The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) is pleased to announce the newly appointed Team PNG's Chef de Mission (CdM), Mr. Kinivanagi Karo. Mr. Karo formally served as the Male Vice President on the PNGOC Executive Board. Being recently elected CdM during the recent PNGOC Board Meeting on June 12, 2024. Mr. Karo will be the CdM for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau. With this position in the Team PNG’s CdM, Mr. Karo will now be entitled to several responsibilities leading to the wellbeing of the National Team ensuring the overall success and unity throughout the 2025 Palau Games. These responsibilities include: - Leading to support and improve performance of Team PNG. - Represent Team PNG as an official spokesperson. - Lead training and selection of the General Management Team (GMT). - Present in significant meetings and engagements relating to Team PNG and Games. - Nurturing and maintaining relationships with team members, VIPs, Government delegates, and sponsors. - Presenting and preparing reports within two months of the Games completion. Mr. Karo was pleased with the outcome as he expressed his gratitude and sense of responsibility. "I am equally elated at the opportunity to lead Team PNG in this capacity and look forward to working closely with the PNGOC Secretariat and relevant stakeholders to begin the planning process." Representatives from eight sports, Archery, Athletics, Basketball 3x3, Beach Volleyball, Judo, Softball, Swimming, and Table Tennis, attended the meeting, where they provided updates on recent and upcoming championships. However, PNG will be striving to participate in 11 of the 14 sports offered at the Palau 2025 Games. The 2025 Palau Mini Pacific Games are scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 9, 2025.

The Australia through the Australian Federal Police (AFP) support the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, constructing of police housing and investing in Bomana Police Training College. The initiative first stages will enable the AFP to construct housing barracks styled accommodation in various priority provinces commencing in Port Moresby, Kokopo and Mt Hagen. This will ensure RPNGC recruits to be allocated in in regional centres upon graduation. Meanwhile, Australia continues to invest in the Bomana Police Training College. Australia invests in accommodation and police barracks across the nation to assist the recruits and officers in their challenging and valuable work. Attorney General Australia (AGA) Mr. Mark Dreyfus emphasized his gratitude to the AFP and RPNGC and the pacific partners in the Solomon Islands International Assistance Force to deliver support to friends in the Solomon Islands to ensure a wonderful Pacific Games in 2023 following a smooth joint election in 2024. “As the Attorney General and First Law Officer of Australia, I am pleased to that Australia is working with Papua New Guinea to support the broader system of law and justice.” “I thank PNG and the RPNGC for the offering to open the training College to other Pacific Police Forces,” said Mr. Dreyfus. Mr. Dreyfus echoed Australian Prime Minister on Prime Minister James Marape address to the Australian Parliament in February last year, February. “Australia will never forget what the people of Papua New Guinea did for Australia in the past. Let us never forget what we can achieve together.” In his conclusion Mr. Dreyfus added his excitement for the future, looking forward to continuing working with PNG as those before us all, to support the peace, prosperity and resilience of our countries and across our region.

The Commissioner of Police, David Manning, has warned squatters around the Porgera Mine in Enga province that thievery and ethnic violence will not be tolerated following multiple injuries and fatalities from recent confrontations. Over the past 48 hours security personnel have responded to a series of intergroup fighting violent confrontations on private land resulting in some criminals sustaining fatal wounds and injuries. "The killed or injured during confrontations with security personnel and amongst themselves, are common criminal outsiders attempting to steal gold from the mine and are fighting enemy clans,” said the Police Commissioner. “The number of injured or killed in the incidents that escalated over the last 48 hours is still being assessed. These squatters not only risk their lives to thieve, more seriously they risk the lives of their children who are sent in to steal rocks containing gold after they have been blasted with explosives.” "A further problem is that these squatter groups also fight with each other for illegal access to mine areas resulting in violence and the loss of life,” said Commissioner Manning. The Commissioner assured squatters and criminals that if they were to raise a weapon, they will be sacrificing their lives, as police and soldiers have zero tolerance for these actions. “Our security forces have my support, and that of the law, to protect themselves and others from acts of violence and criminality. When any individual raises a weapon to harm another person, police and soldiers will neutralize this threat.” “Our security personnel assess any threat to life and limb, so they can protect the public and workers as well as other security personnel,” Commissioner Manning added. The fighting factions have been warned that if they escalate violence again, security forces will intervene to detain or neutralize anyone attempting to use a weapon. All these matters will be investigated thoroughly. Joint security forces are tasked with a clear job to maintain public order and will carry out that duty impartially and fairly

