Eight-year-old Undialu Philip from Tari, Hela Province, has been given a second chance at life after successfully undergoing open-heart surgery at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH). The complex operation was carried out by a collaborative team of local cardiac specialists and visiting experts from Singapore. Dr. Noah Tapaua, Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Surgery Coordinator at PMGH, confirmed the successful repair of Undialu’s heart defect. The operation involved a dedicated multidisciplinary team—including surgeons, anaesthetists, perfusionists, and nurses—working seamlessly in the operating theatre. “Undialu is the first paediatric patient in a series of ten scheduled for open-heart surgeries this week,” said Dr. Tapaua.…
Author: Paula DAVID
Team PNG added another medal to their tally on Day 2 (1st July) of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, thanks to a strong performance in Va’a. The Men’s V6 500m crew claimed bronze with a time of 1 minute 53.24 seconds, finishing behind gold medallists Tahiti and silver medallists Wallis & Futuna. PNG’s paddlers showed great determination in what was a fiercely contested race. In the pool, Team PNG swimmers were back in action. In Event 11 – Men’s 100m Butterfly – Nathaniel Noka posted a time of 59.72 seconds. In the Women’s 100m Butterfly (Event 12), Abigail…
Westpac NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley is considering a major pre-game change for next week’s State of Origin decider in order to prevent a repeat of their slow start in Game Two. Rather than using the underground tunnel that connects the NSWRL Centre of Excellence to Accor Stadium, the side is likely to complete a traditional warm up and enter to the field via the western tunnel. The Blues produced a lacklustre first half at Optus Stadium to trail 26-6 at half-time. While they came roaring back in the second 40, it was ultimately too little too late and Queensland…
Samara-Murua MP Isi Henry Leonard is calling for a district-driven “revolution” to spark transformative national development, emphasizing the need for bottom-up change through strategic local action. Speaking at a recent gathering in Port Moresby, MP Leonard emphasized the need for collective action and strategic partnerships to unlock the district’s potential in key sectors such as mining, fisheries, and tourism. “The country will never change if the districts won’t change,” MP Leonard asserted, highlighting his core belief that national progress hinges on district-level transformation. “The only way forward for the country to change is for the districts to change.” A key…
The Papua New Guinea women’s national football team departed for Fiji this morning at 10am to compete in the 2025 Oceania Women’s Nations Cup, set from July 4–19. Returning as reigning champions after their 2022 title win, the team is focused and determined to defend their crown. Head Coach Erickson Komeng said the squad has been undergoing intense training over the past month in preparation for the tournament. “We’re going there to defend the title, and we know it’s going to be tough. But the team has made good progress, and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” Komeng said. The…
Over 8,000 elementary students and their teachers across 31 schools in seven districts of Morobe Province are now benefiting from improved learning environments and better access to clean water. This progress has been made possible through a K6 million investment from the Australian Government, supported by a K500,000 contribution from the Morobe Provincial Administration. Through this partnership, 930 new desks and 90 rainwater tanks have been delivered to schools across the province. These resources are helping to ensure safer drinking water and more conducive classroom conditions for both students and teachers. The official handover took place on Monday, 30th June…
Papua New Guinea (PNG) got off to a strong start at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, securing two silver medals on the opening day of the competition. The first medal came in the Va’a (outrigger canoeing) V12 Mixed 500m sprint final. Team PNG crossed the finish line in 2 minutes and 0.67 seconds, earning second place behind Tahiti, who claimed gold with a time of 1:58.16. Fiji took bronze with a time of 2:02.61. This podium finish marks a promising beginning for PNG’s Va’a team as they continue competing throughout the week. Later in the day, PNG’s second…
With just two weeks remaining before the full report is released, BBC Media Action has revealed early findings from its nationwide media study, showing that Yumi FM (93.1 FM) is the most-listened-to radio station in Papua New Guinea (PNG). According to the research, over 20% of respondents across the country tune into Yumi FM, with data indicating a total audience share of 37%. As the only Tok Pisin-language commercial station in PNG, Yumi FM is praised by listeners for its accessibility, relatable content, and engaging presentation of local news and music. The findings are part of a broader national media…
BBC Media Action is set to launch a new report presenting key findings from its latest media study: Understanding Audience Needs, Values, and the Role of Media and Communication in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The report captures the voices of people across the country and explores how they access, trust, and engage with different forms of media. The research reveals a complex and multi-layered information environment in PNG. Despite growing access to mobile phones, half of those surveyed said they still rely on second-hand sources for information at least once a week. The study also highlights a clear demand for…
The University of Goroka (UoG) in the Eastern Highlands province is set to host the inaugural Pacific Teacher Challenge Conference from July 5th to 7th, 2025. This landmark event, the first of its kind for UoG and a significant gathering for the Pacific, aims to address the critical challenges faced by educators across the region, particularly those in rural and remote areas. “This important event brings together teachers, educators, university leaders, policymakers, and researchers from across the Pacific,” stated Dr. Jane Awi, Executive Director for Somare Research Institute and the Chairlady for the inaugural Pacific Teacher Education Conference. “Our focus…