The Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) Administration in Lae city has identified five students allegedly involved in the harassment of a young woman, an incident captured in a distressing viral video currently circulating online. According to a press statement from the university’s Senior Executive Management Team (SEMT), the incident took place on 9th August and involved verbal, physical, and sexual harassment of a young female; a blatant display of disgusting behavior from the male university students involved. The identified students have been reported to campus authorities, with investigations continuing as a matter of urgency. The SEMT condemned the behavior as unacceptable and contrary to the university’s values of respect, dignity, and safety. "Any student found to have participated in the harassment will face disciplinary action under the University Student Disciplinary Committee (USDC) rules and may also be referred to police," states the SEMT. The university warned that any retaliation, intimidation, or targeting of other students connected to the incident will result in strict disciplinary measures. PNGUoT reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students, staff, and visitors.

Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) has partnered with two contestants of the Miss Bird of Paradise Gulf Pageant 2025 to donate books to schools in the Gulf Province as part of its Book Week campaign. Miss Serah Molowia Karu (Miss Keipi) and Miss Monica Julius Maravila (Miss Tairuma) approached BbP for support in providing reading materials to children in their respective communities. Both women are passionate advocates; Miss Karu for literacy in rural areas, and Miss Maravila for youth empowerment and cultural pride. BbP’s official handover today marks a joint effort to improve literacy and inspire a love of reading. Book Week will run from August 11–15 under the theme My Future Career – When I Grow Up I Want to Be a…, highlighting BbP’s When I Grow Up reader series, now expanded to 30 titles with five new career-themed stories including: A Chef, with Locker Room Cafe and Bar and Chef Julain Henao A Police Officer, with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and Chief Inspector Sylvia Reu A Project Manager, with Hebou Constructions A Production Manager, with Monier Ltd A Mechanic, with Ela Motors The initiative is supported by the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, with editing assistance from Wild Dog Books (Australia). Acclaimed editor and author Maryann Ballantyne will also join celebrations in PNG. BbP commends both Karu and Maravila for their passion and advocacy. “Supporting their efforts is in line with our mission to increase literacy rates across the country. At Buk bilong Pikinini, we believe that improving literacy is a responsibility shared by everyone — donor partners, organizations, and individuals alike. These young women are shining examples of that.” Karu described the donation as a way to inspire children in Keipi LLG to “dream big,” while Maravila called it “a gift of opportunity for every child in Tairuma.” BbP has extended best wishes to both contestants, saying their advocacy will continue to impact communities long after the pageant.

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp Cast: Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizabeth Agudong, Chris Sanders Rating: PG-13│Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi │Run Time: 2h 10min DISNEY’S WASTED LIVE-ACTION COMEBACK “Lilo & Stitch was visually striking – but perhaps introducing new characters, omitting key characters and plot changes could’ve been executed better.” Lilo & Stitch (2025) is Disney’s latest live action remake of the classic 2002 animated film of the same title. The film follows 6-year-old indigenous Hawaiian girl Lilo who adopts what she thought was a dog but was in fact Experiment 626 – a destructive alien creature whom she names Stitch. Maia Kealoha, despite making her Hollywood debut at a tender age, delivers a solid performance as Lilo, capturing her quirky playfulness. Her interactions with animation make it believable and genuine – a commendable effort for someone so young. When it comes to the animated version, characters, Jumba and Pleakly hilariously use clothing, wigs and makeup to disguise themselves while going undercover on earth. However, in the live-action, the characters cleverly use alien technology to disguise themselves as humans – a common sense, yet smart move by the director. Live-action Lilo & Stitch introduces new characters and omits others. Most notable is the introduction of Mrs. Kekoa, a child services worker played by Tia Carrere, and the absence of the main animated villain, Captain Gantu. Although, Mrs. Kekeo plays an important role in the story, her presence on-screen is not particularly strong and is very forgettable. Although most audiences disagree with the ending to Lilo & Stitch, personally, I find that the ending makes sense. Spoiler alert: Nani leaves Lilo to be taken care of by longtime neighbor and friend while she goes off to college. Looking at the situation realistically, Nani has been unemployed for some time, initially waiting tables to support herself and Lilo. With limited jobs available, the best option for her would be to pursue further studies thus opening up more and better opportunities for herself. Many changes in the live-action remake left much to be desired overall – the omission of major characters, new forgettable characters and story changes. Final Verdict: Lilo & Stitch wasn’t Disney’s best live-action remake, although it was visually appealing, it could not capture the same magic in the original. Rating: ★★★ (3/10) Best suited for: Folks who haven’t watched the animated version yet.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) sprint star ,Timothy Tuna, has departed for India this morning, where he will compete in the World Athletics Bronze Level Meet on Sunday in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Province. Tuna, PNG’s 200m national record holder and co-holder of the 100m record with Pais Wisil, was invited by the Indian Athletics Association following his strong performances this year. He will race against some of Asia’s best sprinters, including Animesh Kujur of India, who recently broke national records with times of 10.18s (100m) and 20.32s (200m), Seunghwan Ko of Korea (10.42 / 20.45), and Muhd Azeem Fahmi of Malaysia (10.20 / 20.79). Athletes from India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Malaysia, and Korea are confirmed to compete in the men’s sprinting events. Athletics PNG President Tony Green said the meet presents an excellent opportunity for Tuna to sharpen up ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo next month.

