Morobe province

Morobe Governor Kasiga Kelly Naru was the official guest who cut the ribbon with three other senior employees, witnessed by the business communities and stakeholders.

"I congratulate Brian Bell for the business confidence it has in Lae with the mammoth store. Lae is the business hub and that is the reason why Brian Bell rose from the ashes," Naru said.

Three senior employees were invited to cut the ribbon with the Governor.

Ume Ahi, Julie Usatwen and Sheila Gori served more than 20 years each with Brian Bell.

All these follow the spike in revenue by 16 percent to $374 million (K1.1 billion), compared to the previous quarter.

According to mining.com, the world’s fifth largest producer of minerals halved its net debt from US$74 million to US$38 million, after paying a dividend of US$16 million, and has raised the prospect it could be debt-free by the beginning of the 2017 calendar year.

First two talents on site are two beautiful girls, no older than 10 years old.

Beverly Komnapi, 9, is of Chimbu and Sepik parentage, and Rhona Vulupindi, 8, is from West New Britain, Gulf, Central and Western Province.

They've danced before at their school, St Mary’s primary, but have decided to try out singing for the Yu Em Khax audition.

"We love singing, we sing at home every time but this will be our first tryout for a competition and we are looking forward to auditioning," they both said.

Two other suspects escaped when Omili Police intercepted and proceeded to the location.

Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jnr said the suspect had been serving time at Buyevi Correctional Services in the Southern Highlands for rape and attempted murder.

Apart from being wanted for rape and attempted murder, the suspect is also wanted for the murder of a high school student two years ago in Lae.

He will be formally arrested and charged after receiving medical treatment at the Angau Memorial Hospital.

The Friday event was far better than the fundraising last year.

Mapai Transport was the main sponsor of the charity event. Their partnership with Oil Search successfully brought the event to the Morobe capital. 

The Oil Search Daffodil Golf Challenge is the longest running charity golf event for the past 14 years.

Mapai owner Jacob Luke applauded those who stood by him and thanked those new companies who have joined in sponsorship in cash and kind, including, Badili Hardware, Casa Supermarket, Labu Holdings, Motorist Discount Centre and Toby Coffee.

Thanks to the Ginigoada Bisnis Development Foundation, 82 females and 68 males will graduate in business studies and awareness skills at the village hall in two days' time.

The participants’ ages range from 14 to 67 years old.

The oldest of the lot, Nari Kamdring, told Loop PNG that after attending the two-week course, she is determined to start her own business.

“One highlight I learnt was to have a goal in any form of business you do. Only that will drive your business successfully.”

Police said the male foreigner of Asian origin was in the company of a married couple, who arranged for the sexual penetration of a 15 - year old girl.

According to police reports, the middle-aged Asian sexually penetrated the girl from Salamaua LLG in the Morobe Province after she was arranged by her uncle and his wife.

It was alleged that the victim was taken into town by the couple in the pretext of looking after her and help her with some cash.

The Asian suspect sexually penetrated the victim five times within two days last year.

The headmaster of Kabwum High School in Kabwum district was attacked by male students and escaped by boat to Lae with his family.

According to police reports, the male students were upset because the headmaster was allegedly going around with the school girls.

Rural coordinator of police in the province, Chief Inspector David Warap, says the principal has not reported to them yet.

"We don't know where the principal is after escaping from Kabwum.

The LLG is situated in the Tewai Siassi district of Morobe Province.

Yasing revealed that the 2013 – 2014 LLG service improvement program grants of K500,000 were disbursed but the grants are still parked at the district treasury operating account or must have been misused.

“Wasu is in bad condition. There is completely no funding for Wasu LLG to operate.

Noel Tumpi, a detective senior constable, OIC Airport Police at Nadzab, says this festive period should be taken as a time of reflection.

Tumpi challenged on people to evaluate themselves and see if they have  achieved an aim or objective.

He says as a policeman he is challenged to be mindful of the years clocking away and working to achieve something that is reflective of the life span of his career.