National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop has renewed his call for Port Moresby residents to prioritise their health and wellbeing following the recent World Population Day 2026 commemoration, which also marked the return of the Walk and Yoga for Life program.Held on July 19 from Sir Hubert Murray Stadium to Ela Beach, hundreds of participants took part in the first community walk since the program was suspended in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Governor Parkop said the revival of the walk was an important step towards encouraging healthier lifestyles while solidifying community unity in the nation's capital.He urged residents to view good health as an investment, saying personal wellbeing is essential to achieving success in education, business, employment, and family life."Your health is your wealth.”He encouraged people to incorporate simple physical activities such as walking into their daily routines.The Governor also stressed the role of the weekly Walk and Yoga for Life program in bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, creating a stronger sense of belonging and shared responsibility for the city. “It's very important that we have a platform by which we come together so we can feel a sense of community.”“There are so many tribes, so many clans, and so many cultures. How do we interact? How do we have a sense of community? This program is for health, fitness and wellness, but importantly it's for us as a city to come together.”He acknowledged the continued support of the Active City team and other partners for promoting health and wellness in Port Moresby.Governor Parkop encouraged more residents to participate in the free weekly fitness activities, saying maintaining an active lifestyle would help improve both individual wellbeing and the overall health of the community.

Pacific Reinsurance Corporation (Pacific RE) has celebrated its continued growth, strengthened partnerships and expanding role in the Pacific insurance market during its third annual cocktail evening held in Port Moresby last evening.Pacific RE Chairman Joe Krammer welcomed stakeholders, partners, board members and guests at the event, acknowledging their support in helping the company grow into the region’s only homegrown reinsurer.Krammer said Pacific RE had come a long way, crediting long-serving directors and management for their contribution in revitalising the organisation.He also announced the renewal of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lolesh Sharma’s contract for another three years, describing him as an important part of Pacific RE’s ongoing success.“We are very fortunate to have him, and he is going to remain with us for the next three years,”Pacific RE CEO Lolesh Sharma said the annual cocktail evening had grown from a small gathering between the company’s board, management and local stakeholders into a major networking event for the Pacific insurance and reinsurance sector.This year’s event recorded around 120 attendees, almost double the number from Pacific RE’s first year.Sharma welcomed global reinsurance brokers Guy Carpenter and Aon Re from Sydney, along with long-term retrocession partners Korean Re and Odyssey Re, who have supported Pacific RE for more than two decades.He said Pacific RE’s unique position brought together underwriters, insurers, brokers and regulators, creating opportunities for greater collaboration and knowledge sharing across the industry.Sharma highlighted Pacific RE’s commitment to innovation, particularly in parametric insurance products designed to support communities affected by climate-related risks.He said Pacific RE, in partnership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund and the Development Bank of Tuvalu, launched its first tide-based parametric insurance product for fishermen in Tuvalu earlier this year.He also revealed that under the PNG Parametric Program, in partnership with Women’s Micro Bank and PMMI, payments had recently been made to 4,800 beneficiaries affected by drought conditions across Central, Gulf, Morobe and Milne Bay provinces.Sharma said there was significant potential for parametric insurance products to support Papua New Guinea’s informal sector in the future.He also emphasized the company’s growing confidence among insurers, noting a major increase in business placements.“Five years ago, we would receive three to four Facultative reinsurance (FAC) offers per week, or sometimes per month. Now, we receive three to four FAC offers per day.”Sharma said the growth reflected increasing trust and confidence in Pacific RE as the Pacific’s only 100 percent Papua New Guinea-owned and operated reinsurer.He encouraged stakeholders to continue working together to strengthen the region’s insurance sector.The evening concluded with networking, food and cultural showcases featuring Pacific cuisine, celebrating Pacific RE’s journey and its vision for the future.

