This Saturday the 19th November is the annual Mountain Dew National Dance Championship, to be held at Sir John Guise Indoor Sports Stadium. The event will see more than 20 teams compete for cash and prizes to the value of K15,000 and to also be crowned the best dance crew in Papua New Guinea. The competition has grown so much in popularity since the last competition that a bigger venue was needed for this year. “We held the last event at Southside Fitness Center and the turnout was amazing, so we knew that this time we had to make it bigger and better” Everett Chue, Director of Pacific Industries said. “Sir John Guise will be a great location for this year, we can fit more people in to watch and with it being indoors we don’t need to worry about the weather causing any problems.” PNG’s premier dance group “Wan Squad” have also held 6 dance workshops in the lead up to this event to get the dancers prepared for the competition, as well as working on a “mega group” routine featuring Wan Squad. “That routine is really going to be quite the spectacle; it will be close to a hundred dancers and with Wan Squad also involved it’s going to be something pretty special” Mr Chue said. “We’d love everyone to come down on Saturday to check it out” The event starts at 12pm Saturday at Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium, entry is K2 with all proceeds to be donated to charity.

A gospel singer turned politician has been sentenced for ordering her children to kill her pastor husband in a case which has shocked Brazil. A court sentenced ex-Congresswoman Flordelis dos Santos de Souza to 50 years in jail for the murder of her husband, pastor Anderson do Carmo. She planned the shooting after attempts to poison him had failed, prosecutors said. Her lawyer said she would appeal against the conviction. The court said that the length of the sentence reflected the "hatred, cold-bloodedness and disrespect for human life" de Souza had demonstrated by having her husband shot dead at the home the two shared with the dozens of street children they had adopted. Two of de Souza's sons are already serving time for the pastor's murder and a daughter was also found guilty on Sunday. Evangelical power couple Flordelis dos Santos de Souza was 32 when she met the teenage Anderson do Carmo in 1993. She had just separated from her previous husband and was looking after her three biological children as well as five street children she had taken in. According to one of her adoptive sons who gave testimony at the trial, do Carmo, who was still underage, moved in with the family as another adoptive son. However, his adoption was never made official and in 1998, the 21-year-old do Carmo married de Souza. The couple continued taking in street children and in total looked after 55 children over the years. Do Carmo became a charismatic church leader and de Souza's career as a gospel singer prospered after her first album was launched in 2010. Together, they founded an evangelical church named Flordelis Evangelical Ministry which drew thousands of faithful to its services. In 2018, de Souza ran for Congress and won a seat in the lower house, further enhancing her celebrity status. A crime which shocked Brazil But when do Carmo's body was found in June 2019 riddled with more than 30 bullets at their home in Nitéroi, outside Rio de Janeiro, disturbing details of life at the family residence began to emerge. One of de Souza's biological sons, Flávio dos Santos Rodrigues, and one of the couple's adopted sons, Lucas Cézar dos Santos Souza, were arrested just hours after the killing. The former originally told police he had fired six shots at his stepfather, but later recanted. The latter confessed to buying the murder weapon. Both were found guilty of murder last year and are in jail. Many of those who gave evidence at their trial and that of de Souza spoke of how de Souza and do Carmo would row over who should have control over the couple's considerable income. One of their adoptive sons testified that "he kept more of the money because he paid the bills and looked after the upkeep of the house, my mum kept the rest for her personal use". It is not clear when their relationship began to sour, but at her trial, the gospel singer was also found guilty of at least six failed attempts to poison her husband. While de Souza maintained that she loved her husband and denied orchestrating his killing, she did accuse him of abusing her and other members of her family. "It's very difficult for me to speak [about this] but [what happened] is down to the abuses that happened within my home," she told the court amid tears. Highlighting the fact that many of the shots fired against the pastor on the night of his murder were aimed "at a region close to his genitals" and that he "suffered immensely until he died", the court imposed a 50-year sentence. There were emotional scenes in the courtroom with de Souza's new boyfriend crying bitterly upon hearing the sentence but a lawyer for do Carmo's family said he was satisfied justice had been done. One of Flordelis de Souza's biological daughters, Simone dos Santos Rodrigues, was also found guilty of involvement in do Carmo's murder and sentenced to 31 years. Source: BBC 

The Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF) Facilitating Unit (PFU) will be hosting the Pacific Heads of Education Systems (PHES) Steering Committee (SC) meeting from November 21-23 offering important opportunities for face-to-face discussion after a lapse of two years. “The PHES -SC members have had to meet virtually as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the return of the meeting format to face-to-face this year allows for our regional members to come together and have meaningful talanoa,” said PFU Coordinator Mr Filipe Jitoko. PHES-SC members from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Island, Federated States of Micronesia, and Tuvalu will be in Suva, Fiji, for the meeting, while Niue will attend virtually. The meeting will involve presentations and valuable discussions around topics relating to education in the region, more specifically, the progress of the first phase of PacREF activities, the upcoming Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) and other PHES matters. The first two days will be closed for PHES-SC members only. For the remaining two days, there will be presentations from PacREF Implementing Agencies, including the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Educational Quality and Assessment Programme, The University of the South Pacific (USP) Technical and Further Education (Pacific TAFE), USP’s Discipline of Education, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and group discussions. “We look forward and hope that the PHES-SC members will have some robust discussions during the two sessions to reset directions on the PacREF programme and find innovative ways to further strengthen regional collaboration and connection among countries and partners.” Mr Jitoko added. A Steering Committee with membership based on a Troika arrangement is mandated by the PHES to make decisions in relation to the PacREF in between PHES meetings. The composition of the Troika is the current chair of PHES, the immediate past chair and the next chair. The other two members are selected from the smaller Island states group and from a sub-region that is not represented in the Troika. The PHES-SC is convened jointly by UNESCO and USP through the PFU.

Partnering together as YWAM launch the YWAM MS Dental Trailer pilot outreach program a team of dentists from YWAM Medical Ships visited Sevese Morea Primary School in NCD to perform a number of dental health procedures. Many children were unable to concentrate in class due to pain and were previously unable to receive dental care. The dental team performed examinations, cleanings, restorations, fluoride treatments, and extractions as needed on the students to look after their smiles. All students in all grade levels received oral health and nutrition education, empowering them to take care of their oral health and overall health. Additionally, students received Colgate Bright Smiles packs including toothbrushes and toothpaste. Over 5 full days - 132 students received treatment - 232 dental procedures were provided - 400 students received oral health education This pilot outreach was created to establish the best process and procedures for the program with a goal for the program to be rolled out to more Port Moresby schools in the future. We are thrilled to be able to support this program and we look forward to continuing this partnership further in 2023. Credit: Sir Brian Bell Foundation

The Kiwi Ferns have marched into their sixth-consecutive World Cup Final with a 20-6 win over tournament hosts England in York on Tuesday (AEDT). After leading by just two points at half-time, Apii Nicholls and Mele Hufanga led a second-half charge to ensure the Kiwi Ferns continued their remarkable run of playing in every World Cup final since the tournament's inception in 2000. After a Nicholls knock-on handed the hosts early field position, the Lionesses opened their account in the fourth minute when fullback Francesca Goldthorp crossed out wide and Tara-Jane Stanley converted for a 6-0 lead. New Zealand hit back through centre Hufanga in the 15th minute after a strong run by Broncos prop Amber Hall who evaded several defenders and sent a well-timed pass back inside to Hufanga. Come the 28th minute and New Zealand had their second when NRLW Dally M Medal winner Raecene McGregor exploded out from dummy half five metres out, stepped off her left foot and crashed over the goal line. After another unsuccessful conversion, Ricky Henry's side headed to the break with just a two-point lead. Six minutes into the second half saw a great moment for New Zealand when Hufanga and Nicholls charged downfield to find Otesa Pule on the left who crossed the stripe for her first World Cup try. Come the 51st minute and courtesy of another barnstorming break from Hufanga down the right edge, the Ferns swung the ball back infield to find Brianna Clark who found the gap to score untouched next to the uprights. Nicholls converted to make it 20-6. Source: NRL.com

