Papua New Guinea University of Technology OH7 team who represented the university and the nation in this year’s 48-hour Ocean hackathon prototype development competition in Noumea, New Caledonia, bagged the regional title. For this 7th edition of Ocean Hackathon, 85 challenges were selected with the objectives of better understanding the ocean and contribute to its sustainable development; and to rethink the use of marine data. Unitech OH7 competed under the theme "Ocean Hackathon - The actors of the sea, digital and innovation". In their event category, the team developed a prototype for their challenge title within 48 hours before given 3 minute to pitch to a jury. Based on the successful development of the prototype, the data used, the tools and methods used, the innovation solutions created and business model formulated, they were awarded the regional title. The UNITECH OH7 team developed a system as an online platform base to process satellite imagery with real time temperature data to detect, monitor and track coral bleaching. The prototype was assessed by jury during the event to be effective and can be fully developed and operated in the long run to solve climate change issues relating to temperature rise and coral bleaching and can also be incorporated into a business model for full implementation. Currently the UNITECH OH7 team is preparing to fully develop the system and aiming to partner with CCDA, CEPA and GGGI for full business model implementation. This is where the idea developed and tested will be fully implemented. Source: Papua New Guinea University of Technology

More than 80 aspiring lawyers took part in the annual advocacy workshop hosted by the Legal Training Institute where they learned advocacy skills from expert practitioners from Victoria Bar Association and PNG Law Society, an initiative supported by the PNG Aus Partnership. The course was officially opened by Supreme and National Court Justice Ellenas Batari and focused on civil and criminal advocacy. Just as many women participated as men, an important step to ensuring PNGs future lawyers represent all Papua New Guineans. Representing the Australian High Commission was Minister Counsellor Paul Lehmann who was pleased that the long-running event had enhanced the advocacy skills of hundreds of lawyers currently practicing in PNG. Mr Lehmann thanked members of the Victoria Bar for generously giving their time and expertise and praised the PNG legal fraternity for its increased involvement in the training. Source: Australia High Commission Papua New Guinea 

Stephen "tWitch" Boss, choreographer, DJ and co-host of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," has died. He was 40. Boss died by suicide at a hotel Tuesday, according to a report from the Los Angeles medical examiner. Boss, known as "tWitch" on DeGeneres' long-running syndicated daytime talk show, joined the show as a guest DJ in 2014 before becoming a permanent fixture and later being named the show's co-executive producer in 2020.  ("Ellen" ended its 19-year run in May.) His wife, dancer Allison Holker, shared a statement about his death to People magazine. "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us," she said. "Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans."

Salamaua Local Level Government is the first in Morobe Province to financially show support for the province to embrace the P & O Cruise Ship in 2023. The financial support came from Salamaua LLG President Hon Kolo Mattias to Eco- Tourism Consultancy Services who are earmarked to bring tourists into Morobe Province. Eco-Tourism Consultancy Services, under the Directorship of Mr Francis. Steven has set a mark of K274,000 for the event to be launched and staged with support already from Huon Gulf District, Markham District, Bulolo District, Nawaeb District and Lae City Authority. “This is an historical moment for Morobe Province because the Year 2023 Eco-Tourism Master Cultural Calendar will create seasonal employment of 200 permanent personnel in one district and more than 1000 participants as product owners taking lead as tourist guides and security.” He further stated that the SME Eco-Tourism Cultural Calendar for Year 2023 inclusive for all ten districts of Morobe Province is out and is targeting P & O Cruise Ships to bring tourists to Morobe Province. “Research, Survey, Logistics and Planning for bringing tourists have been carried out from 2018 to 2022 with training and awareness done, the first cruise ship will visit Lae on 24th to 25th February 2023.” Mr Steven said the cruise ship event is supported by the Office of Lae City Lord Mayor, Morobe Governor’s Office, Salamaua Local Level President in partnership with International Healing Ministry and the Church Partnership Program Office of Morobe Provincial Government. An estimated 5000 tourists classified as retired people will dock in Morobe Province to visit sites of tourism potential under several packages in line with the annual schedule calendar 2023 designed by Eco- Tourism Consultancy Services. Mr Steven said, an estimated figure of K10 Million plus in revenue is expected to be derived from the arrival of tourists from the program. He further urged interested LLGs and Districts of Morobe Province to partner in the program as soon as possible with already Labuta LLG, Aseki LLG and Siassi LLG showing keen interest to partner.