The Australian Government has gifted the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) with a newly fitted boat to serve under the Police Sea Patrol fleet. The boat, which formerly served as an Australian Police Sea Vessel, is now the largest sea vessel to serve in the RPNGC. The donation of the new vessel comes under the Bilateral Security Agreement signed by Prime Minister James Marape last year with Australia. The gifting ceremony, which was held at the Royal Papuan Yacht Club in Port Moresby, saw delegates of both Papua New Guinea and Australia such as, Attorney General of Australia (AGA) Mr. Mark Dreyfus, Australian High Commissioner Reece Kershaw APM, PNG Prime Minister James Marape, PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko, PNG Commissioner of Police MBE David Manning, ministers, commissioners, and distinguished counterparts. The former Australian vessel known as the Van Diemen will now be known as the “Minigulai” as it scours the seas of PNG and marine Borders monitoring and deterring illegal and unregulated activities, and to be used for rescue operations and marine enforcement. The AGA Mr. Dreyfus on behalf of Australia Federal Police (AFP) under the Australian Government was pleased to share his words of good will and pleasure towards contributing to RPNGC sea patrol fleet, gifting one of the largest vessels in the RPNGC Fleet. “In Australia you have been assured as a friend and I believe we shall form a true partnership to forge a great advantage of both our countries and for the welfare of both our peoples,” said Mr. Dreyfus. Mr. Dreyfus reiterated the initial commitment and words by the forefathers of Australia and PNG, Grand Chief Michael Somare and Edward Gough Whitlam. Words that foretold the links, strong and true, between our nations. Links that grow in strength and in diversity. Minigulai will commit itself to the seas to establish mutual security operations for both nations and maintain the proper security in the PNG Marine Borders from illegal activities. The 23 meters vessel Minigulai spent almost three decades with the Tasmania Police Fleet. Built from marine grade aluminium, it has a successful patrol history and proven itself on the waters of the Brass Strait, Tasman Sea and Rugged Southern Ocean. It made its final three weeks journey to PNG from Hobart, Australia.

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) yesterday, Tuesday 11th June, presented a brand-new ambulance to the Western Pacific University (WPU) Health Centre in Ialibu, Southern Highlands Province. . The K300, 000 worth ambulance was presented by Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Mr. Steven Poning on behalf of NFA Managing Director, Justin Ilakini, where the President of Western Pacific University Dr. Janet Rangou accepted the present during a small ceremony witnessed by staff, students, and surrounding communities in Ialibu. Mr. Poning underscored the crucial role the ambulance plays in rural communities, empowering individuals and communities to access necessary medical support, thereby potentially saving lives. He highlighted the significance of the government's ongoing development initiatives in rural areas, which aim to provide essential resources such as medical support to ensure lives can be saved during emergencies. On behalf of the University, Dr. Rangou expressed gratitude for the government's donation through NFA. “The importance of the ambulance in serving not only the university community, but also the nearby communities, and providing support to the Ialibu and Mendi Hospitals,” Dr. Rangou said. In addition, Dr. Rangou emphasized the need for the communities to protect this resource, highlighting its critical aid in transporting the seriously ill and injured cases to major hospitals or nearby provinces like Western Highlands, Jiwaka, and Simbu. The ambulance donation also reflects NFA’s corporate social responsibility on behalf of the government to support healthcare services across the country.

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Tour Guide (TG), Freelance Tour Guide is preparing its independent tour operations for this year’s National Mask Festival which will be held from the 10th to the 13th of July. PNGTG Freelance Tour Guide owner, Mr. Dominic Tulo expressed excitement to PNG Hausbung for the upcoming National Mask and Warwagira Festival, stating that bookings have already been established for this significant annual event. Mr. Tulo mention that the festival is the oldest and famous festival that not only attracts tourist to witness the festival of diverse mask cultures of East New Britain (ENB) province, but also supports the local communities to promote their local products and services. Mr. Tulo emphasized that the festival will also support local tour services by giving an existential understanding to visitors through personalized tour escorts on local vessels, for visitors to have a fulfilling adventure of the island life, witness tropical sites and explore history once again. He further added that the PNG Tour Guide promotes an understanding of the diverse cultures and natural beauty of ENB through genuine tour escort services and personalized trips for visitors, especially to the most popular tropical, volcanic and World War Two sites. However, according to Mr. Tulo the PNG Tour Guide was very active until it faced a true challenge during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The pandemic really paused the momentum of operations until the domestic market was utilized to slowly revive the PNGTG with the pandemic passing. Now, PNGTG is back to full operation and provides personalized tour, independent tour and hire cars in ENB and across PNG.

