“I am a strong believer in our Parliamentary democracy and the vital role that the Opposition can play in holding the executive arm of government to account. However, I was very disappointed with the misleading, ill-informed, and often scare-tactic response by the Shadow Treasurer to the 2023 Budget. The Shadow Treasurer should know at least the basic structures of the budget. Clearly, he does not. I invite him to come to Treasury for some lessons on budget basics and his boss can also tag along” stated the Treasurer, Ian Ling-Stuckey. “The first budget basic is that there are 3 appropriation bills, not one. As set out in our Constitution, the Parliament and the Judiciary have separate appropriation bills from the General Public Service. So please do not say our numbers are wrong just because you don’t add up all three bills that form our budget. And come across to Treasury for a basic lesson on how debt principal payments are covered in the budget. In 2023, we have done it the same way as for the last two decades. Please hurry up and learn. Because at the moment, you are misleading the people of PNG simply because you don’t understand budget basics” stated Ian Ling-Stuckey. “What a long and rambling response. Total confusion on their own figures. One example – the extraordinary claim that we only have K5.8 billion to pay for all capital expenditures and debt interest payments. Just wrong. The 2023 budget provides K9.7 billion for capital expenditures – the highest level of investment in our country’s history. We also have K2.5 billion set aside for debt interest costs. Debt exploded under the PNC. We are bringing those costs and debt levels under control. Indeed, our good, cheap, financing strategy, lowering average interest costs from 6.5% in 2019 down to just 4.2% in 2023, has saved K1.35 billion in 2023 alone. A smart and innovative government that has freed up these funds for law and order and education and health. No more expensive commercial borrowings at over 8%! “A key question is “What does living within our means really mean?”. The Opposition takes a narrow view that it is only considered over one year. But as Governor Bird highlighted in his robust response, Government’s need to take a medium-term view. The budget must be sustainable over the medium-term. The IMF and World Bank are aware that our expenditures are currently higher than our revenues, because the government wishes to continue stimulating economic growth, but they know that this is sustainable if we keep to our plan to return to a budget surplus by 2027. When a family has a big capital expense such as a new house, it doesn’t plan to have to repay it all in one year. Of course the parents will take a longer-term view, ensuring that the home loan can be repaid over the next 15 or 20 years. Even our Fiscal Responsibility Act has always taken the medium-term view, calling for a balanced budget on average, not a balanced budget every year. “One wonders whose interests the Opposition serves. It was extraordinary that the shadow treasurer spent a full 7 minutes of his speech on the new forest sector taxes, aimed to encourage downstream processing. One has to ask why that was such a big part of his speech? Only a quick comment on the banking taxes. Almost no time on our health or education sectors. But a full 7 minutes on forestry. Mmmm.* “The Oppo. As I said months ago, this will be a tough budget and some people won’t be happy. We know the banks will not be happy, We know that some round log exporters will be unhappy. But these extra funds means we have been able to fund major increases for law and order, a major K590 million household assistance package to help with the cost of living, and K1 billion of budget repair in reducing the deficit and build-up of debt. This is a good, responsible, caring budget, implementing the vision of re-elected Prime Minister Marape and his very competent coalition team” stated the Treasurer.

 A tsunami watch has been cancelled for Samoan low-lying coastal areas after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck. The earthquake struck about 8.30am Monday in Samoa/7.30am Sunday in American Samoa, prompting the Samoan government to urge everyone living on low-lying coastal areas to stay away from beach areas. It also said the public are advised to refrain from visiting coastal areas until a cancellation is issued. The US Geological Survey reports the shake happened south-east of Samoa at a depth of 36km about 8.30am local time. The USGS put the centre of the quake at 108km north of Hihifo, Tonga, and south of Apia. It was rated green on the PAGER response system, meaning there is low likelihood of casualties and damage. RNZ Pacific correspondent in American Samoa Monica Miller said she was at home when it struck. "I definitely felt that quake, it was close to 7.30am on a Sunday morning. I was actually ironing to get ready to go to Mass and I felt a tremor and thought, maybe it's just some movement in the house and then it just shook. I felt it went on for about five to six seconds, and yes, that was a strong one." Miller said locals were beginning to post on social media that it was a big one. Confusion over sirens An RNZ Pacific correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, said there was some panic when the quake struck. He said his neighbor ran over asking him to take he and his family inland to higher ground. Autagavaia said he spoke to a few people following the quake, and workers at the local supermarket said they were waiting for the tsunami and flood warning siren to sound following the quake. There are seven siren spots in the capital Apia and people were confused about whether they should wait for them to sound or just move to higher ground, he said. Autagavaia said today's earthquake was so strong it reminded him of the 2009 quake. That 8.3-magnitude quake generated a devastating tsunami that struck the Samoas and Tonga, and killed 186 people died. Source: RNZ. Com