“Jeff [Bezos] and I are so proud to share that we have a new Bezos Courage and Civility Award winner — a woman who gives with her heart and leads with love and compassion in every aspect of her work,” Bezos’ longtime partner, Lauren Sanchez, posted on Instagram alongside a video of their speech Friday before awarding the grant to the country music legend and longtime philanthropist. “We can’t wait to see all the good that you’re going to do with this $100 million award, @DollyParton.” Parton, who has donated to various causes for decades, publicly thanked Bezos and Sanchez on Twitter. “I try to put my money where my heart is. I will do my best to do good things with this money,” Parton tweeted. “Thank you @JeffBezos #LaurenSanchez” During the Covid-19 pandemic, Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s vaccine research efforts. It was partly used to fund Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine. She said in an interview at the time with BBC’s “The One Show,” that she felt “honored and proud.” “I just felt so proud to have been part of that little seed money that will hopefully grow into something great and help to heal this world,” she said. “I’m a very proud girl today to know I had anything at all to do with something that’s going to help us through this crazy pandemic.” In 1988, Parton established the Dollywood Foundation, and eventually The Imagination Library, a program that helps children across the world access books. Among her philanthropic efforts in her home state of Tennessee, Parton also created the Dolly Parton Scholarship, which provides $15,000 to recipients towards a college education. Last year, Bezos awarded $100 million each to CNN contributor Van Jones and chef José Andrés. Bezos, the founder and former head of Amazon.com, said at a news conference at the time the grant had no strings attached. “They can give it all to their own charity,” Bezos said last year. “Or they can share the wealth. It is up to them."

With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 getting under way later this week, stars from across the globe have been jetting in to Doha. Hamad International Airport has seen a host of nations touch down, with Gregg Berhalter’s USA squad among the first to land for the first global showpiece to be held in the Arab world. “We believe we have a talented group, a strong team spirit, and one that is ready to compete,” Berhalter said. “We are extremely proud and honored to represent the United States and appreciate all the amazing support from our fans in Qatar.” The US begin their Group B campaign against Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Monday, November 21, before meetings with England and IR Iran. Carlos Queiroz’s men – who are up against England in their opening game – were one of three teams pictured making their way through the airport on Monday, with Tunisia another side to arrive. Jalel Kadri’s outfit are in a testing Group D with holders France, European championship semi-finalists Denmark, and Australia – another squad to have made their way to Qatar to begin acclimatising. Japan, Senegal, and South Korea – plus the host nation – are also being put through their paces at their respective team camps around Doha, ahead of the opening fixture between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday, November 21. And shortly before midnight on Monday, Switzerland stepped onto the tarmac at Hamad International Airport, with Brazil, Serbia and Cameroon awaiting as their opponents in Group G. Source: FIFA.com

Prime Minister James Marape is preparing to meet with Chinese President Hon. Xi Jinping in a one-on-one exchange on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Summit in Bangkok from 17 to 19 this month, November, 2022. Prime Minister Marape welcomed the invitation to the meeting, calling it a “high honour for Papua New Guinea”, as PNG continues its “Friend to all; Enemy to none” position and China continues as PNG’s biggest trading partner. The meeting becomes the first high level talk between the two leaders since re-election to their respective posts – Prime Minister Marape in May and President Xi in October this year. PM Marape said: “This is a high honour for PNG to meet with the President. “We live in the Pacific and so we must deal with all Pacific nations – the US on the Eastern side, and Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, India, and China on the other side. “Papua New Guinea does not hide our friendship with nations. We show that we are friends to all countries including China. Being the second biggest economy in the Asia Pacific region, it is important that we maintain our relationship with China. “We cannot afford to be friends to one and enemy to the other. This is both a Christian principle and a Melanesian principle. “China is also our biggest trading partner currently. I will use the opportunity of the meeting to also call for more Chinese partners to come in to help us process our coffee and our fish. “I am totally honoured for this opportunity. I know President Xi has other bi-laterals that he would have picked ahead of meeting with PNG, but he has chosen to meet with us.” Prime Minister Marape reiterated PNG’s ‘One China Policy’, installed just after Independence by the party he now leads. He said it was his duty to “entrench this further so the one after me can carry on this path into the future”.