Police officers in the city of Port Moresby continue to carryout awareness reminding Illegal squatters residing at Bush Wara in the Moresby North- East electorate that they have less than 35 days remaining to vacate the land before the eviction scheduled for July 11th commences. The eviction is directed towards settlers on land portions 2156, 2157 and 2159 at Nine Mile belonging to the superfund, Nambawan Super. Due to no major movement observed, the police officers conducted another motorized awareness last week Friday, 7th July throughout the Bush Wara area. The Police informed the illegal squatters the 120-day grace period offered to squatters will effectively end on July 10th according to the Court Order dated April 9th, 2024. The Acting Commander for National Capital District (NCD) and Central province, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Peter Guinness, confirmed that police officers continue to carry out their duty of informing the illegal settlers to vacate the land portions as the days continue to count down. "The people must obey the court order and move before July 11th." ACP Guiness stated, "If we don't execute the court order in place, my officers and I will be liable for contempt of court. We drove awareness since the start of the 120-day grace period encouraging the squatters to vacate during the grace period.” “Awareness will continue in the remaining days leading up to the eviction. However, people should not wait until the last minute and then get upset that their materials and personal belongings have been destroyed." “The squatters now have less than 35 days remaining,” ACP Guinness added. ACP Guiness also emphasized that police will not do any more awareness after July 10 and will commence the eviction exercise swiftly on July 11th as more than enough time was provided to people to move out. He further added that police had also received information about certain individuals who are moving around the properties telling people not to move. Police are now investigating the matter. He stressed that there is a Court Order in place and that people must respect the decision of the Court and adhere to it by moving out now. ACP Guinness also added that people who are issuing threats to or are harassing the employees of Nambawan Super and or the police officers conducting the awareness, must refrain from doing that. He said several reports have been received, and police are closely investigating these and will not take the matter lightly. “We all must respect the decisions of the Court and adhere to it. The only place to challenge this Court Oder is in Court. Affected parties and individuals should follow this process, instead of resorting to threats.”

The Santos Foundation has partnered with the Pimaga Vocational Education Training (VET) to provide greater opportunities for over 60 young people from the local Kutubu area, in the Southern Highlands Province. This allows them a second chance to re-enter the education system, and upgrade their high school qualifications through a newly established Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) Centre. Santos Foundation said this initiative is part of its commitment under its Youth Opportunities Program to focus on improving opportunities for young people close to their home locations. The collaboration is possible thanks to support from Digikesen Training & Consultancy, making FODE now operational in Pimaga. More work is currently underway to reinforce and support teaching staff and young people in the local area to effectively utilize the services offered by the Centre. Sixty-six (66) students commenced FODE courses this year - this includes 50 students in Grade 11; and 16 in Grade 10, significantly boosting potential graduation numbers for the Kutubu area. In addition to this significant milestone, textbooks for all enrolled students were successfully distributed, ensuring all students having the necessary materials for their studies, which enables them to actively engage with the curriculum, and help them complete their assignments. “According to a 2019 survey the majority of young people determined they wanted to remain in Kutubu,” said Anthony Uechtritz, who is the Senior Program Manager for the Santos Foundation’s Youth Opportunities Program. “It is important we support them to do so for their development and the development of their district.” Pimaga VET Principle Mr. Warubi also expressed gratitude to Santos Foundation and Digikesen for the time and effort towards the project within Kutubu Local Level Government. “This would not have been possible without your support, and we are committed to ensuring the success of FODE.” FODE provides a vital educational opportunity for early school leavers in Papua New Guinea, especially those in remote and rural areas, and is a program endorsed by the National Department of Education, enables students to take on studies at the level they last completed and continue on to secure a Grade 12 qualification. FODE also offers a pathway for individuals to improve their grades for tertiary education entry. By addressing the challenges of distance, limited spaces in schools, teacher shortages, and financial constraints, FODE empowers learners to pursue their academic and professional aspirations.

