PNG Defence Force Commanders Cup which was off for 3 years because of Covid-19, returns this year. With the return of PNG Defence Force Commander’s Cup this year, Teachers Savings and Loan Society (TISA) came on board with a K25, 000 as sponsorship. In announcing the sponsorship, Group CEO for TISA, Mr Michael Koisen stated that TISA is delighted to support this event because a lot of their service men and women are members of TISA and its one way of giving back to the members Mr Koisen highlighted that this event is also special because for the first time since the competition started in 2002, there will be women’s matches too and the support will assist the organizing committee to stage these games in Lae Morobe Province this July. “The competition, while it focuses on physical fitness and wellbeing, it also encourages and promotes solidarity, teamwork, gender equality and friendship – values that TISA supports.” On hand to receive the sponsorship at Murray Barrack, Port Moresby was Chief of Defence Force, Major General Mark Goina, Paul Siwi, President of the PNG Rugby Union, and members of the PNGDF. As a member of TISA including many of the service men and women, Chief Commander Goina thanked TISA for its generous support to the tournament and PNGDF. “ I thank TISA for this support because PNGDF is not a commercial state entity and does not generate money and such support is valued.” He said the key focus for PNGDF is on its people, their physical fitness, health, and wellbeing so that they can go out and discharge their duties and responsibilities. This year’s Commander’s Cup will be played at the Igam Barracks in Lae from 12-20 July and 10 teams from all PNGDF barracks will compete including debutants PNGDF Rugby Union Women’s team who will take on the Morobe Women’s Rugby Union team. TISA staff will also set up a booth at Igam Barracks during the duration of the event to assist and attend to member queries.

Murr Village, a community of 300 people and live along the Oriomo River in Western Province’s South Fly district now have much to celebrate after the installation of rainforest harvesting units that will provide the community access to a clean and safe water supply. After a Hydrogeology survey and confirmation from the District WASH committee on selected communities who lack groundwater sources, rainwater harvesting units are now being set up. This is funded by the Australian Government through the Western Province Partnership’s Water Security Project. Murr was one of the selected villages identified as lacking groundwater sources and earmarked by the South Fly District WASH committee to receive rainwater harvesting units and Murr community will be receiving two units, one for the community and one for their local primary school. Each rainwater harvesting unit has four 9000-litre tanks and a catchment with concrete flooring, and the catchment can also be used as a shelter, a community hall, a marketplace or even an additional classroom when built at the school ground. The construction of the rainwater harvesting units saw the community coming together to work with the contractors to install the first unit in the centre of the village. The second unit will be constructed at the primary school. Access to clean and safe water is crucial for communities in the South Fly, both along the coast and inland. They often experience long dry seasons, resulting in critical water shortages that negatively impact the communities’ livelihoods and place health, food, and water security at risk. This vulnerability sometimes results in communities accessing water from unsafe sources, which can result in disease outbreaks. “I want to see a decrease in health issues arising from my people consuming contaminated water. It has affected our livelihoods for far too long, and any help and infrastructure set up to improve our access to a safe water supply and help our women and children is a win for us all,’’ said Sevese Dimen Ward Member. “My community has also taken ownership of this project, and we are keen to contribute towards Australian High Commission Port Moresby its completion”. Murr Village Chairman Sam Steven expressed gratitude towards the projects and stated that accessing clean and safe water is a fundamental need for any community, especially for women, children, and the most vulnerable members of our community. “This new infrastructure provides easy access and lessens the time and effort to get to our current water sources and back with their water containers,” Mr Steven added. After completing the installation of the rainwater harvesting units in Murr, other selected communities in the South Fly will also receive similar facilities this year. Australia and Papua New Guinea will continue to work in partnership to build and strengthen resilience to water-related disasters in the South Fly by supporting communities, including vulnerable people, to have more sustainable livelihoods, incomes, and food and water security.

