This week thirty-one women Members of Parliament (MPs) from around the Pacific region visited Wellington, New Zealand for a development and connection event at Parliament. They represented the majority of women MPs from the eleven Pacific countries they hail from. It's a region where the vast majority of elected representatives have always been men, where the institutional and social barriers to women standing for parliaments around the region are deeply entrenched. Johnny Blades from "The House" sat down for a chat about these barriers and how to overcome them with several of the visiting Pacific MPs, beginning with Geraldine Paul, an elected representative in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville. Source: Radio NZ Pacific

The East New Britain Provincial Administration and Government is currently reviewing and working on its ten-year Strategic Development Plan (SDP). Its last ten-year plan from 2011-2021 has expired, therefore the Planning and Research Division is facilitating this exercise for all the sectors to come up with its new provincial SDP. This is a development plan setting the development part forward for the province for the next ten years. According to Deputy Administrator Social Services, Marakan Uvano, this new review plan contains the strategies, the vision and mission of the province directing the province where they want to go in the next ten years and how to get there. He said these programs strategies and projects from this plan are the vehicles that will help to drive the province to its destiny. “The exercise today is mainly to go through and revise those programs in each sector plus if there are policies that need to be done to help the province.” “This is the third week of the exercise the officers are station in one place all the sectors have been required to provide information so that we inform this plan in terms of the current status, what were done over the last term of this plan, where we are and where we need to go starting from next year onwards.” Uvano stated that they had a mid-term review in 2020 to check if most of the projects and the activities contained in the plan are on track. This plan will go through the normal vetting process where it will go through the administration. After the clearance and input is done from the administration through the Provincial Cooperate team, it will then go to the Provincial Executive Council (PEC) then to Assembly. After its endorsement, it will become a policy of the government for the next ten years. In addition, Uvano said in terms of the last plan, they have come to a milestone that some of the things they have achieved and those that they have not achieved will still be in the plan until it is achieved. He added that they are hoping that by next month, September, they should have the document ready for launching. Meanwhile, Research and Planning Advisor, Ludwick Ngori, said that the next mid-term review should be in 2027 which will be aligned to the Medium-Term Development Plan 4 and what they will be doing now is integrating the planning cycle with the electoral cycle. He stated that they have new members coming in so they will need to align their plans with their political leadership. Furthermore, Ngori said that the sectors are coming in now with their write ups about their current implementation status and the challenges. “We are aligning these plans with MTDP 4 and by the end of the week we should have a draft ready for validation.”

Papua New Guinea's premier dance sensation, Wan Squad, has etched its name in history by achieving a stunning 4th place finish at the prestigious World Hip Hop Dance Championship. Proudly sponsored by Mountain Dew, Wan Squad showcased their unparalleled talent and dedication to the world during the exhilarating competition held in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, from July 30th to August 6th, 2023. The World Hip Hop Dance Championship, a pinnacle event in the world of dance, witnessed the electrifying performances of 67 top-tier dance crews in the fiercely contested Adult Division. Wan Squad's journey to success began with a promising start, as they secured the 14th spot in the preliminary round. Their exceptional skills and artistic flair propelled them to the Semi Finals, where they elevated their performance to unprecedented heights, securing a spot amongst the top 4 out of 33 formidable dance crews. In the Finals, Wan Squad's choreography and synchronicity on the stage left the audience and judges in awe. The crew's dedication, discipline, and tireless hours of practice translated into an outstanding performance that garnered them an impressive 4th place finish, setting a new benchmark for excellence in the dance world. Wan Squad's accomplishment not only showcased their immense talent but also brought immense pride to Papua New Guinea as they stood alongside the world's finest. Mountain Dew, the proud sponsor of Wan Squad, played an instrumental role in nurturing and supporting the crew's journey to success. Through unwavering dedication and assistance, Mountain Dew empowered Wan Squad to channel their hard work and passion into an awe-inspiring performance that resonated with audiences globally. Wan Squad acknowledges and appreciates Mountain Dew's invaluable support in realizing their dreams and achieving this monumental feat on the international stage. Reflecting on their journey, a member of Wan Squad who is also their coach, Pyan Ng, stated that this achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication and collaborative spirit of their crew. “We are immensely proud to have represented Papua New Guinea on the world stage and to have made our nation proud.” “Our gratitude goes out to Mountain Dew for believing in our potential and supporting us every step of the way.” Wan Squad's triumphant journey at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship is a testament to their commitment, talent, and resilience. As they continue to push the boundaries of artistic expression and cultural representation, the world eagerly anticipates their future endeavours.