The National Cultural Commission (NCC) has presented K10,000 to support the 2025 Enga Cultural Show, reaffirming its commitment to preserving Papua New Guinea’s traditional heritage. NCC Executive Director Steven Enomb Kilanda presented the cheque to Tania Bale, CEO of the Enga Tourism Bureau, at a small ceremony in Port Moresby. He praised the show as one of PNG’s most authentic cultural events, free from modern influences, and noted Enga as the only province with a formal cultural centre. “This is something all Papua New Guineans should recognize; Enga stands out as the only province with a fully established cultural centre, and events like this play a key role in preserving and promoting true cultural heritage." Ms. Bale thanked the NCC for its continued support, saying the event promotes peace and unity in the province. “Their support also extends to smaller district-level shows across the province. In a time when Enga often makes headlines for the wrong reasons, these cultural events serve as a unifying force, promoting peace and community spirit.” The 2025 Enga Cultural Show will be held from August 8–10, featuring traditional sing- sings, performances, and cultural displays from across the Highlands. The event draws thousands of local and international visitors, supporting both tourism and cultural preservation.

Prime Minister James Marape has announced that over K1 billion will be invested into Southern Region infrastructure and connectivity projects. This was communicated during the signing of the 2025 Port Moresby Papua Accord. The investment will include road links from Port Moresby to Alotau, Kikori and Kerema – unlocking new opportunities in tourism, agriculture, and trade, driving economic growth in the region. PM Marape also pointed out recent trade successes in Abau District. “For the first time, Total is doing deep sea exploration at Mailu (Abau district). China has approved our coffee and seafood exports. Abau district in Central Province is now sending crabs directly to Singapore.” He also emphasized the importance of Papua to the country’s political independence. "From the very beginning, the Papuan side has contributed just as much to the nation as the New Guinea side.” "When you consider the historical divide between Papuan and New Guinea territories, Papua has produced four Prime Ministers: Bill Skate, Mekere Morauta, Peter O’Neill, and myself." He urged the nation to look beyond these artificial divisions, emphasizing the deep-rooted ancestral and trade ties between the regions. "We were united as a people long before there was a distinction between Papua and New Guinea. It's time to move past the idea of a divide between the two.”

