In a black kimono Shinzo Abe's widow Akie walked slowly, carrying her husband's ashes in a silk-covered funeral urn. She placed it on a wide altar covered in white chrysanthemums. Above it hung a huge photo of Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister. Only once before in Japan's post-war history has a politician been given a state funeral - and Tuesday's event to honour Abe has stirred huge controversy. It drew thousands of guests - local and global leaders, notably from Japan's closest allies. But it also faced a backlash as protesters marched against the decision to hold the funeral. It's a day and an event that appears to have cut Japanese society down the middle. And it's a sign of Abe's complicated and often divisive legacy. The 67-year-old politician was assassinated in July - shot twice by a homemade gun. The killing shocked a country unused to gun crimes or political violence, triggering an outpouring of grief for a leader who had never been that popular. "Abe-San, thank you so much," mourners shouted when they gathered to pay their respects in July - with his death, many of his countrymen realised he had given Japan a sense of stability and security. That mood changed with the announcement of a state funeral. But it has gone ahead despite growing opposition from the Japanese public with opinion polls showing around 60% opposed it. Outside the Budokan - the arena in Tokyo where the funeral was taking place - the queue of mourners carrying flowers stretched for well over 3km (1.8 miles). They wore black and carried flowers to pay their respects for one last time. "I love Abe and everything about him, that's why I am in line," one 19-year-old said. Another mourner, a woman, said she was there to "show my gratitude for his long service as PM". But a short distance away in front of the Japanese parliament thousands more gathered to noisily and angrily demonstrate their opposition. Abe was widely admired abroad, but he was a divisive figure at home. Many of the protesters outside parliament were furious about the $10.7m (1.6bn yen; £10m) cost of the funeral. Others simply said Abe did not deserve the rare honour of a state funeral. "I am frustrated and angry that we let the government do whatever they want without consulting the people," said 25 year old Iori Fujiwara. "Us younger generation needs to speak out more for our own future, that's why I am here." "I could not stay at home while they are spending so much money and inviting so many guests while there are Japanese people suffering from the typhoon last week," said 25-year-old Ayaka Uehira. Many of those who oppose the funeral - and Abe's political legacy - are older Japanese. In a country traumatised by war, the older generation has long favoured a "pacifist" constitution that has kept Japan from heavily investing in its military. Abe, however, sought to change that - not by a referendum or parliamentary process, but by reinterpreting the constitution. This move was controversial and unpopular, but has increasingly been welcomed by Abe's supporters - many of whom are younger Japanese. Untroubled by memories of war, they are also increasingly reacting to China's aggressive claims on Japanese territory. For them, Abe was an extraordinary politician who put Japan back on the international map as a significant player. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Liberal Democratic Party certainly made the decision to honour Abe without considering how the country might react. But there is no denying the fact that Abe was also a man greatly admired by Japan's allies. He pushed for stronger relations among what he called "like-minded democracies", including India and Australia. He was also instrumental in the founding of the Quad - an alliance between the US, Japan, India and Australia. So it's no surprise that the US vice-president, and sitting and former Australian prime ministers travelled to Tokyo to pay their respects. Or that India's PM Narendra Modi made the journey after skipping the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London last week. They perhaps recognise that in some ways, Abe was well ahead of his time. He had always been wary of a rising threat from China - a concern Japan's allies now share. Source: BBC

Around one million people have been left without power and one person has been killed after Hurricane Ian lashed Cuba. Cuba-focused media outlets have also reported damaged buildings across the country. The category three hurricane, packing wind speeds of up to 195km/h (120mph), is now heading for Florida and is expected to strengthen. Parts of Florida have not faced such an intense hurricane in about a century. As of 21:00 GMT on Tuesday, the hurricane was growing stronger in the south-eastern Gulf of Mexico and moving north at 10mph, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports. The storm is expected to pass over the Florida Keys on Tuesday night before approaching Florida's west coast on Wednesday. Florida fears catastrophic flooding as hurricane nears How to prepare for a hurricane The NHC said in its bulletin that Ian could be a category four hurricane by that point, with wind speeds topping 130mph. Over two million people in Florida are under evacuation orders. In Cuba, forecasters had warned that some regions could see up to 30cm (12in) of rain from Hurricane Ian. Mayelin Suarez, a resident of Pinar del Rio, called the night the storm hit "the darkest of her life". "We almost lost the roof off our house," she told Reuters. "My daughter, my husband and I tied it down with a rope to keep it from flying away." Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel visited the area and vowed that the province would rise "above adversity", the Cuban presidency tweeted. A 43-year-old woman in the province was killed after the walls of her home collapsed. Cuban authorities declared emergencies in six areas, with forecasters warning of storm surges on the coast, along with flash floods and mudslides. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned in a news conference on Tuesday that the storm is "the real deal". The governor declared a state of emergency for all of Florida over the weekend and has activated 5,000 National Guard troops to assist with relief efforts. Along Florida's Tampa Bay coast, grocery store shelves were quickly cleared of basic necessities and there were long queues at gas stations. The Tampa area could receive its first direct hit from a hurricane since 1921, officials say, and might see 3m (10ft) of storm surge along the coast. Local officials in Tampa, Miami and Fort Lauderdale are distributing free sandbags to help residents protect their homes from flooding. Meteorologists have said flash flooding is possible by Tuesday in the Florida peninsula and Florida Keys as the hurricane approaches. The White House has also made its own emergency declaration, which will help federal and state officials co-ordinate disaster relief and assistance. Federal officials are pre-positioning millions of meals and litres of water in Florida and neighbouring Alabama. President Joe Biden, who had postponed a trip to Florida on Tuesday, told reporters at the White House that his office is "on alert and in action" to help Florida. The Caribbean is still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Fiona, which tore through the region last week. Moving northward to parts of the Atlantic Canada coastline and eastern Quebec, Fiona claimed two lives, washed homes into the sea and downed power lines over the weekend.   Source: BBC

Prime Minister James Marape has today commended Telikom for paying a K3 million dividend to the State for the 2021 financial year. In doing so, the Prime Minister also congratulated holding company Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) and State Owned Enterprises Minister Hon William Duma for successfully guiding Telikom to reach this mark. PM Marape said this was the result of reforms done three year's ago under his government in the10th Parliament. "This is the result of what we have been doing resulting in Telikom making a turn around after many years of losses and now moving into profit," said PM Marape. "We embarked on a reform agenda with all our State-Owned Enterprises three years ago and it is good that we starting to see fruits of our reform. "Having said that, there remains much work to be done in Telikom as well as in others a well," he said. The SOE this week paid the K3 million dividend to KCH for the first time. Telikom and Bmobile had a merger in 2021.

TikTok could face a £27m fine for failing to protect children's privacy when they're using the platform. The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) found the video-sharing platform may have processed the data of under-13s without appropriate consent. The watchdog said the breach happened over more than two years - until July 2020 - but that it had not yet drawn final conclusions. TikTok says it disputes the findings, noting that they are "provisional". The ICO has issued TikTok Inc and TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited with a "notice of intent" - a legal document which precedes a potential fine. The notice sets out the ICO's provisional view that TikTok breached UK data protection law between May 2018 and July 2020. The ICO investigation found the social platform may have: processed the data of children under the age of 13 without appropriate parental consent failed to provide proper information to its users in a concise, transparent and easily understood way processed special category data, without legal grounds to do so According to Ofcom, 44% of eight to 12-year-olds in the UK use TikTok, despite its policies forbidding under-13s on the platform. Information Commissioner John Edwards said: "We all want children to be able to learn and experience the digital world, but with proper data privacy protections. "Companies providing digital services have a legal duty to put those protections in place, but our provisional view is that TikTok fell short of meeting that requirement." TikTok has rolled out a number of features to strengthen the privacy and safety on the site - including allowing parents to link their accounts to their children's, and disabling direct messaging for under-16s. But Mr Edwards continued: "I've been clear that our work to better protect children online involves working with organisations, but will also involve enforcement action where