Officials from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia recently held the annual PNG-Australia Annual Climate Change Dialogue in Port Moresby to advance priority actions under the PNG-Australia bilateral partnership. The dialogue was also a first commitment under the PNG-Australia-Climate Change Action Plan (PACCAP); a joint Ministerial Agreement between PNG and Australia signed in May 2018 for both countries to work together to address climate change in PNG and in the region. The one-day dialogue was led by Special Climate Envoy Mr. Ruel Yamuna and Climate Change Ambassador for Australia, Ms. Kristin Tilley, setting key priorities for both countries. Key priorities from the dialogue includes; Advancing PNG-Australia Climate Change Action Plan for the next five years, climate finance, carbon market participation, international climate partnerships and additional collaboration. Under climate finance, Australia in consultation with PNG stakeholders, will finalize the design of a Climate Finance Resource and Strategic Taskforce to assist PNG to strengthen its system to access climate finance, support development of financial proposals in line with the country’s climate action plans. Australia will also continue to support the development and implementation of projects in PNG’s renewable energy sector and strengthen PNG’s prospects for attracting finance for projects which contributes to PNG’s climate mitigation targets. Australia will also be assisting PNG to build expertise around the operation of carbon markets and requirements for high-integrity practices under Article 6.2 of the Paris (International Climate) Agreement. Furthermore, Australia will provide the technical support to support the IPCOS Working Committee in the delivery of systems and strengthening of institutional capacity to implement the IPCOS. The IPCOS is an initiative that aims to promote sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Indo-Pacific region through a market-based approach. Climate Change and Development authority’s (CCDA) Acting Managing Director William Lakain expressed the dialogue as a key step forward in advancing priority actions on climate change between PNG and Australia. “I thank PNG’s Special Climate Envoy Mr. Ruel Yamuna and the Australia’s Ambassador for Climate Change Ms. Kristin Tilley for leading the fruitful dialogue and also thank the officials from both countries for your participation.” Ms. Kristin Tilley also expressed that the partnership demonstrates the commitment to design a log-term program to strengthen PNG’s systems to help it access a greater share of international climate finance. The dialogue concluded with the signing of an outcome statement and the signing of the Joint Action Plan in the presence of representatives from development partners, non-governmental organizations, private sector organizations, academia, think tanks and the media.

Porgera Secondary School in Enga province has closed down again indefinitely as of last week due to the continuous tribal fights between the Nomali and Aiyela clans, which has greatly affected life in the Porgera Valley. Deputy Principal, Mr. Amos Amail said that with the issue at hand, there were opportunists taking advantage of the situation by vandalizing and stealing certain properties from the students and staff within the school. “We all fled the school because there was nothing much we could do.Now that the school has been shut down, most of our students and staff have had to live with relatives and friends due to their homes being ransacked by these opportunists, whilst a few of our students have flown out of the province to look for a better school.” The school has now arranged with other schools for the students to be transferred to those schools for studies, just for the time being until the situation ease down. “We the school have arranged with our sister schools, including Kopen and Wabag Secondary schools, for the students to attend and continue their classes there so that they won’t have to be laid back with classes.” It is compulsory that all grade ten and twelve students of Porgera Secondary must continue their classes as time is running out for them. “As for the grade nines and elevens, the school can only cater for a few of them to be transferred to other schools due to spacing.” Meanwhile, a plan will be put in place for a compulsory setting where the students can attend classes without disturbances come next year.

Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson crossed for his first career hat-trick as the big names combined to put a poor Knights side to the sword with a 43-12 win at CommBank Stadium last night. Both sides traded tries early before the Eels produced eight line breaks in the first half to set up a 30-6 lead against a Knights outfit that missed 65 tackles throughout the contest. Marquee men Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses crossed for tries before Gutherson fooled a clumsy Knights defensive line at dummy half twice to cross for a double. He had a treble by the 46th minute as the Eels let slip a few more opportunities throughout the evening. Knights coach Adam O'Brien opted to start Kalyn Ponga at five-eighth, a move that backfired with the representative star missing 10 tackles throughout the contest. A fifth try before half-time via Sean Russell set up a 24-point lead and the Knights never looked threatening in the second half to entertain a comeback despite a try to Dominic Young in the 63rd minute. Gutherson's third of the evening, finishing off another Moses linebreak, ensured the Eels secured a much-needed win leading into their Magic Round clash with the Titans. A late offload from J'maine Hopgood helped the Eels to their seventh of the evening through Junior Paulo under the posts. Source: NRL.Com