Papua New Guinea's rapidly growing population is placing increasing pressure on the country's health system, with more women experiencing unplanned pregnancies and hospitals struggling to cope with rising demand.Speaking during a World Population Day panel discussion with Marie Stopes PNG at the University of Papua New Guinea's Waigani Campus, Dr Glen Mola, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Head of Reproductive Health at the University of Papua New Guinea School of Medicine, said Port Moresby General Hospital has seen the number of women seeking maternity care more than triple over the past five decades."Last year alone, more than 17,000 women came to our labour ward for safe, supervised births.”"When I began my medical training in the 1970s, we were seeing only about 5,000 to 6,000 women a year. The demand has continued to grow, placing enormous pressure on the health system."Dr. Mola, said while births temporarily stabilized after the introduction of post-delivery family planning services through a partnership with Marie Stopes PNG, numbers have increased again over the past five years due to continued population growth and migration into the capital.He said many pregnancies remain unplanned, particularly among young people.According to Dr. Mola, around 10 per cent of women giving birth at Port Moresby General Hospital are teenagers who are still attending school, while between 30 and 40 per cent of pregnancies among women in their twenties are also unplanned.Research conducted at the hospital found that approximately half of the women attending one of its reproductive health clinics reported their pregnancy was unplanned.Dr. Mola said Papua New Guinea must begin changing its traditional thinking about family size, noting that large families, once important for farming, community labour and survival, are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain in modern society."The cost of raising and educating children today is much higher than it was in the past.”He estimated that educating one child from primary school through university can cost families between K100,000 and K200,000."Parents need to understand the commitment they make when they have children. Every child deserves proper education, healthcare and opportunities to succeed."Dr. Mola also warned that the increasing population is stretching hospitals beyond capacity, with pregnant women sometimes forced to sleep on floors while waiting for beds because maternity wards are full."The health service is not coping.”Beyond the financial burden, he said inadequate family planning contributes to wider social challenges, including school dropouts, youth unemployment, gender-based violence and child neglect.Additionally, Dr. Mola said healthcare workers regularly treat survivors of sexual violence, including very young children, describing such cases as some of the grimmest aspects of his work.Family planning should not be viewed as limiting families, but as ensuring every child is wanted, healthy and given the best chance to succeed.

Two Papua New Guinean developing artists are calling for greater investment in the country's music industry after taking part in the Musik Blok program in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province describing the experience as life-changing and a major step towards building professional careers in music.Philip Kasibuda Kurina known by his artist name, Kazibuda and Brendan Lahui were among the first participants selected for the pilot music school, founded by PNG artist Ngaiire, which aims to mentor and develop aspiring musicians, songwriters and creatives.Lahui said he discovered the opportunity through TikTok and admitted he initially expected only a few lessons before returning home, instead, he found a well-structured program that exceeded his expectations."I thought we would just go there, learn a few things and come back, but it was much more than I expected,” he said. "The program had structured daily sessions and gave us valuable knowledge about the music industry."Kazibuda added that the program covered every stage of music production, from song writing and recording to understanding how a song becomes a finished track and the participants also received mentorship from experienced industry professionals and learned valuable life skills beyond music."We learned how to create music from the beginning, how to write songs and also how to navigate the music journey. It wasn't just about music; it was also about life and reality.”One of the biggest lessons, the pair said, was understanding intellectual property rights and how artists can earn royalties from their work.He explained that many local artists are unaware of these opportunities because of the limited professional development available within PNG's music industry."We learned about intellectual property and royalties, which many artists in PNG don't really know about.”Inspired by the experience, both artists hope to give back to the next generation by creating opportunities for young musicians and encouraging more creative spaces across the country.Lahui said the program had changed how he viewed his future as an artist."I've always wanted to make music, but work and financial challenges made it difficult, this program gave me the break I've been looking for.”The artists also believe technology, including artificial intelligence, will continue to shape the music industry but say authentic human creativity will always remain important.Lahui emphasized that AI follows algorithms, while musicians bring emotion, originality, and authenticity to their work."We can't stop technology, but human creativity steps outside the box in ways AI cannot.”Both individuals are now urging the Government, private sector and industry stakeholders to invest more in initiatives such as Musik Blok to help develop PNG's growing creative sector.Kazibuda stressed that the country has enormous untapped musical talent but lacks the support systems needed for artists to succeed."I would appreciate it if the Government, businesses and individuals worked together to support more initiatives like this and create more opportunities for young creatives.”Lahui echoed the call, saying Musik Blok had given him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and hoped the program would continue to expand so more aspiring musicians could benefit in the future.

Schools in Central Province have been advised to introduce temporary measures to manage water shortages as dry conditions continue to affect learning environments.Central Provincial Education Advisor Aeva Omuru said schools experiencing water shortages may close classes earlier each day, provided students are given homework to make up for the lost afternoon lessons."They have written in seeking permission for early closure of classes each day. We have advised them to do that. Before they send the children home, there must be homework given to cover the afternoon classes.”He said the Education Division is also encouraging schools to use their Government Tuition Fee Subsidy (GTFS) funds to purchase additional water tanks for students and staff.Schools located in areas accessible by road have also been encouraged to buy water carts to refill their tanks when needed.However, Mr. Omuru acknowledged that finding solutions for more remote schools remains a challenge."Those further out, we still haven't come up with what type of actions we are going to take, depending on their situation. Some might be close to rivers. As we go along, we will decide.”He urged schools to continue reporting any challenges they face so the Education Division can assess each situation and provide appropriate support."Whatever issues the schools are facing, they report to us and we make a decision to address those as we go along.”The measures come as education authorities prepare for the impacts of dry weather conditions linked to El Niño, with schools looking at practical ways to maintain learning while ensuring students have access to safe water.