Researchers say they have successfully completed a trial of a personalized cancer vaccine that uses the same messenger-RNA technology as Covid-19 jabs. The experimental vaccine, made by Moderna and Merck, is designed to prime the immune system to seek and destroy cancerous cells. Doctors hope work such as this could lead to revolutionary new ways to fight skin, bowel and other types of cancer. Moderna and Merck called it "a new paradigm" moment. Other pharmaceutical companies are looking to run similar studies. But this is the first phase-IIb randomized clinical trial to test the investigational mRNA vaccine in patients. Patients taking Keytruda for advanced melanoma were less likely to die, or have the skin cancer reoccur, if they also had the jab, mRNA-4157/V940, Moderna and Merck said. The findings, in 157 patients, have not yet been scrutinized by independent experts or regulators. More trials will be needed to check how effective the treatment might be. Moderna's chief medical officer Paul Burton said: "This is a significant finding. It's the first randomized-trial testing of an mRNA therapeutic in cancer patients. "It's shown a 44% relative reduction in the risk of dying of cancer or having your cancer progress. That's an important finding and I think it has the potential to be a new paradigm in the treatment of cancer patients." 'Very exciting' Tailormade to match each patient's cancer, the vaccine is very expensive to make - although, the company has not named a price. Prof Alan Melcher from The Institute of Cancer Research said: "There's no question, this is very exciting. These results show the feasibility of making and delivering personalized vaccines to treat cancer, and that the vaccine can add benefit to current treatments. "These results establish the principle that this complex technology is doable." Consultant colorectal surgeon at the University of Birmingham Mr. Andrew Beggs said: "Although early data, it is very encouraging that this is a likely effective treatment option in the future. "This advance is likely to have important implications for metastatic cancer patients in the future and opens a new therapeutic avenue for these patients." Dr. Sam Godfrey from Cancer Research UK, said: "There is unlikely to be a single cure for cancer and we must focus on ways to tailor treatment for patients. These results are grounds for optimism that the science which helped get us out of the pandemic could add another powerful treatment option for cancer in the future." Source: BBC

Prime Minister James Marape announced that the government is moving to ensure that a standalone University for medical studies is established by 2025.  He was speaking at a ball night which marked the end of training for the final year medical students’ class of 2022 at the University of Papua New Guinea. This year’s cohort is the 50th since the first cohort recited their Hippocratic oath in November 1972. “In 1972 the medical faculty graduated six medical students. The population was just on three million. Over the last fifty years we have graduated an average of thirty new doctors per year, but our population has increased to well over ten million. Our doctor to patient ratio is therefore worrying and we have to address that problem head on.” PM Marape said that it is absolutely important that the government invests in the training of doctors to help close the ratio to a more acceptable level. He said that the government is investing in health facilities and infrastructure and this investment must be matched by investment in the human resources which will operate the facilities. The Prime Minister thanked the University of Papua New Guinea Vice Chancellor Professor Frank Griffin and the Chancellor Robert Igara for agreeing to work on establishing the School of Medicine and Health Sciences as a standalone Medical University. “I thank the Chancellor Igara and Vice Chancellor Griffin for agreeing and embracing the big picture and supporting the government’s call to work towards delivering on this intention for our people and our country. We must work hard to make this happen by 2025 when our nation celebrates 50 years of independence” He also added that the government has commenced work to build the important processes and system or identifying smart students from high school and pointing them into important programs of studies such as medicine and supporting those intentions directly. He said that the government wanted to ensure that we build quality by making sure that the entry point is also at very high levels. “Over the last two years we have invested in building student numbers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from high school and we are confident that from next year onwards, we will have at least two hundred very smart students who are ready to study courses such as medicine. We believe that this will be translated into high quality candidates entering the science foundation programs at our universities.” Prime Minister Marape also paid tribute to all long serving academic serving the School of Medicine and Health Sciences who have been anchors at the medical school for a very long time. He said that without people who dedicate their services to training, and without the skills and professional standing they bring to their respective fields training doctors will be extremely difficult. “I pay tribute to senior professionals such as Professors Tefuarani, Vince, Isi Kevau, Ikau Kevau, Glen Mola and Linge who have been largely responsible for the training of a large number of doctors in Papua New Guinea over the years”, Prime Minister Marape said. He particularly paid a special tribute to Professor Sir Isi Kevau, who was in the pioneering class of 1972. “I pay tribute and my respects to Professor Sir Isi Kevau who was the first Papua New Guinean among six medical students who recited their Hippocratic oath in 1972, after the UPNG Medical Faculty was established from the then Papua Medical College. He broke the ceiling for Papua New Guineans to become a doctor and chose to dedicate his entire life as service to humanity in the task of training other Papua New Guineans to become doctors. I want to acknowledge his 50 years of medical service to this country.” In acknowledging the contributions of the senior academics, the Prime Minister also announced that the government will support the training of the next crop of senior academics in the medical field to fill the gaps when the old guard retire. “We will work with the School of Medicine and Health Sciences to put a program in place or support any existing program that trains current academics or invite other practitioners who demonstrate potential and aptitude to go away and train in different fields and come back and fill the gaps at the new Medical University.” The ball night was sponsored by the National Gaming and Control Board, and attended by over 250 people including parents, relatives, and friends of the medical students. There are 48 medical students who make up the class of 2022. The event marked the end of their training as medical students and the beginning of their time as resident medical officers.