necessary. "In addition to this, we are currently looking into how over 50 different online services are conforming with the Children's Code, and have six ongoing investigations looking into companies providing digital services who haven't, in our initial view, taken their responsibilities around child safety seriously enough." Rolled out in September last year, the Children's Code put in place new data protection codes of practice for online services likely to be accessed by children, built on existing data protection laws, with financial penalties a possibility for serious breaches. The ICO said its findings in the notice were provisional, with no conclusion to be drawn at this stage that there had been any breach of data protection law. It added: "We will carefully consider any representations from TikTok before taking a final decision." A TikTok spokesperson said: "This notice of intent, covering the period May 2018-July 2020, is provisional and as the ICO itself has stated, no final conclusions can be drawn at this time. "While we respect the ICO's role in safeguarding privacy in the UK, we disagree with the preliminary views expressed and intend to formally respond to the ICO in due course."   Source: BBC

21 young leaders in the Kokoda Track Foundation’s (KTF) Archer Leadership Development Program travelled to Australia and have undergone work experience based on their different fields of study or professions. The trip to Australia and work placement is just one component of KTF’s Archer Leaders program that provides the opportunity to travel to Australia to undergo work experience and to meet inspiring leaders from all walks of life. The Archer Leadership Development Program is an annual program for final year tertiary students in Papua New Guinea (PNG) who have shown leadership potential and the desire to serve their communities and country as young leaders. The program helps selected participants to grow and develop in their leadership capabilities. KTF guides the Archer Leaders on their leadership journey, supporting them throughout the year with mentoring, tuition and boarding fees support, education and professional development resourcing, work experience and assistance to implement community projects in a community of choice. The recent exchange trip was part of the program, but due to COVID-19 lockdowns, the exchange program for the Archer leaders of cohorts 2020 and 2021 had to be put on hold till this year when borders opened. Thus the 2020 and 2021 cohorts were able to travel with the 2022 cohort to Sydney, Australia. All cohorts had an opportunity to participate in two days of work experience in organisations relating to their areas of study (for those in 2022) or profession (for those in 2020 and 2021). The young leaders joined law firms, hospitals, veterinary clinics, chemistry labs, NGOs, mining and engineering headquarters, reserve banks and news studios right across Australia’s east coast during their exchange. Six of the Archer Leaders spent two days in Brisbane with Newcrest Mining visiting and engaging with mining engineering experts as well as mining Ph.D. candidates from the University of Queensland. The trip was jam-packed and allowed for the students to meets with leaders in both public and private sectors. The young leaders also had the honour of visiting the parliament chambers of the New South Wales Parliament House and meeting with a Member of Parliament. Peterson Mathius, an Archer Leader from the 2020 cohort and a person living with disability shares his experience about the trip. “The immersion trip to Sydney was one of the best moments of my life. KTF taught about ‘getting out of your comfort zone’. This was the real deal for me. My travel from Port Moresby to Sydney and my stay in Australia was an eye-opening experience for me. I was amazed at how great accessibility was for me as a person in a wheelchair. I was able to easily get around all of Sydney – along footpaths, on busses, trains and ferries. It was exciting to see the amazing structure of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Not only that but the group had rare access to the NSW Parliament via a tour delivered by Greens Party MP Mr Jamie Parker. The highlight of my experience was my work experience placement with Mr. Sebastián De Brennen, a criminal lawyer and Barrister. As a newly admitted lawyer in PNG, I was so happy that I was engaged with a highly qualified person in line with my profession as a lawyer. I was so enthusiastic to learn about a new jurisdiction. I learned that they have the different court system and different procedures to process the criminal proceedings and also different legal structure. Mr. Brennan facilitated access to a Court Room (Community Justice Court) to witness one of his case presentations on a sentencing hearing. We won the case and it was an emotional moment not only for the convict and his family but I too was emotional and happy that it was a success and justice was served. It was an experience I will never forget.” Being a person living with disability, Peterson knew that the trip would have other advantages as well. His community had thought he would never succeed in life or to get to where he is now, but he has defied that. “The