Over the years, the Salvation Army through the Red Shield Appeal has maintained its original motto of “Heart of God and Hand to Man.” This year the annual Red Shield Corporate Lunch raised K100,000, through the sale of corporate, pledge and donations. Chairman of the Salvation Army Territorial Advisory Board, Rupert Bray (also the Managing Director of Steamships Trading Company), acknowledged corporate business houses who supported the annual corporate lunch held at the Lucky Lucky Restaurant within the Crowne Plaza Apartments in Port Moresby. “We talk of service, it may be a big ask to others, it's selflessly delivered, and there’s no expectation or reward to others.” Meanwhile, the Westpac Bank CEO Brett Hooker donated a cheque of K25,000, and acknowledged the good work of the Salvation Army in the country. “I am humbled, we may be businessman, we may command organizations with big resources.” “We do not do anything by comparison to many volunteers and officers of The Salvation Army.” All proceeds from this event go towards the Salvation Army social services programs in the areas of; Literacy, Feeding, HIV & Aids Support Services, Restorative Justice for Victims of Family and Sexual Violence; Juvenile Justice and Houses of Hope at Ela Beach, Kainantu, and JJC Lae.

People in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea (PNG) displaced from the election violence from last year’s National General Election, are now fortunate to be getting much needed support from one of the world’s biggest organizations. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) through the financial assistance of USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), is working in partnership with the national and provincial disaster centres in the Highlands provinces to distribute food rations to vulnerable households who have been affected by election related violence in Enga, Southern Highlands, Hela and Jiwaka provinces from over a year ago – an incident which displaced several local communities. In the wake of the violence, food crop gardens and shelters were destroyed affecting the lives of many people including women, children, people with disabilities and the elderly. Mambu Gene, a women’s representative, shed tears as she recalled the hardships they dealt with. “We faced several difficulties and families had to forgo meals. We did not have enough money to buy food. It will take months to replant and harvest our crop fields that were destroyed during the fighting. Providing enough food to our families has been difficult. We are thankful for USAID and IOM for this assistance.” Another community member, Michael Kuman stated that this is the first time such assistance has been given to displaced persons. He also noted that the food rations would sustain the community until the upcoming harvest time. John Kupul, the Disaster Coordinator for Jiwaka Province, expressed gratitude to the US Government and the people for their support of the affected communities. He was grateful for the cooperation between IOM and the Jiwaka Provincial Disaster Center, which was made possible by USAID/BHA funding. Kupul stated that the lives of the most vulnerable groups will be significantly improved by this collaboration. By distributing two months' worth of food rations, IOM, working with USAID/BHA, has increased the food security of 5, 300 individuals from 1, 000 households in the provinces of Jiwaka, Enga, Hela, and the Southern Highlands.

Coca-Cola is proud to be confirmed again as the Grand Championship Sponsor for the 60th Morobe Show for thirty consecutive years. Coca-Cola Europacific’s (CCEP) Commercial Sales Director Tim Solly said the relationship between the Morobe show committee and Coca-Cola spanning thirty years is a testament of the commitment to promote the culture of Morobe and celebrate the role of agriculture across the country. “2023 holds special significance for us, as we celebrate 30 years of sponsorship with the Morobe Show Society and the local community in Lae.” “The heart of Coca-Cola Europacific’s operations sits here in Lae, Morobe province and we are proud to support the Morobe Show that not only showcases the vast agriculture industry in the province and the country, but also celebrates PNGs rich cultural heritage.” Solly said CCEP will also host ten lucky promotional winners who will experience the Morobe Show, with an all-expenses paid trip to Lae from November 3rd to the 5th, which was the grand prize from the recent ‘Refresh and Win’ nationwide promotion that gave consumers the chance to buy three cans of any Coca-Cola product, complete a token with their details to go in to either win a cash prize or go into the grand draw to win a trip to the show. “As the Grand Champion sponsor, we will ensure that our brands are accessible and enjoyed by event attendees and it also gives us the opportunity to talk about the CCEP Company from human resourcing, the quality of our products and our sustainability goals.” The CCEP has a proud and long history in the country having operated since 1904 and has continued to focus on promoting PNG's unique diverse culture. The Morobe Show is the major event in CCEP's 2023 cultural calendar and has sponsored the National Mask & Warwagira festival, the Enga Cultural Show and more recently the Goroka Show in September.

