BSP staff and customers at Kerevat in the East New Britain province had to be evacuated from the building for safety after a fire scare at the bank branch yesterday.The BSP Financial Group confirmed that a fire occurred at its Kerevat Branch at approximately 2:00pm on Thursday 15th January 2026. National Operations Manager for Retail Bank – Dennis Lamus said swift action by branch staff ensured the fire was contained to one area of the building. “All BSP staff were safely evacuated. An assessment is currently underway to determine the extent of damage to the building and equipment. The cause of the fire has not yet been established. “Kerevat branch will remain closed until required repair works have been completed. Customers in Kerevat may continue to access basic banking services at our Cash Agents or visit our Kokopo and Rabaul branch for assistance. Our Mobile & Internet Banking and Wantok Wallet services remain online and available for customers’ convenience,” he added. BSP sincerely thanks members of the Kerevat community for their assistance in helping to protect the branch premises.

The Sepik Futsal Association (SFA) has officially launched its 2026 program with key calendar adjustments and a renewed focus on youth participation and sports development across Wewak and surrounding communities.Following strong interest from clubs that participated in the recent Sepik FC Futsal Festival, SFA President Mr. Clarence Hukahu confirmed that a special Wewak Central Pre-Season competition will begin on Saturday January 24th.The pre-season will feature three junior divisions: Under-8 Mixed, Under-12 Mixed, and Under-16 Mixed, providing structured competition for young players who are eager to continue playing.Registration for clubs is now open and will close on Friday January 23rd, ahead of a managers’ meeting at Sir Michael Thomas Somare Stadium. Each club is required to field teams in all three divisions and must register 12 players made up of seven boys and five girls, along with a coach and a manager. The registration fee is K100 per division. Beyond the court, the SFA is also investing in capacity building. In partnership with Privilege Media Systems, the association will host a four-day Basic Sports Journalism Clinic from Wednesday January 21st to 24th. The clinic aims to equip players, officials, and volunteers with essential media and reporting skills, helping to promote local sport more effectively. Invitations have also been extended to the East Sepik Sports Unit and the Governor’s Sports Office to support the participation of all sporting codes.Meanwhile, preparations are underway to engage the wider community. Invitations will soon be sent to primary schools, high schools, and rural LLG communities for the Once-A-Month Games, a program designed to bring grassroots sport closer to young people.Mr. Hukahu said the association remains committed to its long-term vision of building futsal and creating opportunities for youth through sports, discipline, and teamwork.

The National Airports Corporation (NAC) has advised travelers and stakeholders that the Hoskins Airport runway in West New Britain province will be further shortened to allow for vital upgrade works, with the next phase scheduled to begin later this week, subject to the issuance of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).The upgrade project, which began in October 2025, has already progressed through Stages One, Two and Three. These works continued through the festive season to ensure uninterrupted operations for Fokker and similar or smaller aircraft during the peak travel period. With flight operations now returning to usual levels, the contractor is preparing to commence Stage Four of the project. Once this begins, the runway length will be reduced by 490 metres, from its original 1,900 metres to 1,410 metres. NAC confirmed that the remaining runway length will still accommodate Q400, ATR, Dash 8 and similar or smaller aircraft types, allowing continued air services to and from Hoskins Airport. The NAC noted that the timing of the works will depend on weather conditions, and any changes will be communicated to stakeholders as needed. According to NAC, the runway upgrade is a critical project that will significantly improve safety, security standards and overall airport operations at Hoskins. The corporation is working closely with the contractor to ensure the works progress smoothly, with minimal delays, and are completed on schedule. NAC has apologized for any inconvenience caused by the temporary runway restrictions and thanked travelers, airline operators, the business community, the people of West New Britain and the wider PNG public for their understanding and cooperation as the upgrade works continue.

