Enga Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Superintendent Steven Harris has appealed to members of the Makol and Makol Tap communities to remain calm and allow the law to take its course following the deaths of three people in Laiagam over the weekend.Chief Superintendent Harris said police are treating the matter with the utmost seriousness and have commenced investigations into the incidents.According to police reports, a dispute allegedly broke out during a “bel kol” compensation exchange ceremony in the Laiagam area on Saturday, June 6, involving members of the Makol and Makol Tap/Yengulam clans.Police allege that intoxicated individuals interfered with the compensation exchange, resulting in the receiving party refusing to accept the compensation and withdrawing from the gathering.It is further alleged that while returning home, members of the withdrawing group opened fire, resulting in the deaths of two people.Police also allege that a retaliatory attack occurred on Sunday, June 7, during which a young boy was killed while attending school in the Laiagam area.Chief Superintendent Harris said the three victims were innocent people who were not responsible for the dispute.“Three innocent lives were lost, and they are bystanders to a dispute they did not cause,” he said.He urged all parties involved to refrain from further violence and allow police to investigate the matter.“The people who have died were innocent and payback would only produce more innocent victims. It will not bring the dead back. It will not resolve the original dispute,” Harris said.The Provincial Police Commander called on suspects involved in the killings to surrender themselves to police and urged community leaders to assist investigators.“Police urge all suspects to surrender themselves to the nearest police post immediately and call on clan and community leaders to use their influence to bring perpetrators forward and preserve the peace,” he said.Harris warned that anyone who takes the law into their own hands or obstructs the investigation will face legal consequences.“I am directing all clan leaders and community members in the affected areas that there will be no further payback. Anyone who takes the law into their own hands will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.He said police personnel remain deployed in the affected areas and investigations are continuing.“Police patrols and checkpoints are established throughout the affected areas whilst police investigations are active and ongoing,” Harris said.The Provincial Police Commander also appealed to members of the public with information relating to the killings to contact their nearest police station or the Enga Provincial Police Command.Police investigations remain ongoing.

South Pacific Brewery has reaffirmed its commitment to community safety and law enforcement in Papua New Guinea with the donation of six purpose-built operational tents to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Highlands Regional Command.The official handover took place in Mt Hagen on Saturday, 6th June 2026, at the Kagamuga Police Station, where SP Brewery Corporate Affairs Manager John Nilkare presented the tents to Assistant Commissioner of Police (Western End) Clement Dalla and Kagamuga Police Station Commander Sergeant Ben Bayam.The donation forms part of a private sector partnership between SP Brewery and the RPNGC aimed at strengthening policing capacity in the Highlands, particularly in border control operations and efforts to monitor the movement of contraband and illegal substances along the Okuk Highway.The six tents will be deployed across key inter-provincial border checkpoints considered critical transit points for policing operations. These include the Morobe–Eastern Highlands border, Eastern Highlands–Simbu border, Simbu–Jiwaka border, Jiwaka–Western Highlands border, Western Highlands–Enga border, and Western Highlands–Southern Highlands border.Officials say these locations play a vital role in monitoring movement across the Highlands region and will assist police in improving visibility, mobility, and operational readiness in remote areas.Speaking at the handover, Mr. Nilkare said SP Brewery remains committed to supporting law and order initiatives in the communities where it operates.“SP Brewery is pleased to assist the police in the Highlands with this donation. As a company, we are committed to promoting law and order in the communities where we operate. We recognise the vital role the police play in maintaining public safety, particularly in strengthening border control and monitoring the movement of contraband,” he said.He added that the initiative reflects the company’s broader focus on supporting institutions that contribute to safer communities across Papua New Guinea.The RPNGC Highlands Regional Command welcomed the support, noting that partnerships with private sector organisations play an important role in improving operational capacity and addressing security challenges across the region.The donation is expected to enhance police presence at strategic checkpoints and support ongoing efforts to improve security along key Highlands transport corridors, including the busy Okuk Highway.

