In efforts to preserve and promote cultural heritage, BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) has pledged in K30, 000 which will go towards the Sepik River Crocodile and Arts Festival. This will take place starting today until the 7th of August 2023, in Ambunti District of East Sepik Province. Crocodiles are significant to the Sepik culture where they have cultural traditions, beliefs and legends based on this ancient animal. The three day Festival and cultural celebration will highlight the crocodile and its cultural significance to the communities living along the Sepik River. BSP Wewak Branch Manager, Philip Solala when complimenting the significance of the event said that as a truly local bank,is wholeheartedly committed to the growth and development of the country. “We recognize the importance of the country’s cultural heritage and we are proud to pledge our support in maintaining, preserving and promoting such cultural events in communities.” “BSP is a multicultural financial institution operating in the Pacific and Asia, we ensure the cultures of each country help us develop products and services to suit the banking needs of people.” “We acknowledge that such events are also key contributor to country’s economy through the support of informal markets, work of art, products and SMEs.” In addition to this, he stated that BSP is the only bank that has a strong focus on serving the rural communities of Papua New Guinea besides its commercial focus. This is evident through their numerous community support including the annual community projects delivered each year and also extensive support for respective cultural events like the Mt Hagen Cultural Show, the Morobe Cultural show, Enga Cultural Show and also the recently held East New Britain Warwagira Festival that showcased the provincial unique traditions. “Being part of the community-centric event that draws so many to our local area is a key drive to enable tourism, promote local businesses and uplift community standards.” Over the years, BSP’s support of such events has lifted standards of many small businesses and communities that contribute significantly to the country’s economy.

The East New Britain Provincial Government (ENBPG) has launched a major relief supply exercise aimed at supplying immediate humanitarian assistance to the affected areas in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) caused by the recent volcanic eruption. The people of ENBP witnessed the event at Tropicana Vunapope beach front in Kokopo where delegates representing the country including Minister for Defense, Win Daki, Commander PNG Defense Force, Brigadier Goina, Director National Disaster Center, Lusette Mana, Police Commissioner, David Manning, Bougainville Affairs Minister, Manaseh Makiba, Correctional Service Commissioner and delegates from AROB representing the President led by Bougainville Regional Member and Minister for Internal Security Peter Tsimalili Jnr were present in the province to witness the event. On behalf of the leaders and the people of the province, ENB Governor, Michael Marum, welcomed the delegates stating that the province is privileged to have them in the province to witness and received the relief supplies to the affected people in AROB. He said when they heard about the eruption and the people affected, he and the other four respective members of the province made an agreement to gather food supplies including garden foods to send over to assist their brother and sisters in AROB. “On behalf of the 400, 000 people of East New Britain, we would like to say sorry to our fellow brothers and sisters in South Bougainville who were greatly affected by the volcano eruption as this is not a new disaster to us the people of East New Britain.” He expressed the experience of how it feels to lose homes, towns and other essential services and Bougainville have assisted the province back in 1994, therefore East New Britain will do the same to help them. “We are close to AROB and we are here to continue to give our support, we will all work together and honored to assist our families in AROB as they go through this difficult time in their lives”. The event also marked the launch of the PNG Government's Relief Support to the victims of Mt Bagana’s volcanic eruption and an inaugural occasion for a PNG Defense Force vessel to enter the coast line of AROB since the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001.

Prime Minister, James Marape has expressed his satisfaction with the achievements of the six National Schools of Excellence in Papua New Guinea including, Sogeri, Kerevat, Aiyura, Passam, Port Moresby, and Wawin. During a presentation of the Department of Education's 2022 Annual Report to Parliament this week, Education Minister, Jimmy Uguro highlighted the remarkable progress of these institutions. A noteworthy milestone is the selection of 55 pioneer students from the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme at the national schools of excellence for admission to universities in the USA, with an additional seven students accepted by Australian universities. Having personally contributed to the establishment of the national schools of excellence and having introduced the concept at the Port Moresby National School of Excellence in 2020, with STEM as its flagship, Prime Minister Marape expressed his delight at witnessing their success in just three years. "I am immensely proud of the National Schools of Excellence initiative, which caters to highly talented students as creators and innovators.” “The selection of 62 students for scholarships at prestigious universities in the US and Australia demonstrates that PNG can compete globally, especially in this era of robotics and Artificial Intelligence.” The STEM curriculum at the National Schools of Excellence has been designed to align with STEM-related courses taught at universities in Papua New Guinea, and the first batch of 220 students graduated in 2022. Prime Minister Marape further shared his enthusiasm upon learning that 190 students from the National Schools of Excellence class of 2022 have been granted admission to universities within Papua New Guinea for the year 2023. "This development bodes exceptionally well for Papua New Guinea as we cultivate a new generation of highly intelligent young minds to lead our nation into a prosperous future.” “The success of the national schools of excellence stands as a testament to Papua New Guinea's commitment to providing quality education and fostering the growth of its youth in an increasingly competitive global landscape.”