BSP has confirmed that as of 1st May, 2023, seventy-five percent of funds have been repaid by customers who have overdrawn their accounts in April, with an outstanding balance of less than K2.0m expected to be repaid over the next few weeks. Further yet BSP assures all customers who have been experiencing issues with their account balance that BSP has now verified all accounts and confirms that all account balances are now correct. That’s from the BSP Group CEO Mark Robinson in a statement yesterday. According to Mr Robinson, on Friday 7th April, some customers withdrew funds from their accounts at ATMs and EFTPoS, after a technical error caused some available account balances to be incorrect. This resulted in approximately 36,000 customer accounts being overdrawn. BSP clarified that it did not deposit any funds into the impacted customer accounts. “The total amount of the outstanding overdrafts was K7.9mil.” “When this situation arose, BSP announced that customers could repay these funds without interest or penalties.” “This situation arose because of a short-lived technical issue related to our new Banking System implementation.” “I am pleased to say that our customers are fully cooperating with us when they are informed of their overdrafts and most have since repaid any outstanding amount,” Mr Robinson said. “Furthermore, I can confirm that our Banking System has not been hacked and is continuously being monitored to prevent any outside interference.” Mr. Robinson further stated that, after three weeks from the implementation of the new system, the number of technical issues impacting some of the banking services has substantially decreased, as their dedicated team of specialists and vendors prioritise the remediation of known issues and implement additional process improvement measures. “We acknowledge there will be ongoing improvements we need to make as we fine-tune our new system.” “For customers in rural areas, please reach out to the nearest BSP branch, sub- branch or Hybrid branches if you have any issues.” “Our branch teams are ready to assist customers and BSP Agents are also available to assist with basic transactions.” BSP would like to reassure customers that most of the technical issues impacting the availability and delays to banking services have been resolved, thus BSP is committed to improving its service standards. The bank further thanked customers for patience and understanding during this recent transition period to its new Banking System. To keep up to date with the availability of services, BSP encourages customers to visit the Social Media pages and the BSP Website to access the new Service Update and the Support Page to view the self-help resources.

The recent 68th UPNG graduation saw many students graduate with flying colours and amongst the graduates was a young man from the Milaku clan, Koblaku tribe in Mul Village from the Gumine district of Simbu Province. Zebedee Gore Andrew who graduated on Friday 28th April 2023, with Bachelor in MBBS (Medicine and Surgery) has an incredible story of his own struggles in his education path over the years. His biological father Jack Mila Gore was a former village councillor and a LLG President of Gumine District, and when Zebedee was just a child, his father handed him over to be under the care of his elder brother a retired PNGDF soldier who went back home and became a PNG Bible Church pastor. Zebedee was raised by Pastor Andrew and his wife through a Church background, and he started his school in Sinasina Yongamugl district, then to Pabrabuk in Western Highlands. When Pastor Andrew came back to his village in Mul, Zebedee was brought back and enrolled at the village Primary school. Zebedee duxed the Primary School back at Mul, topped the grade ten examination results and continued to year twelve in Gumine Secondary School. He was selected for Science Foundation at the University of Papua New Guinea in 2019 and after foundation year he continued his studies at the Medical Faculty doing Medicine and Surgery. On Friday 28th April 2023, Zebedee Gore Andrew joined the rest of his colleagues and graduated with a MBBS at UPNG 68th Graduation. Reflecting on his journey, Zebedee said it wasn't easy for him and he shed tears as he reflected on the struggles, he had to overcome throughout his school journey. “The last two years of my study was not easy because I lost my elder brother who was a PNGDF Soldier and the year after I lost my biological mum, I had to drag myself through the last two years of my study,” he said. “I want to thank everyone who assisted me and was there for me through my darkest years and throughout my education journey, you are all my family and above all I thank my dad, Pr Andrew for his undivided support in all aspects of my life.” Zebedee’s dad, Pr Andrew Gore was the only parent and family member who flew all the way from Simbu province to witness the graduation and stated that the highlight of his service to God was seeing his son Zebedee graduate with Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery. “I am a proud dad to Zebedee who is someone full of humility, has so much respect, positivity and he is always obedient and today he made me a proud father because of his dedication to school and to God.” Pr Andrew further stated that he is a simple servant of God and God reward his son with a Degree to serve the people of Papua New Guinea and he thanks God for that blessing. “I am a pastor serving and saving lives for Heaven and my son Zebedee is now a Doctor who will be serving and saving lives too.” Dr Zebedee Gore is now the 2nd Doctor from the Koblaku tribe in Mul Village of the Gumini District in Simbu Province after Dr Kenneth Maima. Dr Zebedee is currently attached with Goroka Provincial Hospital doing his residency.