Taylor Swift has that thing that you like on Spotify. The streaming service announced over the weekend on social media that the singer had become “the most-streamed artist in a single day in Spotify history, and “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day this year. Swift replaced herself as the most-streamed artist record holder, a year after she captured the title back on October 21, 2022. Earlier this month, she and Jack Antonoff celebrated their song “Cruel Summer” hitting No. 1 on the charts – four years after its initial release. Swift has absolutely dominated the music industry this year. Her mega-successful tour has reportedly made her a billionaire and her concert film is setting records. Swift, apparently, never goes out of style.\ Source:CNN News

Westpac was thrilled to partner with Queenpads PNG, a local supplier of menstrual hygiene products through its Support Her Program, to promoted menstrual hygiene for its female employees. The program, initiated by Westpac, focuses on ensuring access to hygiene products for both its employees and residing in safe houses around PNG and embodies Westpac’s commitment to gender equity and women’s health. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Westpac PNG, Brett Hooker, expressed his excitement about the partnership. “At Westpac we are committed to creating a welcoming and encouraging work environment for our staff members. By addressing basic hygiene needs, programs like this one help to achieve more equitable results.” “We acknowledge that good menstrual hygiene plays a significant role in a woman's overall health and are dedicated to providing our menstruating workforce with the tools they need to celebrate their special days with dignity and convenience.” “Our partnership with Queenpads PNG enables us to extend our support to our communities by supporting a local social enterprise and directing products to women in safe houses through our buy-one-give-one program.” The owner of Queenpads PNG, a dedicated supplier of high-quality reusable menstrual hygiene products, also expressed her excitement about the collaboration. “Having Westpac’s support fuels this passion to do more for our women and young girls in PNG.” Westpac will provide a variety of period products to its menstruating employees as part of this program, ensuring that they have access to the tools they need to properly manage their menstrual health. Furthermore, for each product bought, a corresponding amount will be given to the safe houses taking part in the Support Her Program.

Matthew Perry, the beloved actor who starred as Chandler Bing on “Friends,” has died. He was 54. Police in Los Angeles are investigating Perry’s death, a law enforcement source told CNN. There is currently no foul play suspected, the source said, however, the incident remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department Robbery-Homicide Division. Perry died in an apparent drowning accident at his Los Angeles home on Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Times, citing law enforcement sources. “We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry. Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family,” Warner Bros. Television Group said in a statement to CNN. “The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans.” Representatives for Perry did not return CNN’s requests for comment. Beginnings Born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, to an actor father and a journalist mother, Perry went to live with her in Ottawa, Canada, as a youngster after his parents split. Growing up, Perry pursued his passion for tennis and became a top-ranked tennis player in Canada. Like his father, the younger Perry also developed an interest in acting after moving to Los Angeles when he was a teen to live with him. Perry’s first credited role was a small part in the drama “240-Robert” in 1979. From there other bit parts came his way in shows including “Charles in Charge,” “Silver Spoons” and “The Tracey Ullman Show.” His first film role was while still in high school, playing opposite River Phoenix in the 1988 film “A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon.” The year before the film’s release, Perry starred in the sitcom “Second Chances” (later renamed “Boys Will Be Boys”), about a man who dies and returns to earth to mentor his younger self, played by Perry. The series failed to find its audience, but Perry continued to land more high profile roles in TV projects including “Growing Pains,” “Who’s The Boss” and “Beverly Hills, 90210.” ‘Friend’-ly fame But it was being cast as affable and sarcastic Chandler on the sitcom “Friends” in 1994 that made him famous. The quirky role earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2002. He also enjoyed four other nominations for the prestigious TV acting award, including two for his turn as Joe Quincy on “The West Wing.” (“Friends” was a production of Warner Bros. Television, which is owned by CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.) [caption id="attachment_46778" align="aligncenter" width="1117"] Matthew Perry, left, at the 30th Annual People's Choice Awards Sunday, January 11, 2004, in Pasadena, California.Mark J. Terrill/AP[/caption] On “Friends,” Perry starred alongside Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow in the comedy about a tight knit group of friends living in New York City. The group became fixtures of NBC’s unparalleled “Must-See TV” lineup, encountering a level of fame rarely seen in television or anywhere else. Off screen, the actors became as close as their characters on the show, and famously negotiated together to become some of the highest paid actors on a television series at the time. The show helped bolster Perry’s career and he soon landed roles on the big screen in 1997’s “Fools Rush In,” “Almost Heroes” in 1998 and “The Whole Nine Yards” in 2000. While “Friends” was his best known TV series, Perry also starred in “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” “Mr. Sunshine,”and “The Odd Couple.” Perry’s memoir In November 2022, he published a memoir titled “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir.” In it, Perry revealed that his opioid abuse led to a colon rupture when he was 49. Doctors gave him a two percent chance of survival, he wrote, and he was in a coma for two weeks followed by months more in the hospital. The actor required 14 surgeries to help repair all of the abdominal damage, and he admitted to having gone to rehab 15 times over the years in hopes of kicking his drug addiction. “What I’m most surprised with is my resilience,” he told People last year, in reference to the book. “The way that I can bounce back from all of this torture and awfulness. Wanting to tell the story, even though it’s a little scary to tell all your secrets in a book, I didn’t leave anything out. Everything’s in there.” Perry was candid about his struggles with addiction, which he battled even at the height of his career. “I was taking 55 Vicodin a day, I weighed 128 pounds, I was on Friends getting watched by 30 million people—and that’s why I can’t watch the show, ’cause I was brutally thin,” Perry said in a CBC interview last year. “I didn’t watch the show, and haven’t watched the show, because I could go, ‘Drinking, opiates, drinking, cocaine,’” he said. “I could tell season by season, by how I looked. That’s why I don’t wanna watch it, because that’s what I see.” Perry began dating literary manager Molly Hurwitz in 2018 and the pair got engaged in 2020. They ended their engagement in 2021, with Perry saying in a statement at the time, “Sometimes things just don’t work out and this is one of them. I wish Molly the best.” Tributes The verified Instagram account for “Friends” posted a heartfelt tribute to Perry on Saturday night, writing, “We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing. He was a true gift to us all.” Maggie Wheeler, who played Chandler’s on/off again girlfriend Janice on the show, wrote on her Instagram, “What a loss.” “The world will miss you Mathew Perry,” she continued. “The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.” Selma Blair, who also appeared on “Friends,” called Perry her “oldest boy friend” on her Instagram. “All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I’m broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty.” Michael Rapaport, who played Gary in four episodes of the show, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Perry was “Always so nice, cool, chill & talented.” He added, “You are a part of American Culture and will live on forever.” Perry’s “Odd Couple” costar Yvette Nicole Brown wrote on X that the show’s “family suffered a great loss today. The entire entertainment world has.” She also wrote that Perry “was a sweetheart who deserved more peace in this life. 54 is too young to go.” Perry is survived by his parents and siblings. Source: CNN news