The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) with Papua New Guinea Teachers Association (PNGTA) had the first negotiation on addressing teachers’ pay increments, allowances and other issues concerning the wellbeing of the teachers in the country. Executives from PNGTA brought a working document to present it to TSC for comments which would later be presented to the Department of Personal Management (DPM) for action. PNGTA National Vice President Mr. Shenell Kou when doing his presentation said some of the issues captured in the document include, teachers housing allowances, teachers’ salary fixation, teachers training and other important issues. “The document that we have given you is a working document, once this meeting is over, we can take the suggestions from you, to take that into consideration and change whatever you want to change in this document, so that other meetings will be called for discussion forward.” “If a teacher is committed that means he is satisfied, if the teacher is secured, he knows that his position is properly done and he is paid at a proper salary level, then he knows that his job is secured.” Kou added that quality education means quality teachers. “In this negotiation we are saying whatever agreement we had in 2016 to 2017, we leave it as that, we do not want to increase any percentage. The percentage you have decided remains. However, we have calculated from 2020 -2025 based on the figures we have for 2016 and 2017 that is contained in the document. In addition, Kou stated that the base salary and the teaching service allowances are the same because the country is experiencing a down turn of the economy. “We need to work together and say we are not asking very much, we leave it as it is but once the economy picks up, we can negotiate.” Meanwhile, TSC Chairman, Mr. Samson Wangihomie, after receiving the document said that the TSC will have a look at the issues highlighted and comment. After commenting on the document, TSC and PNGTA will continue the discussions and negotiations until an agreement is reached. Wangihomie assured that TSC will work together with PNGTA to make sure teachers’ issues are being addressed properly. The meeting was held recently in Port Moresby at the Vulupindi Haus.

An Air Niugini employee has created history by being the first and only female staff operating the Main Deck Loader (MDL), an equipment responsible for loading and unloading larger containerized cargo from the main deck of wide body aircraft. Michelle Geekala from East Sepik and Gulf province, works with Air Niugini Cargo Department’s operations section and is the only specialized female operator of the MDL equipment. Her most recent task was unloading heavy mining equipment from the main deck of a Boeing 747-400 series freighter in Port Moresby. While passenger planes carry people with minimal luggage at the cargo hold, freighters specifically uplift cargo, their empty galleys are modified to fit various types of cargo. “The journey has not been easy, it comes with its own challenges but you have to believe in yourself, even when no one does, you have to be your own supporter and critique, challenge yourself to be better than you were yesterday”. She was previously engaged in and operated the Lower Deck Loader (LDL) for both the B747 and B737 freighters but the recent task was her first on the Main Deck Loader. The Main Deck Loader Equipment is higher and has larger weight capacity while the Lower Deck Loader is used to load and unload cargo from the lower lobe of wide body aircraft and also main deck of the narrow body aircraft. Meanwhile, Air Niugini’s Manager for Cargo Operations, Trevor Elly, said the airline’s cargo department has always maintained a healthy level of female presence in its business and in particular its operational areas both within Port Moresby and the domestic network. “We are proud of Michelle’s progress, breaking into an area where you find only men working there. She is currently the only female in the Port Moresby Operations unit who operates the MDL equipment and joins a legacy of other female Cargo Operations Staff including our current Cargo Business Development Manager, Ms. Donna Hevoho as well as General Manager Cargo, Ms. Paila Leka and many other women through Air Niugini’s 50-year history.” Air Niugini’s Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gary Seddon, re-emphasized that Air Niugini is an equal opportunity employer with many women working across the business, loading aircraft as well as flying them, from junior to very senior roles. “I am very proud of the efforts of the dedicated men and women that are collectively, taking our airline to new heights.”

