Author: Paula DAVID

As students and schools nationwide start to prepare for another academic year, the Secretary for Education, Dr. Uke Kombra has announced the important dates for the 2025 academic year, including for the term and holidays, the national examinations and the public holidays. Dr. Kombra also announced that Term 2 holiday will be one week, and Term 3 will have two weeks. “This change was requested by the Government to ensure that the country’s 50th Golden Jubilee Independence celebrations in September happened during school holidays so that there is no disturbance to the education of our children, and also so that…

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Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury also known as the Gypsy King has announced his retirement from boxing. Fury last fought in December when he lost his rematch against WBA (Super), WBC and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk. The 36-year-old Fury previously announced his retirement after beating Dillian Whyte in April 2022 but returned six months later. The Briton has enjoyed two stints as heavyweight champion and holds a record of 34 wins, two defeats and one draw. “Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet,” Fury said. “I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing, it has been…

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Moresby South MP and Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko recently officially launched the Don Bosco Technical Secondary School E-Library which was named after him. The initial work on the Tkatchenko E-Library began in 2024 where the Moresby South District assisted the library transformation to a fully equipped E-library with 50 computers. Tkatchenko presented the school administration at Friday’s event with K182,500 — the Moresby South DDA’ s second component for the purchase of 50 more computers, and to upgrade the facility and course material for the various fields of study and training, as well as software. The Tkatchenko E-Library project…

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Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member for Moresby South Justin Tkatchenko has expressed sadness over the recent passing of late Sir Charles Watson Lepani, KBE CBE OBE. “Devastated to hear this morning (Saturday 11th January) of the passing of a highly respected Papua New Guinean who served his country with all his heart, and with great distinction – a Senior Statesman, a friend, brother – Late Sir Charles Lepani KBE CBE OBE.” Tkatchenko said, “Sir Charles was part of a group of young, esteemed Papua New Guineans who set out early in our history as an Independent nation to establish…

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Prime Minister James Marape has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of late Sir Charles Watson Lepani, KBE CBE OBE, a distinguished statesman, diplomat, and pioneer of Papua New Guinea’s post independence era. Sir Charles passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025, in Port Moresby, surrounded by his wife, Lady Katherine Lepani, and son, Nathaniel Lepani, after a battle with stage four cancer. Prime Minister Marape said, “Sir Charles Lepani’s passing comes at a time when Papua New Guinea is preparing to celebrate 50 years of independence, making this loss even more significant. “Sir Charles was one of our most…

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Under Prime Minister James Marape’s directive, all Papua New Guinean nationals must register with their national identification by September 16, 2025. PM Marape also directed that the National Youth Authority open and maintain a 24-hour call centre for the nation’s youth; and that all young Papua New Guineans forced out of the school system utilise the Facility for Open Distant Education (FODE) to complete their education. The Prime Minister made known the policy directions on Friday 10th, January during the launching of the inaugural PNG Youth Resource Week (YRW) in Port Moresby before a crowd of youth at Sir John…

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As Papua New Guinea commemorates its 50th year of independence, Prime Minister James Marape has urged public personnel nationwide to take on the responsibility of providing the country with improved services. His remarks follow a visit to his electorate in Tari-Pori, where he met dedicated frontline public servants working in Hela Province. During his visit, the Prime Minister was moved to see several coastal families — doctors and other professionals — who have left the comfort of their home provinces to serve the people of Hela. He acknowledged their sacrifice and praised their commitment to nation-building. “These public servants are…

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The Sir Brian Bell Centre for Transfusion Medicine is in need of all blood types now to support patient needs at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH). According to Assistant Nurse Unit Manager Sister (Sr) Juliet Ohuesaho, they have put out an appeal for urgent blood donations due to the high demand of blood needed during the festive season. She said it was not possible for them to go out and conduct their mobile blood drives because government departments and organizations were closed during the festive period. “It was not possible for us to go out and conduct our mobile…

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From Ben Hunt returning to the Broncos to Zac Lomax making a highly anticipated move from the Dragons to the Eels and Clint Gutherson going the other way, the 2025 NRL season is full of intriguing storylines surrounding players seeking a fresh start at new clubs. Other big guns set to make big moves in 2025 include Panthers premiership heroes Jarome Luai, James Fisher-Harris and Sunia Turuva, representative prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard, promising big men Stefano Utoikamanu and Terrell May and proven performers Isaiah Papali’i, Addin Fonua-Blake, Val Holmes and Chad Townsend. Among the key off-season signing moves are: Storm fullback…

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The National Saint John Ambulance received an emergency call in the early hours of Christmas Day at 03:06 AM about a woman in labour from Gelegele village in Kokopo, East New Britain. Ambulance officers Edward Kivung and Newman Vue were dispatched promptly to assist a 32-year-old expectant mother, Lydia, who was experiencing labour pains. Call takers reassured Lydia that a unit would be sent as soon as it was available. The caller met the ambulance on the roadside and guided the crew to the family home. Upon arrival, the ambulance team promptly assessed Lydia and transferred her to the ambulance…

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