The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) has made history with the launch of its first-ever Gender Strategy, becoming the world’s first national rugby league federation to introduce a comprehensive framework dedicated to advancing gender equality in the sport.The strategy aims to advance gender equality across rugby league by fostering inclusive, safe, and empowering environments that enable women, men, girls, and boys to participate and lead at every level of the game. The development of the strategy has been supported by the Australian Government through the PNG Rugby League Pathways Development Program, which partners with PNG rugby league stakeholders to strengthen pathways for both young women’s and men’s participation and high performance in the sport. The Gender Strategy was shaped through nationwide consultations with players, coaches, and administrators, alongside a collaborative design process involving PNGRFL, the PNG NRL Academy, and staff from the PNG Rugby League Pathways Development Program. It aligns with PNGRFL’s vision of “Better People, Better Sport, Better Nation.” The strategy outlines practical actions to drive progress for women and girls across four key areas: Participation, including coaching pathways Leadership and decision-making Visibility, including media representation Safe and respectful environments PNGRFL is believed to be the first national rugby league federation globally to develop such a comprehensive gender equality framework, and the first sporting organization in Papua New Guinea to do so — positioning PNG as a regional leader in the Pacific. Announcing the strategy ahead of a landmark year for women’s rugby league in 2026, including PNG hosting Women’s Rugby League World Cup matches, PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hondina said the strategy would guide the organization’s future direction. “In recent years, PNGRFL has prioritized rugby league for women and girls as part of our overall strategy. This document will help focus our activities and programs to make real impact,” Mr. Hondina said. “This is not just about encouraging more girls and women to play rugby league. It reflects our ambition to see more women in leadership and decision-making roles, in off-field positions such as coaching and refereeing, to amplify positive media coverage of women in rugby league, and to make our sport safer and more welcoming for all.” Santos PNG Orchids player Carol Humeu, who has represented Papua New Guinea at the past two World Cups, welcomed the strategy and its long-term vision. “I am encouraged that our up-and-coming players, both female and male, will be supported to participate equally in our national sport,” Ms. Humeu said. “I have seen significant change since I began playing rugby league in 2012, and I believe this strategy will help advance gender equality in and through rugby league even further.” Mt Hagen Eagles Women’s Head Coach and 2025 Santos Cup Coach of the Year, Regila Wifred, described the strategy as a breakthrough for women’s rugby league, particularly in the Highlands. “This is a huge step forward for PNG rugby league,” Ms. Wifred said. “It has taken many years to build a professional environment for women in the Highlands, and this strategy will help us build on what we have achieved and create opportunities for more women across all regions as leaders, coaches, and players.” Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Ewen McDonald, said the Australian Government was proud to support the initiative. “This is a significant milestone for rugby league in Papua New Guinea,” High Commissioner McDonald said. “A structured framework that promotes safer, more inclusive, and empowering environments for women and girls will have far-reaching benefits for the nation and is an important step on PNG’s pathway towards an NRLW franchise in the future.”

Internal investigations carried out by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNG) in Eastern Highlands Province (EHP) have resulted in multiple arrests, charges, and court referrals involving both police officers and civilians.The Constabulary’s Internal Affairs Division recently submitted a detailed report to police leadership outlining the outcomes of investigations conducted following violent clashes in Goroka during the 2025 academic year, particularly those linked to unrest at the University of Goroka.Acting Commissioner of Police Samson Kua said the investigations were prompted by numerous complaints lodged against Goroka Police at the height of the clashes, leading to the deployment of an independent and impartial Internal Affairs team from Port Moresby.He said the Internal Affairs team temporarily suspended both the Provincial Police Commander and the Goroka Police Station Commander while investigations were carried out and also extended inquiries to complaints raised by civilians.The two senior officers have since resumed their duties; however, their cases remain under review by the Internal Affairs Division.As part of the investigations, three men, identified as Barnabas Simahe, Neriso Philip, and Jerson Baina, were arrested and charged for Unlawful Assault under Section 6(3) of the Summary Offence Act. Each was fined K2,000, with a default sentence of two years’ imprisonment.Two additional civilians, Keith Kitika and Ricky Gahaizo, were arrested and charged for Unlawful Assembly under Section 64 of the PNG Criminal Code Act. Their cases are currently pending before the committal court.Acting Commissioner Kua explained that while many individuals were involved in the violence, only five suspects were arrested because they were clearly identified by witnesses who came forward to assist investigators.He said several students implicated in the clashes could not be apprehended as they had discontinued their studies and returned to their home provinces, but investigations will continue when they resume classes.“These results indicate the positive actions taken by the Constabulary in dealing with offences committed at the height of the University of Goroka clashes, resulting in injuries, destruction to properties and suspension of clashes for the 2025 academic year,” Kua said.The Internal Affairs Division also investigated reports of police misconduct connected to the discovery of a male body in the Yonki Dam on October 25, 2025.During the investigation, the Rural Police Station Commander assigned to the case was attacked by local residents, which escalated into a retaliatory police response that resulted in looting and destruction of property at the Agamore Market.Acting Commissioner Kua said two male suspects, a PNG Power employee and a police reservist, were arrested and charged with willful murder.In addition, nine members of Kainantu Police were arrested and served with serious disciplinary charges for their involvement in looting and destroying the Agamore Market.He added that four more police officers linked to the Yonki homicide investigation are currently under Internal Affairs scrutiny and will be arrested soon.A separate case involved a police reservist accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a man from Kimiyau Village in Goroka. The accused, Reserve Constable Richard Gotaha, was arrested and charged by Internal Affairs investigators, and the matter is now before the committal court.Mr. Kua commended members of the Internal Affairs Division for enforcing the law firmly and upholding discipline and ethical standards within the Constabulary in Eastern Highlands Province.He said such actions are critical to rebuilding public trust and confidence in policing, not only in Eastern Highlands Province but across the country.