Papua New Guinean Fulbright scholar Beverly Hunney has returned home after completing a Master of Public Health at the University of South Florida under the U.S. Government’s Fulbright Foreign Student Program.The U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby confirmed Ms. Hunney’s successful completion of her studies, highlighting her achievement as a reflection of the growing educational and professional ties between Papua New Guinea and the United States.A trained midwife and former Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ward clinician at Boram General Hospital under the East Sepik Provincial Health Authority, Ms. Hunney pursued advanced public health training with a focus on reducing preventable maternal and child deaths in rural Papua New Guinea.Her studies equipped her with skills to identify and manage obstetric emergencies in remote settings, as well as to train community-level responders including rural health workers, teachers, church leaders, and village elders in recognising early warning signs and providing basic emergency care before patients reach health facilities.In a country characterised by difficult terrain and widely dispersed communities, the community-based approach to maternal health is seen as critical. Papua New Guinea has more than 800 languages, with many communities accessible only by foot, air, or water transport.Ms. Hunney’s expertise aligns with Papua New Guinea’s National Health Plan Key Result Areas 4 and 5, which prioritise reducing maternal mortality and strengthening community health systems as key drivers of national development.The U.S. Embassy noted that her return comes at a time of strengthened bilateral cooperation, following the second U.S.–Papua New Guinea Strategic Partnership Dialogue held in May 2026, where health cooperation was identified as a key priority area.The Fulbright Program, administered by the U.S. Department of State, is one of the world’s leading international exchange initiatives, supporting academic study, research, and professional development across more than 160 countries since its establishment in 1946.Officials said Ms. Hunney’s return represents the continued impact of the program in building local capacity and supporting long-term development goals in Papua New Guinea’s health sector.

Papua New Guinea and Australia are strengthening efforts to improve disability inclusion by enhancing referral systems and access to assistive technology for children with disabilities across the country.The initiative follows recommendations from Inclusive Education Resource Centres (IERCs) made during a national workshop in Port Moresby in February 2026, which identified gaps in connecting children to essential services and challenges in accessing assistive devices.The partnership focuses on mapping referral pathways across sectors and developing a more efficient system for the procurement and distribution of assistive technology. The aim is to improve coordination, clarify responsibilities, and ensure children receive consistent support.National Department of Education Inclusive Education Unit Assistant Secretary Arnold Koima said the initiative addresses long-standing challenges in disability services.“This work tackles two of the most pressing challenges we have faced over the years – how children are connected to services, and how assistive devices are delivered consistently. Strengthening these systems will help lay the foundation for more inclusive education outcomes across the country,” Mr. Koima said.IERC Coordinator Ludmilla Wakolen said simplifying referral and support processes is critical for children with disabilities.“There is a real need for a more practical and streamlined approach that makes it easier for children to be identified, referred, and supported with the right devices at the right time. This is essential for children with disabilities to learn and participate in mainstream schools,” Ms. Wakolen said.Australia’s support is being delivered through the PNG–Australia Partnerships for Improving Education (PIE) program, with technical assistance from Interplast Australia & New Zealand. The initiative aligns with PNG’s Disability Services Act 2025, the National Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Strategic Plan, and draft National Guidelines on Assistive Technology.The partnership will deliver an Assistive Device Resource Management Plan, a national Referral Framework, and a pilot program in selected locations later this year. These measures are expected to strengthen support systems and improve educational opportunities for children with disabilities nationwide.