Jacob Alick may be returning for only his second season in the NRL, but the Kumuls star is full of learnings after a successful World Cup campaign. Upon returning to Parkwood a week earlier than expected after proudly representing his grandmother's Papua New Guinean heritage in the UK, the 23-year-old feels he's taken so much away from his month and a half abroad, coming back determined to make in-roads in 2023. "It was a once in a lifetime experience for me; especially going over to PNG for the training camp. It was the first time I've been there and it was pretty cool to see all the people and the fans there and how crazy they are for the sport," Alick shared. "Coming back here, I think I've brought a bit of confidence back. Obviously, last year was my first year being here, so I was a little shy and didn't really talk much around the boys, but I've come back with a bit more confidence. "I'm not too sure how close I am to playing first grade, but I'm just trying to be a bit more confident myself and my ability so I can be ready for when I get my chance." [caption id="attachment_32430" align="alignnone" width="747"] Jacob Alick in action for Papua New Guinea. Photo: Getty Images[/caption] Whilst being lucky enough to make his International debut before playing in the NRL, getting his opportunity on the big stage in the most elite rugby league competition in the world is still on top of the agenda for the hard-running edge forward. "My number one goal is still to make my debut, so everything I'm doing is trying to go towards that," Alick said. "I think defensively I've got a lot to work on, so I've just been working closely with Whitey (Brett White) and only just met him last week. He's been a massive help for me. "I played lock overseas, so it was a bit different and allowed me to show my versatility to Justin and the coaches, not just pocketing myself to the back row. "I think I just want to keep working on little parts of my game and being confident about everything I do, but I'm keen to come back and try and show them (coaches) what I can do." Alick also has plenty to offer his Titans teammates from his time abroad, especially soaking up as much as he could from NRL stalwarts Alex Johnston and Justin Olam whilst in the Kumuls camp. "The biggest thing I learnt is probably the professionalism outside of games," he said. "I think I've seen a lot more this pre-season [upon returning]. The boys are obviously upstairs, clipping videos, taking it to the coaches and talking to them. "I saw that with the NRL boys in the PNG squad. Players like Alex Johnston showed me all the little things you have to do to get right for a game - it's not just about rocking up and and running out. "I think I'll just continue bringing that professionalism, but I think that the boys have already started here, so I'll just keep trying to keep it going forward." Source: qrl.com

Air Niugini, in partnership with the Australian government will service this route under the Australian government’s Pacific Flight Programme which underwrites flights during the initial establishment phase. The programme has supported over 450 flights in the Pacific since December 2020 and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic across 14 routes and 11 countries. This has helped keep Pacific communities connected, maintain supply chains and deliver critical medicines. The programme removes airlines’ commercial risk operating an agreed flight, assuring regular and scheduled flights for passengers and cargo. Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Alabaster said the weekly flights will be operated by the airline’s Boeing 767 aircraft every Tuesday from Brisbane to Palau via Port Moresby with the return flight on Wednesday. He said “As a regional operator in the Pacific we understand the importance of connecting communities and helping rebuild them after the COVID pandemic. We see real benefit to Palau with access from the Australian market to help re-build their tourism business and the cargo uplift of the B767 will be of immense value to the many businesses in Palau looking to import goods.” Airfares between both Brisbane and Palau, and Port Moresby and Palau are set to ensure Palau is a competitive destination for those looking for destinations other than Fiji, Bali etc. Palau remains one of the world’s most pristine environments and a world topping dive destination. With affordable fares and weekly flights, Air Niugini is sure this new route connecting Australia, PNG and Palau will be a winner. The fares are now available for sale. “The tourism market is vitally important to the country of Palau and direct access for the Australian market to take advantage of the wonderful diving and outdoor product unique to Palau will be a major boost to the local economy.” Mr Alabaster concluded.  