Since its establishment in 2016, PNG Fashion and Design Week Limited has been pioneering the growth of the Fashion Sector in Papua New Guinea and so far with the support of AusAID, have trained over 860 designers in the country who most are now known successful designers in the industry. It was also in 2016 that PNG Fashion and Design Week hosted its first ever runway show with a total of seven designers who all showcased on the very first runway including Annette Sete, Natasha Tamanabae and Anna Amos. This year, the stakes just got higher, as this year’s Runway Show will now showcase talents and creativity not only from PNG’s well known designers but also from the Creative Arts students of the University of Papua New Guinea. According to Founder and Director of PNG Fashion and Design Week, Mrs. Janet Sios, this is the first time that the fashion sector has collaborated with the students from Year one to Year four as one reason is to bring awareness of the culture and the creative sector to them. Mrs Sios told PNG HAUSBUNG that although creative learning is part of their course, students probably don’t know where they’ll end up in terms of a career, therefore this will show to them that money can be earned in this sector through modelling, designing, being a creative director, setting a stage, photography or even being a coordinator. Sios also made mention that one important reason is to bring out the talents these students have and showcase. “For this year’s runway show, we will have thirteen designers including nine designers who are students themselves that have signed up to take part and for our fashion models, over 70 models will be taking part with 30 of them who are students.” “For our designers, we have five established designers taking part including three international designers who we’ve also invited to come on board with one from Sydney who has been confirmed and two from Dubai and Sri Lanka who are yet to confirm.” With this year’s theme, ‘Fashion for Peace’, the designers have been challenged to take on the task in creating a piece that not only they portray at a certain level but also to dedicate a piece through PEACE in which they can talk about their creativity towards peace. “We want to drive the theme as we have so much of law-and-order issues and so we are hoping that we can receive as much support as we can including support from our leaders.” “We want to stop all forms of violence and this platform is dedicated for peace in Papua New Guinea.” In addition to this, with everyone geared up for the event, all volunteering and ushering will be done by the students themselves. Sios expressed that the students themselves are excited because all students taking part including student designers, models, photographer, coordinators, and ushers have been given a bit of money. Furthermore, with Sios part of the National Cultural Commission Board, has taken on the challenge to convert the culture and creativity into money making and doing something like this is one aspect of it in which they have been driving. Meanwhile, for last year’s 2022 Runway, a total of K50, 000 was raised and deposited at the Women’s Micro Bank and topped up with an additional K50, 000 from the support of National Gaming Control Board. “This money will go to support the designers if they want to grow their business where they can apply for a loan there.” “We already have two established designers who have done so and we hope for more to join.” “This is an initiative where we are opening more opportunities so we’re very excited.” “For this year’s raise, we are planning on a supporting a student at a University or either send a student overseas who can receive proper studies and training and who has an interest in Fashion. This we see will see contribute greatly to the industry if we support them.” The Fashion and Design Runway Show is set to take place on the on the 19th of August at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby.

One month after Madonna was hospitalized in the ICU after suffering a bacterial infection, the queen of pop is reflecting on how her loved ones are helping her heal. “Love from family and friends is the best Medicine,” Madonna wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday, showcasing a series of photos with two of her six children. She continued to write that as a mother, it’s easy to get “caught up in the needs of your children,” but that when she fell ill, “my children really showed up for me.” “I saw a side to them I had never seen before. It made all the difference,” she added. Madonna shares one daughter, Lourdes Leon, with Carlos Leon, and a son, Rocco Ritchie, with director Guy Ritchie. She is also mom to four adopted children – David Banda, Chifundo “Mercy” James and twins Stella and Estere. In her post, Madonna also wrote about her gratitude for her friend and longtime manager, Guy Oseary, who gifted her a Polaroid of Keith Haring “wearing a jacket with Michael Jackson’s face painted on it,” that she said was snapped by Andy Warhol. Madonna wrote that she sobbed when she received Oseary’s gift because “I realized how lucky I am to be alive. And how fortunate I am to have known these people and so many others who are also gone.” Oseary announced in June that Madonna was in the ICU after developing a “serious bacterial infection.” CNN later reported that the “Vogue” singer was released from the hospital days later, recovering at home. Earlier this month, the Grammy winner announced she was rescheduling the start of her international “Celebration” tour to October. “Thank you to all my angels who protected me and let me Stay to finish doing my work,” she said at the end of her post on Sunday. A previous version of this story incorrectly referred to Carlos Leon has Madonna’s former husband. It has been updated. Source: CNN News