trip also had an impact on how my community views me. As an individual living with a disability, people in my community thought that I had no future and had no place to go. But now, I have a story to tell. This trip has totally changed my community’s perspective of me and that has given me extra confidence to build the status that they thought I didn’t have. I would like to say to everyone out there, that if they have a person living with disability in their family or community, do not ignore the ability that he or she has. It only requires kindness and support from everyone that will encourage him or her to take another step forward in life.” Now that the young leaders have returned home to PNG, they will start to plan their own community development projects alongside completing their studies. Applications for the 2023 Archer Leadership Development Program will be open in December. The program is made possible with generous funding made available by the Fred P Archer Trust, managed by Perpetual and an increased continued commitment from Newcrest Mining

Climate Change is an emerging global threat and it is important to have climate proof infrastructures available in Papua New Guinea, says Climate Minister for Environment Conservation and Climate Change Simo Kilepa. Minister Kilepa said this during the ground breaking ceremony Alotau Provincial Climate Proofing Wharf on Monday, 26th September 2022. The K36.7million project is an initiative of the Climate Change and Development Authority through its Building Resilience to Climate Change (BRCC) project and is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Minister Kilepa said the Marape-Rosso Govt has prioritize infrastructure development as the number one agenda for PNG. “With the theme of Connecting PNG, we intend to bring socio-economic development to as many people and many places across the country. We do not want to leave any place or person behind. We want to give every man, woman and child the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the development processes.” “With the evidence of Climate Change, there is increasing intensity and frequency of the adverse effects of Climate Change. You see it all around you, here in Milne Province- Storm surges, sea level rise, cyclones, coastal erosion and so forth, which really affect infrastructures including our wharves and jetties,” Minister Kilepa said. He said; “It is therefore important to climate proof critical infrastructures like this provincial wharf which I believe will serve two-thirds of the population of this maritime province, who commute to and from the islands and atolls to buy store goods and sell their produce in Alotau market.” “The lessons learnt from this climate proofing investment will help us to replicate in other 13 provinces of PNG. I will discuss with colleague Ministers of works and transport, PNG Ports and others to come up with new climate resilient standards and designs that will withstand the adverse effects of climate change, Minister Kilepa said. “Climate poses a serious challenge for PNG, going into the future. It is important that we mainstream climate change adaptation into all development planning processes both at the National and Provincial level to be able to ensure our critical infrastructures are intact.” He said it if very expensive to build wharves, airstrips and roads. If we can climate proof them then they will be sustained and can achieve our development goals and priorities. Minister Kilepa said the people of Milne Bay will be the first to have a climate proof port infrastructure. This ground breaking ceremony indicates the birth of a new climate resilient wharf in the country. “On behalf of the Marape-Rosso Govt and as the Minister responsible, I extend our gratitude and appreciation to the Government of Australia and the Asian Development Bank for this good gesture and look forward to our continued development and partner going forward.” This Project is scheduled to take about 9 months to complete and is due to start by next month. ​I therefore expect the Climate Proofing of Alotau Provincial Wharf Project to be completed by June 30th 2023. Milne Bay Province Deputy Governor Lelena Metao in his speech said the Provincial Government has also taken ownership of this project and provided its support towards this project in K2mil in funding and in technical support towards the temporary walls and retaining walls. “We are not just recipients but also active partners in this project together to seeing its full completion,” he said. “This project when completed will certainly be one of the first in the country in Milne Bay to address Climate Change Impacts. This is very important to us, due to the rising sea level affecting many of our maritime transport infrastructures across the province and our livelihoods in our rural communities on the costal mainland and islands, said Mr Metao . He said this wharf will last longer and be able to assist the people especially in transporting goods, cargoes and passengers across the many islands of the 4 districts of the province. “The design of wharf will also help our mothers and the disabled people access this facility, which is a very good thing for our people,” Mr Metao said.  