Lionel Messi’s lifelong dream of guiding Argentina to World Cup glory will remain alive until the last day of Qatar 2022, as La Albiceleste outclassed a weary-looking Croatia in a 3-0 victory in Tuesday’s semifinal. Two first-half goals, the first a Messi penalty and the second a solo effort from Julian Alvarez, put Argentina in a commanding position at the interval, a position that Croatia never looked like recovering from. Alvarez secured the victory with Argentina’s third goal in the second half following a wonderful Messi assist, providing the South American team and its 35-year-old captain with a chance to banish the demons of the 2014 final defeat, as well as securing the country’s first World Cup title since 1986. Messi spent parts of the game feeling his left hamstring, though you wouldn’t have guessed he was in any discomfort by the way his mazy, twisting run bamboozled Joško Gvardiol, one of this tournament’s best defenders, to create Argentina’s third goal. Messi’s near superhuman powers are undoubtedly dwindling as he plays into the twilight of his career, but the little magician still has the ability to deliver moments of genius just when his country needs him most. [caption id="attachment_32418" align="alignnone" width="906"] Julian Alvarez celebrates with Lionel Messi after doubling Argentina's lead.[/caption] His goal against Mexico in the group stages, the assist against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals and his overall performance in Tuesday’s semfinal have provided yet more memorable moments to a nation of 45 million people that consider him to be not far from a deity. As many as 40,000 Argentina fans are estimated to have traveled to Qatar for this World Cup, according to the Argentine embassy in Qatar, and it sounded like all of them were inside the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night. As the clocked ticked deeper into injury time and the victory was beyond doubt, the Argentina bench and coaching staff began to join in with the rhythmic songs and chants that were being bellowed from the stands. After the final whistle, the Argentina’s players stood in front of the huge wall of blue and white shirts and took in the adulation of their adoring fans. It is almost impossible to believe that this is the same team that lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia just three weeks ago in its opening group stage match – a performance so insipid and devoid of inspiration that it left some wondering whether Argentina would even make it out of the group. Now, against either France or Morocco, Messi will have one final chance to lift the trophy he craves the most. A date with destiny In Messi and Croatia’s Luka Modrić, both captains have led their countries in losing World Cup finals and this would be the last chance for both to get their hands on football’s most coveted prize. Neither side featured among the tournament favorites ahead of Qatar 2022, but Croatia stunned the world four years ago in reaching the final and did so once again in the previous round in Qatar, eliminating pre-tournament favorite Brazil on penalties in a display of sheer grit and determination. Modrić, Croatia’s star player and a living legend in the small Balkan nation, is battle-hardened in the biggest matches and, alongside Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic, has been part of arguably the best midfield in Qatar. Argentina, similarly, has also improved as the tournament has gone on – though it was hardly able to get any worse after that stunning defeat to Saudi Arabia. The team, which now seems to believe the script is written for Messi’s last dance to end in glory on Sunday, is almost unrecognizable from the one that took to the pitch that day. Though Croatia started the match marginally the better of the two teams, these players had played as many minutes as were possible so far in Qatar, winning against Japan and Brazil on penalties following two energy-sapping spells of extra time. Their tired legs seemed to show early on in the Lusail Stadium and even one mistake at this level is likely to prove costly. [caption id="attachment_32420" align="alignnone" width="906"] Argentina's players celebrate with their fans at full time.[/caption] That proved to be the case for Croatia as, surprisingly, Modrić of all people gave the ball away in midfield and Gvardiol failed to track Alvarez, leaving Dominik Livakovic – twice Croatia’s shootout in Qatar – exposed one-on-one against the Manchester City forward. Alvarez poked the ball around Livakovic, whose outstretched leg brought the striker down and Messi made no mistake in converting the resulting penalty, smashing it high into the top corner. That was Messi’s 11th World Cup goal, taking him past Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup finals. The match quickly looked as though it was getting away from Croatia as Alvarez made it 2-0 just five minutes later. Borna Sosa’s poor cross into the box sparked an Argentina counterattack, with Alvarez running three-quarters of the length of the pitch and, after two fortuitous ricochets in the box, buried the ball past Livakovic. Only a stunning reflex save from Livakovic prevented the score getting any worse for Croatia before half time, but it would take something extra special, even for a team that is used to conjuring footballing miracles, to come back from this one. However, Croatia offered little going forward in the second half, a combination of weary attacking play and stout Argentine defending, and its stay of execution lasted until the 70th minute. Messi picked up the ball deep and ran Gvardiol ragged, before finding Alvarez inside the box to send the Argentina fans inside the Lusail Stadium into raptures. Argentina, written off by many as inferior to other World Cup contenders, wasn’t supposed to make it to the final match in Qatar, but a determined and single-minded Messi has helped ensure that it has. Source: CNN News