U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) supports training of 26 people in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province to improve their financial literacy skills. Local financial literacy trainer, Linda Pekosi who is certified through USAID’s Lukautim Graun Program’s partnership with Center for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), helped train the 26 participants in the basics of financial literacy. Now, they have a better understanding of saving and budgeting, which are the foundational skills for creating new enterprises and increasing household and personal financial security, particularly for women. On November 11, representatives from the USAID’s Lukautim Gruan Program were present in Goroka to personally congratulate participants who completed the course. Participant, Marlene Makarai, owner of Baret Lodge located in Goroka town, said “Although, I make enough money from the guest house, I lack discipline in saving and this training has taught me to be disciplined in my spending as well. Thank you, USAID for facilitating this training”. Rachael Aputi, a civil engineer with Eastern Highlands Provincial Works Division said “I learnt a lot through this training, but the one thing that stands out for me is saving money through sacrifice and cutting down on unnecessary spendings. Prior to attending this training, I was getting ready for a bank loan to pay for my child’s school fees. But after attending this training, I believe I can raise K4,000.00 through savings, thank you, USAID”. The training is part of USAID’s commitment to support women in PNG so they can fully participate in the formal economy and access financial services like banking and small-scale village savings and loan schemes to expand their livelihood activities. USAID and its implementing partners continue to empower people in rural communities to access economic opportunities that improve their livelihood prospects. USAID’s Lukautim Graun Program is a five-year program implemented in collaboration with Care International, The Nature Conservancy, the PNG Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, Woodland Park Zoo, and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The Jillaroos have stormed into a fourth consecutive World Cup Final with a dominant 82-0 win over the PNG Orchids in York on Tuesday morning (AEDT). With Isabelle Kelly and Emma Tonegato grabbing hat-tricks, Australia got the job done in style to move into the Old Trafford decider where they will face either England or New Zealand. The defending champions made a sluggish start with five-eighth Taliah Fuimaono kicking out on the full in the third minute and skipper Tallisha Harden making a mistake in the play-the-ball. A barnstorming run by Elsie Albert gave PNG a shot at first points after seven minutes but Sera Koroi's grubber kick was far too heavy and Australia came back with a seven-tackle set. Jillaroos hooker Keeley Davis steadied the ship in the 10th minute when she got over from dummy half and Lauren Brown converted for 6-0. Some sharp lead-up work by Brown in the 15th minute gave Kelly the chance to power into the back field and she powered over the top of Shae Yvonne De La Cruz to score Australia's second try. [caption id="attachment_30350" align="alignnone" width="880"] YORK, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 14: Jaime Chapman of Australia is tackled by Therese Aiton of Papua New Guinea during the Women's Rugby League World Cup Semi-Final match between Australia and Papua New Guinea at LNER Community Stadium on November 14, 2022 in York, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)[/caption] Kelly had a double soon after when Tonegato joined the line and delivered the final pass for the Roosters centre to cross wide out. A great moment for back-rower Shaylee Bent when she grabbed her first Test try in the 22nd minute courtesy of another classy assist from Brown, before Evania Pelite crossed for Australia's fifth try three minutes later. Tonegato's speed continued to pose problems for the Orchids and she had another try assist in the 28th minute when she found space on the right edge and sent winger Shenae Ciesiolka over for her third try of the tournament. Tries to Olivia Kernick and a third to Kelly took Australia to a 40-0 lead at the break and Brown got the ball rolling in the second half when she bamboozled the defence and found Kelly who delivered the final pass for Jess Sergis to score. Ciesiolka had a double in the 46th minute before Albert produced a trysaver to deny Keilee Joseph but it was only a temporaray reprieve, Harden surging over in the 49th minute as the score hit 58-0. Tonegato grabbed a quick fire double in the space of five minutes before Jaime Chapman became Australia's 10th different tryscorer when she ran the length of the field to make it 76-0 with 15 minutes to play. Slick ball movement to the left side handed Tonegato her third for the match as the former Olympian continued to dazzle in her audition for the fullback role in the final. The Orchids looked set to grab a late try when De La Cruz found space on the left but Chapman came across in cover with a bone rattler to shut the play down and ensure the Jillaroos kept a clean sheet. Source: NRL.Com

The Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Manus Provincial Administration (MPA). The MOU paves way for the Manus Provincial Administration to deliver IPA services through the Help Desk which was also launched as part of the week-long IPA outreach program in Manus Province. The MOU was signed by the IPA Managing Director Mr. Clarence Hoot and Manus Acting Provincial Administrator Mr. Oka Nungu. To kick-start the implementation of the MOU, IPA officers trained Commerce Officers within the Manus Provincial Administration on how to use the IPA’s online registry services to lodge business applications. The IPA also donated a computer set including a printer and wifi modem to assist the Commerce Officers’ use in providing these services. In his statement during the MOU signing, Mr. Hoot said he was happy to see that the MOU was finally signed after a while. He reinforced the IPA’s commitment in making available its services right down to the district level with the use of information technology. “The IPA over the years has been committed in ensuring that its services trickle down to ordinary citizens,” Mr. Hoot said. “That is why we have been investing resources in strengthening partnerships and enhancing collaboration with Provincial Administrations as well as other stakeholders,” he added. Mr Hoot further added that in acknowledging the internet connectivity issues currently being experienced in some parts of the country, that should not stop us from continuing to strive for service delivery using technology as connectivity issues will be addressed in no time into the future. In response Mr. Nungu expressed satisfaction and gave assurance of his Administration’s support towards the IPA’s cause saying that the gesture by IPA to purchase the equipment demonstrated that the IPA was serious about how businesses are conducted in Manus. “What IPA did was a symbol of commitment towards making it cheaper for Manusians to do business,” Mr. Nungu said. The signing of the MOU with Manus Provincial Administration now brings the number of MOUs and IPA help desks established with Provincial Administrations to eight provinces. Others include East New Britain, West New Britain, New Ireland, East Sepik, Milne Bay, Oro, Morobe and Madang. This is aside from the IPA regional offices which are located in Buka, Kokopo, Lae and Mt. Hagen. IPA also has existing MOUs with its colleague regulatory agencies such as the Internal Revenue Commission, Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority, Customs PNG, Financial Analysis and Supervision Unit (Bank of Papua New Guinea), PNG Fraud Directorate and National Cultural Commission. Mr. Hoot is calling on other Provincial Administrations and Government Agencies to partner with the IPA so that all government services can be streamlined and delivered to the people in rural communities and provinces so they can equally participate in building the economy of the country.