Lightspeed PNG, a locally registered communications and digital infrastructure provider and authorized Starlink reseller recently rolled out its first community deployment under its Pacific Connect Foundation initiative in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.The setup, which took place at Tubusereia Junior High School in Central Province, replaces older satellite equipment which could not match the lower latency and higher performance of Starlink.Lightspeed PNG CEO Richard Broadbridge, during the installation, stated that this marked one of the early school partnerships for Lightspeed PNG.Additionally, such a service can support other community institutions. “This is designed to support schools, health centres, police stations, and so forth.”“Lightspeed PNG provides Starlink hardware and a managed service, including firewall protection, with no upfront equipment cost for schools.”Estimated contribution is at around K10,000 per installation, while participating institutions cover ongoing service and data costs of about K600 per month.A defining feature of the initiative is what Broadbridge describes as “clean internet,” where access is filtered to block adult content and restrict social media use in order to prioritize learning for students.He encouraged students to use the internet as a tool for education, stressing opportunities to access learning platforms, research tools, and emerging technologies such as AI for creative and academic development.Lightspeed became the first reseller in the Pacific following PNG’s Starlink licensing in 2024 and has been in the digital space for over a decade.

Director: Aaron Horvath, Michael JelenicCast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, Brie LarsonRating: PG | Genre(s): Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy | Run Time: 1hr 38minGREAT FOR NOSTALGIA – OCCASSIONALLY CORNY“Straight out of Illumination Studios, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) delivers vibrant animation and nostalgic game call-backs, but ultimately leans on familiar storytelling and formulaic structure, making it more of a visually enjoyable experience than a narratively bold one.”Mario (Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day), Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) and Yoshi (Donald Glover) must journey across various planets in the galaxy after Rosalina (Brie Larson) – Guardian of the Cosmos – got abducted by Bowser Jr (Benny Safdie).The film’s plot is simple and fairly easy to comprehend through its usage of the classic damsel-in-distress trope – but with a twist. Pacing was slow during close up interactions between Peach and Mario, resulting in the scenes feeling more of a bore than emotionally charged. In terms of originality, Princess Peach taking initiative to be the primary rescuer was a fresh change from outdated stereotypes in film. Overall, the movie still retains formulaic storytelling.The Super Mario Galaxy Movie features iconic tracks from the original games (arranged by Brian Tyler) woven into adapted scenes to evoke a strong sense of nostalgia among viewers. Titles such as Overworld Theme (Ground Theme) remixed into an orchestral score, are utilized rather than pop music. This results in a more immersive and game faithful landscape.Bowser Jr was underwhelming as a villain, despite getting a strong start. There was potential for him to be written into a much stronger antagonist. The drawback occurred when he was given an empathetic and cheesy backstory shifting the focusing to a cliché father-wound rather than putting more emphasis on him and Bowser’s naïve ambitions of power. Ultimately, Bowser Jr’s character suffers from poorly handled development.Overall, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) brings a visually vibrant and musically rich adaptation of Nintendo’s beloved franchise, effectively capturing the charm and energy of the original games. While its animation, soundtrack, and world-building stand out as clear strengths, the film struggles with uneven pacing and a reliance on cliché storytelling structures that diminish its narrative impact. Some character arcs, particularly Bowser Jr.’s, feel underdeveloped, preventing the film from reaching its full emotional or thematic potential. Nevertheless, nostalgic references and strong visual design help keep the experience engaging for fans.Final Verdict:A colourful and reminiscent space adventure elevated by striking animation and iconic soundtracks but held back by formulaic storytelling and inconsistent character development. Enjoyable for fans, but not groundbreaking.★★★⯪☆ (3.5/5)