PNG Fashion and Design Week Limited has partnered with Budget Rent-a-Car as the Official Transport Partner for the 2023 PNG Fashion Runway; Fashion for Peace and is delighted to announce its esteemed collaboration for the highly anticipated PNG Fashion show. The event is set to captivate audiences on the 19th of August, showcasing the best of Papua New Guinea's fashion industry while promoting peace through the language of design. As the Official Transport Partner, Budget Rent-a-Car will provide essential transportation services to ensure the seamless execution of the PNG Fashion Runway. This partnership marks a significant step in supporting the fashion and creative industry in Papua New Guinea and aligns with Budget's commitment to contributing positively to the communities it serves. Chief Executive Officer of PNG Fashion and Design Week Limited, Mrs. Janet Sios said that PNG Fashion and Design Week Limited is honoured to have Budget Rent-a-Car on board as the Official Transport Partner for this year’s runway. “This partnership strengthens our collective mission to foster the growth of local talent, celebrate cultural diversity, and create a platform for promoting peace and unity through fashion." This year’s PNG Fashion Runway show promises to be an extraordinary event, attracting leading fashion designers, models, influencers, and industry experts from both local and international communities. The festival will feature captivating runway show and performances around the theme of peacebuilding through artistic expression. Meanwhile, General Manager at Budget Rent-a-Car, Tania Mairi Mahuru, also stated that this partnership reflects their commitment to supporting cultural events and empowering local communities. “Through our reliable transportation solutions, we aim to contribute to the seamless organization of this prestigious event." Furthermore, PNG Fashion and Design Week Limited's collaboration with Budget Rent-a-Car reinforces their shared vision of promoting creativity, inclusivity, and sustainability within the fashion industry, while enhancing the overall experience for participants and attendees.

Air Niugini has come on board to support a platform for local fashion designers, the Fashion for Peace Runway 2023 as the official airline partner. Air Niugini believes in empowering and developing the skills of Papua New Guineans to promote tourism, arts, and culture. Fashion for Peace Runway 2023 is hosted by PNG Fashion and Design Week (PNGFDW) Limited, a not-for-profit organization focusing on providing innovative platforms to support the development and growth of the fashion and design industry in PNG. As an official airline partner, Air Niugini will provide five return tickets including three for local designers traveling in from East New Britain and New Ireland Province and two international tickets for designers from Sydney, Australia. The airline is also sponsoring a corporate table and offering a prize of return tickets for two to travel to any destination in PNG. Air Niugini Acting Chief Executive Officer, Gary Seddon, highlighted the significant role fashion, arts and culture plays in promoting tourism and travel. “Through fashion, local designers help promote the diverse cultures of PNG adding value to tourism which the airline wholeheartedly supports.” “Air Niugini believes strongly in supporting people to celebrate our culture and diversity, through any platform.” “We encourage people to contribute to the country’s tourism growth by creating more accessibility and exposure.” The fashion runway event is scheduled for August 19th at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby and aims to showcase the power of fashion in promoting peace, unity, and cultural diversity. This will see a total of seventy models from the University of Papua New Guinea and thirteen local designers from New Ireland, East New Britain and Port Moresby who will be showing casing their designs on the runway. PNGFDW Limited Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Janet Sios, expressed her gratitude towards Air Niugini’s support enabling fashion designers to gather in Port Moresby and create a dynamic platform for cultural exchange and mutual appreciation. “Fashion for Peace is not just about showcasing clothing, it's about weaving together stories of heritage, tradition, and innovation.” “With Air Niugini's involvement, we are confident that our festival will reach new heights, amplifying the voices of our talented designers and elevating the Papua New Guinean fashion industry on an international scale.” The fashion platform was launched in 2016 with a mission to showcase Papua New Guinea’s culturally inspired fashion and designs.

