Author: Joshua ARLO

A $100 million loan, about K392 million, from the World Bank is set to improve education in Papua New Guinea. It has been reported that the Department of Treasury has submitted a request for concessional lending from the International Development Association (IDA). Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra reportedly says that this initiative will help boost educational outcomes and will work closely with the Department of Education. Recognizing the importance of quality education, the government has outlined a project aligned with the Ministry of Education’s focus areas for 2025 to 2029. Dr. Kombra emphasized the commitment to create a multi-year plan…

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The stage is set for a thrilling NRL Grand Final on Sunday, October 6th, with the Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers ready to face off after securing their spots in dominant style this weekend. Melbourne Storm dismantled the Sydney Roosters in a crushing 48-18 victory on Friday night, while the Penrith Panthers booked their spot in the 2024 NRL Grand Final with a commanding 26-6 victory over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday night. These two teams, packed with firepower and grit, are no strangers to high-stakes clashes; the stats tell a story of fierce competition.…

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The 2024 Grade 12 STEM examinations are set to begin tomorrow, Monday September 30, marking a crucial moment for students across Papua New Guinea. The Measurement Services Unit of the Education Department is actively preparing for the exams by packing and dispatching examination booklets to all provinces, ensuring all students receive the necessary materials to complete their assessments. As students gear up for their exams, school principals and stakeholders are being reminded of the strict rules surrounding examination conduct. The Education Department has issued a warning about the severe penalties that will be imposed on anyone caught cheating. The integrity…

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Papua New Guinea’s Olympic weightlifting star, Dika Toua, celebrated a triumphant gold medal win at her debut in the 2024 United Masters Weightlifting Championship in Suva, Fiji. Competing in the women’s 40-44 age group (50kg division), the 40-year-old athlete lifted an impressive total of 158kg, consisting of 68kg in the snatch and a remarkable 90kg in the clean and jerk. Despite battling an elbow injury, Toua expressed her excitement, stating, “I competed last night (Wednesday, September 25th) in the 50kg 40-44 age group and won gold. Doing better than last week’s competition at the Commonwealth Championships despite the injury.” Toua…

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Papua New Guinea’s Barramundis have kicked off the 2024-2026 CWC Challenge League A in Kenya with a stunning victory, defeating Denmark by six wickets. In cricket, CWC stands for the Cricket World Cup, which is an international championship contested by the national teams of the members of the International Cricket Council (ICC); the tournament is one of the most prestigious in cricket, taking place every four years. After winning the toss, the Barras elected to bowl first, and Denmark struggled with a slow start, finishing their innings at just 80 runs. The PNG bowlers were relentless, with Kabua Morea stealing…

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Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), the State owned national petroleum and energy company, has announced a new scholarship program for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students, offering a path to overseas study and future employment opportunities. KPHL’s Corporate Secretary, Dianne Aikung, revealed that starting in 2025, 20 top STEM graduates from Schools of Excellence will be funded for tertiary education at overseas universities. She stated, “For KPHL, investing in people contributes to the development and prosperity of the nation just as much as investment in infrastructure and services.” After completing their studies, these graduates will join KPHL’s Graduate Development…

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The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) will mark Police Remembrance Day on Sunday, September 28th, a solemn occasion dedicated to honouring the brave officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Observed across Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, this day recognizes the sacrifices made by law enforcement to ensure public safety, often under dangerous conditions. Since its establishment in 1989, Police Remembrance Day has paid tribute to both officers who fell in service and those who passed due to illness or other circumstances. In PNG, the main event will be held at…

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The PNG Cancer Relief Society has donated three critical medical machines to the National Cancer Center at Angau Memorial Hospital. This donation is part of the Society’s ongoing commitment to enhancing cancer care in Papua New Guinea, as it has supported cancer patients for 48 years. The donated equipment includes a suction machine for the cancer wards, an electrocardiography (ECG) machine for the chemotherapy day ward, and a gynaecological table for gynaecologic examinations. Dr. Cathy Timothy, a physician at the National Cancer Center, expressed deep gratitude to the PNG Cancer Relief Society and donors for their support, reports the PNG…

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At the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in New York on Wednesday September 25th, Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko emphasized the necessity for inclusive global governance, urging member nations to prioritize collaboration over the interests of exclusive groups. He declared, “The success of the Pact for the Future should, however, not be dictated by the outcomes of exclusive clubs of countries, whose interests may differ from others who are not parties to such configurations.” Minister Tkatchenko’s remarks came during a pivotal session focusing on the theme “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet.” The meeting, chaired by Brazil and attended by…

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Papua New Guinea has reaffirmed its commitment to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York. Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko met with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, where they expressed a unified desire to end the war in Ukraine immediately. Minister Tkatchenko emphasized, “We have similar experiences in the Second World War [WWII], and the last thing we don’t want is another war in the Pacific region.” His sentiment highlights PNG’s historical understanding of the repercussions of conflict, especially in the context of the Pacific.…

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