In a proactive move to enhance early detection of breast cancer, Angau Memorial Hospital’s National Cancer Treatment Center in Lae city is offering free screenings every Thursday afternoon. Dr. Cathy Timothy, a prominent physician at the facility, urges women to take advantage of this vital service. “Early detection through screenings can lead to identifying cancer at a stage when it is most manageable and treatable,” emphasizes Radiation Therapist Timothy Kink. The National Cancer Centre in Lae provides a comprehensive range of breast cancer treatments, including surgical options, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, each tailored to the specific stage of cancer. Kink underscores the importance of early detection, noting that it significantly improves treatment outcomes and can often lead to partial breast conservation surgeries. As cancer advances, treatment may require more intensive approaches, such as mastectomy and chemotherapy, which can have lasting effects on a patient’s physical and mental health. With the observance of Pinktober, the initiative aims to raise awareness about the critical importance of early intervention and the accessibility of treatment options available in Papua New Guinea.

Residents in Lae are appealing to the city authority to prioritize genuine local farmers by providing them with adequate and sheltered spaces in the main market. Concerns over overcrowding, limited vendor stalls, and the presence of unauthorized sellers have raised questions about fair access for those who rely on the market to sell fresh produce. Nancy Jonah, a resident of Lae, voiced frustration over the current conditions, noting that the limited space not only restricts vendors but also encourages pickpocketing, putting both vendors and customers at risk. “Local farmers are being squeezed out by black market sellers, forcing them to sit in unfavorable weather conditions to sell their produce,” Jonah explained. Jonah is urging the Lae City Authority (LCA) to address this issue by designating spaces exclusively for local farmers and improving security measures within the market to create a safer, more supportive environment for all.

A charity flea market led by longtime Madang residents Tahnee Ling and Pamela Eugenio has raised K4, 750 to benefit the Pediatric Ward at Madang Provincial Hospital. Funds from the event, which drew contributions from across Papua New Guinea, will support vital medical and consumable supplies, as well as toys and bedding for young patients in need. The initiative began as a simple market sale but took on a larger purpose following Ling’s experience visiting her nephew in the hospital. “Seeing the conditions firsthand and the need for medical supplies drove me to turn this into a charity event,” Ling noted. In collaboration with Dr Tina Yarong from the pediatric ward, Ling and Eugenio prepared a list of needed items and rallied support across social media. Through stall fees, raffle sales, and donations from around the country, the event exceeded expectations. “We didn’t have a specific goal, but the community came through beyond what we could imagine,” said Ling. The collected items have since been presented to the hospital, where both staff and patients welcomed the heartfelt contributions. With plans underway to organize additional charity events for the hospital’s labor ward, Ling expressed her gratitude to everyone involved, emphasizing that this effort demonstrates the collective power of community-driven healthcare support.

Nawaeb MP Theo Pelgen has emphasized that future cultural performances in the Erap Mini Cultural Show should prioritize local talents, offering a platform to discover and support individuals from the community, after funds allocated for the show this year, were misused. Although he declined to hold anyone accountable for the mismanagement of funds provided for this year's show, Pelgen urged the organizing committee to reorganize and ensure a more transparent and well-planned event next year. The Nawaeb District Development Authority (DDA) in the Morobe province had provided K50,000 for the August show, but it was later revealed that only K11,500 was used, while K38,500 was misappropriated by a member of the committee. During a reconciliation ceremony at Tinibi village over the weekend, Pelgen accepted an apology from the show committee for the mishandling of the funds. "I made a big mistake trusting this individual with the money, which was not used for its intended purpose," Pelgen said. "The show was hosted successfully, and Erap people participated well, but I didn’t attend because I wanted to see the event dominated by local performers, not outsiders." Pelgen reiterated that cultural events should be led by local communities to identify and support their talents. Despite the financial issues, he assured that the Nawaeb DDA would continue its annual support of K50,000 for the Erap Mini Cultural Show. However, he urged the committee to establish a new leadership team and plan the event with better accountability. Tinibi village spokesperson and show committee chairman Manaba Satibe expressed his regret over the mismanagement, confirming that the funds had not been fully utilized. He thanked MP Pelgen for accepting their apology and assured that next year’s event would be organized transparently, with all funds properly accounted for. "We are grateful for the financial support this year and under MP Pelgen's leadership, we look forward to planning a bigger and better show next year," Satibe said. The Erap Mini Cultural Show is seen as a key event for showcasing local culture and fostering community pride in the Nawaeb District.