Audience members at concerts in recent months have continued a pattern of throwing objects at artists who are on stage performing, and rapper Cardi B has had enough. On Saturday, the “WAP” rapper was on stage at Drai’s Beach Club in Las Vegas when an audience member appeared to throw a drink at her, as seen in video footage posted to social media. In the clip, Cardi B is seen getting splashed with liquid from the cup while performing her 2018 hit “Bodak Yellow.” Clearly upset, she reacted immediately by throwing her microphone into the crowd as security guards rushed to the stage. More security guards are then seen flocking to the person in the crowd as she watched from the stage before continuing on with her set. In another video posted to TikTok on Saturday, Cardi B is seen throwing her microphone at a DJ who appeared to cut off her song early during a performance at Drai’s Nightclub on Friday. CNN has reached out to a representative for Cardi B for comment. The incident in Las Vegas on Saturday is just the latest in a slew of similar scenes at concerts where artists – including Drake, Kelsea Ballerini, Harry Styles and Bebe Rexha – have become the target of objects thrown at them while on stage, with some artists suffering injuries as a result. Only recently have performers, including R&B singer Monica and country star Miranda Lambert, gotten involved when they see behavior they do not approve of. Last week, Monica jumped off the stage after witnessing someone allegedly assault a female audience member in the crowd at her Detroit show. She was praised for her interference when footage of the altercation went viral on social media, and she later told CNN’s Abby Phillip she feels concerts have become “a dangerous space and place.” “I just really want that to change,” she added.

Two primary schools in the Kombiu Local Level Government (LLG) in Rabaul District of East New Britain (ENB) province have received K50, 000 cheque funding each to assist in the school’s upgrade and other needs for the school. ENB Governor, Michael Marum visited the two schools, Sikut Matupit primary and Matupit Island primary at the Sikut Matupit ward and presented the cheques. Governor Marum was accompanied by Deputy Provincial Administrator Social Services, Marakan Uvano, Kombiu LLG President, Michael Warium and other officers from the Governor’s office. Whilst presenting the cheques, Marum said in his one year of service as the Governor of the province, the best thing was going out to visit the communities and meeting children. Governor Marum said that with the little contribution from the province to the schools, the students can go a long way to have a better future for themselves. “Some of the students are still crowding up in one classroom, therefore this assistance given to them is to help these schools build learning facilities for the students.” Marum added that there are many services that need to be also improved such as roads and electrification, and they are working on that to better these services in the LLG and other areas as well. The total K100, 000 funding that was given to the two primary schools was from the Provincial Service Improvement Program (PSIP) funding.

PNG Air has now advised customers and the travelling public that the jet aviation fuel supplier have resumed normal service across the country. This now lifts the threat of possible flight cancellations. The airline further stated that passengers with reservations can travel with confidence, and book tickets to travel, online at www.pngair.com.pg or at your nearest PNG Air, Post PNG Sales Office and Travel Agent. PNG Air once again thanks customers for your understanding and look forward to welcoming you onboard soon. For more information, you may contact PNG Air Call Centre on 16111 (Digicel toll free) or 7411 2644 (Bmobile and Telikom).

PNG Air has now issued further advice to customers and the travelling public that the airline has updated its flight schedule through to Monday 31st July, 2023. This is according to a media statement, following the evaluation of available fuel reserves. PNG Air stated that by the end of today, the revised schedule will be in place and available to book, and passengers with existing bookings updated on any flight revisions. Passengers with reservations can travel with confidence, and book tickets to travel online at www.pngair.com.pg or at your nearest PNG Air, Post PNG Sales Office, and Travel Agent. The airline further thanked customers for understanding and added they looked forward to welcoming you onboard soon. For more information, please contact the PNG Air Call Centre on 16111 (Digicel toll free) or 7411 2644 (Bmobile and Telikom).