Tory Lanez, the man convicted of shooting rapper Megan Thee Stallion in 2020, was sentenced on Tuesday to 10 years in prison, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office told CNN. In December of last year, a Los Angeles jury found Lanez guilty of three charges related to the July 2020 shooting of fellow rapper Stallion in the Hollywood Hills, the Los Angeles County District Attorney told CNN at the time. Lanez had pleaded not guilty to assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, according to prosecutors. The jury convicted him on all three counts. Stallion accused Lanez of shooting her in the foot after she exited a vehicle they had been riding in following an argument. At a press conference following the sentencing on Tuesday, LA County District Attorney George Gascón explained how Lanez attempted to “silence” Stallion after she accused him of shooting her in 2020. “Over the past three years, [Lanez] has engaged in a pattern of conduct that was intended to intimidate [Stallion], silence her and keep her from defending and bringing her truth out,” Gascón said. “Despite the physical violence, verbal attacks and attempts at public humiliation, [Stallion] remained strong and shared the events of that fateful night with the jury and the world,” the district attorney continued. Stallion’s position as a popular entertainer has “brought a spotlight on the important issue of violence against women,” Gascón added. “There are many people in our community that endure acts of violence every day from people close to them and feel reluctant to come forward when this happens. I hope that [Stallion’s] bravery gives hope to those that feel helpless,” he said. Gascón also read aloud a portion of a statement made by Stallion in court Monday. “Every day I think of others across the world who are victims of violence and survive. It is truly the most powerless feeling, especially when you question whether the justice system can truly protect you. Fortunately, the district attorney’s office fought for me. I’m incredibly grateful to them and the jury for the attention to the evidence and siding with the truth. But if it can happen to me, imagine those who lack the resources and support systems to help them,” Stallion said, according to the district attorney. Lanez’s attorney Jose Baez also spoke at the news conference, calling his client’s sentence “incredibly harsh.” “To get a ten-year sentence is extreme and just another example of someone being punished for their celebrity status and someone being utilized to send an example. And he’s not an example, he’s a human being,” Baez said. Lanez is “incredibly sad and down” as any other person would be with the news of the sentence, Baez said. The law allows for Lanez to be out on bail pending appeal, so they plan to file a motion for bail in the case as they intend to appeal, he said. In April, the “Savage” singer addressed the case in an essay for Elle. “As I reflect on the past three years, I view myself as a survivor, because I have truly survived the unimaginable,” she wrote at the time. She described how she not only survived being shot by a friend she thought she could trust, but how she also overcame the “public humiliation of having my name and reputation dragged through the mud by that individual for the entire world to see,” referencing the social media-driven smear campaign that began soon after the shooting, which painted Stallion out to be a liar. “It never crossed my mind that people wouldn’t believe me,” she wrote, adding that she nonetheless “knew the truth and the indisputable facts would prevail.” Source: CNN News

“Barbie” has answered the billion-dollar question with a resounding “yes.” Barely three weeks into its run, writer-director Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster has raked in an astounding $1.03 billion at the global box office, according to official Warner Bros. estimates. This makes Gerwig the first solo female director with a billion-dollar movie. As one half of the viral “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, it isn’t shocking “Barbie” has performed well. And, standing on her own two feet, the doll’s incredible success is not unexpected at all. “I’ve been in this game for 30 years and the Barbie and Barbenheimer phenomenon is as unprecedented as it was unpredictable,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. According to Dergarabedian, only about 50 films in history, unadjusted for inflation, have hit the billion-dollar mark. He added the movie’s marketing campaign was the first hint “Barbie” would be a box office smash. “The marketing campaign for ‘Barbie’ set into motion a chain of events that led to the word ‘Barbenheimer’ being added to the popular lexicon by virtue of its shared release date with ‘Oppenheimer,’ and that’s when we all knew something very special and unique was going to create a much bigger than expected outcome for the film not only for the opening weekend, but for its global run in theaters.” In an interview with Collider last month, Margot Robbie — who produced the movie in addition to playing the titular character — shared a premonition she had at a greenlight meeting with studios. “I think I told them they’d make a billion dollars which, maybe I was overselling, but we had a movie to make!” she said. “Barbie” was distributed by Warner Bros., which is owned by CNN’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery. Its global success was driven by box office sales in some of the world’s largest movie markets, including the United Kingdom, Mexico and Australia. The movie has been the No. 1 release in these markets every weekend since its release, according to tracking site Box Office Mojo. “Barbie” also performed well in China, the second-largest market in the world and one that has becoming increasingly insular over the past few years. According to experts, franchise films like “Transformers,” “Fast and Furious,” and Marvel’s superhero movies tend to perform well with Chinese audiences. While “Barbie” is similar to “Transformers” in that it’s based on an existing toy, it’s “not an IP that generations of Chinese have grown up with, so you lack the intergenerational appeal that a film like ‘Barbie’ has in the United States,” said Michael Berry, director of UCLA’s Center for Chinese Studies. But Berry, who researches Chinese cinema and pop culture, says Barbie is still iconic around the world, giving the movie a solid springboard for international acclaim. “Children in hundreds of countries… have grown up with the dolls, her imagery… (but) the film exploits that name-recognition in a very savvy way by playing into both the Barbie lovers and Barbie haters,” he said. “The film is also able to deftly walk a tightrope that appeals to both naïve and wide-eyed eight-year-old dreamers, who approach the film on one level, and adult audiences, who are able to interpret the film on an entirely different level, full of irony, humor, sexual innuendos, and allegory.” “Barbie” has become everything from a relationship litmus test to a celebration of womanhood for people who may have come for the hot-pink outfits and stayed for the film’s existential questions. “Driving that discourse is the film’s embrace of what generations of women have both loved and hated about the brand and what it’s often represented in the past,” said BoxOffice Pro chief analyst Shawn Robbins, adding that the movie “has tapped into cultural conversations about gender roles and female empowerment that aren’t bound by international borders.” Source: CNN News.com