Billy Walters knows he has a fight on his hands to secure a starting spot at the Broncos but he’s hoping a full pre-season training in the hooking position will stand him in good stead to earn the No.9 jersey. Walters played 23 games last season in the halves, off the bench and at hooker, but now is locked in a four-way tussle with Cory Paix, young gun Blake Mozer and 2022 Hostplus Cup hooker of the year Tyson Smoothy all vying for the dummy half role. “We got Tyson Smoothy as well who's come on board this year, he's played for the Storm and they don't give out their jerseys very easily, so it shows that he can bring something to the team as well,” Walters said. “It's always good to have competition for the number 9 jersey and we all know no one has got their hands on that yet. “That's up for anyone to work hard, train hard, and play well in the trials; and even if you do get it Round 1, it's not a guaranteed thing. “I know I'll be definitely trying my hardest to get it, and I know I've got a lot of people trying to get the same position, so I just to make sure I work hard and train hard and play well. "I'm working my combinations with the forwards; I didn't get to do a pre-season with them last year, I did the whole pre-season in the halves, so I suppose that's a big asset this year I get to work on the combinations with them and hopefully learn how they love to play and they can learn how I like to play and we can be another threat around the ruck." The hooking role is not the only position with players pressing their case for selection, with Walters saying it was a competitive environment all-round at the club, which boded well for the future. Although new signing Reece Walsh was hoping to slot straight into the fullback role, he has rising star Selwyn Cobbo to contend with, while another fresh face in Jock Madden would be pushing Broncos 2022 rookie of the year Ezra Mam to partner skipper Adam Reynolds in the halves. “We have got a lot of people fighting for positions, so it's better that we've got a lot of the crew back already and can start working on the combinations and getting the competitiveness going for who's going to be there round one,” Walters said of having most of the squad back at training already. “It's a real big chance to build our combinations. "I feel like we have a lot of room to improve on our spine. We didn't really lock down the spine last year and I think everyone else around Reyno [Adam Reynolds] needs to support him a lot better this year, so there's a there's a lot of things we can work on, and hopefully get the combinations right and be firing for the first game." Source: NRL.Com