The recent temporary ban that was imposed by the Office of Censorship on all songs by well-known New Ireland music artist, Jason ‘Jayrex’ Suisui, has been uplifted. This after complaints were made against Jayrex of assault and on-going emotional abuse by his partner of four years, Ms. Hazel Schulz and her family. The announcement regarding the uplifting of the temporary ban was made today during a Press Conference by the Chief Censor, Jim Abani. Abani stated that the Schulz (complainant) had delivered a complaint letter attached with documents of court proceedings, court depositions and medical reports for her case against the accused, Jason ‘Jayrex’ Suisui. “The compiled documents submitted to the office generally pointed out social, physical and mental abuse from the accused, who is the artist himself,” said Mr. Abani. “The office undertook its normal process of doing its procedural work within the mandate of what the office is required to do. I want to make it known to the people that this is not a total ban; it is a temporary ban that was made.” The office took a stance to ban the accused publications (songs) under Section 17 (2) and Section 18 (1) (b) (d) (e) and 18 (2) of the Classification of Publication (Censorship) Act 1989, which stipulates the Chief Censor’s function and powers conferred upon on him or through expert advice as the Chief Censor to consider appropriate decisions on any matter relating to publications and broadcasting. Therefore, on the 15th of July 2023, a temporary Ban Notice was issued by the Chief Censor under the Classification of Publication (Censorship) Act, 1989.   Abani added that the Temporary Ban Notice was delivered to persons and entities operating the business activities as stated in the Ban Notice, the Radio and Television Stations, Night Clubs and Bars, and Internet Users. In addition, thorough investigations into the lyrics of some of the songs including ‘Rabisim Mi’ as indicated in the complainant’s report was carried out, after which officers found out that the lyrics are general and not implicated or targeted at any person(s) or individual. For further investigation, Abani said that the office requested the accused, Suisui to come forward to the office and lodge his side of the story and also appeal through the Office of the Censorship for the decision of up-lifting of his Temporary Ban in which took place on the 18th of July. The decision to uplift the temporary ban was made after Suisui together with his lawyer, presented an Interim Protection Order (IPO) from the Kavieng District Court against Schulz. “The court order was already put in place and so the Office of Censorship had no option but to comply with the court order, which was not provided to us at the earliest. It is important we comply with the court order; therefore, we are now uplifting the ban.” Approval is now granted, and a circular will be given to all Radio and Television stations, Night Clubs and Bars to start airing his songs again.

A 3-day workshop on anti-corruption is currently underway in Kokopo, East New Britain Province. The workshop is based on corruption risk assessment and mitigation plans for the Provincial Governments. The three-day workshop which is funded by European Union and implemented by the UNDP Papua New Guinea and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, is a continuation of the first workshop on corruption risk assessment and management for representatives from the public sector agencies organized by UNDP under the PNG Anti-Corruption Project. According to UNDP Chief Technical Advisor (Anti-Corruption), Dr Alma Sedlar, the workshop is aimed at strengthening the government’s commitment and capacities to address corruption to effectively progress the Sustainable Development Goals for the benefit of all Papua New Guineans and to support the network of non-state actors in their anti-corruption efforts. She said the project under the PNG Anti-Corruption will support the drafting of the corruption risk assessment and management methodology and support undertaking the pilot risk assessments and development of mitigation strategies in at least ten public sector departments and up to four provinces selected by the Prime Minister and the Executive Council. The objective of the workshop is to identify key corruption risks in the selected departments and to start preparing mitigation strategies. The project is part of the EU-PNG Partnership for good governance. Furthermore, it is expected that the participants will continue with development of mitigation plans after the workshop with assistance from UNDP. She stated that East New Britain is the first province out of four and are happy that there is fair representation from different Government Departments in the province. "The participants were very active in raining concern and identifying risk factors in their line of duty and we will take them into consideration once we finalized the methodology and will endorse by the National Governments."

St. Francis Seim Hamtaba Primary School in Nuku District, West Sepik Province recently launched their new double classroom which was funded by Digicel PNG Foundation. Digicel PNG Foundation has always been driven to invest in education for the past fifteen years since it believes that every child has the right to education. On the 12th of July, St. Francis Seim Hamtaba Primary School celebrated the launching of their new double classroom funded by Digicel Foundation through its Education Infrastructure Development Program. The school has a total of 436 students enrolled this year from grades three to eight. Head Teacher, Mrs. Anna Sembenombo Wangs, acknowledged Digicel PNG Foundation for recognizing the need in their school for a new classroom. ‘’The project is visible and shows a positive, quality learning environment for the children. This will enhance quality learning for future human resource for PNG.’’ This saw the 7 Mile Workshop & Construction Company engage to lead the K350, 000 worth project. Despite the challenging road conditions, the much-needed infrastructure was completed within the given timeframe. The completed school infrastructure project comes with two fully furnished classrooms inclusive of 20 standard student desks, whiteboards, pin boards and teachers’ tables and chairs for each classroom. The project also includes a 9,000L Tuffa tank on a reinforced concrete base with a lockable tap to ensure the students have access to clean drinking water, and an additional two 900L Tuffa tanks are provided with a WASH facility for students. The school and community were excited in organizing the official launch event at the school ground and invited representatives from the Provincial and District Education office, the Catholic Diocese of Aitape, and the Governor’s office. Digicel PNG team in Wewak were also present to officiate the launch event. Since its establishment in 2008, Digicel PNG Foundation is always proud to continue its mark in education in PNG. To date, Digicel PNG Foundation has invested a total of K169million kina in all its projects across the country, with over K2.067million for West Sepik Province. This includes one elementary and ten primary school classroom projects. Digicel PNG Foundation will continue to work in partnership with the government, communities, and other stakeholders to ensure we create a world where no child is left behind.