PNG Power Limited (PPL) recently commenced the Meter Boxing Project in the city of Port Moresby in an effort to combat power theft. This simple and very effective initiative is aimed at enhancing revenue generation and has yielded solid results with a twelve percent increase in revenue over the last six months in Port Moresby. This exercise is also aimed at recovering power losses through theft and improving financial sustainability for the company. According to the PPL Board of Directors Chairman, McRonald Nale, the implementation of the Meter Boxing Project marks a pivotal milestone in the company’s ongoing endeavors to address power theft, a persistent challenge that has long impacted the company's revenue collection and financial performance. “By installing tamper-resistant and secured meter boxes, we have effectively minimized instances of bypass and prevented unbilled electricity usage, ensuring accurate billing for all energy consumed by our customers.” "In the pilot stage, the dedicated teams worked tirelessly, making the most of limited resources to identify and prioritize areas most affected by power theft." Nale stated that they have successfully rectified over 200- meter boxes in Port Moresby through a systematic approach, with plans to cover an additional 1,500 customers. “This proactive and collaborative effort involved close engagement with our customers and respected electrical contractors, ensuring adherence to electrical safety standards.” The notable revenue improvement achieved in Port Moresby serves as a testament to PPL’s commitment to financial sustainability. Such growth in revenue empowers PPL to continue investing in critical infrastructure projects to address power reliability issues. “While we take pride in the accomplishments of the Meter Boxing Project and the impressive revenue increase, we recognize that our work remains ongoing.” In addition to this, Nale stressed that their dedication to reducing power theft in PNG and further improving revenue collection, remains steadfast. He further stated that for them to expedite coverage in Port Moresby and extend the initiatives to other regions of PNG, they have acquired ten new vehicles and established six additional teams to fast-track this exercise. “In collaboration with the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID), we are resolutely combating power theft by prosecuting customers caught stealing electricity.” Meanwhile, Nale warned that any customer or PNG Power employee found to be involved in power theft would be dealt with severely. "Customers who are involved with power theft in their premises will be referred to the Police for criminal prosecution; in addition, they are required to pay back the bill before power is restored." "PNG Power employees aiding power theft will face internal disciplinary actions and criminal prosecution." "Police have already arrested a major customer with a history of repeated power theft offences in Port Moresby." "More arrests will be made subject to Police investigation." “Looking ahead, PNG Power is firmly committed to introducing other revenue protection initiatives, including the feeder team concept, smart metering, and other capital investment projects to improve power reliability." "PPL remains committed to providing reliable power to its customers throughout the country.”

Prime Minister James Marape expressed his enthusiasm for the goodwill visit of two large Indian naval vessels to Papua New Guinea (PNG), stating that it signifies a promising future for India-PNG relations. The visit, closely following the historic presence of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in May, reinforces the bilateral ties between the two nations. The reception, which was held recently aboard INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata berthed in Port Moresby Harbour, was attended by esteemed guests, including Government Ministers, Governors, members of the diplomatic corps, business community, public service, and military personnel. During the reception, PM Marape extended a warm welcome to the captains and crews of the two Indian navy vessels, emphasizing the significance of their visit from distant shores. He praised the swift return to PNG following Prime Minister Modi's visit, which had left a lasting impact on the nation. "We appreciate the presence of these two esteemed navy ships in Port Moresby Harbour.” "May this visit be the inception of regular exchanges and collaborations between our defense force and the Indian defense force, fostering stronger bonds between our two navies." Prime Minister Marape also highlighted the existing robust government-to-government and people-to-people relationship between India and PNG. He expressed his desire to further strengthen these ties through increased engagements and cooperation in various sectors. The visit of the Indian naval vessels signifies a positive step towards enhancing mutual cooperation and friendship between India and PNG. The governments of both nations remain committed to deepening their partnership for the benefit of their people.