Kokoda Hospital in Oro (Northern) Province will provide better services to 25 thousand people in the Kokoda region following a 1.1 million Kina refurbishment of its facilities. The project, co-funded by the Australian Government and the Oro Provincial Government under the Papua New Guinea ̵Australia Partnership and Kokoda Initiative, was officially opened on the 80th Anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign in November 2022. The refurbishments will promote high quality and equitable health care for communities in the northern regions of the Kokoda Track with improved access for persons with disabilities, extensive repairs to maternity and pediatric wards, antenatal clinics and the hospital ablutions and the provision of vaccine fridges. Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp attended the opening of the refurbished hospital alongside Oro Governor, the Gary Juffa, local member Henry Amuli MP, and Governor for Central Province, Rufina Peter MP, and Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Isi Leonard MP. This project is one of many initiatives of the partnership between the governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea to improve health services and outcomes in the PNG. Australia supports a broad portfolio of health initiatives covering communicable diseases, maternal and child health, health systems strengthening, the COVID-19 response and health infrastructure. Mr. Juffa said “Oro Provincial Government is happy to co-finance the project and improve access to vaccinations, maternal and child health clinics and in-patient services for expectant mothers and children”. Australian High Commissioner said, “together, PNG and Australia are working to achieve goals set out in PNG’s new National Health Plan, and to realize the PNG Government’s ambitions for the health sector: access to quality health facilities close to where people live, in rural and urban areas across PNG.”

The issues surrounding the National Airports Corporation are far from over even after the government stepped in to stabilize operations by suspending controversial Managing Director Rex Kiponge over management issues and appointing a caretaker Managing Director in Joseph Tupiri. Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Walter Schnaubelt made no reservation after revealing in a media gathering that NAC was financially broke. “Now that we have installed an acting Managing Director, part of his conditions of employment include drafting a terms of reference (TOR) to seek a financial institution to come and conduct a full audit of NAC. I need to know exactly where we are financially.” The minister said he is not pointing fingers at anyone right now – however the public will be informed on the outcome of the audit after its completion. “I hope that all staff within NAC will be paid accordingly, because we do have financial constraints as we speak right now. There’s not enough money in NAC and that’s the dilemma going forward.”  The Minister also stated that there’s a lot of confusion in the suspension of Mr. Kiponge. He denied having any personal issues with Mr Kiponge to get rid of him. Minister Schnaubelt said non-compliance issues were piling up while Mr. Kiponge didn’t perform to the standards and requirements of the governments expectations hence his suspension.

Officers from Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) went for Coral maintenance and monitoring trip to Motupore Island, Bootless Bay in Central Province on Sunday 11th of December 2022. This trip was the second visit. Staff from CCDA went to maintain and monitor corals they planted in August in the Bootless Bay. According to CCDA’s Adaption and Projects Division, General Manager Mr Jacob Ekinye, corals provide an ecosystem for life underwater. They protect coastlines from the damaging effects of wave action and tropical storms. Corals are source of nitrogen and other essential nutrients for marine food chains and they also assist in carbon and nitrogen fixing etc… Mr Ekinye said ; “In Climate Change, Adaption and Projects division we have nine(9) priority areas like landslides, sea level rise, coastal flooding, inland flooding and one of them is coral reef bleaching so this is one of our priority we really want to get out and do things like this. We are only discussing without getting out to the field. Where coral is, there is fish and it benefits our coastal villages and for our maritime provinces. They depend on the sea for survival. What we are doing is not a small thing. This is small initiative but we are fighting climate change globally.” Mr Ekinye commended Kokoda track Development & Livelihoods Association Inc and Lakwaharu Coral group for their initiative and efforts in rehabilitating the marine ecosystem through the activity of coral planting. Kevin Egu from Lakwaharu Coral said it is important to maintain and monitor coral by cleaning and removing algae so corals can grow. This coral gardening activity in Bootless Bay area is being undertaken by Master Farmers Kevin Egu and his uncle, Koivi Egu and community members from Tubusereia village in Central province. This reef restoration activity is sponsored by Kyeema Foundation of Brisbane, Australia. Kevin and his uncle Koivi work together with Kyeema Foundation to address the ever-increasing climate change issues affecting coral reefs in PNG. Kyeema Foundation sponsors this activity in PNG with support the from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program.