The Morobe off-season rugby league competition is more than just a fight for trophies—it’s a launchpad for raw talents across Papua New Guinea (PNG).John Milba, Morobe Challenge Coordinator for the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) Ipatas Cup, said the tournament brings together teams from across the provinces, with winners advancing to a knockout-style national final. “Each province runs its own challenge, giving players from rural areas a chance to compete at a high level and showcase their skills,” he said.The competition also introduces new players to the finals, giving them exposure in front of large crowds. “It’s an opportunity for first-time finalists to be noticed and take their game to the next level,” Milba added.Described as PNG’s biggest off-season rugby league tournament, the event tests skill, stamina, and teamwork, while giving players a chance to impress professional scouts. For Milba, the goal is simple: provide every player with a platform to excel and help grow rugby league in PNG.

Westpac PNG has a new Head of Corporate and Commercial Banking; the announcement made just this week to the bank's customers and clients.Westpac PNG on Monday 12th January announced the appointment of Mr. Patrick Wright as the new Head, promoted from his previous role as Treasurer. Patrick’s career with Westpac Group began in 2007 in Financial Markets, followed by key roles and international experience in London as an FX Trader. After a brief hiatus pursuing a degree in Nutritional Medicine and working in sports coaching and athlete career transitions, Patrick returned to Westpac in 2017 and joined Westpac Pacific as Treasurer in 2023. Andrew Cairns, Chief Executive of Westpac PNG, said, “I am delighted to welcome Patrick to his new role. His depth of expertise and proven leadership will be instrumental in advancing the bank’s strategic priorities and responding to the evolving needs of our customers, communities, and the broader financial environment. “Since joining Westpac Pacific as Treasurer, Patrick has demonstrated strong strategic insight and a deep understanding of financial operations, making him exceptionally well placed to lead this critical business division. “For more than 115 years, Westpac has been an integral part of PNG communities, and we are proud to continue building on this as we work together toward a strong and inclusive future.” This leadership appointment marks a significant step in Westpac PNG’s journey to accelerate strategic transformation and deliver lasting value in a dynamic PNG economy.

Local MP Vincent Kumura says continued investment in emergency medevac services is critical for saving lives in remote areas of Usino-Bundi-Gama in the Madang province, following the successful airlift of two emergency patients this month.Kumura confirmed the district has committed K200,000 to support medevac operations, saying the service is often the only lifeline for communities with limited access to roads and medical facilities.“These flights save lives,” Kumura said. “Without medevac support, many of our people would not survive emergencies like this.”The two patients were airlifted by Manalos Aviation to Chimbu Provincial Hospital, where doctors say both are now stable and receiving specialist care.One patient, Margaret Yagama, a woman in her early 20s, suffered severe complications during her first childbirth after labouring for more than 12 hours. She experienced excessive blood loss and a serious third-degree tear, requiring urgent medical attention. With no advanced care available locally, she and her newborn were evacuated to hospital, where both are now recovering.The second patient, a woman in her late 40s from Snow Pass, has a history of asthma and endured severe shortness of breath for over 24 hours. With no oxygen support available in the area, she was also flown to hospital and remains under medical supervision.Health officials say the evacuations highlight the challenges faced by remote communities, where medical emergencies can quickly become life-threatening.The operations were carried out through coordination between Manalos Aviation, hospital medical teams, the Chimbu Provincial Authority, and the district administration.For families in isolated villages, emergency flights remain a vital service—often making the difference between life and death.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) is making history by ensuring rural and remote members can safely participate in its 35th Synod, online.Head Bishop Rev Dr Jack Urame for safety reasons, has urged people not to cross the Vitiaz Strait in small boats due to strong winds and heavy rainfall forecasted by the Papua New Guinea National Weather Office to attend the synod, instead they can participate online. Instead, the church is encouraging members to stay in their communities and follow the week-long synod online through its official Facebook page.“This year, we want everyone to take part safely, even if they cannot travel to the island. The synod is a church event, and all instructions must be followed,” Dr Urame said.For delegates who will attend in person, only 50 representatives from each of the church’s 17 districts will board ships. Lutheran Shipping has made two vessels, MV Lalibu and MV Momase, available to transport delegates from Lae and Madang to Bunsil Station in Siassi Tewai Siassi District.Dr Urame said the synod, as the church’s highest decision-making body, will review performance reports from church executives, updates from districts, and institutional reports from Lutheran University. Reports from health, education, and other church departments will also be presented.He clarified that this synod will be held without elections, with the next electoral synod scheduled for 2028 in accordance with the church constitution.By combining safe sea transport for delegates with live-streamed sessions for the wider membership, the ELCPNG aims to make church governance accessible to everyone — particularly those in rural and hard-to-reach areas — while ensuring safety amid adverse weather conditions.

Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has told Papua New Guinea’s public servants that their work is not simply employment, but a moral responsibility that will shape the country’s future for generations.In his closing address at the 2026 Public Servants Dedication Service, Marape said the Reset@50 agenda is built on values, integrity and national responsibility, not just policies and budgets.“Public service is not just a job — it is a moral responsibility,” he said, urging government workers to serve with honesty, discipline and professionalism.The Prime Minister said today’s generation of public servants will be judged by what they leave behind when they retire.“When we retire, will the next generation thank us because we built systems that work, or will they inherit failure?” he asked.Marape said Papua New Guinea now stands at a critical turning point, with the next 20 years determining whether the nation builds strong institutions or continues to struggle with poor governance.He pointed to South Korea as an example of how values-driven leadership and long-term discipline can transform a country. Once one of the poorest nations in the world, South Korea became a global economic power through sustained national effort over decades.Marape said PNG has the same opportunity if it uses the Reset@50 period wisely.“If we get the next 20 years right, the next 50 will take care of itself,” he said.He urged all public servants — both appointed and elected — to treat 2026 as a year of renewed dedication under the Reset@50 agenda.Marape said the real test of leadership is not position or salary, but whether those entrusted with public office use their time to serve the people and build a better future for their children.As PNG moves into its next chapter after 50 years of independence, he said integrity, discipline and service must guide every public servant.

The collapse of the Aumea Bridge has disrupted businesses, including Ramu NiCo, and cut off a key section of the Madang–Lae–Highlands Highway.Authorities are building a temporary wet crossing to restore traffic while plans to rebuild the bridge are underway. The interim crossing is expected to ease movement for commuters, freight operators, and local businesses affected by the disruption.Nevertheless, police are urging drivers to take care when using the temporary Yanamu Bypass and wet river crossing while the main bridge is being rebuilt.Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Robert Baim said the bypass is for light vehicles only. “The priority is to restore access and keep people and goods moving,” he said. “Police resources are stretched. Please follow safety advice to protect everyone.”Baim warned that cargo trucks and other vehicles must check the river carefully before crossing and avoid attempting it if unsure. Crossing at night is strongly discouraged as the river can change course and debris may trap vehicles. Trucks reaching the crossing after dark are advised to return to Ramu Sugar and wait until daylight.Police say these measures are crucial to protect lives, vehicles, and cargo while construction continues.Meanwhile, police have raised concerns over reports that landowners and settlers in the area demanded payments before allowing work on the bypass and wet crossing to continue.Madang Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Robert Baim, strongly condemned the alleged demands. “If these allegations are true, such demands are unacceptable,” he said. “Public infrastructure must not be used to pressure authorities. Proper channels must be followed, and the public must not be held at ransom.”He added that anyone attempting to disrupt the bypass or wet crossing operations would face legal consequences.

Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa has officially kicked off the Governor’s Cup at Bogia in Almami Local Level Government, with the opening ceremony held yesterday at the Malala Secondary School field.Addressing players, officials, and supporters, Governor Pariwa described the occasion as a personal and meaningful return to Malala. He told the crowd that this was not his first visit to the area, revealing that he was once a Grade 11 and 12 students at Malala Secondary School. He credited the school for playing a significant role in shaping his life and leadership journey.“I want to say thank you to Malala. Malala has played an important role in my education career,” Governor Pariwa said.The Governor said the Governor’s Cup is more than just a sporting competition, highlighting its long-term benefits for Madang Province. He outlined four key objectives of the tournament, starting with the identification of talented players from each Local Level Government to form a strong Madang team that can proudly represent the province at national games.Governor Pariwa said another major purpose of the Governor’s Cup is to help minimize crime in the province, particularly youth-related criminal activities.“Madang is known for criminal activities, including murders, and most of these crimes are caused by youths,” he said.He explained that the tournament aims to keep young people actively involved in sports, discourage the use of illegal weapons such as guns and knives, and replace them with balls and positive competition.Promoting healthy lifestyles is also a key focus of the Governor’s Cup. Governor Pariwa said regular participation in sports can help address lifestyle diseases affecting young people.“Many young people have died from lifestyle diseases, and we end up blaming sorcery. We can protect ourselves and stay healthy if we play sports,” he said.Governor Pariwa added that rolling out the Governor’s Cup across all LLGs in Madang Province will help scout raw and talented players who can be developed into a competitive Madang squad capable of performing at national and international levels. He encouraged young athletes to think big, stay disciplined, and work hard, saying one day they could proudly carry the Madang flag at national games.Almami Local Level Government President Kenneth Makis, who witnessed the official kick-off, thanked Governor Pariwa for bringing the tournament to the area and expressed his commitment to working closely with the provincial government to ensure a successful competition.“The Governor’s Cup is not just a tournament; it carries strong ideas and motives from the Governor. We will work with him to make those goals a reality,” President Makis said.Provincial Sports Coordinator Pancito Amepou said the Governor’s Cup has so far been rolled out across LLGs in all districts. He said the Bogia District competition has started at Almami LLG and will continue to Awar and Yabu LLGs to complete the Governor’s Cup in Bogia District.The opening event was attended by Madang Provincial Education Director Alphonse Igag, who is also a former principal of Malala Catholic Secondary School, along with invited guests, local leaders, and a large crowd of supporters and sports teams who gathered to witness the official opening.A total of 37 soccer teams and 15 volleyball teams have registered to take part in the Governor’s Cup at Almami LLG.