How much is a dead child worth? That’s a question Alassan Kamaso has asked himself since government authorities called him and his wife, Mariama, a few days ago. They were offering them money for the death of their son – around $285 (£249). Kamaso warned the voices on the other end that he would not take their calls again, and then he hung up. “Where will you go to buy life?” the 45-year-old said to VICE World News, remembering his son’s death in September. “It’s not anywhere in the world.” Kamaso’s son, Musa, is one of 70 infants who died recently after taking cough syrups produced by Indian company Maiden Pharmaceuticals that may have contained harmful properties. The drug scandal has rocked the Gambia and thrown dozens of families into mourning. Last week, the West African country’s gender ministry made calls to families of the dead children, offering a combined $20,000 (£17,000) in compensation. But many, like Kamaso, are rejecting the money, calling it an “insult.” Indian authorities have suspended the operations of Maiden Pharmaceuticals. The company said it was “shocked to hear about the deaths,” which are believed to have been caused by what the World Health Organization called “unacceptable amounts” of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol – both toxic. Gambian authorities meanwhile say they are still investigating the deaths. The country’s lawmakers have called for tighter restrictions on drug imports and legal action against Maiden following the deaths. But lawmakers have prioritized compensation, which has disappointed some families. “We don’t want any money,” Kamaso told VICE World News. “We just want justice for our children. We want that company to be brought to book so that next time, people bringing these drugs won’t do it again.” Suspicions about the toxic medicines first came in July, officials told Reuters, after doctors noticed a mysterious number of babies dying of renal failure. But it wasn’t until October when the World Health Organization issued an alert on the Maiden-produced cough syrups that Gambian officials sprung into action, going door to door and physically removing the marked drug. Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are sweet but toxic alcohols well known to cause acute kidney injury (AKI), among other fatal conditions. It was too late for Musa. The 18-month-old died in September, after days of not being able to urinate. When doctors told Kamaso his little boy’s kidneys had failed, he and his wife could only stare at each other, dazed. Maiden is one of many companies operating in India’s poorly regulated pharmaceuticals sector, many of which have sold generic and low-quality products to African countries with weak regulation systems. Maiden, in particular, has been blacklisted by states in India in the past for producing substandard drugs. The cough syrups, not approved for Indian markets, were pushed exclusively to the Gambia. Some 50,000 bottles were imported into the country, officials believe, but only about 42,000 have been retrieved. There are fears the rest could end up in neighbouring countries' markets. The Gambia is one of Africa’s smallest countries, and also one of its poorest. Its healthcare system is weak: There’s an almost 50-50 chance of a child dying under the age of five, and there are no drug testing labs to certify imported medicines. Officials investigating the syrup deaths have had to send samples to Ghana and Senegal. Weeks after the deaths, their findings have still not been made public. But authorities this month said they haven't confirmed that all the deaths were definitively caused by the suspected syrups – some of the affected children were found not to have ingested them at all. Back in July, officials suspected E.coli bacteria, often found in contaminated food, was contributing to the deaths. The estimated $285 (£249) for their losses is a small amount in the Gambia. But the sum is far from what bothers Kamaso. “When we take money, they might tell us to overlook it,” he says. It’s not something he’s willing to do. “Let them bring the company to the books. I don’t want anything.” Source: The Vice