Community policing police officers and Police officers from Gordon police station on Sunday, April 30th, paid a visit to Eight Mile Last Block Settlement and had talks with people from Chimbu and Eastern Highland who had a confrontation earlier on after an Eastern Highlander died and several houses belonging to people from Chimbu were burnt to ashes. According to NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Silva Sika, the deceased from Goroka allegedly became sick after he with someone from Chimbu some dog meat. “After his death his relatives alleged that the man died due to sorcery thus the relatives of the deceased man burnt down a number of houses belonging to Chimbu people in 8mile”. However, quick intervention by a team of Community Police under the command of Officer-In-Charge of the Community Policing Unit at Gordon, First Constable Dominic Benjamin prevented the fight from escalating further. “Community Policing Unit not only calmed the situation but further raised awareness on how police and the community can work together to address Sorcery Accusation Related Violence and other law and order problems that affects the community,” said Metsup Sika. The team also visited another ethnic group from Enga and Hela who also fought amongst themselves over the weekend after a man from Enga was found dead. According to Metsupt Sika, police are yet to establish facts surrounding his death however police are investigating the death and will take appropriate action once investigations are completed. Police boss Sika thanked the Gordon police officers for their proactive approach and for bringing policing service to the people in the settlements over the weekend. “Police presence in the settlements as well as awareness will deter crimes and prevent violence and physical confrontation and it is important to have police presence in hotspot areas.”

The Scottish-Australian chef’s death was confirmed by his family, who said they were ‘devastated’ after he died on Sunday. Jock Zonfrillo, judge on MasterChef Australia, chef and author, has died at the age of 46. His family confirmed his death on Monday, saying “our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend” died on Sunday in Melbourne. No cause of death was given. A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that the death was not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner. MasterChef Australia’s new season was due to premiere on Monday night, but Network 10 confirmed that it will not air this week. “With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,” Zonfrillo’s family said in a statement. “So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we’re too overwhelmed to put them into words. For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.” Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who was a guest on the first episode of the upcoming season of MasterChef Australia, wrote on Instagram that he was “in total shock”. “We had the best time working together for this year’s MasterChef, I can’t tell how good it was to work with him!” Oliver wrote. “Jock was very generous to me with his time and spirit in the show and for that I was really grateful … Jock will be so very missed … I can’t believe I’m writing this…….” Several former MasterChef contestants including Laura Sharrad, Sarah Tiong, Depinder Chhibber, Minoli De Silva and Reynold Poernomo paid tribute to the chef on social media, with Poernomo saying he was “shocked” by the news. “... rest in peace chef, my heart and condolences to loved ones,” he wrote on Zonfrillo’s Instagram. Chefs Colin Fassnidge, Rosheen Kaul and Dan Hong also shared their sadness. “This is devastating,” wrote Hong, while former food critic Pat Nourse described Zonfrillo’s death as “incredibly sad news”. “We’re the poorer for his passing. Truly heartbreaking,” he wrote on Instagram. Network 10 and MasterChef Australia production company Endemol Shine Australia said in a statement that they were “deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss”. Peter Newman, chief executive officer at Endemol Shine Australia, said: “On set he was loved by the team and his passion for food and the show was infectious. He was also a brilliant champion for the contestants on MasterChef, always wanting the very best for them. He will be deeply missed by the entire MasterChef team. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.” Born Barry Zonfrillo in Glasgow in 1976, Zonfrillo began working in kitchens as a dishwasher at the age of 13. He left school at 15 and started an apprenticeship at the Turnberry hotel, becoming one of its youngest-ever apprentices. Zonfrillo began working for celebrated British chef Marco Pierre White at 17, writing in his 2021 memoir Last Shot that he was homeless and addicted to heroin at the time. He was appointed head chef at Cornwall’s Tresanton hotel when he was just 22. Zonfrillo became head chef at Sydney’s Forty One in 2000, but was fired in 2002 after he set fire to an apprentice’s pants for working too slowly. Zonfrillo said it was a practical joke gone wrong. The 18-year-old apprentice, Martin Krammer, sued Zonfrillo and won $75,000 in damages in 2007. The same year, Zonfrillo declared bankruptcy. He then opened several restaurants in Adelaide, including Restaurant Orana, Street ADL, Bistro Blackwood and Nonna Mallozzi. Restaurant Orana was named Australia’s restaurant of the year by Gourmet Traveller magazine in 2018, and the following year in the Good Food Guide. It was awarded three hats in 2019 and 2020, but closed in March 2020. In 2019, he became a judge on MasterChef Australia – alongside Melissa Leong and Andy Allen – replacing the show’s original hosts Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan. Some of the stories in his memoir Last Shot were controversially disputed, with White saying that “almost everything he has written about me is untrue” in the chapters about Zonfrillo’s time in London in the 1990s. Zonfrillo’s claim that he had visited “hundreds of Indigenous communities” was also questioned. But Zonfrillo denied embellishing his life story, saying: “This is the story of my life. I’ve lived every minute of it, the highs and lows, and I stand by it.” “There’s no question that some of my book makes me look pretty unsavoury at the best of times. I carry the shame from those years, not pride, and it was a big obstacle for me to overcome when writing this book.” Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children. Source: The Guardian