For the Prune Panthers from Enga Province, every match is more than a game — it’s part of a decade-long quest to bring the Ipatas Cup back home.The NGCB Ipatas Cup, PNG’s biggest off-season rugby league tournament, was started by Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas in the late 1990s to give grassroots players a chance to shine and be scouted for higher-level competitions. Supported by the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB), the Cup has grown into a prestigious national competition, offering exposure, prize money, and a pathway for young talent.Prune Panthers Captain, McCoy Gallon says the Cup means more than just a trophy. “Every competition we enter, every game we play, is focused on bringing the Cup back home. It’s not just for the team — it’s for the whole province,” he said.The Panthers have battled through provincial qualifiers and the Gold Pass, learning from losses and gaining strength with each match. For them, the Cup represents pride, hope, and community spirit. Villages rally behind the team, and young players dream of following in their footsteps.“We aim high,” Gallon said. “If we don’t succeed this year, we’ll come back next year. Every competition is another chance to bring the Cup home.”The Prune Panthers’ story shows that in PNG rugby league, the pursuit of a dream can be as powerful as victory itself.

Fulfilling a promise made in December 2025 at the 55th and 17th Graduation Ceremony for Grade 10 and 12, the Member for Sumkar Alexander Suguman Orme, officially presented a cheque of K100, 000 to Karkar Secondary School.The presentation took place at the MP’s Electoral Office at Kinim Station, led by Executive Officer Mr. Reuben Tabel and Electoral Administrative Officer Mr. Allan Apuai. They were accompanied by Deputy Governor and President for South Karkar Local Level Government (LLG) Kui Udag, representing a unified front for educational support in the province. The cheque was received by the Karkar Secondary Principal, members of the Board of Management (BOM), and staff. While delivering the funds, Mr. Tabel conveyed a stern message from the Member for Sumkar regarding the school’s recent performance. The MP expressed deep concern over the academic results produced by Karkar Secondary in 2025 and throughout the preceding five years of his term. Mr. Tabel noted that while the Member, was delighted by the success of Annul Day High School, which excelled in Social Science in 2025 to rank at the top of the country, he remains worried about the standards at Karkar Secondary. He is challenging the administration to work harder to ensure the best results are achieved by the end of 2026. Member Orme, urged all responsible parties, including the administration and teaching staff, to elevate their efforts to ensure Karkar Secondary regains its status as a top-performing institution with a history of producing the nation's top scholars. In response to the MP’s challenge, Principal Mr. Adelino Kabuanga identified a key factor behind the recent decline in performance as the past practice of enrolling students with failing grades to appease parents and the community. To rectify this, Mr. Kabuanga assured the Sumkar District Development Authority of significant changes for the 2026 academic year. These include a stricter and highly selective enrolment process for Grade 9 and Grade 11 entrants that prioritizes academic potential, alongside a renewed commitment from staff to meet the MP’s expectations for academic excellence.

Strong coordination between health facilities and the National St John Ambulance (NStJA) enabled the timely treatment of 27 patients following a mass casualty motor vehicle crash along the Hiritano Highway in Central Province.The incident occurred on Monday afternoon between the Agevairu and Aikasiala sections of the highway when an open-back dyna truck carrying passengers ran off the road. NStJA confirmed its National Ambulance Operations Centre (NAOC) received notification of the crash at 12:38PM through the emergency 111 line and immediately activated mass casualty emergency protocols. Within minutes, multiple response units were deployed. The Bereina Reservist Ambulance Unit was dispatched at 12:39pm, followed by additional ambulances and responder units from Port Moresby from 12:40pm onwards. In total, five ambulances and four responder units were deployed, staffed by first responders, paramedics, doctors, nurses, and health extension officers. The first ambulance arrived on scene at 1:33PM and began patient triage and pre-hospital care. With assistance from the Agevairu Health Centre, patients were stabilized and transported either to Agevairu or moved further along the highway to Doa, where Port Moresby-based teams conducted further assessments. Five patients were identified as critically injured and transported on stretchers in ambulances. The remaining 22 patients, including one seriously injured but stable and 21 with minor injuries, were transported according to injury severity using ambulances and responder vehicles. Seven patients were transported by the Agevairu ambulance. In Port Moresby, stable patients were taken to Gerehu Hospital, while critically injured patients were transferred to Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) for advanced care. Executive Director for Ambulance Operations Terrence Torea, said despite pressure on resources, all patients received appropriate care. He said a public advisory was issued during the response due to reduced ambulance availability across NCD and Central Province. The emergency response concluded at 10:17pm, nearly 10 hours after it began, when the final critically injured patient was transferred to a hospital bed at PMGH. Health authorities later confirmed that all critically injured patients were treated and are recovering, with no fatalities reported. NStJA acknowledged the Central Provincial Health Authority, Agevairu Health Centre, NCD Provincial Health Authority, PMGH, and community members who assisted responders at the scene.