Rising sprint star Timothy Tuna has been selected to represent Papua New Guinea at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September, where he will compete in the 200 metres; the event in which he has twice broken the national record this year. Tuna, a standout product of the NSI Athlete Development Programme, first gained international attention at the 2024 Oceania Championships, earning a bronze medal in a fiercely contested 200m event. His impressive semi-final time of 21.32 seconds hinted at his potential, which was confirmed when he smashed PNG’s national 200m record with 20.75 seconds in April, and then bettered that mark with 20.64 seconds on May 1st. The 20-year-old continued his outstanding form at the Pacific Games in Palau, where he pushed veteran Pais Wisil to the line in the 100m and stormed to victory in the 200m, claiming gold for PNG. Athletics PNG President Tony Green confirmed Tuna's selection, noting that PNG was granted only one athlete quota for this year’s World Championships. “It was an incredibly tough call between Timothy and Pais, as their performances this season have been nearly identical.” “We considered the quality of results using international scoring tables, world rankings, and how both athletes performed in major meets.” “In the end, Timothy's slightly higher world ranking tipped the balance in his favour.” Tuna will return to school in New Mexico by mid-August before heading to Tokyo in mid-September, where he is expected to be joined by some of his university teammates representing other countries. The 200m heats at the Championships will take place on September 17, with the semi-finals scheduled for September 18.

The Mary Mother of Catholic Hope clinic, in Buka, Bougainville, operated by the Catholic Church Health Services (CCHS), is setting a shining example of how sexual and reproductive health services can be successfully delivered in some of Papua New Guinea’s most remote and underserved areas. Backed by the Australian Government through the Sexual and Reproductive Health Integration Project (SHRIP), the clinic is part of a broader initiative across 11 provinces. SHRIP is improving access to high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare by supporting 13 CCHS-run facilities to deliver vital services, including HIV and STI counselling, testing, and treatment. But in Buka, this care goes far beyond basic health interventions according to Sister in Charge, Mama Rose. “We see mothers, children, and entire families come through our doors, often from far-flung villages. They come because they trust us.” “We are here to serve them with dignity and care.” The clinic also provides antenatal services, making it a critical lifeline for maternal and child health in the region. Mama Rose and her dedicated team conduct regular outreach and awareness sessions, helping local communities understand prevention, early treatment, and the importance of reproductive health. “These services are crucial in ensuring our people, especially women and young people, receive the care they need, when they need it.” The work is done in close collaboration with the Bougainville Department of Health, the National Department of Health, and various partners. Through satellite clinics operated under the local diocese, the team extends their reach deep into hard-to-access communities. SHRIP, implemented by a consortium including ASHM (Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine), Burnet Institute, and Igat Hope—under CCHS leadership—is part of the PNGAus Partnership, which supports the strengthening of health systems and services across PNG.

The Digicel Foundation has launched a powerful new initiative under its Men of Honor program, calling on its staff to lead a national movement against gender-based violence (GBV) and in support of child protection throughout Papua New Guinea. Through this ground-breaking staff-led campaign, Digicel PNG employees are being equipped to become Community Ambassadors, in order to promote values of respect, safety, and accountability both in the workplace and in their communities. Speaking at the launch, Digicel PNG Chief Executive Officer Mr. Tarik Boudiaf commended the team members participating in the program, highlighting their role as change-makers. “This program is not about blame; it’s about building capacity and inspiring leadership. When our staff step forward to champion values like respect and equality, they set a powerful example. Real change starts from within.” The four-day training, developed by the Digicel Foundation, focuses on personal development, leadership, and social responsibility. It encourages participants to engage in open dialogue, confront harmful behaviors, and embrace inclusive, non-violent approaches to leadership. Since its inception, the Men of Honor program has trained more than 100 ambassadors across Papua New Guinea, with Digicel staff playing a central role in taking the message to the grassroots level. Graduates of the program are known as Ambassadors of Accountability, tasked with modeling respectful behavior, supporting safe community spaces, and initiating conversations around gender justice and protection. According to the Foundation, the initiative is grounded in the belief that engaging men as positive agents of change is essential in the fight to end violence and promote safer communities for all. The Digicel Foundation welcomes support and collaboration from the public, civil society, and other organizations in expanding this important movement. For more information about the program, visit www.digicel.png.com, email customercare@digicelpacific.com, or call 123.