Prime Minister Marape upon arrival in Sydney this morning met with major Mining and Petroleum investors at the Sofital Hotel, ahead of the PNG Mining, Petroleumand Investment Meeting that will be held at the Sydney Hilton Hotel from 05th-07th December 2022. In his discussions with the Chief Executive Officers of Santos, K92, Twinza, ExxonMobil, Newcrest and Harmony Gold, Prime Minister Marape advised investors to view their investment in its entirety in that it should not be entirely focused on royalty, benefit-sharing and equity issues but rather diversify their investment into exploration and tax credit schemes into social license including for development of law and order infrastructure and services. Prime Minister discussed the issue of incentivizing exploration and optimising Government take and revenues to invest in downstream processing and value add of the vast non-renewable and renewable resource for export to nearby Asian and global markets. Prime Minister will highlight these issues in his Keynote Opening Address to this Conference tomorrow morning. Prime Minister in his discussions informed that PNG was a renowned Mining and Petroleum Country, given over 100 years of operations by ExxonMobil and Oil Search and would remain an attractive investment destination. In terms of supporting the PNG National Budget, Prime Minister Marape encouraged for Mining and Petroleum Companies to pay Capital Gains, Corporate Income Tax as well as support through Tax Credit Schemes. Prime Minister mentioned his appreciation especially to K92 Mining and ExxonMobil for being compliant in paying their taxes. In terms of Papua and P'nyang, Prime Minister Marape urged for synergy of these projects by the developers to ensure reduction in capital costs. This notion was accepted by the investors. With regard to the Wafi-Golpu Projects his discussions with Newcrest and Harmony Gold Joint Venture given the advanced negotiations with the PNG State Negotiation Team and an amicable landing was being anticipated. For PASCA gas project, Prime Minister Marape invited the developer Twinza to convene further meetings with the PNG State Negotiating Team as early as next year to progress this equally important project. All in all, Prime Minister Marape was pleased with these series of meetings and the negotiations to date. He said the commencement of these projects are important as it will transform PNG's economic landscape. In doing so, there must be a win-win situation for all parties, especially the resource owners, State and the Developer. “The Developers are outlaying significant capital and must gain a return on their investment,” said Prime Minister Marape. Prior to these meetings, Prime Minister Marape met with the President of the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum Mr Anthony Smare and his Executives, to discuss issues relating to the Conference arrangements. Mr Smare informed that this year's Conference was historic in that announcements of progress would be made by Prime Minister Marape on the FEED stages of Papua and P'ynyang. The continued final stages of negotiations for Wafi-Golpu and reopening of Porgera would also be mentioned. Mr Smare then acknowledged the proactive participation by Government in promoting the country as a secure investment destination. Prime Minister will also meet with the Chief Executive Officer of French Petroleum Giant, Total Energies, on the margins of the Mining Conference, before he returns to PNG on Tuesday 06th December 2022. Prime Minister also highly urged for investors, especially Santos, to reinvest in its Refinery to process petrochemical products such as petrol, diesel, kerosene and Jet A1 gas to meet our domestic energy security issues.

Lionel Messi scored in what was the 1,000th game of his storied career as Argentina beat Australia 2-1 to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals. Captaining his national team for the 100th time, Messi ignited this last-16 match midway through the first half, curling home cutely after some neat build-up play – his 789th career goal. In the second half, Julián Álvarez capitalized on some slack goalkeeping by Australia stopper Mat Ryan to score his second goal of the tournament and extend Argentina’s lead. Just when it looked like Argentina might run away with proceedings, Craig Goodwin’s deflected strike from outside the box nestled in the bottom corner to set up an exciting finale, but Argentina was able to hold out. Aziz Behich looked as if he might snatch an unlikely equalizer but Lisandro Martinez’s last-dtich tackle deflected the Australian defender’s shot following a slaloming run past a succession of Argentina defenders. The victory means Argentina will face the Netherlands on Friday in the quarterfinals, after the Dutch beat the US Men’s National Team 3-1 earlier on Saturday. The story goes on Messi’s quest to win that elusive World Cup title had a rocky start at Qatar 2022 – Argentina was stunned by Saudi Arabia in its opening group game – and La Albiceleste barely troubled Australia in the opening half hour. Many soccer pundits have passed comment on just how much Messi tends to walk in matches these days, but that wasn’t the case when the 35-year-old closed down Behich as he attempted to clear the ball. Messi and Behich got into a bit of a shoving match and that small act of passion was enough to get the Argentina fans in the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium off their feet and singing again. Those fans were soon crooning even more loudly when Messi curled a beautiful, left-footed effort past Australian keeper Ryan following a slick Argentina moved. The goal was Messi’s ninth in World Cups, taking him above Diego Maradona and Guillermo Stabile who have eight apiece. Only Gabriel Batistuta has more for Argentina with 10. It was the highlight of what was an even first half, with Australia looking organized and never in awe of Argentina. After the break, Argentina began to turn on the style, though La Albiceleste’s second goal stemmed from hard work and pressing. After Ryan attempted to control a back-pass, he took a heavy touch to evade the on-rushing Rodrigo De Paul. Unfortunately for Ryan, Álvarez had joined the press and capitalized on the Australian’s keeper’s error to tap home for his second goal in as many games. Cue more Messi magic as the 35-year-old jinked and bounced past a succession of Australian players to the delight of the thousands of Argentina fans in attendance. Argentina was in cruise control, but with just under 15 minutes left, a strike from Australia’s Goodwin looked to be heading safely away from the Argentina goal before it struck Enzo Fernández and flew past Emiliano Martínez. With Australia pushing for a second goal, Argentina had an opportunities to catch the Socceroos on the break, with Lautaro Martínez missing numerous opportunities to seal the game. Behich almost scored one of the goals of the tournament as he weaved in between a series of Argentina players before a flying tackle by Manchester United defender Martinez thwarted the Australian at the last moment. Australia went close one last time, teenager Garang Kuol – making just his third appearance for the Socceroos – almost forcing extra-time but his close range shot was smothered by Argentina keeper Martínez. Source: CNN