The Sir Brian Bell Foundation and The Fred Hollows Foundation PNG have announced a new strategic partnership aimed at strengthening eye care services and training in Papua New Guinea (PNG).The collaboration will focus on expanding the country’s eye care workforce and supporting the establishment of the PNG Centre for Eye Health, which is scheduled to open in Port Moresby in late 2026. PNG has one of the highest rates of avoidable blindness and vision impairment in the world, and the highest recorded rate in the pacific. A national survey conducted in 2017 found that 5.6 per cent of people aged over 50 are blind, while a further 21.1 per cent live with some form of vision impairment. An estimated 90 per cent of these cases are preventable or treatable. Despite this, access to eye care remains limited due to a shortage of trained specialists, insufficient healthcare infrastructure, and the challenges of reaching remote and rural communities. At the same time, the country continues to face rising cases of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes. Poorly managed diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy, a condition that causes irreversible vision loss if left untreated. The current lack of diabetic retinopathy services, corrective eyewear and low-vision devices, places people living with diabetes at significant risk of blindness. Under the new partnership, the two foundations will contribute to addressing these challenges by supporting the development of local eye care professionals. As part of this commitment, the Sir Brian Bell Foundation will fund the training of three eye care nurses each year for the next three years through the Advanced Diploma in Eye Care program at Divine Word University. The initiative builds on more than two decades of training support by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, which, through its local presence, has helped train 141 eye nurses and clinicians and 12 eye doctors who now staff clinics and outreach services across the country. Chief Executive Officer of the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, Bronwyn Wright, said the partnership is focused on ensuring people receive treatment earlier and closer to their communities. “With PNG’s population projected to exceed 21 million by 2050, the need for trained eye care professionals, accessible services, and long-term infrastructure will only continue to grow and we’re proud to help build that capacity,” Wright said. The partnership also supports the construction of the PNG Centre for Eye Health, a purpose-built eye care training and service facility currently under development by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ and its local partners. The centre is being built on the shared grounds of Port Moresby General Hospital and the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Medical and Health Sciences. It will expand training opportunities for eye care professionals and provide specialised services, including the country’s first dedicated diabetic retinopathy clinic and paediatric ophthalmology services. In addition, the centre will support research, innovation, coordination, and leadership across the eye health sector. Chief Executive Officer of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, Dr Audrey Aumua, said the impact of the partnership will extend beyond health outcomes. “Restoring sight allows adults to return to work, enables children to stay in school, and takes pressure off families. Through this partnership, real progress is being made toward ensuring that preventable blindness no longer limits the potential of individuals or communities,” she said. “Together, the two foundations are investing in practical, locally led solutions to build a stronger eye healthcare system for Papua New Guinea.” Both organisations have longstanding ties to PNG. The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ continues the work of the late Professor Fred Hollows, an internationally recognised eye surgeon and social justice advocate. The Sir Brian Bell Foundation carries forward the philanthropic legacy of Sir Brian Bell, whose contributions supported community development across the country.