Police have arrested 65 people for smuggling 50kg of drugs - some hidden in toothpaste tubes - into Vietnam.It follows last month's arrests of four Vietnam Airlines cabin crew found with the tubes in carry-on bags after a flight from Paris to Ho Chi Minh City.They said they were hired to transport 60kg of toothpaste but didn't know it was ecstasy, ketamine and cocaine. Vietnam is a major drug-trafficking hub despite having some of the harshest drug laws in the world.About half of the 327 toothpaste tubes the flight attendants were transporting contained drugs. Investigators said the women were unaware of their contents - they are currently out on bail.Police said this week that the 65 suspects had been arrested after they uncovered another six shipments of narcotics being smuggled into Vietnam via the same route.It is alleged they were directed by the same smuggling ring that hired the flight attendants.The 65 suspects are being investigated for various charges, including buying, selling, transporting and storing narcotics, local media reported.Police suspect the same syndicate often uses Vietnamese nationals studying and living in France to bring drugs into the country.Once the drugs arrive at Vietnamese airports, domestic delivery services transport them to an accomplice in Dong Nai province bordering Saigon.The drugs are then transported to multiple localities for distribution.Authorities say the amount of drugs seized via air routes into the country over the past three months has surpassed the amount of airborne drugs trafficked in the past five years combined.Ho Chi Minh City is a particularly attractive transit point for smugglers because of its proximity to neighbouring Cambodia.Those convicted in Vietnam of possessing or smuggling more than 600g of heroin or more than 2.5kg of methamphetamine face the death penalty. Production or sale of illegal narcotics above certain quantities is also punishable by death.Source: BBC

The people of the United States of America (USA) continue to show their commitment to Papua New Guinea’s development with the recent signing of funding assistance. The US through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Department of National Planning and Monitoring signed an Implementation Letter of US $20 million (PGK 71 million) for development activities in the country. The funding signifies American people’s continuous commitment to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific for sustainable, prosperous, inclusive, secure, and democratically empowered societies, thus strengthening the US-Pacific partnership even more. Secretary for the Department of National Planning and Monitoring Koney Samuel accepted the implementation letter on behalf of the Government of Papua New Guinea. At the signing event, USAID Acting Senior Developing Advisor Clay Epperson thanked Secretary Samuel for his partnership with USAID and the United States government on development activities. “USAID would like to convey our deepest appreciation of your leadership support to our development cooperation and we look forward to deepening our partnership in health, energy, and other areas.” In appreciation of the funding, Secretary Samuel added that PNG values the contribution development partners bring to complement PNG government’s effort under the Mid-Term Development Plan IV for the next 5 years. Secretary Samuel and Acting Senior Developing Advisor Epperson also discussed the ongoing projects in Papua New Guinea through USAID funding, and reflected on the increased partnership between PNG and the US. Moreover, the funding will support HIV/AIDS services for key populations in the country and electrification through USAID’s PNG Electrification Partnership (USAID-PEP).

Sinasina- Yonggamugl’s first member of parliament and Senior Statesman Sir Kobale Kale expressed gratitude towards the Marape-Rosso Government for the their leadership and vision in making Papua New Guinea (PNG) the Black Richest Nation and to Take Back PNG, through the Agriculture Sector. Sir Kobale was member for the district in the Simbu Province in the colonial House of Assembly from 1972 -1975; he is one of the last standing founding fathers of this nation who played a very vital role in the formation of the country’s independence. When PNG gained Independence in 1975, Sir Kobale continued out the remainder of his term from 1975 through to 1977 as the first member for Sinasina- Yonggamugl after Independence in the National Parliament. Sir Kobale was also Minister for Education during his term in parliament. He stated that despite the criticisms made by many Papua New Guineans on social media platforms in regards to the high cost of living being experienced today, they fail to see that the Marape-Rosso Government is the government that will revive and bring back stability in the economic development of this nation. Sir Kobale highlighted that agriculture is the vehicle to drive the country’s economy forward at a time where the COVID Pandemic, Russo-Ukraine War and Climate Change are having so much impact on the economy and the livelihoods of the people of this nation. “The agriculture sector has always been around since the ancestral time and even today it remains the main part of every life,” he said. “I never thought that I would live to see different ministries being created by any government of the day until Marape-Rosso government.” “The creation of the new ministries such as Ministry of Coffee, Ministry of Oil Palm, Ministry of Livestock and Ministry of Agriculture itself with the distribution of functions, is a milestone decision and achievement made to improve and recover the economy downfall, and the people of this nation need to realize this,” said Sir Kobale. He said that this is so because according to the World Banks Report, March 4th 2022; Agricultural production continued to be constant during the pandemic despite falls in the gold and LNG production. In that report Stefano Mocci, who is the World Bank Country Manager for PNG, stated that there is potential growth in the agriculture sector because it was not impacted much by the pandemic than the other sectors, which also reflected the additional government financial support to small –medium enterprise during the pandemic. Sir Kobale also expressed great satisfaction that agriculture industry is given priority in this government and he urges all ministries to support local farmers and SME owners in the agriculture sector, so to see them expand with the aim of reaching the world export markets.