The Wamayana Youth Association was launched on Sunday 29th September at the New Camp community in Bulolo in Morobe province, to address youth challenges and promote positive change. Wau-Bulolo Urban Mayor, Jayson Ata, officially launched the association, which aims to empower young people through education, research, and community development. Association President, Taiko Kalang emphasized the group's focus on reducing law and order issues by engaging youths in productive activities. “Law and order problems are a national challenge, and we're working to address youth involvement by providing skills for economic empowerment,” Kalang said. He added that the association is committed to collaborating with other youth groups to improve the community. Mayor Ata expressed the local-level government's support for the initiative which focusses on young men and women from Wantoat, Markham, Yamap, and Nabak who reside in the area. Samuel Aits, a small business owner who helped draft the association's profile, urged youths to work together and minimize law and order issues. He noted that while many problems are often attributed to youths, the association is actively working to reduce these issues. The event was attended by government representatives, business leaders, churches, and educational institutions.

The Madang District Court has ordered the deportation of five Sri Lankan nationals who were arrested for illegally entering Papua New Guinea. The group, caught after being rescued at sea in Madang Province, must each pay a fine of K2,500 or face six months in prison. The total fine paid by the group amounted to K12,500. The Sri Lankans, along with two Papua New Guineans, were found drifting at sea near Boisa Island on September 21st after their boat ran out of fuel while traveling from Vanimo, West Sepik Province, to the Highlands. A coordinated rescue effort by the Madang Transnational Crime Unit, National Criminal Intelligence Unit, and local authorities brought the group to safety. According to Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, Madang Provincial Police Commander, the Sri Lankans entered PNG from Indonesia without proper documentation and were charged under PNG’s Migration Act. Following their court appearance on September 27, the five individuals paid their fines and were cautioned at Beon Correctional Institution in the presence of PNG Immigration, PNG Customs, and other relevant agencies. The Sri Lankans are currently in the custody of PNG Immigration at Madang Resort. Arrangements are being made to transfer them to the Bomana Immigration Centre (BIC) in Port Moresby within 48 hours, where deportation procedures will be completed. Acting Superintendent Baim expressed gratitude to the agencies involved, including Customs Manager Tony Brabar and his officers. He urged citizens to report any illegal immigrants, stating, “We must report sightings of such aliens to relevant authorities before it’s too late. They could take over our sovereign nation, and we must act to protect it.”

In a breakthrough for Papua New Guinea’s border security efforts, Madang police on Monday 23rd September arrested a key figure linked to a gun-smuggling syndicate operating between PNG and Indonesia. The suspect, 40-year-old Lazarus Nimimo from Yaman Village in East Sepik Province, was apprehended in Madang with parts of homemade firearms in his possession. The arrest was made by the Zulu 300 police team, which has been investigating cross-border gun trafficking. Nimimo has reportedly provided valuable intelligence on the network facilitating the illegal flow of firearms between PNG and Indonesia, a trade that has heightened security concerns in recent years. Madang’s Acting Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Robert Baim, emphasized the serious threat posed by gun smuggling to PNG’s internal security. He highlighted the importance of this arrest as a pivotal step in dismantling the syndicate responsible for the illegal arms trade. “This arrest is just the beginning. We’re gathering further intelligence, and we expect more arrests in the coming days,” Baim stated. “The safety of our communities depends on stopping this illicit trade.” Nimimo remains in custody as the investigation continues, with authorities expecting further developments as they seek to bring down the entire network involved in the smuggling operations.

