In only their second season competing in the Port Moresby Basketball Association, the Equalizers Basketball Club has made a remarkable rise to the top, booking their spot in the Men’s Grand Final this Monday, 11 August, against the seasoned champions, Ultimax. Founded in 2023 by co-founders Agnes Urupua and Tirimahn Masi, the Equalizers were born out of a shared love for basketball and the determination to create their own opportunity after being turned away by other clubs. What started as a team made up entirely of players from the De La Salle community has now grown to include talented recruits…
Author: Jordan VELA
The arrival hall at Jacksons International Airport erupted in celebration today 11th of August 2025 as Papua New Guinea’s WAN Squad returned home as back-to-back World Hip-Hop Dance Champions, successfully defending their 2024 title at this year’s championship in Arizona, USA. The victory saw the crew triumph over top global competitors, including Australia, New Zealand and Mexico, cementing PNG’s place on the world dance stage. Team Manager and choreographer Pyan NG said the second win carried more weight than the first. “We’ve gained a lot more respect and appreciation from new fans around the world, especially here at home. It’s…
At the 41st National Parliament Anniversary on 7th August 2025, Sir John Kaputin, a distinguished Papua New Guinean statesman and former deputy speaker of parliament, reflected on how Papua New Guinea’s Parliament evolved institutionally, culturally, and architecturally. With the State Function Room filled with the 24 Grade 11 finalists of the National Essay Competition, Sir John Kaputin took a moment to relive his earlier days and traced the institution’s roots dating back nearly six decades. “We started off in the 1950s with a Legislative Council mostly comprised of members of the Council of the Administrator. From there, we went on…
Papua New Guinea has successfully carried out its first kidney transplants, with both recipients now recovering well at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) has announced. The historic surgeries were performed on 14 and 15 May 2025, in partnership with UK-based charity Transplant Links Community (TLC). They mark a milestone for PNG’s healthcare system and coincide with the country’s 50th independence anniversary. A 58-year-old woman from Enga Province, diagnosed with kidney failure in 2022, received a kidney from her 24-year-old niece. The second patient, a 56-year-old woman from Central Province, was given a kidney by her 40-year-old younger sister after being…
Charlie Isari from St Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Port Moresby city didn’t expect that an essay he started just a day before the deadline would win him the 2025 National Grade 11 Essay and Poetry Competition. Representing the Southern Region, the 18-year-old is of mixed parentage of Kanuni Village in Tufi, Oro Province, and Ihu, Kavava West Kerema. Charlie is currently studying Biochemistry in Grade 11 at St Charles Lwanga. His essay, Independence: A Symbol of Unity, won first place in the essay category during the 41st anniversary celebrations of Papua New Guinea’s Parliament House on Thursday, August 7. The…
The 41st anniversary of the National Parliament House in Port Moresby this week was marked with a powerful display of student creativity during the Grade 11 National Essay and Poetry Competition, held in commemoration of Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary. A total of 24 finalists, six from each region, were selected through a rigorous three-stage process that began at the school level and concluded with regional shortlists. Finalists were brought into Port Moresby on an all-expenses-paid trip to take part in a week-long national program, culminating in the final presentation on Thursday, August 7. The central theme of the…
Cricket PNG has officially named the 14-man Barramundis squad set to represent Papua New Guinea in the upcoming World Cricket League (50-over format) tour in Jersey, scheduled from August 12 to September 3, 2025. The announcement was made during a press briefing held at Amini Park this morning, with Cricket PNG Chairman Michael Harrison joined by Selection Panel Chairman Hudson Leka, Deputy Chairman Rarua Dikana, and Assistant Coach John Ovia. Veteran batter Assadollah Vala will lead the side as captain, with Sese Bau appointed vice-captain. The 14 selected players include: 1. Assadollah Vala (Captain) 2. Sese Bau (Vice Captain) 3.…
Port Moresby Nature Park’s Conservation Manager, Francis Otto Gundu, has been named “ZAA Employee of the Year” at the 2025 Association of Zoos and Aquariums Australasia (ZAA) annual meeting in Darwin, Australia. The event was made possible through the sponsorship of UK-based conservation charity, Synchronicity Earth, which supported three Papua New Guinean staff from the Nature Park to attend. Mr. Gundu, who hails from Simbu Province, presented on the park’s partnership with the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC), highlighting its role as host of the newly launched Centre for Species Survival: PNG. The Centre aims to support the conservation of…
A week-long Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) awareness campaign was held across 5 schools in Milne Bay province with a total of 645 girls attending in June 2025. The awareness campaign was by CPL Foundation Inc., in partnership with Queenpads and the Sir Brian Bell Foundation. The awareness campaign was led by Queenpads Founder & CEO Anne-Shirley Korave and volunteer Shivonnie Sakme, who facilitated sessions at: – Naura Primary School – Hagita Secondary School – Huhuna Primary School – Kebegiuli Primary School – Ramhaga Adventist Primary School Each school hosted interactive awareness sessions, providing vital information around menstrual hygiene, cycle…
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in Port Moresby this evening at 6:15pm, where he was officially welcomed at Jacksons International Airport’s APEC terminal by a full ceremonial parade led by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF). Escorted by PNGDF Commander, Rear Admiral Philip Polewara, the Prime Minister was ushered through a formal guard of honor, marking the significance of his first official visit to Papua New Guinea since assuming office. A military band played the Papua New Guinea national anthem, setting a respectful and dignified tone for what is expected to be a key diplomatic engagement between…