A 7-week school program integrating Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) and well-being awareness into netball skills training in schools in Central Province’s Hiri District is drawing to a close. A total of 400 students – 200 boys and 200 girls from 10 schools in – five in Hiri-East and five in Hiri-West participated in the program. The Hamamas Long Pilai Program is an initiative of One Netball PNG - a partnership between Netball Australia, WaterAid PNG and Netball PNG supported by the PNG-Australia Partnership through the Australian Sports Partnership Program (ASPP). Hiri-West schools included Iobuna Kouba (Sogeri cluster), Porebada, Boera, Papa and Lealea primary schools and Hiri-East schools included Gaire, Barakau, Tubusereia, Seme-Dagoda and Kerekadi primary schools. Hiri-East schools will complete session 6 when classes resume in week two of term four. Schools had been selected by the Central Education Division and topics under the life-skills component are in line with the Education Department’s Personal Development curriculum in schools. The HLP Program utilises netball as a vehicle to deliver Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) outcomes in schools. Under One Netball PNG, two programs are delivered including the shorter Come and Play and the longer 7-weeks Hamamas Long Pilai (HLP) program. Both programs are adapted from the original HLP program developed by WaterAid PNG under the Sports for Development program. Life-skill topics relating to self-confidence, communication, leadership, personal hygiene including hand-washing and menstrual health and practical netball coaching was delivered by 15 professional Netball PNG coaches. The Hamamas Long Pilai Program was delivered by 14 professional netball coaches twice a week during students’ non-contact periods in the afternoons to ensure limited disruption as much as possible and as per understanding between One Netball PNG and the Central Education Division. A total of 650 students will have participated in both the Come and Play and the Hamamas Long Pilai by the end of the program.

Western Highlands Province will now have two fully serviced branches come July 2023, thanks to the BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP). Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday 28th August, 2022, in Dobel, Western Highlands Province, BSP Chairman, Sir Kostas Constantinou said BSP is pleased to be part of the ceremony and looks forward to the construction of the new BSP Dobel Branch which is set to open its doors in July 2023. The new BSP Dobel Branch will be the second fully serviced branch that will gain privilege of servicing Western Highlands and its neighboring provinces. The establishment will be a double-storey, fully suited modern banking facility that will have a mass market-banking chamber, premium branch, 4 ATMs, and a banking chamber that will offer a full array of financial services from personal, business and corporate specialists. Sir Kostas said, “Mt Hagen and the Western Highlands Province, is the Capital of the Highlands regions and is a key contributor to PNG’s economy for the Highlands region. Having a branch here is only fitting to meet the number of growing customers and serve our people better.” “This selected site in Dobel will provide our customers with easy access to our branch and serve as a prime location for us to continue to grow and expand in the market for years to come,” added Sir Kostas. Sir Kostas also mentioned that Dobel Branch would add to the existing BSP’s network of 1 branch in Mt Hagen, 1 sub branch in Minj, and hybrid branch in Banz, 468 active EFTPoS, 18 ATMs and 18 Cash Agents in the Western Highlands and Jiwaka Provinces. In his speech, Rupert Bray, the Managing Director of Steamships stated, “Steamships is very pleased to be teaming up again with the Duckworth family and Tininga to develop the Dobel project. The Dobel BSP branch forms the first phase of a larger development that will help transform the region and Tininga and Steamships are pleased that such an iconic company as BSP is our first customer.” Hon. Wai Rapa, Governor for Western Highlands said, “The Dobel development by the Steamships and Tininga joint venture will bring significant employment and growth opportunities for the people of Mt. Hagen and the greater Western Highlands Province.” Governor Rapa also thanked BSP for its renewed commitment with a second branch in Western Highlands Province. BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming also reaffirmed that, “our customers play a major role in shaping the new format branch. The furnishings and design of the facilities are fully oriented toward people’s needs. We aim to offer all banking services to accommodate our customers’ banking needs. This may also help in cutting long banking queues, waiting time, and smooth service delivery.” “We will provide a comprehensive array of digital and traditional banking products and services to meet the needs of personal, business, professional and corporate customers in the region. The BSP Doble building is valued at K5 million and is a double floored building with 700m2 of Leasable Area. The design provides off-street and secure car park spaces and is conveniently located in a central location with frequent traffic that is paramount for BSP’s business, but more importantly expanding its service in the province. This BSP branch is part of Phase 1 of the Dobel Commercial Development, which will be completed by the 3rd quarter of 2023. While we start construction on the new Dobel Branch, our new Eriku Branch in Lae is also nearing completion for commissioning to continue to better serve the residents and people of Morobe Province.” BSP PNG’s branch network currently operates with 48 branches, 42 sub branches, over 200 agent locations, 301 ATMs and over 9,000 EFTPoS across the country.