Despite having no formal science laboratory and limited access to learning resources, Grade 7 students at the Philip Aravure Primay School in Gerehu Stage 3, Port Moresby, successfully staged an impressive mini science and social fair, showcasing innovative projects on climate change and environmental sustainability.The exhibition, held on Friday, 5th June, in observance of the World Environment Day, featured creative models and displays exploring the causes and effects of climate change, as well as practical solutions that communities can adopt to reduce environmental impacts.Among the students presenting was 14-year-old Stalon Kaum, who explained that the project was specifically designed to educate parents, visitors, and fellow peers about the environmental challenges facing the world today.“The students are trying to bring across some ideas and ways we can prevent or limit the effects of climate change,” Kaum said.What made the exhibition particularly remarkable was that many of the displays were created using recycled and discarded materials collected by students themselves.Without the benefit of a science laboratory or even a school library, the students relied on creativity, determination, and guidance from their teachers to bring their ideas to life.“Our school does not have a library, and we do not have a science lab. When projects like this happen, our teachers encourage us to read and use whatever resources available to build our models.”The result was a colourful and educational showcase that demonstrated both scientific understanding and originality.Students proudly presented models promoting renewable energy solutions such as windmills and water turbines to highlight alternatives to fossil fuels and emphasize the importance of sustainable development.Kaum noted that the experience allowed students to deepen their understanding of these scientific concepts by explaining their projects to the public.“When you explain something to someone else, your understanding becomes clearer and you are in a better position to put what you have learned into practice.”According to the teaching staff, the project was aimed at exposing students to higher-level scientific thinking at an early age while encouraging interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.Although the school’s resources are limited, the quality of the projects demonstrated that students could achieve impressive outcomes when given the opportunity and encouragement to learn through practical activities.The mini science and social science fair not only highlighted the students’ knowledge of climate change, but also showcased their determination, creativity and passion for science, proving that a lack of facilities is no barrier to innovation and learning.

Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDs remain a top public health priority in this year’s Impact Health budget allocation.Under the East New Britain Provincial Health Authority (ENBPHA), a sum of K262,000 has been earmarked under four activities which includes case funding linked to patient care, treatment, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and community engagement.This funding is parked under the Health Sector Strategic and Investment Plan (HSSIP) trust account and strictly follows the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act process.Speaking during the opening of the five-day TB review program, Acting Director Corporate Services Carol Malisa said the objective of allocating this funding is to ensure improved outcomes and to secure future financial support.“We must ensure that TB funds are used effectively and transparently and in line with expectations from donors and ENB PHA”She also stressed on strict budget discipline, noting that expenditures will only be expounded on approved lined items.“We will further not spend outside the budget where activity does not correspond with any tied down activity.”Timely reporting and keeping track of supporting documentation for transparency are key expectations that have been stressed to the health staff for improve outcomes going forward.The ENB PHA is focused on strengthening the TB systemin charge of TB to ensure outcomes are improved going forward including identifying gaps, turning practical solutions into clear actions, to implementing its provincial and district facilities for 2027 onwards.However, the TB program must take into account that the delay of procurement itself may lead to treatment interruptions, weak monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and a lack of meaningful impact.If the allocated money sits idle, donors may ultimately revoke the funding and allocate it elsewhere.