TV personality Jerry Springer, known for a long-running talk show that featured raucous audiences, controversial topics and fist-fighting guests, died at age 79 on Thursday, his family said. Springer died peacefully after a brief illness at his home in suburban Chicago, his family said in a statement. "Jerry's ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word," lifelong friend and family spokesman Jene Galvin said in the statement. Springer was born in London on 13 February 1944, and immigrated to New York City when he was four years old. In 1965, Springer graduated from Tulane University and then went to Northwestern University where he got a law degree, before serving in the United States Army Reserves. He moved to Ohio, where he served on the city council and then as the city's 56th mayor in 1977. Five years later, he ran for the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor, but lost. Springer then worked as a news anchor at WLWT 5, an NBC Cincinnati affiliate. In 1991, he landed his own television programme, a syndicated talk show broadcast across the United States until 2018. The daytime programme, The Jerry Springer Show, was initially a politically oriented show but later featured everyday people discussing sensationalistic topics. Guests came to talk about family problems and expose adultery and other transgressions. Springer would supposedly try to mediate but the encounters often ended up in fist-fights, with guests being held back by security guards. The audience would regularly chant "Jerry! Jerry!" when tensions became heightened during the episodes. On his Twitter page, Springer described himself as a "talk show host, ringmaster of civilization's end." Springer called his programme "escapist entertainment", but others saw the show as contributing to a dumbing-down of television and a decline in social values. He often jokingly told people he met that his wish for them was: "May you never be on my show." His show was the subject of a British musical, Jerry Springer: The Opera, which was performed in London, Las Vegas and New York City between 2001 and 2019. In 2006, Springer enjoyed a long run on the popular Dancing With the Stars TV show. He also hosted several TV shows, including America's Got Talent and pageants such as the 2008 Miss Universe contest. - Reuters / BBC

Returning to the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) to complete his studies in 2020, Russell Magun finally graduated from the School of Business and Public Policy this week after leaving school whilst doing his second year of studies back in 2019. Magun shared moments in his journey of struggles and persistence before attaining his Bachelor’s degree and how he came about in successfully achieving his goals despite challenges. He said that he was excluded from school in 2019 because he was not performing well due to personal issues back at home that distracted him most of the time. “It was a month after I left that I had applied for the NAUFM walk in auditions at PNGFM Limited in which I got the job working as a radio personality for a couple of months.” Whilst working as a radio personality, Magun recalled that he decided to go back to school to complete his education where he had left off. “It was in 2020 that I resumed school and from there did my second year of studies again.” After laying off from school for a while and resuming studies, Magun stated that it was a bit difficult adjusting to school, especially when most of his peers had moved ahead of him and others already graduated. Being that, he expressed how stressful it was for him at times both at school and at home especially when he was being taken care of by his mother who was the breadwinner of the family. “With encounters I faced, I managed to find a job in 2021 at Club Regal where I worked and went to school at the same time and at present, am still working there.” Magun also added that he became a permanent employee with Club Regal in 2022.” Magun added that he also had to work to support his younger brother who is now doing his first year at the UPNG School of Law. Looking back, Magun shared moments in his life of things that challenged him and things that inspired him and everything he has gone through, motivated him to accept and move on to continue in his career pathway. “Despite the drama and hurdles I did face, I can say, it’s not too hard to overcome it as long as you don’t take things too personally but to stay committed and faithful in whatever you do and to always stay true to yourself.”

New Ireland Governor, Sir Julius Chan has welcomed the support of Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd (KPHL) along with New Ireland through its Special Economic Zone (SEZ) concept, in providing alternate source of energy to the province. Sir J said green and renewable energy is the way of the future and will definitely help to solve the constant power issues faced in the Province. “New Ireland is a major tourism destination as well as a resource rich province and in the past 15 years has seen an increase in population due to the Provincial Government’s social impact policies, thus the demand for reliable power supply is even greater today.” Sir J acknowledged that KPHL has been engaging with his government to progress the undertaking which began back in 2021 through a signing of a MoU, and is looking forward to see the implementation of the green power project in the near future. “Everyone benefits when there is reliable power supply. Business houses, schools, hospitals, government offices, churches, the airport. The list is endless. With Green Energy it’s an added bonus because we won’t be leaving any carbon footprints behind.” Furthermore, KPHL plans to set up the pilot Solar Power project in Kavieng town. The project will target 5MW power generating facility inclusive of a direct connection to the existing PNG Power Limited (PPL) Transmission lines and grid that supports the township of Kavieng and potential customers that operate along the Boluminski Highway to Namatanai. Currently KPHL is undertaking an assessment on onsite power infrastructure with Kramer Ausenco Consortium undertaking engineering technical designs that allows the project to review the different options and make an informed decision to select the option that provides the best operability and maintenance plans for investment and potential returns.