Director: Patrick HughesCast: Alan Ritchson, Dennis Quaid, Stephan James, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, Keiynan Lonsdale, Daniel WebberRating: R (U.S.) | Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller | Run Time: 1hr 47min“From military exercise to a fight for survival.”A military staffer, called 81 (Alan Ritchson), is tasked with leading his team to pass a military exercise but encounters an extraterrestrial force determined to hunt them down.War Machine is a military survival thriller that explores themes of leadership under pressure, survival, team loyalty, trauma, and sacrifice. What begins as personal ambition for 81 eventually develops into a coordinated effort that requires 81 to set aside his individual agenda for a greater mission at hand, while accepting the harsh reality that despite best efforts, not everyone survives. Overall, it is about mental survival rather than just physical.The film’s defining feature would be the concept of training-turned battle. Unlike most military films that start off in a warzone, War Machine takes a different approach, putting rookies and very few experienced fighters into an unexpected gritty situation. Additionally, the characters must battle an enemy that is not even human. Ultimately, the shift from military drama to sci-fi horror gives a distinctive touch.Computer Generate Imagery (CGI) appears more artificial than realistic in certain scenes. This is especially exhibited during transit sequences, in which military helicopters seem more like raw 3D models because of unrealistic textures and occasionally movement. Although the CGI quality is above average, it falls short of blockbuster standards.War Machine succeeds in delivering a tense, engaging survival story, that stands out due to its departure from conventional introduction-to-war stories. The film balances military realism and science fiction horror, creating sustained suspense while exploring the psychological weight of leadership, sacrifice, and trauma, although CGI does weaken immersion into the story.Final Verdict:War Machine is a blend of military thriller and sci-fi horror that succeeds more through its unique storytelling aspects and character development than its visual effects.★★★⯪☆ (3.5/5)

A shortage of teacher housing remains the biggest challenge facing Tubusereia Junior High School in Central Province, despite steady progress in developing infrastructure and improving learning facilities.Headmaster Mr. Nelson Kwagwi said the school, established as a Junior High in 2024 under Papua New Guinea's 1-6-6 education reform, has grown to 485 students with 12 teachers and is now in its third year of operation."We all started together when the school was established, and this is now our third year.”He said while the school has successfully established specialist facilities such as science, practical skills and home economics classrooms, accommodation for teachers remains a critical issue."Only about three teachers are accommodated within the school. The rest are renting outside, and that creates challenges.”Kwagwi explained that housing difficulties contribute to teacher absenteeism, as some staff struggle with rental costs and commuting.He said the school has already lost several teachers, placing additional pressure on those who remain."If teachers are properly accommodated at the school, we can minimize many of these problems. Teacher housing must be a priority because it directly affects classroom learning and students' academic performance.”The school currently caters for students from Grades 7 to 10 with eight classes and maintains a near-equal enrolment of boys and girls.Kwagwi said the school has also strengthened its learning environment by establishing an ICT laboratory and restoring internet access through a new Starlink service after its previous agreement expired.He added that student attendance remains strong despite staffing challenges."Our students continue to come to school every day. Their interest in learning is still high, and we want to ensure we continue providing quality education.”On disaster preparedness, Kwagwi said the school had already experienced the effects of El Niño through water shortages and has put measures in place to ensure water remains available for students and staff.The school plans to refill water tanks regularly, reduce outdoor activities during prolonged dry periods and prioritize the health and wellbeing of students and teachers throughout the dry season.Kwagwi said the school also welcomed the construction of a new multipurpose hall from BSP, which will complement existing facilities and further improve the learning environment for students.In regard to GTFS, the school has received both its first and second quarters, which was approximately K70, 000 for each term.

Tubusereia Junior High School in Central Province is set to receive a new multipurpose hall following a ground-breaking ceremony led by Bank South Pacific (BSP) under its ‘50 for 50 Givim Back’ initiative.The project is one of fifty community initiatives being funded by BSP to commemorate Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary.Speaking at the ceremony, BSP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Robinson said the initiative allows BSP staff to give back to their home communities through projects that create lasting benefits.He said the Tubusereia project was nominated by BSP employees from the village, where more than 30 staff members originate, making the school one of the first recipients of the program.“Through this initiative, we are investing over K2.5 million back into communities.”“To date, we have seventeen out of fifty initiatives that are approved underway.”For Tubusereia Junior High School, the donation arrives at a critical juncture. School Board Chairman Kora Nou explained that the institution has faced severe infrastructure challenges since being formally recognized as a junior high school three years ago.He described BSP’s intervention as a crucial milestone toward elevating learning conditions for the students.He also acknowledged the Australian government for approving funding for the school’s perimeter fencing and thanked other partners who have contributed to the school’s development.Headmaster Nelson Kwagwi, echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude to BSP, on behalf of the students, teachers, parents, and the wider Tubusereia community.He noted that BSP is the first corporate organization to step forward and help turn the school’s long-term vision into a reality.The project has also garnered strong local government backing. Member for Hiri-Koiari, Keith Iduhu welcomed the partnership, announcing a K50, 000 district contribution towards the project.He said collaboration between the private sector, government, and local communities, was essential to meeting the growing infrastructure needs of schools and improving education outcomes.The new multipurpose hall is expected to provide students with a dedicated space for assemblies, replacing the open area where they have gathered since the school's establishment.