Organizers preparing for the iconic Mt Hagen Cultural Show have received a financial boost, with the National Cultural Commission (NCC) stepping in to support the event with a K10,000 sponsorship. The funding, presented during a modest ceremony at NCC headquarters in Port Moresby, was handed over by NCC Executive Director Steven Enomb Kilanda to Richard Lazarus, Executive Manager for Commerce and Tourism in the Western Highlands Provincial Administration. This contribution will help ensure the show continues its proud tradition of uniting tribes and communities from across the Highlands to share their customs, dances, stories, and songs in one of PNG’s most vibrant displays of cultural pride. The show is more than an event, it’s a platform to showcase identity and keep traditions alive, throughout generations. For the region, it’s a powerful tourism drawcard that brings in thousands of visitors, inserting life into the local economy. With the 2025 show scheduled for 14–17 August, anticipation is already building. Local singsing groups, cultural performers, and artisans are preparing to take the spotlight as Mt Hagen once again becomes the focal point of Highland culture.

Students from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Unitech) have received a major academic boost following the donation of state-of-the-art TNavigator software licenses from the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC). The high-end reservoir modelling software, used globally by top-tier companies in the extractive industry, will now be accessible to students from UPNG’s Earth Science Division and Unitech’s School of Mining Engineering for academic tutorials. MRDC Managing Director Augustine Mano said the donation is part of the company’s commitment to developing the country’s future workforce. “Being part of the extractive sector, we believe it’s our responsibility to contribute where we can upskill and prepare our young people, especially engineers, for successful careers in the industry.” MRDC Technical Manager Ann-Tania Sipori explained that when the company purchased the software, the agreement with the vendor included the provision of free student tutorial licenses to tertiary institutions. MRDC selected UPNG and Unitech to benefit from this opportunity. UPNG Earth Science Associate Professor Joseph O. Espi welcomed the donation, saying it marks a transition into advanced learning and equips students with hands-on skills needed in the workforce. “Most of our teaching is theoretical and field-based, but some aspects such as modelling, require high-end computers and industry software. These are expensive, so we’re fortunate and thankful to MRDC.” “Having TNavigator means our students can now visualize in 3D and gain skills in mineral, geotechnical, and geoscience software applications. It will greatly improve their readiness for the industry.” Unitech’s Deputy Head of Mining Engineering, Dr Kel Ail, said the donation comes at a critical time, especially for final-year students involved in mine design projects as the installation will help raise standards, and help them be industry ready when they leave. He added that more than 250 mineral processing and mining engineers have graduated from Unitech in the last decade alone, and this kind of industry support is important for the development of future professionals.

“Because justice should include everyone — even kids.” Recently, 16 students from ten schools (Gordons Secondary Tokarara Secondary, Caritas Technical Secondary, Marianville Secondary, Kila Kila Secondary, Gordons International, Taurama Primary, Bavaroko Primary, Ward Strip Primary and Don Bosco Technical Secondary School) congregated for the Children’s Consultation on General Comment 27 (GC27), focusing on children’s rights to access justice and effective remedies. At the Children’s Consultation on General Comment 27 (GC27), students shared their thoughts, fears, and hopes about how justice should really work for kids in Papua New Guinea. Here are 6 real things they said loud and clear: 1. “Justice means fairness, safety, and being treated the same.” For these students, justice isn’t just about laws, it’s about being heard and respected. 2. Not all kids even know they have rights. “Not all children know their rights as a child.” – Barbra, Grade 11 Too many kids are unaware of their rights. Not many schools actively teach children about their rights and not many parents are aware of their children’s rights. 3. The justice system isn’t welcoming for kids. “Children do not feel safe to go to the police station.” – Jean, Grade 11 A lot of kids are scared to speak up, especially if they’ve been hurt or mistreated. Police stations feel scary. Not to mention, a classic tactic used by parents towards a misbehaving child is to threaten to call the police. 4. Shame and fear stop kids from getting help. Barriers like discrimination, embarrassment, or even being ignored by adults can stop children from reporting abuse or injustice. Many feel like no one will listen or worse, blame them. 5. The system needs to work for ALL children. The students said loud and clear: girls, children with disabilities, and kids in rural areas must be included. Justice must be accessible to everyone, not just a few. 6. Here’s what they want to see change: Train police and justice workers to speak to children with empathy Set up child-friendly spaces and reporting systems Run awareness campaigns about children’s rights Give young people more platforms to speak up