Madang Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Acting Superintendent Robert Baim has urged the people of Madang to continue cooperating with law enforcement officers to ensure a safe and peaceful Independence Day celebration. Baim praised the efforts of local police officers for their dedication since the start of 2024 and announced the launch of an "Independence Operation" by the Marine Police, set to begin tomorrow. The operation will include both day and nighttime patrols to maintain order during the celebrations. He emphasized the importance of community support in keeping Madang a safe and welcoming place for everyone. "Maintaining peace and order during this period is vital as we celebrate our country's independence," said Acting Superintendent Baim. "We urge all residents to celebrate responsibly and respectfully." Looking forward to the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea's independence next year, Baim expressed optimism for a future built on unity and mutual respect, encouraging everyone to contribute to the country's progress. The commander called on both the police force and the community to work together to make the coming celebrations a success.

The Yalu Bridge on the Highlands Highway, which was washed out due to torrential rains, has been restored and reopened to traffic, Lae MP John Rosso announced. The bridge suffered significant damage when a 50-meter section of its approach was washed away on August 23rd, 2024. Thanks to the swift efforts of the repair teams, the bridge was restored in a record time of just three days, with work completed at 10:00 PM Monday night. The restoration of Yalu Bridge is crucial as it ensures the continued flow of traffic along the Highlands Highway, a vital route for the region’s economy and connectivity. Minor restoration works will continue to fully secure the washout section. Lae MP John Rosso acknowledged the collective efforts that made this quick restoration possible, including the Department of Works and Highways under Acting Secretary Gibson Holemba, Provincial Works Manager Samson Apai and his engineering team, the Morobe Provincial Administration under Provincial Administrator Max Bruten, as well as the Lae and Morobe Police and local businesses. "Thank you everyone for your patience and cooperation during this time," said Rosso, expressing his gratitude to all those involved in the restoration efforts. "We knew the importance of restoring this bridge quickly, and I want to thank everyone who worked tirelessly to reopen it for our community."

Three people have died as a result of torrential rain in Morobe Province, according to Lae's Metropolitan Commander, Superintendent James Luan. Superintendent Luan reported that one man attempting to cross the Yalu River was swept downstream by floodwaters. His body was later recovered after the river's levels subsided. In a separate incident, two men were killed in a landslide triggered by the overflow of a creek at Bumbi Settlement, Bumayong. The landslide buried them yesterday. Luan also noted that police are currently stationed at the Yalu Bridge, providing security to the traveling public and assisting contractors in creating a temporary bypass to maintain access. The police force is increasing manpower today to continue their operations. The Morobe Disaster Office and its stakeholders have yet to assess the full extent of the damages caused by the heavy rainfall in Lae city and other districts of Morobe since Thursday night.

Heavy rains have devastated Buso Village in Morobe Province, destroying 25 homes and displacing numerous families. The flooding, which occurred on the night of August 23, has left the village in urgent need of assistance. The flooding was triggered by the overflow of the Buso River, also known as the Second Busu, which originates from the Musom Tale Mountains and flows through Wagang Village to the eastern coast of Morobe. The river, notorious for its strong currents, has a history of causing significant damage during heavy rains, including a major flood in1997 that devastated the village. Located about 2 kilometers from the river, Buso Village, which falls under the Labuta Local Level Government in the Nawaeb District, comprises approximately 50-70 households with more than 200 residents. The floodwaters destroyed homes, washed away essential gardens, and swept away livestock—crucial sources of food and income for the villagers.The village is now isolated, with traditional means of crossing the river, such as by car or swimming, no longer viable. Additionally, the main road leading to Bualu Village, Burum, and Finschhafen has been damaged, further complicating relief efforts. Residents are calling for immediate assistance from the Morobe Disaster Office and Nawaeb District authorities, urgently needing shelter, food, and medical supplies to support those affected by the disaster.

Restoration work is set to commence within the next 48 hours on the Yalu Bridge in Morobe Province after it was washed out following heavy rainfall. The bridge, a critical link on the main Highlands Highway between Lae and Nadzab, was severely damaged, according to the Department of Works and Highways Acting Secretary, Mr. Gibson Holemba. Mr Holemba advised the traveling public to revise their travel plans as restoration work on temporary access begins. “Our department engineers in Morobe Province and the contractor, China Railway Construction Ltd, are monitoring the situation and will restore access as soon as possible,” he said. He also urged drivers and travellers using the affected highways to exercise extra caution during this period of bad weather.