Brazilian soccer great Pelé says he’s “strong” and has “a lot of hope” as he continues his treatment for colon cancer. Pelé’s social media post on Saturday came after local media reports in Brazil said that the 82-year old former footballer’s health had worsened. “My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive,” said a statement on Pelé’s Instagram page. “I’m strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual. I want to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received. “I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world keeps me full of energy. And watch Brazil in the World Cup too!” According to a hospital statement on Saturday, Pelé’s health condition remains stable. “He [Pelé] has shown good response to the respiratory infection care, not showing any worsening of his condition in the last 24 hours,” said Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital. The 82-year old former footballer, who is one of the greatest players of all time, was admitted to the Sao Paulo hospital on Tuesday to re-evaluate his cancer treatment after Pelé had a tumor removed from his colon in September 2021. During Saturday, past and present soccer stars wished Pelé well on social media Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé urged his Twitter followers on Saturday to “Pray for the King” – a reference to the Brazil great’s nickname – tagging Pelé in his tweet. Meanwhile Brazilian soccer star Vinicius Jr., who is playing for the national team at Qatar 2022, and former Brazil great Rivaldo took to social media to urge the legend to “stay strong.” The 82-year-old’s former club Santos FC added: “The whole world … is together with you, King Pele!”, while soccer’s governing body FIFA told the star to “get well soon.” In December 2021, Pelé was hospitalized and underwent chemotherapy treatment. In September of that year, he underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his right colon, which doctors found during routine examinations. Pelé is widely considered to be one of the greatest soccer players in history. He played in four World Cups, winning three – in 1958, 1962, 1970) – and scoring 12 goals in 14 games. He scored 1,281 goals in his professional career in 1,363 games. CNN’s Don Riddell spoke with fans about Pele in Doha, Qatar on Saturday, with one American saying that his first ever game was watching the Brazilian star in 1975 in Washington, DC. Pelé played for the New York Cosmos between 1975 and 1977. The fan, who said he’s been to 11 World Cups, said Pele changed his life. “Watching him was the first professional game I ever saw in 75 and because of that, one of the reasons this is my 11th World Cup,” Clifton Broumand told CNN. “I’ve been going since Spain, because that really hooked me, watching him and his ability hooked me to coming and watching soccer and the World Cup,” added Broumand.

A ward recorder in Rabaul District of East New Britain is encouraging his fellow colleagues to diligently collect accurate data from their respective ward to help the Government provide service delivery. Andy Whaittie, a ward recorder in ward eight of Rabaul Urban LLG (RULLG) is among a group of ward recorders from RULLG, Watom LLG and Kombiu LLG engaged as ward recorders in the Rabaul District. The group have just concluded a one week training on how to collect and update data for the ward record book for every council ward in the electorate. While commending the ENB provincial government and administration to empower ward recorders, he said the training is an eye-opener for them highlighting the need to work closely with people in the communities to present accurate data that will progress development. Rabaul District Administrator, Mr Benedict Mode who was speaking at the closing of the training on Saturday Dec 3, said the structure at the wards has now been established and there are people now at the wards to administer resources flowing from the district to the LLGs then to wards. “As Rabaul DA, it calls for working together and we want to see results in what the ENB provincial administration have invested in over the last month in swearing in ward development committees and I believe will achieve results.” He thanked ward recorders for their time and commitment saying the ward development record is an important tool in bottom-up planning from wards to districts and the province. Meantime Acting Assistant Director for Department of Provincial Local Government Affairs, Rowen Nim encouraged ward recorders to take care of their newly issued ward recorders book presented by the Department “Ward Recorders, you are the ears and the eyes of your respective wards, collect your data well and ensure that it is accurate before entering the information,” Mr Nim said.