The East New Britain Provincial Health Authority (ENBPHA) successfully concluded a five-day tuberculosis (TB) review on Friday, June 05th, 2026.The annual review is designed to assess how effectively the tuberculosis (TB) program identifies, tracks, and treats patients.Like many other provinces, East New Britain will need to improve data collection as it has a rate of 203 cases per 100, 000 people.In 2025, the treatment success rate of all forms of TB was at 58 percent.Current data status shows that there is an urgent need to intensify contact tracing efforts and properly account for patients who are lost to follow-up.With the technical support from the PNG and Australia Transition to Health (PATH) and the National Department of Health (NDoH) TB programs, the review allowed officials to identify gaps and understand the challenges face by TB Basic Management Unit (BMU) within their catchment areas.Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Dr. Simberi Jojoga stated that it is important to have quality data to determine how well the program runs to ensure we are better serving the people in the community.“Initially we started looking at the data from our provincial level and then over the course of the next three days we turned our focus on the 15 existing Basic Management Units (BMU) in the different catchment areas.”“We want a resilient system that can continue to function, despite changes in staff, arise of issues or changes, the system must still allow to cater for all these. This is all part of the review.”Current case notifications registered in the province is 1, 061, where on the actual data, not much is being detected as expected.More needs to be done to generate people’s interest in testing, diagnose, be on treatment and outcome assessment.The way forward for ENB health facilities, is to have community engagement through various existing systems currently functioning to have TB programs fit into, with Dr. Jojoga noting that the disease cannot be viewed as a standalone health sector issue.“This is a cross-cutting issue problem, for every sector to be networking with existing community networks.”“We want the community to be comfortable and know the signs and symptoms and support the six months treatment or longer if its drug resistance or some other serious forms of TB when on treatment.”Continuous education and health awareness are a way forward to be promoted in the communities to allow more people to have knowledge and be comfortable in coming forward to receive treatment.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has made a commanding start to their OFC U-19 Men's Championship 2026 Qualifying campaign, defeating Tonga 4-0 in the tournament opener at the CIFA Academy in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.Forward David Tita produced a standout performance, scoring a hat-trick and setting up a fourth goal as Papua New Guinea claimed all three points and moved a step closer to securing qualification for next year's OFC U-19 Men's Championship in Samoa.Making their first appearance at the qualifying stage of the competition, Papua New Guinea looked dangerous throughout the contest, with their pace and attacking movement consistently troubling the Tongan defence.The breakthrough came in the 14th minute when captain Nalau Moses turned provider, releasing Tita through on goal. The striker made no mistake, calmly beating Tonga goalkeeper Gordon Li to score the opening goal of the qualifying tournament.Tonga showed moments of promise and created several opportunities of their own. Playmaker Tevita Falepapalangi was influential in attack and helped create the side's best chance of the opening half. His clever hold-up play found Siaki Lonitenisi inside the penalty area, but the forward fired over the crossbar from close range just before halftime.Falepapalangi continued to threaten after the break and came close to levelling the scores, only to see his effort comfortably gathered by Papua New Guinea goalkeeper Ricky Hulana.Tonga's task became even more difficult in the final 20 minutes when defender Vainga Loti received his second yellow card and was sent off, reducing his side to ten men.Papua New Guinea capitalised on the numerical advantage, with Tita taking centre stage in the closing stages. The talented forward doubled his tally in the 82nd minute with a stunning long-range left-foot strike before completing his hat-trick just three minutes later after a brilliant solo run that saw him weave through defenders and round the goalkeeper before finishing confidently.Tita then capped off a memorable afternoon in stoppage time, delivering a pinpoint low cross for Benjamin Kila, who finished from close range to complete the 4-0 rout.The victory marks only Papua New Guinea's third win at OFC U-19 level since 2016, with all three successes coming against Tonga. More importantly, it places the young Kapuls in a strong position to qualify for the OFC U-19 Men's Championship 2026 in Samoa.Papua New Guinea will now turn their attention to hosts Cook Islands on Friday, knowing another victory would secure qualification. Tonga must defeat the hosts in their next match on Tuesday to keep their hopes alive.

The 8th of each month is the time the country’s consumer watchdog, the Independent Consumer and Competitions Commission (ICCC) announce the new prices for fuel, either an increase or a decrease, but for this month, thankfully the price will remain steady.This is because for the month of June, the fuel prices will continue as that of last month and the previous month thanks to the National Government’s Fuel Relief Assistance.The ICCC informs all consumers, suppliers and stakeholders in the petroleum industry that the Government’s Fuel Assistance will continue into its third month (June) as per the National Executive Council (NEC) Decision No. 71/2026.“The Indicative Retail Fuel Prices (IRP) for this month will see the domestic pump prices maintained at March 2026 levels despite the prevailing higher global oil prices,” the ICCC stated.As of Monday 8th June, prices for fuel in Port Moresby city will remain at K4.39 per liter for petrol, K4.44 per liter for diesel and K4.09 per liter for kerosene. Similarly, prices in the other centers will also be maintained at March levels.The ICCC is urging all fuel importers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers to comply with the price that is set. The ICCC together with PNG Customs, Internal Revenue Commission (IRC), Bank of Papua New Guinea and Treasury will conduct ongoing compliance and monitoring to ensure that the Fuel Relief Assistance trickles down to the final consumers.The Fuel Relief Assistance is a decisive measure to protect PNG’s economy and people from external shocks. This ensures price stability and supply security during this time of global fuel crisis due to the ongoing the US/Israel- Iran conflict in the Middle East.