The Prime Minister James Marape has arrived in the US Capital, Washington D.C. for the first ever US-Pacific Islands Countries (U.S-PICs) Leaders’ Summit at the White House this week. Mr Marape arrived at the Dulles International Airport, Dulles, Virginia at 9.20pm local Washington DC time in an All Nippon Airways flight from Tokyo, Japan where he had been attending the funeral of slain and late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, amongst other world leaders and thousands of mourners. He was received and greeted on arrival by Mr Cephas Kayo, the Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of Papua New Guinea to the US and H.E Mr Max Rai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of PNG to the United Nations, representatives of the US Department of State and the US Secret Service. On Thursday 29th September, Prime Minister Marape will join other Pacific Islands countries Leaders in meeting US President Joe Biden at the White House this week. Mr Marape will attend the first day of the US-Pacific Islands Country Leaders Summit on Wednesday, 28th September, 2022 to be held at the US Department of State Office in Washington DC. Prime Minister Marape is being accompanied by Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko, Mrs Rachael Marape, Member for Goilala, Casmiro Aia, North Waghi MP Benjamin Mul, East New Britain Governor, Michael Marum, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Elias Wohengu and other senior technical officials for the US-PICs Leaders’ Summit. The US and Pacific Leaders will be holding discussions on People centered development in the Pacific, economic and trade ties, climate change action, climate resilience and clean energy transformation, challenges in the maritime domain, fishing and maritime law enforcement. On Thursday, 29th September, Washington DC time will be the 2nd Day of the US-Pacific Islands Country Summit at the US Chamber of Commerce. Prime Minister Marape will have an audience with US Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the Rayburn Room, United States Capitol building also in Washington D.C. Mr Marape will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko, Foreign Affairs Secretary Elias Wohengu and Charge d’ Affaires Mr Cephas Kayo and selected PNG government officials to those meetings. Following Mr Marape’s meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi he will meet US President Joe Biden at the White House. US President Biden will receive the Leaders of the Pacific Islands Countries who are attending the US-PICs Leaders’ Summit at the White House for a family photo and dinner. To conclude the 2 Day US-PICs Leaders’ Summit the leaders will sign a Declaration on US-Pacific Partnership. The proposed Declaration likely include amongst others a resolve by the leaders to strengthen the US-Pacific Partnership, commitment to bolstering Pacific regionalism, addressing climate change together, ensure the partnership supports the advancement of economic growth and sustainable development in the Pacific. The Joint US-Pacific Partnership Declaration also addresses support for each other during natural disasters, support the Blue Pacific and laws that govern it. The Leaders are also committed toward peace and security across the Blue Pacific region. The proposed Joint US-Pacific Islands Countries Declaration will guide the US-Pacific Partnerships in the implementation of the resolutions through mutual respect, transparency and accountability. The two-day US-Pacific Leaders’ Summit also noted that the officials will meet regularly, bilaterally and collectively to ensure that the US-Pacific Partnership continues to deliver practical results for the people in the Pacific and the world. Prime Minister Marape will be flying home via Brisbane Australia on Friday 30th September, ending almost two weeks of overseas official engagements. Mr Marape’s first engagement was the funeral of the late British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, followed by the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly-UNGA where he delivered the PNG country statement. He then flew to Brisbane where he met his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese at the PNG-Australia Prime Ministers 13 rugby match between the two countries. The two leaders then flew to Japan for the funeral of late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, where he met and held fruitful discussion with current Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Leading digital bank, Kina Bank is continuing to push the digital boundaries when it comes to everyday banking in Papua New Guinea (PNG). “This latest digital advancement will take personal banking to the next level, it is a game changer,” Kina Bank