Five men from Enga Province have been arrested and formally charged for threatening, obstructing, and assaulting police officers while they were attending to a complaint in Hohola, Port Moresby.The Commander of the National Capital District and Central Provinces, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Turi, confirmed that the incident occurred on Tuesday while police officers from Hohola Police Station were responding to a report made by a woman concerning a land dispute.Commander Turi explained that police were called to a residence in Hohola Five, where several men were allegedly attempting to forcibly remove a deceased man’s wife and children from the property in order to claim ownership of the land. Police attended the scene to address the complaint and mediate the situation.During police intervention, one of the suspects, who had flown in from Enga Province, became aggressive toward the officers. The situation escalated when the man physically assaulted a senior police officer by tearing off his uniform and fighting with other officers who were present at the scene.Commander Turi said police used reasonable force to restrain the suspect and took him into custody at Hohola Police Station, where he was detained.Following his detention, four other men arrived at the police station demanding his release. Commander Turi explained that the group confronted the officer-in-charge, argued with him, issued threats, and continued insisting that the detained suspect be released.When their behavior persisted, police arrested the four men and placed them in custody.The five men were later formally charged with various offenses and detained to appear in court once their files are finalized.Addressing the seriousness of the incident, Commander Turi emphasized that such actions would not be tolerated under his command.“The actions of the men are totally unacceptable in my command. Tearing the uniforms of the police officers while performing their duty is very serious; even arguing with on-duty police officers at the police station while they are doing their job is also wrong. Port Moresby is the capital city of Papua New Guinea, and if someone is found to be disrespecting the police officers, we will deal with them accordingly,” Turi stressed.

Leaders in the Middle Fly District of Western Province have reaffirmed their commitment to education and community development with the extension of a key partnership between the Middle Fly District Development Authority (DDA) and the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF). On 6th January at the OTDF office in Kiunga, the two organizations signed a new Memorandum of Understanding, extending their collaboration through to December 2026. The agreement secures continued scholarship funding and development support aligned with the district’s broader priorities. Currently 208 students from Middle Fly are receiving financial support through the programme to study at various tertiary and vocational institutions. This initiative has opened opportunities for young people to gain valuable skills that can contribute to local development. At the signing event, Middle Fly Member of Parliament Maso Hewabi and Middle Fly DDA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Petrus Malongim, underscored the importance of education as a long-term investment in the district’s future. Hewabi praised OTDF’s efforts over the past two years, noting the positive impact increased access to education has had on families across the region. OTDF Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Andrew Mari highlighted the partnership’s accountability measures, stating that all funds provided by the DDA are dedicated solely to student scholarships, while OTDF covers its own administrative expenses to ensure transparency. The renewed agreement reflects a shared vision to empower more young people from Middle Fly through education and to support broader community development efforts. With this strengthened partnership, both organizations aim to deliver sustainable benefits for residents throughout the district.

The Miss Bird of Paradise Papua New Guinea (MBoP PNG) Committee has acknowledged LJ Hooker Papua New Guinea for its support of the pageant, following the company’s role as Major Sponsor of the 2025 Miss Bird of Paradise Crowning Night.In a statement issued on Friday 9th 2025, the committee said the partnership dates back to the early stages of the pageant, when LJ Hooker PNG sponsored one of its first contestants during the organization’s initial months of operation. The committee said the continued support, culminating in LJ Hooker PNG’s major sponsorship of the 2025 crowning event, reflected a partnership built on shared values and long-term commitment. According to the committee, the sponsorship has supported the pageant’s objectives, including the promotion of leadership among young women, advocacy for the educational rights of children with disabilities, and expanded participation from districts and provinces across the country. The committee also acknowledged LJ Hooker PNG’s contribution to supporting small and large businesses through engagement with the pageant platform. In the same statement, the Miss Bird of Paradise PNG Committee congratulated LJ Hooker PNG Chief Executive Officer Karan Rana on his appointment as Honorary Trade Commissioner of the India Commonwealth Trade Council in Papua New Guinea, describing the appointment as recognition of his leadership and role in strengthening international business links. The committee said it looks forward to the continued partnership.

A man accused of involvement in the killing of a 26-year-old man in Wapenamanda District has voluntarily surrendered to police.Acting Commissioner of Police Samson Kua confirmed the suspect surrendered on January 13 and is now in police custody in Wabag, where he is facing a murder charge. The suspect’s identity has been withheld. Police allege that the victim, Aitawe Nap, a 26-year-old student from the Paliu Tribe of Pipi village in Wabag, was travelling in a Land Cruiser utility on December 31st, 2025, when he was ambushed and killed during an incident linked to an ongoing tribal conflict in Wapenamanda District. Acting Commissioner Kua said six suspects were identified following increased security operations in the area late last year, funded by the government. He said community and tribal leaders were informed and asked to assist police by encouraging suspects to surrender. He said the unconditional surrender followed sustained efforts by the Enga Provincial Police Command, led by Acting PPC Chief Inspector Kelly Sombe. The Acting Commissioner has appealed to leaders of the Yakuman and Miok tribes to assist police by ensuring the remaining five suspects surrender to authorities to face the law. Police say investigations into Mr. Nap’s death are continuing.