Wan Squad, the pride of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and proudly sponsored by Pacific Industries Limited and Mountain Dew, wowed spectators as they defended their Crews Division title for the second year in a row. This win came as no surprise and showed the boys’ unwavering dedication and hard work throughout 2023. But the celebrations didn’t stop there as Bad Boyz, the young team from Wan Squad, took second place, while Wan Squad, in collaboration with Bloodline, also took first place in the Mega Crew category. Pyan Ng, Wan Squad's Manager and Creative Director stated that Wan Squad's journey to this remarkable achievement began long before the dazzling performances on that stage. "This win is not just about one night of performances; it's a testament to the countless hours of dedication and sweat our dancers put into perfecting their craft. We are thrilled to bring the House of Champions title back to Papua New Guinea once again." What made this victory even better was the remarkable performance of Bad Boyz who came in second place, demonstrating the depth of talent cultivated within the Wan Squad family. Pyan Ng shared his enthusiasm for their development. “The future of dance lies in the hands of these young talents. Seeing the Bad Boyz excel is testament to their commitment in mentoring and developing emerging talent.” The assistance of sponsors was also crucial in enabling such accomplishments. Director of Pacific Industries Limited, Everett Chue, expressed his happiness at Wan Squad's success. "We are incredibly honoured to support Wan Squad and share in their adventure. Their spirit and unwavering dedication to their dancing inspire us and are a reflection of the principles that Pacific Industries Limited upholds. Thank you, Wan Squad, for winning both games in a row." Pyan Ng underlined that this victory meant more than just winning the tournament. "Our goal goes beyond winning medals and honours. Our goal is to encourage the upcoming generation of dancers to never give up and to follow their dreams. We wish that young dancers in Port Moresby and elsewhere will find inspiration and hope in our journey." Wan Squad and Bad Boyz's accomplishments are a source of pride for the nation and an inspiration to PNG's aspiring dance crews. This accomplishment not only honours the dance community in the area, but also highlights the artistic talent and rich cultural diversity found in Port Moresby and the surrounding areas of PNG.

The Education Department is pleased to announce that there have been no reports of malpractice during the Grade 12 National Examinations. This message was given by the Secretary of Education Dr. Uke Kombra in a recent press conference and he expressed his gratitude towards the officers and schools involved. “We have not received any information of any incidents involving stealing of exam papers or cheating across all the schools that have undertaken the Grade 12 exams.” “This is such a high-stake exam, hence we put in all our efforts to ensure that exams could be conducted in a more secure and fair manner.” “I’d like to thank the Department of Education, Management Services Division and the police who have worked tirelessly over the past few weeks to make sure the Grade 12 Examinations were carried out.” “I’d also like to thank the provincial authorities, inspectors, monitoring teams, provincial examination supervisors, schools and the principals of those schools.” According to Dr. Kombra, examination markers were expected to arrive and begin exam marking starting this week and conclude next week. “At the conclusion of the marking we will do quality checks, just like how we did for the Grade 10s, which will lead to the collection of exam results across the Department of Higher Education for selections.” Dr. Kombra added that their role is to ensure that the examinations have been completed, that results have been given to the Department of Higher Education and every Grade 12 student who completed their examinations is certified.