All the hard work, efforts and sleepless nights have paid off for Fatima Ai’io when she finally received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) during the institution’s 68th graduation this week in Port Moresby. Ai’io graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in School of Business and Public Policy and was the top best performing female student in the School. Ai’io who comes from a mix parentage of Manus, Central and Western Province, has been under the care of a single parent for most of her life along with her five siblings. She shared with PNGHAUSBUNG the struggles her mother had to face whilst raising them. Despite having to face those struggles, Ai’io did everything she could as a child, sibling and student to make sure she juggled everything right. “Financial restraints was also a major challenge I had to endure due to the fact that I only had one parent taking care of my siblings and me. On top of that, I also had to juggle school work because the course itself was tough for me as I had to cope, do my own research.” Ai’io did her family proud especially her mother, when she received an award as one of the top performing students, something which she was so grateful for. “If it wasn’t for the support of my family and friends, I wouldn’t be where I am now and for that I am thankful, for they believed in me and that I could do it.” “My mother was my biggest inspiration to achieve my goals and excel in something I wouldn’t have ever imagined.” The 23 year old now shares her achievements with others and expressed her words to others to always turn to God as he is the source of all knowledge.  

The Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF) Programme Facilitating Unit (PFU), has successfully coordinated stakeholders and nations towards meeting education targets in the Pacific region. PFU Coordinator, Mr. Filipe Jitoko, shared valuable insights on the key challenges and takeaways in advancing the framework at the Oceania Sport and SDGs Strategic Partners Forum opening session during the 43rd Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) Annual General Assembly in Brisbane, Australia. One of the key challenges was coordinating regional activities without disrupting the everyday work of country officials, which was overcome by ensuring all activities were well-structured and efficiently run. The PFU also identified effective partnerships between implementing agencies and countries as a significant challenge, which was addressed by building strong partnerships between agencies and member countries. Being that, Jitoko emphasized the importance of country leadership in the success of regional frameworks through their governance structures. “PacREF’s successful implementation is a testament to the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between different stakeholders and countries. The programme’s key learnings will be valuable in guiding future regional education frameworks in the Pacific region.” In addition, the PFU also recommends using existing forums at national level to create awareness and advocate for regional programmes such as PacREF because this approach would help streamline the process and ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the programme’s objectives and activities. The PacREF programme is committed to developing skills and student pathways to create opportunities that meet learner aspirations and abilities and with Technical Vocational Education Training, including Sports Development, which is a critical aspect of this commitment. Fifteen Pacific Island countries are currently participating in the PacREF programme implementation. The adoption of the PacREF 2018-2030 by Forum Education Ministers in 2018 outlined the transformative and sustainable regional education agenda aligned with global agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Funding the programme were Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