Brisbane host South Sydney on Friday night looking to make it three wins in a row against their rivals with Adam Reynolds to clash against his former club for the second time in his career. The Broncos produced two wins over the Rabbitohs in 2022 including a Reynolds masterclass at Accor Stadium that left many pondering whether it was the right move by the Bunnies to let him go. However, with almost 12 months passing to the day it's fair to say both parties would be relatively pleased with how things have turned out ahead of this match. The Rabbitohs scored a crucial win against defending champions Penrith last week while the Broncos produced a first-half masterclass to beat 2022 runners-up Parramatta and continue their dominance on top of the Telstra Premiership ladder. With both sides deemed premiership contenders in 2023, a blockbuster match at Suncorp Stadium makes it one of the must-watch battles of the round. Source: NRL.Com

The Teachers Personal Emolument Budget Framework Workshop commenced yesterday Monday 24th April in Port Moresby to capture teachers’ salaries and allowances in the budget. TSC Commissioner Operations Mr. Mike Maini Ugaia said that this is because the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has observed that the annual budgets only cover teachers’ salaries, but not their allowances; therefore, the workshop aims to minimize overflows as experienced in teacher Personnel Emoluments. TSC Chairman Mr. Samson Wangihomie stated that they hope to capture all the Personnel Emoluments including allowances, leave and the budget framework for the Provinces during the workshop. “Additionally, we should include unpaid salaries, allowances and leave entitlements,” he said. The first group that is attending the workshop is from the New Guinea Islands (NGI) Region. The Highlands Region will be next, followed by Momase and the Southern Regions. The Treasury Department and the TSC are co-hosting the Teachers Personnel Emoluments Framework and Budget Workshop. This workshop will end on the 05th of May.

“Street boys and girls who think there is no better life can turn to sports to change their lives.” That’s from Wild West Kickboxing Club Coach Bradley Nai. He told PNG HAUSBUNG that one sport that comes with strict discipline is kickboxing, and through kickboxing one can change and leave behind bad habits. “Kick boxing is like a religion, it changes individuals inside out, instils strict discipline and can clear your mind and free your spirit from whatever that has being holding you captive, in terms of bad habit and bad behavioural conduct.” Bradley who started his kickboxing career back in 2015 under Coach Nelson Samson at the Bomana CIS Gym stated that out of the 8 biggest fights he took part his has won 7 and drew 1. “I am a strong fighter, and my dream is to represent PNG in the World challenge one day.” “All this is achieved was through strict discipline, and I train every day to keep myself fit,” he added. After starting off his kick boxing career at Bomana CIS Gym in 2015, under Nelson Samuel, he went on to join the Desert Storm club, and later joined Team Gunapo at 9mile under Thomas Kagili. It was whilst journeying through these clubs he proved himself to be one of the best fighters winning all the fights he took part in. “One of my highlights was when I took out one of Mr Stanley Nandex’s student at a challenge at Sports Inn in Round 1 only,” he added with a smile. Bradley said his interest and passion for the sports has further led him to take up the responsibility to teach the younger generation including street youths’ martial arts. “I have helped to train kids and youths at Koki Fitness centre and also at Gordons Pilipino basketball complex.” Over the years he realised that he was coaching and training kids and youths and it was his hope to one day be given the chance to coach and train youth from Enga. “One of the brother Nelson Walen, who is also a kick boxer and from the same area in Enga opened up Wild West Kickboxing club at Hohola.” “I grabbed the opportunity with both hands, coaching kickboxing to youths from Enga, especially boys from Laiagam, Surunki and Porgera,” said Bradley. Bradley added that the Wild West Kickboxing club at Hohola, Port Moresby is a brand-new club and are now opening doors and invitations to young kids from 15 years up as well as those who are aimlessly squandering to come learn kick boxing.