The Marape-Rosso Government’s emphazise on education is to ensure every child has a right to education and no child is left behind and fully support training institutions imparting skills and knowledge to our children. To achieve such out-comes the Government is putting both human and financial resources into the education sector in the 2023 national budget under its tuition fee funding policy. The Secretary for the Department of Prime Minister & National Executive Council, (PM&NEC), Ivan Pomaleu said this when addressing the first graduation ceremony for the Caritas Business College in Port Moresby on Friday, 02nd December, 2022. He represented Prime Minister James Marape who was attending Parliament to debate and pass the 2023 budget. He said the National Government is placing its emphasize on education so no one child is left behind in the formal education sector including Flexible Open Distance Education-FODE. “The key emphasize you will find is in education is on building infrastructure, capacity of teachers to enable them to teach the students adequately and that is very important. “If the Prime Minister were to be here to speak he will emphasize the point that opportunities for each of our children must be placed before them. “That is an important statement towards the Governments’ drive to achieve desired outcomes in the education sector,’’ he said. But Secretary Pomaleu says it will take time to achieve those capacity building in terms of infrastructure, classrooms, and teachers to match the capacity in the growth of number of students. He told the students that those who have excelled and progressed in life the world over are those that were able to get an education or educated. Secretary Pomaleu said education creates opportunities, opens doors, creates an awareness and knowledge about things in life. “Let me first of all congratulate you all the twenty-five graduates, pioneers of Caritas Business College in completing your two years of studies both in theory and practical. “Your graduation now marks the end of a new beginning. You have finished one phase of your life. Now you will enter into the next phase. “Those who are going to succeed in life are those who are willing to work hard,’ said Secretary Pomaleu. He encouraged the students that there is no easy pathway to life and in education to achieve ones dreams. “There are no short cuts, but for many of us in this country for whatever reasons, maybe culturally, we want to take short cuts and there aren’t many. “Those who are prepared to draw up their sleeves, prepared to sweet it out, and those who are prepared to work hard are those will succeed,’’ said Mr Pomaleu. He advised the graduates that the grades on their Certificates are just to open some doors and one they get into those doors they will need to work even harder. “You have to make use of the opportunities that is before you. “There will be some setbacks, disappointments and regrets along the way, but those who are prepared to use those as stepping stones, rather than road blocks, will be those who succeed in life. “Let me on behalf of the Prime Minister James Marape and the Government congratulate the school, Caritas Business College for passing out your first graduands and congratulate each of you students, for being successful and seeing you through this stage this morning. “We would also like to thank your parents, guardians, siblings, and sponsors for supporting you in your studies and school and those who stood behind you to make this day possible. “I take my hat off and pay my respects to them for they have made this possible to receive your Diplomas in Office Administration and Tourism and Hospitality courses. I wish you all the best in your future,’’ he said. A total of 25 students graduated with Diplomas in Office Administration and Tourism and Hospitality. Secretary Pomaleu was accompanied by the spouse of Prime Minister Marape, Rachel Marape, Secretary for the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), Francis Hualupmomi, officials from the National Training Council, parents and guardians of the first class of students from the Caritas Business College.

Persons with disabilities are part of the community that we live in. Often times because of their special needs, they are shunned and marginalized. Whilst there has been increase in advocacy initiatives for inclusion of persons with disabilities in development initiatives, such is not the case in reality. WaterAid PNG has been working with communities where persons with disabilities are involved in transformative solutions for access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation. With this year’s International Day of Persons with Disability (IDPD) theme; “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world,” one such person who is taking a leading role in ensuring Pari villagers are informed of safe and inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene is Simon. Simon Kwalahu is a 31-year-old visual impaired male and father of one from Pari Village, in the National Capital District. He is taking that lead in sanitation and hygiene awareness with 12 other Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) Committee members in preparation of the soon to be implemented Pari Water Supply Pilot Project. This project will supply clean and safe water to Pari Village through a canteen like structure called a water kiosk from which community members will buy water. It is an initiative of the Motu Koita Assembly (MKA) in partnership with WaterAid PNG and supported by Australian Government as part of the Water for Women WaSH Consortium Program. Simon was selected to be a member of the WaSH committee due to his role as a member of the Papua New Guinea Disabled Persons Assembly (PNG ADP), a national umbrella body representing organizations of persons with disabilities, in order to promote and protect their rights and advocate for their needs in the country. “With my disability, it helped me to be in the WaSH Committee to represent all People with Disability including my visual impairment or any other impairments.” His involvement to advocate on behalf of persons with disabilities is more than just a personal quest as his is also married to a woman, Theresa Karukuru with visual impairment who is twice more vulnerable to marginalization in accessing safe water due to being a women and visual impaired.