Two strong earthquakes at a magnitude of 5.9 and 5.3 have struck near Pōrangahau in the lower North Island. GeoNet said the first was the magnitude 5.9 which hit about 10.16am at a depth of 22km. It was followed three minutes later by the magnitude 5.3 one, which was at a depth of 15km. On GeoNet's website, about 22,000 people reported having felt the first and about 20,000 reported feeling the second. The National Emergency Management Agency has confirmed there is no tsunami risk from the earthquakes. A couple of dozen aftershocks have occurred since then, which was typical for an earthquake of this size, according to GeoNet. The largest aftershock was magnitude 4.3 that struck about 10.28am. "Although that activity will wane with time, we do expect that there would be earthquakes that would be felt in the coming weeks and months following this event," GNS Science seismology project scientist Katie Jacobs said. Farmer Gretchen King said they got a lot of earthquakes in the rural Hawke's Bay settlement, but this was the strongest one they had ever felt. "It was fairly big, doors swinging, we've lost some pictures from walls, I think a few other things have fallen and hit the ground." The earthquakes did not feel nearly as strong as those in Christchurch, but were big enough they felt they should take action, King said. "It was enough to make us actually go and sit in the car, because we decided that having heard some of the terrible stories from Christchurch we didn't really want to hang around and wait inside with things falling about if we didn't have to." Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker told Nine to Noon it was good to see people following safety guidance without waiting for official confirmation. "I want to thank all of those that did self-evacuate on the message of 'if it's long and strong, get gone', and our community out there have taken that seriously." The earthquakes had disturbed the community, which had already suffered damage from Cyclone Gabrielle earlier this year, Walker said. "This is not the kind of wake up call we needed this morning. We do need to keep alert but what is happening in Pōrangahau at the moment is community spirit is relatively high. "They're working together in their recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle, so their networks of how to connect together and look after [each other] as a community is particularly strong at the moment and council and Civil Defence will continue to wrap around them as we deal with it." There had been reports of content damage inside properties, but they were not aware of any structural damage as of yet, Walker said. "Our community there is also spread, we've got residential community who live in Whangaehu coastal community as well as our rural areas out there so we're just making sure we're getting a clear picture of what's happened on the ground, but everybody seems to be okay at the moment which is great." GeoNet advised on its website that a landslide may be triggered by earthquakes, with homes near hills or steep slopes most at risk. If you live near a hill or steep slope, watch out for cracks or movement that could be a warning sign. "If people need emergency help, they do need to ring 111 emergency services if they are in strife," Walker said. Hikurangi subduction zone and slow-slip events GNS Science seismology project scientist Katie Jacobs told Midday Report from Upper Hutt she also felt the earthquake. "It was felt really strong throughout most of the lower North Island, with some reports going all the through the North Island and [upper] South Island." While there was a fault system under Napier and Hastings, the Hikurangi subduction zone along the east coast of the North Island played a large part in earthquake behaviour in those regions, Jacobs said. "We're actively trying to understand and study scientifically earthquakes, specifically in the Pōrangahau region. "I'd also just like to give a shout out and thank you to people in the region who have been actively helping in the last couple of years by hosting additional earthquake recording equipment. A lot of the people who felt the event today will have been helping the science project in the last couple of years." Pōrangahau was also a region that experienced slow-slip earthquakes, Jacobs said. "Slow-slip events are the same kind of motion on the subduction zone like [what] would be experienced in a large earthquake, but instead of having that motion occur over seconds or minutes, like we have with this earthquake today [where] all that energy was released very quickly, in a slow-slip event that energy would be released over weeks to months," she said. "So, it's not at a scale where anyone can feel it, and they can only be detected with quite sensitive GPS positioning equipment." Source: Radio New Zealand

Students from Water House Memorial Primary school in the Gelegele Resettlement of Rabaul District in East New Britain province, will now be using a newly built six-in-one double classroom that was officially opened recently. The opening was a double celebration for the students in the primary school as well for the Water House Junior High school, teachers and surrounding communities because the opening also coincided with the commissioning of the new school uniform. Officiating the program was East New Britain Governor, Micheal Marum, Acting Provincial Administrator Levi Mano, Provincial Education Advisor Alkan Mararang and officers from the Rabaul District Administration. According to Head teacher, Mr. Mesulam Gamaliel, the school was established in 1996 after the twin volcanic eruption in 1994 to cater for students in the resettlement communities of Gelegele. He said the successful completion of the six in one classroom was made possible through the school management and board, and the Provincial Government through the Office of the Governor. “We also received support from a small locally owned business of Gelegele. Such gestures shows how locals see the importance of these kinds of infrastructural projects taking place by giving back to the community.” In addition, the East New Britain Provincial Education Advisor Alkan Mararang told the students and parents that such effort and commitment from the school, local businesses and communities is really good as that is what they always emphasize about. He commended the school administration, board and parents for their commitment and perseverance in successfully completing the classroom. “I urge you students and communities to take ownership of the new classroom and look after it to serve future generations.” Furthermore, other provincial leaders praised the school management and communities for their continuous commitment resulting in the building and other school successes. The school later thanked Governor Michael Marum, the provincial administration, education division, local business and everyone who committed their time and support towards the school. Meanwhile, the event also saw the commissioning of school fencing and classroom maintenance, the blessing of new school truck, and the commissioning of the new vehicle for Gelegele Health Centre.