duty by making them available primarily on Xbox consoles, PCs and Game Pass, its cloud gaming service. Xbox exclusives In a detailed account of its decision to launch an in-depth investigation, published today, the CMA says that "Call of Duty is sufficiently important that losing access to it (or losing access on competitive terms) could significantly impact Sony's revenues and user base". It also said that "Microsoft has followed this approach in several past acquisitions of gaming studios, where it made future game releases from those studios exclusive in consoles to Xbox". Microsoft says it is committed to keeping Activision's existing titles, including Call of Duty, available on the PlayStation. But future titles could be treated differently. Microsoft already owns 23 games makers, including Minecraft maker Mojang, and Fallout and Skyrim creator Bethesda. Bethesda's upcoming Starfield game will now be an Xbox and PC exclusive, and the CMA suggested that this could also be the case for the studio's Elder Scrolls VI, based on Microsoft's public statements. Microsoft says: there were 280 PlayStation-exclusive games in 2021 (Sony claims many of these came from small studios) and Sony itself has chosen to block the Games Pass platform from the PlayStation. Microsoft lacks mobile gaming content, and Activision owns Candy Crush Saga, one of the most played mobile games. the CMA is taking Sony's side "without the appropriate level of critical review" and "over-estimating" the power of Call of Duty to single-handedly disrupt the games industry. And, In a report seen by BBC News, Microsoft calls the CMA's concerns "a novel theory of harm, unsupported by precedent, economic literature or the evidence". In a statement, Sony said the firm believes the deal is "bad for competition, bad for the gaming industry and bad for gamers themselves. "This deal would give Microsoft's Xbox ecosystem a unique combination of tech and content, and hence a dominant position in gaming, with devastating consequences for consumers, independent developers, and Sony itself," it added. Source: ABC News

A new ban on street cooking in Port Moresby has vendors worried about their future. Elis Tumu sells street food for a living and said she doesn't know where she'll earn money for her family. "I don't have a husband, I have two young boys … I am worried about my life and the future of my two boys," she said. The local government said the ban will improve public health but there's questions over its legality. Allan Mana, president of Papua New Guinea's law society, said there's no provisions in the current law to validate the ban. "There are certainly provisions in the act for case-by-case inspection … to make sure that minimum standards are complied with. But generally speaking, to suggest a blanket ban in the manner that is being suggested, is arguably illegal." Source: ABC Pacific

Under its Rural Electrification program, the Rabaul District Administration continues to pump more money into making electricity more accessible to people in the communities. A recently approved RE project at the cost of K100, 000 will cover Iawakaka ward, Clifton resettlement ward 5 in Rabaul Urban LLG and Kuraip ward in Gazelle District. Under the public-private-partnership arrangement, BTK Constructions is being engaged to construct and rollout the programme in Rabaul district under the district services improvement program while the PNG Power is the regulator. District Architect Nathan Midian when giving an update on the project said 10 poles and an existing transformer is already available for Kuraip. Rabaul and Gazelle districts will share costs for electricity to be established at Kuraip, as it is located in Gazelle. He said Kuraip ward is also covered under the Kurakakaul Growth concept which will see a proposed police barracks also built therefore the RE project will be constructed. Mr Midian said 40 households at ward 5 in the Clifton resettlement will benefit from the project. The overall population residing within and along these communities will benefit and economic activities can be boosted for the people. During the progress of the RE project, wooden poles used to transfer power will be changed to galvanized steel poles to cut down on maintenance costs. This work will kick off next week. Meantime District Administrator Benedict Mode has commended the progress work so far on the district RE programme. He said power cables lying on the ground is dangerous and risky to commuters especially students and villagers. He appealed to ward members and their development committees to assist the technical team moving around in their wards to address these issues.

Only Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith wore the green and gold more times than Mal Meninga, so when the Kangaroos coach talks about making the Australian jersey the pinnacle, his words come with authority and authenticity. The only man to have made four Kangaroo tours, Meninga played 46 Test maches between 1982 and 1994, and later enjoyed unprecedented success as Queensland Origin coach before taking over from Tim Sheens as coach of the national side in 2015. Meninga has made no secret of his desire to see the green and gold jumper regain its status as the most prestigious honour a player can achieve and his Kangaroos squad will regularly be reminded of past glories during their six-week stay in the UK. “I think understanding your past is really important to move forward with your future so at the moment it’s great to talk about our stories, how we position ourselves, what we need to do to be successful,” Meninga said at this week's World Cup launch. “I go back to when Origin started in Australia, and how passionate both states were and that’s what we are trying to create in an international space. “I always thought the green and gold jersey was the ultimate in personal recognition because it meant you were the best player in your position." "We’ve handled pressure and expectation for a long time and you accept it, you carry it on your shoulders and you prepare accordingly" Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga The NRL Hall of Famer is leading the most inexperienced Kangaroos squad in World Cup history with 13 uncapped players on board, but Meninga revealed that drawing on passion rather than experience is what will bring success. “As a coach, you go with your heart, and I know that all my 24 players want to put the green and gold jersey on so that helps me with my preparation because I know they want to be here and that creates a stronger competition,” he said. "I think we’ve planted some really good seeds early, the players are really excited about being here. They’re all on board and all want to pull a green and gold jersey on. “We want passionate players putting on the country’s jersey and when you have passion, you’ll find success.” Having come away victorious at eight of the past nine World Cups, the Kangaroos are entitled to go in as favourites, but Meninga says the strength and depth of the opposition will ensure his team stays laser focused. “We’ve handled pressure and expectation for a long time and you accept it, you carry it on your shoulders and you prepare accordingly,” he said. “We’re not an arrogant footy team, there’s no place for arrogance. We’re a confident footy team and I believe with confidence and keeping your feet on the ground, heads out of the clouds and working hard, it’ll lead to success for us.” For skipper James Tedesco, leading the Kangaroos for the first time on Sunday against Fiji will be the pinnacle of his rugby league career. The 29-year-old is one of the few players with previous experience of touring England, having been part of the Italy side at the 2013 World Cup. “I don’t think there’s a higher honour than being able to captain your country, I’ve had a lot of achievements in the game but this is definitely the highest,” Tedesco said. “I was very proud to get an opportunity to represent Italy, where my dad’s family is from, in 2013 and 2017. “But I was born and raised in Australia, Mum is Australian, so for me there’s no higher honour than pulling on the Australian jersey.” The Roosters fullback revealed that Meninga had put a huge focus on each player's origins during the first week in camp... where they come from, who they are and what being in the Aussie team means to them. "The meetings do get a bit emotional. A lot of them are about our stories, our families and where we come from," Tedesco said. "I've found there's a lot of similarities. A lot of guys come from country towns in Australia and have always had a dream to play rugby league for their country. "Previously maybe (Aussies didn't take the World Cup seriously) but since Mal has been in charge he’s definitely brought that pride and passion back into the jersey." Source: NRL.com