A four-day refresher training for game officials has concluded at Moro Village in Almami Local Level Government (LLG).The initiative has successfully equipped referees and umpires with updated technical knowledge ahead of the upcoming Governor’s Cup, which is set to launch this Sunday, January 11, 2026. Facilitated by the Madang Provincial Sports Office with the support of Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa, the sessions focused on current rules and newly introduced laws. These updates are designed to improve the quality, consistency, and fairness of officiating across all sporting codes throughout the tournament. The program saw active participation from 43 match officials, including 16 soccer referees and 27 volleyball umpires. Throughout the four days, participants demonstrated strong enthusiasm for the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the game and refine their professional skills. Almami LLG President Mr. Kenneth Makis, expressed his full support for the initiative and confirmed that a dedicated committee is now in place to oversee the organization and coordination of the Governor’s Cup within the LLG. Meanwhile, Madang Provincial Sports Coordinator Pancito Amepou, thanked the participants for their commitment and noted that learning is a continuous process. “I would like to thank all the participants who have shown a keen interest in their respective sporting codes,” Mr. Amepou said. “Learning never stops, and their enthusiasm to improve is commendable.” He also acknowledged the leadership of Mr. Kenneth Makis for creating a positive working environment that enables effective collaboration between his committee and the Provincial Sports Office. “My sincere appreciation also goes to Governor Ramsey Pariwa, for supporting the efforts of the team organizing both the training and the upcoming games for the youth of Almami LLG.” Mr. Amepou urged the wider community to take part in the Governor’s Cup activities, highlighting the broader social and economic benefits of the event. “I urge everyone to participate in one way or another, as these games will not only benefit our young people but will also boost small and medium enterprises, giving our mothers in the LLG an opportunity to earn some income during the course of the games.” This training marks a significant milestone in strengthening sports development and community participation in Almami LLG as final preparations for the Governor’s Cup move forward.

Leaders of Watenge clan of the Yambatan tribe in Tsak Valley, Wapenamanda District of Enga Province, submitted a petition to the police hierarchy and Enga Provincial Government on Thursday, demanding an immediate investigation into a deadly security operation.The petition, received by Highlands Region Western End Commander Joseph Tondop, and acting Provincial Police Commander Kelly Sombe, highlights allegations of excessive force during the enforcement of the Counter Terrorism Act by Police Tactical Group Kumul-23 on January 2, 2026. The community leaders, led by Councillor Alas Kangual of Alumanda Ward 9, reported that the incident began at 3AM when more than twenty police vehicles arrived while residents were asleep. Gunfire reportedly lasted until 8AM, during which time five people were killed, and several others were wounded or detained. Among the deceased were Village Court Magistrate Winis Kaki and his wife Margret Kaki, a primary school teacher. Also killed were 75-year-old former Councillor Enakawan Kiponge and two young men, Jarnol Taso and Isaac Wia. Four additional young men between the ages of 18 and 25 are currently receiving treatment for bullet wounds at Mt Hagen Provincial Hospital. Furthermore, three men; identified as a pastor, a primary school headmaster, and a villager, remain in police custody in Mendi. The Watenge leaders maintain that their clan has never been involved in tribal fighting and they have questioned the validity of the intelligence reports that led to the raid. They claim that innocent people were targeted randomly, some from distances of up to 1.5 kilometres, as they moved around in panic. The petition demands a thorough and independent investigation into the terms of reference for the operation and calls for the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to facilitate post-mortem examinations for the five victims. Councillor Kangual also appealed for the release of the detainees, arguing they should not be charged under the Counter Terrorism Act. The clan is seeking state compensation for the victims and has requested a formal response to their demands within three working days. In response, Assistant Commissioner of Police Joseph Tondop expressed his condolences to the grieving families but emphasized that the joint security forces acted on local intelligence to capture persons of interest. While he maintained that those in custody have the right to clear themselves in court, he assured the clan that police would assist with the post-mortem process. He further stated that the Enga CID must be allowed to access the incident sites this weekend to assess the situation and ensure law enforcement is held accountable if any wrongdoing is confirmed.