The policy of Yangoru-Saussia District continues to remain as ‘God First and Education Second’ in the East Sepik Province. This Policy, upheld by the leadership of the local MP and Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru, has resulted in the local District Development Authority (DDA) continuing to invest more into education these past 12 years. Recently Minister Maru announced the completion of a new 4-in-1 classroom at Mohonji Four Square Primary School in Negrie, saying he was pleased with the completed project. “I am very pleased with the completion of the very outstanding 4-in-1 classroom at Mohonji Four Square Primary School, built by a very outstanding team and funded by the Yangoru-Saussia DDA.” “This classroom will be officially opened this month (June, 2024) together with another 4-in-1 classroom at Kukawi Primary School.” He also announced new plans for boosting infrastructure in the education sector in the electorate. “We will also be constructing a new 4-in-1 classroom at Boim-Sara Primary School and at Kumbuhun Primary School.” “Also starting on the new Tuonumbu Primary School next year while we finish off the new 4-in-1 classroom at Simbomie, and build more staff houses and a 4-in-1 classroom at Numbo Primary School.” “We have also completed the 2-in-1 classroom at Saingi Primary School in the Sepik Plains.” Currently, for Wingei Secondary School, preparations are ongoing for a new spike fence to be erected.

Waigani Christian Academy has prepared 297 grade 10’s to attend their Examination Dedication Lunch in preparation for their Written Expression Exams (WEX) today. WCC Principal Mr. Abakure Kaupa told PNG HAUSBUNG that WCC commenced an Exam Dedication lunch to advise and pray over the 297 grade 10 students to release with a comfortable mind set for the WEX today. Mr. Kaupa expressed gratitude and confidence to his teaching staff and his grade 10’s for their cooperation to participate in remedial and tutoring prepared by the teaching staff. He added that the grade 10 student have sat for three trial Written Expression examinations following up to this final day and they are equipped with the concept to carry out the exam with ease. “I am thankful for the efforts of my teaching staff to the preparations following up to the WEX, I trust and have confidence in their effort to guide our students to this day.” “Our students also have been cooperative in their preparations, and I commend them.” “I am confident the trials and remedial have brought value to their understanding of what they are up against.” “Though English is not a strength subject for few students, I believe the concept of the WEX has been translated into their understanding during their preparation.” Furthermore, he urged students to carefully read and understand before attending the questions. “Read, Understand and answer the questions straight to the point.” “I wish all the grade 10 students in WCC and across the nation all the very best in their Exams today.”

The National St John Ambulance Service is concerned about an incident involving an assault on an Ambulance officer in Lae on Monday, May 27th. The Station Commander of the Lae Ambulance station Benjamin Ume, and his crew, while responding to an emergency in Wagang Village, were verbally and physically assaulted. This attack was committed by an intoxicated young man under the influenced of alcohol who grabbed Commander Ume’s shirt and attempted to break the ambulance windows. Commander Ume managed to deflect his attacker and immediately call for backup. Ume expressed his disheartening concern the community member enforced on him during their emergency operation. “There should be support from the community and obstructions to disturb our efforts to provide emergency medical assistance.” “It’s disheartening to be attacked like that while responding to an emergency case in the community.” “We have men and women in our team.” “I was able to defend myself, but what if it was a woman or someone unable to defend themselves?” Though throwing rocks at the ambulance has been a sad theme in the outskirts of Lae City, this escalation to physical violence towards emergency ambulance officers is concerning. Meanwhile, Executive Director Ambulance Service, Terence Torea further underscored the urgent need for legislative protection for ambulance workers. "The National St John Ambulance Service in Lae, Port Moresby, Central Province, East New Britain, Mt Hagen, and soon-to-be-established units in Gulf, Goroka and Hela deserve a safe working environment.” “This statutory organization provides ambulance services on behalf of the National Department of Health and calls for immediate action to enact laws that protect our personnel." The National St John Ambulance Service remains committed to serving the public and ensuring the safety and security of its dedicated ambulance officers. “We urge the community to stand with us in supporting and protecting those who provide critical emergency services.”

Commander for Northern and Assistant commissioner of Police (ACP) Peter Guiness said, “The Joint operations between both Police and Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) is to prevent any public unrest during the Vote-of-no-Confidence (VONC)." ACP Guiness told PNG HAUSBUNG during his command in Lae on the January 10th black Wednesday, necessary measures were taken to prevent this chaos from erupting and pursue control of Lae city. ACP Guiness emphasized the joint operation sanctioned by Commissioner of Police and PNGDF Commander Operation Commands were written by to reinforce law and order during the VONC. “There will be no repetition of this chaos under my watch during this VONC.” ACP Guiness concluded that his written directive for the joint operations are very clear on how to conduct duty and respond to situations for.