The Provincial Member and Governor for Madang Province, Ramsey Pariwa has announced that he will be sending another batch of students from the province to study in India after he was impressed with the academic performance of the first batch of students selected from Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) to study in India.Governor Pariwa was in India during the New Year festive period when he visited Madang students studying in two universities namely Karunya University and Kalasingam University. Upon his visit to the two universities, he was informed that the FODE students from Madang had done exceptionally well in their first semester and all of them would be continuing on to the next semester this year. Governor Pariwa's trip to India was arranged by the National Education Department through the Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) secretariat because Madang has a big number of FODE students studying in India.  Furthermore, Governor Pariwa is the first in the country to consider FODE in selecting twenty top students last year from all six districts to travel to study in India. During his meet and greet session with the Madang students in India, Governor Pariwa said the main aim for him to send them purposely to India was to attain similar knowledge and skills academically like their counterparts from India, so when they return home after completing their studies abroad, they would help him develop Madang Province. He stated that he is so proud of them for doing well in their studies during the first semester and said they are good ambassadors of Madang and Papua New Guinea. He further encouraged them not to worry about their fees as it was his job to find money to support their studies. Governor Pariwa said the next batch of Madang FODE students will be travelling to India in July this year and the number might increase. The delegation that went to India included the Madang Provincial Education Director, Alphonse Igag, and the Governor’s First Secretary, Francis Tavatuna, who accompanied the Deputy Secretary of Education and the National FODE Principal to visit STEM and FODE students in Karunya University and Kalasingam University. Madang Provincial Education Director Alphonse Igag, who was also impressed with the results, extended encouragement to the students to focus more on their studies and do well academically since they would be setting the benchmark for FODE in the country. Their stories in their academy journey is a testament of a visionary leadership set by Governor Pariwa in the education sector in Madang Province. During the visit Governor Pariwa also discussed with various universities in India to send more FODE and STEM students from Madang. Under the leadership of Governor Pariwa, Madang province will continue to support fees for Sir Peter Barter Tertiary Education Scholarship Program and FODE this year.

PNG Hekari FC has flown out to Auckland, New Zealand as they aim to make history in the inaugural OFC Professional League especially when the Papua New Guinea champions are set to face Solomon Kings in their opening match this weekend.The tournament marks the first fully professional club competition in Oceania and represents a major step forward for both the club and PNG football. The Red Army will open their campaign on Sunday 18th of January 2026 against the Solomon Kings, before facing Tahiti United and South Melbourne in the opening round of fixtures. The tournament brings together top clubs from across the Oceania region and will be staged entirely in Auckland. Hekari FC General Manager Wira Wama said the team is well prepared for the challenge after an intensive 12-week training program. “Our OFC Pro League campaign officially kicks off on Sunday when we take on the Solomon Kings. I have full confidence and trust in the players and the coaching staff,” Wama said. “We have an experienced technical team that is ready to deliver for the club and for the country.” Head Coach, Marcos Gusmão of Brazil echoed those sentiments, describing the team’s preparation as thorough and encouraging. “We have been preparing for almost three months. The training has been good, and the players have blended well and understand each other’s combinations. They are ready to compete at Pro League level,” Gusmão said. Technical coach Jerry Sam and assistant coach Jerry Allan, brothers from the Solomon Islands, said their familiarity with Solomon Islands football would be an advantage, particularly in the opening match. “We are confident in the team. The preparation has been really good, and we know the strengths of a few players from the Solomon Islands side, who we will be watching closely,” they said. Team captain Dave Tomare said it was an honour to lead the side in its first OFC Pro League campaign. “I am humbled and honoured to be appointed captain. I thank the coaching staff, management and players for their trust and support,” Tomare said. “We have been waiting for this moment, and it finally arrives on Sunday.” Wama also acknowledged the club’s major sponsors—Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), Petroleum Resources Kutubu (PRK) and Kutubu Security Services (KSS)—for their long-standing support. “They have played a vital role in the growth and development of Hekari PNG over the past 22 years and continue to support sport and community development across the country,” he said. He further paid tribute to club founders John Kapi Nato and Vonnie Kapi Nato for their vision and leadership. “Competing in the OFC Pro League is a milestone achievement for the club and for Papua New Guinea. It gives our local players the opportunity to experience football at a higher level and on a bigger stage,” Wama said. Hekari PNG FC left for Auckland this morning and will complete their final preparations ahead of Sunday’s opening match.