Cardi B will not face charges related to throwing her microphone into the crowd at a concert in Las Vegas last weekend, according to police. “After a thorough review of this case and with the consultation from the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, this case has been closed as having insufficient evidence." "No charges will be filed in relation to this case.” That is according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police told CNN in a statement on Thursday. “On behalf of Cardi, we appreciate the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept’s diligent and prompt resolution of this matter,” Drew Findling, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, the attorneys representing Cardi B, said in a statement Thursday afternoon. On Monday, a concertgoer filed a report with the LVMPD after being “struck by an item that was thrown from the stage,” police told CNN earlier this week. Authorities did not name Cardi B in their statement, but the address on the incident report matched the location where she was performing when the the concertgoer was allegedly struck. CNN previously reported that Cardi B was performing at Drai’s Beach Club in Las Vegas last weekend when an audience member threw a drink toward the stage, as seen in video footage posted to social media. In the clip, the rapper is seen getting splashed with liquid from the cup while performing her 2018 hit “Bodak Yellow.” Cardi B quickly reacted by throwing her microphone into the audience as security guards rushed to the stage and into the crowd. In another video shared to social media from the concert, Cardi B and her DJ are seen asking the crowd to “splash” her with water due to the heat. It’s unclear if this occurred before or after the incident with the microphone. Source: CNN

The Broncos continue to match motors with Penrith at the top of the table after a 30-14 win over the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday. With Jock Madden doing a fine job deputising for Adam Reynolds, and Ezra Mam again electric, the Broncos racked up their 16th win of the season. The Cowboys looked to have made the perfect star when Kyle Feldt launched himself into the corner but he was denied by some desperate Kotoni Staggs cover defence. Just a minute later the Broncos marched down field and opened their account through Jesse Arthars try courtesy of a superb long ball by Madden. There was no denying Feldt in the 13th minute after Broncos fullback Reece Walsh spilled a bomb and the ball was spun wide for the veteran flyer to score the 126th try of his career. The Broncos struck back in the 26th minute when Pat Carrigan powered onto a Billy Walters short ball to post tries in back-to-back matches having waited 78 games for his first. Cowboys winger Semi Valemei came up with a big play to deny Herbie Farnworth a try three minutes before the break and a Chad Townsend penalty goal on the stroke of half-time closed the gap to 12-6. The Broncos extended their lead to eight points early in the second half when Staggs popped over a penalty goal after Jamayne Taunoa-Brown went on report for a crusher tackle. Doing a fine job filling in for Adam Reynolds, it was Madden putting Carrigan into a hole in the 53rd minute and the Maroons star found Mam in support to push Brisbane out to a 20-6 lead. The home side hit back again in the 59th minute when Tom Dearden and Murray Taulagi got the ball wide for Feldt to grab his second and the margin was back to 10 points. Both sides then traded trysavers as the defences refused to yield in the face of some scintillating attack - Heilum Luki standing tall for the Cowboys and Mam coming up with two huge plays on his own line. A mistake by Kurt Capewell in the play the ball handed the Cowboys a golden opportunity but they were unable to cash in and it was the Broncos who iced the win soon after when Staggs exploded into the back field and his pass found Walsh for a 24-10 lead. The Cowboys refused to lie down and Scott Drinkwater put Heilum Luki over on the right edge but Townsend's missed conversion left the margin at 10. With three minutes to play Feldt chipped and regathered and looked certain to score but lost the ball as the Broncos defence closed in. A late intercept try to Selwyn Cobbo made the final score 30-14 win and takes the Broncos to 36 competition points, equal top with the Panthers, but well behind the premiers on for and against. Source: NRL.com

The PNG Fashion and Design Week runway is excited to announce that PNG’s popular Hair and Make-up Company, Trends Beauty International has returned as this year’s partner for the runway’s Hair and Make-up artistic work on all our sixty models and thirteen designers. All products will be from Trends Beauty and Black Opal on the night of runway, set for the 19th of this month at Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby. When signing the agreement this week, Director of Trends Beauty International, Joe Lai, expressed how vital their service is becoming in a growing industry where citizens at all levels are now becoming self-conscious about how they look. This is not the first time Trends Beauty International has come on board to support this important platform for the cause of ensuring models are looking great in designers’ outfits when on the runway. Lai said that when it comes to fashion and design, make-up remains a vital tool in ensuring that a designers’ outfit is given the attention it deserves on this runway. He mentioned this when signing an agreement with the PNG Fashion and Design Week Limited Founder, Mrs. Janet Sios, which seals another fruitful partnership that is deemed to continue sustaining this important platform. Meanwhile, Sios also remains grateful with the continued confidence that Trends Beauty International has in her attempt to ensuring everyone is looking great for the runway and reflecting the theme for this year, FASHION FOR PEACE. She thanked Mr. Lai and his team and looks forward to having Trends Beauty International staff over on the night for another enjoyable night of creative collaboration behind the scenes.