Chief Transformation Officer, Mr Ivan Vidovich said. “Our team has developed a banking tool that is easy to understand but most of all it runs across a platform that everyday Papua New Guineans are familiar with, the WhatsApp application. According to recent digital stats, WhatsApp is one of the most downloaded mobile applications in this country and it made sense to allow our customers the opportunity to bank across the platform,” he said. Kina WhatsApp Banking is a secure online banking solution that will enable customers access to their Kina Bank accounts and allow them to complete everyday transactions across the WhatsApp platform. Better still, Kina WhatsApp Banking will allow customers to bank on the go, anywhere in the world. The platform will be a free tool for all Kina Bank customers, furthering Kina Bank’s mission to bridge the digital divide in PNG. Mr. Vidovich acknowledged that technology had become a driver in banking, but it has to be presented to people in a way they understand and feel comfortable with. Kina Bank customers are able to complete a range of everyday transactions on the newly developed platform. From mobile top up, to making funds transfers and even requesting statements, it can all be done by sending a message to Kina WhatsApp. In total, Kina customers can complete over 11 different banking actions via the platform. Mr. Vidovich said Kina Bank prided itself on being the leader in digital banking in Papua New Guinea. Kina takes seriously the need to bring customers, and potential customers, respectfully into the digital age and help them understand and navigate change. “We remain the nation's leading digital bank and we respect the need to help our customers to adapt where necessary and explore opportunities to achieve their financial goals. "The bottom line is that accessibility, simplicity and a helping hand are all key principles of Kina Bank.

Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council Secretary, Ivan Pomaleu yesterday clarified that all foreign media intending to visit Papua New Guinea have always been screened before they are issued appropriate visas. It is not a new process or intention. This clarification follows a news article published by Post Courier newspaper today claiming that this process was planned and implemented recently by this Government to halt all foreign media from entering PNG; should they not provide all documentations as required to obtain a journalist visa. Secretary Pomaleu said this is a process that the Department has been managing since its inception some years ago; therefore, there is no need to alarm the foreign media intending to visit PNG as there is a process in place and is administered by some relevant government agencies including this Department. “The departments involved in screening and processing the visa for overseas media include the Department of Foreign Affairs; PNG Immigration & Citizenship Authority; PNG National Filming Institute and this Department,” he said. “Let me clarify to Post Courier that this process is in existence all this time and even published on our Department website www.pmnec.gov.pg and on PNG ICA website www.ica.gov.pg as well. “However, as a matter of courtesy to our visiting journalists; a guide was recently released by this Department Media to assist foreign media in obtaining a journalist visa. “It is in no way, in its message disseminated on Monday (26/09/22) to the mainstream media, implying a recent intention to restrict foreign media from traveling to PNG,” he said.

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Papua New Guinea (ASFPNG) supports the actions taken by Nambawan Super Ltd (NSL) to recoup outstanding rental arrears owed to NSL by Government departments that occupy office space in NSL buildings. “Whilst many public servants who are NSL contributors will be affected by the lock-out, they will ultimately benefit from the monies that are owned to their super fund. “The Association is concerned that essential government services will be halted until such time the Government pays the K160 million. “We call on the Government to settle the outstanding amount as a matter of urgency so that key departments and agencies, including Finance and Internal Revenue Commission, continue to provide much-needed services. As well, statutory authorities like the Ombudsman Commission must not be hindered from performing their constitutional duties. “Moreover, this lock-out exercise should be a wake-up call to Government departments and agencies to pay their rentals and other bills on time. The bad management practice of accumulating rental, electricity and other arrears must cease if the public service is to become more efficient and effective in delivery of services to the country.”