Director: Craig GillespieCast: Milly Alcock, Jason Momoa, Eve Ridley, Matthias Schoenaerts, David Krumholtz, Emily BeechamRating: PG-13 | Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy | Run Time: 1hr 48minEMOTIONALLY CHARGED BUT RELIES HEAVILY ON ESTABLISHED LORE“DC’s Supergirl (2026) is power-charged superhero film with lessons on humanity and revenge.”Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) teams up with Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley) after Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts) murders Ruthye’s entire family and poisons Kara’s animal companion.The film blends a quest narrative with the urgency of a race against time, using Kara's mission to explore themes of resilience, revenge, and renewal. What began as a mission motivated by desperation and revenge gradually becomes a journey of self-discovery, revealing that true strength lies in forgiveness and not retribution. Overall, the story is less about saving the world than it is with confronting loss, embracing one's identity, and choosing compassion in the face of unimaginable pain.Millie Alcock delivers a solid and comic-accurate portrayal of Supergirl. Introduced as an alcohol-loving yet emotionally repressed hero, Kara deals with profound feelings of displacement after witnessing the destruction of Krypton. Rather than letting trauma define her, she demonstrates that true heroism lies in not in defeating enemies but in preserving one's compassion despite immense pain. As a result, Alcock captures the emotional depth and maturity that define Supergirl's acclaimed comic-book arc.Although Supergirl is clearly designed for a broad audience, its reliance on established comic-book lore may leave first-time viewers confused. Elements such as the different coloured suns that determine Kryptonians' powers, as well as the numerous planets and civilizations within the DC Universe, receive limited explanation and instead assume some prior familiarity with the source material. For long-time comic fans, these details enhance the film's world-building and reward existing knowledge. For newcomers, however, they may occasionally create moments of misunderstanding. Ultimately, the film's faithful adaptation to its comic-book origins is both a strength and a limitation, depending on the viewer's familiarity with the DC Universe.The film's reliance on the audience's familiarity with the DC Universe may prove to be a stumbling block for newcomers. However, for long-time fans, its faithful use of comic-book lore enhances the world-building and makes the adaptation all the more rewarding.Final Verdict:An emotionally charged and largely comic-book faithful adaptation, Supergirl successfully balances thrilling action with heartfelt character development. While its heavy reliance on established DC lore may leave some new watchers behind, its performances, mature themes, and faithful portrayal of Kara Zor-El make it a rewarding experience for both fans and audiences seeking a more character-driven superhero story.★★★⯪☆ (3.5/5)

Asian Community Day is happening today, Saturday June 27th, 2026, as part of a broader vision to build a more inclusive, diverse and liveable Port Moresby.Speaking at the launch, National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop said the celebration builds on the success of last year’s 50th Independence anniversary cultural program and the recent Pacific Community Day, bringing together Papua New Guineans and members of the Asian community to celebrate their shared contribution to the nation's development.Governor Parkop said Asian communities have played an important role in Papua New Guinea’s growth, contributing to business, infrastructure, tourism, education and healthcare, and deserve recognition for their long-standing partnership with the country.He said the event is not only about celebrating culture but also about strengthening social cohesion by fostering a greater sense of belonging among all communities that call Port Moresby home.“Our goal is to maintain Port Moresby as an inclusive city where people from all backgrounds can live, work, do business and raise their families together.”He said diversity has always been one of Papua New Guinea’s greatest strengths, with more than 800 languages and thousands of cultural groups, making inclusion a key part of the city’s future development.Asian Community Day will feature cultural performances, traditional cuisine, exhibitions and entertainment from the Filipino, Indian, Malaysian, Chinese and Bangladesh communities, alongside performances by local artists and guest performers from the Philippines and Indonesia.NCD Governor said the event also supports NCDC’s “Amazing Port Moresby” initiative, which aims to create a safer, more welcoming and family-friendly capital through community events that bring people together.He encouraged residents to attend the free public event and celebrate the cultural diversity that continues to shape Papua New Guinea and its capital city.