Police in Hela Province are investigating the recent killings and destruction of a landowner company's base camp in Hides. Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Joseph Tondop said it was a serious criminal matter with acts of arson and double murder.  He also confirmed reports that two people were killed in the fighting and properties and assets belonging to landowner company TransWonderLand Limited got burnt down. PPC Tondop said the motive as to how and why the incident happened was unclear at this stage.  He added that he cannot  confirm or deny whether it was related to indifference in the benefit sharing arrangements. Tondop was  on the ground working on getting more information. Meanwhile, situation is still tense, as one of the Multi Billion Kina PNG LNG Project sites is threatened by infighting amongst landowners themselves. Tondop also appealed for peace, respect for government authority and rule of law in the area.

Indonesia's parliament is expected to pass a new criminal law this month that will punish sex outside marriage with imprisonment of up to a year. Bambang Wuryanto, a politician involved in the draft, said the code could be passed as early as next week. The law, if passed, would apply to Indonesian citizens and foreigners alike. Punishment for adultery can only take effect if there are parties who lodge complaints to the authorities. For those who are married, the party entitled to lodge a complaint is the perpetrator's husband or wife. The law also allows the parents of unmarried people to report them for having sex. Cohabitation before marriage will also be banned and those convicted could face a six-month prison sentence. Business groups have expressed concern about the damage the rules might do to Indonesia's image as a holiday and investment destination, according to Reuters. Shinta Widjaja Sukamdani, deputy chairperson of Indonesia's Employers' Association (APINDO), said: "For the business sector, the implementation of this customary law shall create legal uncertainty and make investors reconsider investing in Indonesia." The previous draft of the code was set to be passed in 2019 but sparked nationwide protests with tens of thousands taking part in demonstrations. Many, including students, took to the streets in cities across Indonesia with the main clashes taking place in the capital Jakarta. Tear gas and water cannon were used against protesters who had thrown stones at police. Such strict laws on sex and relationships are not without precedent in parts of majority-Muslim Indonesia. The province of Aceh enforces strict Islamic law and has punished people for gambling, drinking alcohol and meeting members of the opposite sex. In one case in 2021, neighbours denounced two men for having sex. They each received 77 lashes from a police officer in a public caning. On the same day a woman and man were each given 20 lashes for being caught in close proximity to each other, and two men were given 40 lashes each for getting drunk.

We are in the peak of the southern hemisphere spring and dry season has come to an end. Wet season or the northwest monsoon has commenced with north westerlies well established across the country. Seasonal change from spring to summer will occur on the 13th December and should see increase in the rainfall with heavier falls in the southern parts of the country. Most climate models show a weak La Niña forecasted to be short lived. A weak atmospheric wave (MJO) is passing our region and will enhance rainfall over the next two (2) weeks. Over the last 3-6 months consistently drier conditions were experienced over most parts of the country with 8 provinces impacted; New Ireland in critical drought condition, AROB, East New Britain, West New Britain, Manus, Jiwaka, Enga and Western Highlands on drought alert and Hela, West Sepik and Central on drought watch. Seasonal Climate Outlook (Dec-February 2022) The wet season rainfall for the next 3-6 months is expected to be below average and severe drought conditions are likely across the country by the return of the dry season in May 2023. The Tropical cyclone season has also commenced and it is expected that average number of tropical cyclones (1-2) are expected to form within PNG area of responsibility. Extended Outlook - Summary A negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is underway. The IOD continues to exceed negative values since October 2022. A negative IOD event results in more wetter conditions, especially for the southern and eastern parts of PNG. With the La Niña condition underway, below average rainfall is expected over the New Guinea Islands throughout the wet season and upon the return of the dry season, severe drought conditions could evolve in parts of the region. PNG National Weather Service will continue to monitor and report any developments of severe weather within its areas of responsibility for the sake of our people. The general public is urged to heed and comply with the warnings issued by the PNG National Weather Service.