After a successful music career, spanning nearly two decades, popular Fijian band Rosiloa (Black Rose) once again recently graced the shores of Papua New Guinea. The band was looking forward to giving back to their Melanesian counterparts. Front man, Jim Ratusila expressed his awe towards the development of Pacific music over the years. “I am amazed at the way our music has developed over time. I think it has improved due to technology.” “Today, you have musicians from PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Hawaii and Samoa; musicians from all over the Pacific coming up with their own style of music and yet we’re all united through our Pacific heritage.” “The spirit of entertainment, the spirit of happiness, the spirit of harmony, you can feel in all of these different islands when they perform - it's mystical, but it's melodious.” As to his creative process Ratusila told PNG HAUSBUNG that his inspiration for music comes from his religious beliefs and traditional culture. “I’m a firm believer in God and my ancestors, hence when I go into composition, I pray and fast.” “Our ancestors were in tune with nature; they spoke to nature.” “Most of our music contains elements of nature; sounds of the forest, the seas, the insects and the birds – it is rooted in the earth, and you will hear it if you listen carefully.” Mr. Ratusila also expressed his gratitude towards the media in informing the public about their songs and spoke about the importance of music. “Music is a medium that holds society. It can make or break. It can heal a broken heart. It can inspire people.” “It's given by God, so we have to give it back to God's people.”

A man is now in police custody for tampering with Grade 10 examination papers in a (named) private high school in Goroka, Eastern Highlands. The individual known by multiple names was caught on Saturday, October 14th, while he was attempting to travel from Port Moresby to Goroka. According to the Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra, the individual, was believed to have been working alongside the school. “This is a complicity between the individuals and the school itself – the school is supposed to secure these exam papers and distribute them.” “These criminals wanted to steal the papers and sell them to unsuspecting students or students who have not done well in school and are trying to cheat.” Dr. Kombra further clarified how the papers were tampered with prior to distribution. “All exam papers were wrapped in a special red tape that indicates when exam papers have been tampered with.” “However, a blade was used to cut through the exam wrapping on the side without disturbing the red tape, and later resealed with regular sticky tape; hence the invigilator who was supervising the exam could not tell that the papers had been tampered with.” “We discovered afterwards that there were 9 exam papers sealed when there should've been 10, but by then the other exam papers were already administered so we couldn’t do much.” Dr. Kombra has assured parents and teachers that the Education department has taken all measures to minimize cheating. “We have put a security system in place that does not allow the same exam paper to be given to every school in the country.” “Therefore, even if the papers are leaked, students still risk a chance of not getting their answers right.” Meanwhile, Secretary Kombra added that another individual was caught under similar circumstances in Jiwak

After a week of examinations earlier this month, all marking for Grade 10 papers should be completed. Approximately 76, 571 Grade 10s from 448 schools across the country sat for their National Examinations from October 9th – October 13th. Secretary for Education Dr. Uke Kombra stated that the latter procedures of the examinations should be conducted soon. “If there are still schools in provinces slow with marking, they should be completed by this early this week.” “At the conclusion of the marking, we will do quality checks and printing of the examination certificates – this will be the next phase of the Grade 10 examinations.” Dr. Kombra also thanked the officers, principals and provincial officials who were involved in the distribution of exam papers especially in remote areas. “While delivering exam papers, in some cases, individuals had to navigate rugged terrain and flooded waterways, but they managed to deliver exam papers and schools were able to start exams on time.” “Grade 11 selections should take place before the end of November.”

In the midst of having its Grade 12s sit for exams, Passam National High School is also having a fundraising dinner next month, to raise money for the school’s infrastructure maintenance. The school with its history of ups and downs has risen above its adversities and is striving to maintain its good name. The fundraising committee of Passam National High told PNG HAUSBUNG about their distraught towards the current state of the school. “This fundraising dinner was started with the intention of raising funds to help our school with building maintenance.” “Many of our students who graduated became noteworthy individuals whether it is in politics, education or health; some have gone overseas to study." "We’ve produced top-performing students over the years and yet the facilities we have are in bad state.” The school has had its fair share of troubles in the past with its temporary closure in 2011, disputes with locals and issues with regionalism. However, the school reopened in 2014 and has regained its reputation as a school of excellence. The fundraising dinner will be held at the Golden Bowl Restaurant, Port Moresby on the 11th of November with individual tickets – K300 and Tables of ten – K3000 from 6pm till late.