Corporate support continues to roll in for the 2026 Rosso Mountain Bike Race, with JV PNG presenting a K25, 000 cheque to the event’s organizing committee early this week in Lae.The presentation marks another official sponsorship contribution received by the committee for this year’s race.Committee Chairman John Byrne said the support from JV PNG is appreciated and thanked JVPNG who have been a sponsor for the past 5 years, this year increasing to Gold Category.“The company has stepped forward with a major contribution, and the committee deeply appreciates the backing.”JV PNG General Manager Operations, Patty Phalahon, reiterated the company’s pride in maintaining its support towards the Rosso Mountain Bike Race.She said JV PNG has been supporting the event for a number of years.The company remains committed to the race because it brings people together and promotes sport in the community.“This sponsorship is part of our ongoing commitment to giving back to the people of Lae and supporting community events that create positive impact.”The committee has confirmed that the event will be held over two consecutive weekends with Adult Riders competing in heats and finals on June 20th and 21st from the Lae showgrounds plus a People with Different Abilities (PWD) event, which supports and recognizes para-athletes in the community.The following weekend, Saturday, June 27th and Sunday, June 28th, will see the youth take over.Children competing in categories ranging from 7 to 15 years old will race inside the scenic Lae Botanical Gardens.The event is open to both male and female categories across all age groups, with organizers placing a special emphasis on encouraging girls and ladies to sign up and participate. This year's event runs under the theme of Safety, Health, and Dringim Wara (Drink Water).The Rosso Mountain Bike Race Committee extended its formal thanks to its sponsors, the Lae City Authority (LCA), the Lae Cycling Association, and the riders themselves.Intending participants are urged to act quickly as registrations close soon.The committee warns that once a racing category reaches capacity, it will be closed immediately.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is strengthening the systems that help ensure health funding is managed transparently, risks are identified early, and resources reach frontline services.A four-day internal audit training held in Port Moresby this week brought together audit officers from across the health system to build practical capability in financial oversight, reporting and risk-based assurance. The training brought together internal audit managers, auditors, and audit officers from all 21 Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs), the Bougainville Department of Health, and the Autonomous Bougainville Government.Delivered by PwC in collaboration with the National Department of Health (NDoH), the training is supported by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, together with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The initiative also contributes to broader public financial management reforms led by the Department of Finance.NDoH Deputy Secretary, Mr. Ken Wai emphasized that strong internal controls are central to delivering better health outcomes.“By strengthening internal controls, we help ensure that every kina allocated to healthcare reaches the frontline,” Mr. Wai said.“This training equips participants with the tools to move beyond compliance towards proactive, risk based financial management.”Meanwhile, NDoH Chief Internal Auditor, Ms. Miriam Yupanga noted that the training would support stronger compliance and reporting across all PHAs.“Strong internal audit functions are key to improving financial management, transparency and accountability,” Ms. Yupanga said.“We expect to see improvements in reporting and greater adherence to financial management requirements.”Australia remains committed to working with Papua New Guinea to strengthen health systems to support better health outcomes.

321 Group joined World Environment Day celebrations by participating in mangrove planting activities at Koke Hanua, Central Province.The company's team visited the Koke Hanua mangrove nursery, which operates in partnership with TotalEnergies, to support ongoing efforts to protect and restore coastal ecosystems. As part of the visit, 321 Group donated essential equipment to assist the nursery's operations, including a wheelbarrow, spades, garden forks and rakes. The tools will help the Koke Hanua team cultivate mangrove seedlings and maintain clean and healthy shorelines. This year's World Environment Day theme, "Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future," highlights the role of nature-based solutions in addressing climate change, reducing pollution and preserving biodiversity for future generations. 321 Group General Manager Ben George said supporting events such as World Environment Day was important because they help raise awareness about environmental challenges and encourage communities, businesses and individuals to take action. "At 321 Group, we recognize the vital role businesses play in driving positive change, which is why we actively participate in activities such as mangrove planting and shoreline clean-ups that support environmental conservation and sustainable community development.” He said such initiatives provide an opportunity for the company to give back to communities, promote environmental stewardship and contribute to a healthier, greener and more sustainable future for Papua New Guinea. 321 is proud to contribute to environmental sustainability efforts and support community-driven projects that help protect and restore our natural ecosystems.