NRL referee Belinda Sharpe is set to tick off a three-year goal to again take charge of an elite men’s match after being appointed to control this weekend’s England-Greece World Cup fixture at Bramall Lane. Sharpe made history in 2019 by becoming the first female to referee an NRL match but since the scrapping of the two-referee system at the outset of the COVID pandemic she has worked solely as a touch judge for men’s games. The appointment of the 35-year-old comes after fellow NRL referee Kasey Badger controlled the Tonga-Wales World Cup match earlier this week and Sharpe said it was the fulfilment of a long-held ambition. “It is great that everyone is so supportive and have been looking forward to us refereeing but from a personal perspective it is a goal I have been working towards and something I have wanted to achieve in my career,” Sharpe said. “I was lucky enough to referee in the NRL a couple of years ago but since the change to the refereeing system I have had to start that process again and work towards trying to get back in the middle in the NRL again. “Myself and Kasey have been in the game for a fair while and I think people appreciate the level we are at now. “I came over here looking forward to being involved in my second World Cup and whatever opportunities that would bring, so I am thrilled that that has resulted in me getting to referee a men’s game.” [caption id="attachment_29249" align="alignnone" width="840"] Badger became the first female to referee a men's World Cup match[/caption] Sharpe was part of the match officials squad at the 2017 World Cup and has since refereed the 2019 Test between the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns plus a range of senior women's fixtures including Ampol State of Origin and NRLW Grand Finals. “Refereeing different players and different teams present different challenges so there is a lot you learn from being involved in a World Cup,” Sharpe said. “But it is not just about the games, it is the whole experience. We are in a camp with match officials from around the world and we are all learning from each other. “It is exciting, and it is something completely different for us that we enjoy. Seeing the hakas and the prayers before the games and going to English stadiums that we have only seen on TV adds to the experience we are having over here. “These are the games you work so hard to achieve, and I am sure it is going to be a great moment in my career.” With belief growing in England about the prospects of the host nation wining the World Cup, attendances have been strong for their games, with fans singing and chanting. Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley will be a crowd favourite in Sheffield as his father, Nigel, is from nearby Barnsley, while fans rise to their feet in anticipation every time Knights winger Dom Young receives the ball. “Just to be a part of any game at the World Cup is special but to be involved in a match where the host nation is playing will be pretty exciting, in terms of the crowd and the atmosphere,” Sharpe said. “You can see how passionate the English fans are in the couple of games they have played already so I am expecting that it is going to be a great atmosphere and a great occasion.” Sharpe will also officiate as a touch judge in the Papua New Guinea-Wales match, refereed by Gerard Sutton, while Badger will this weekend be one of the touch judges for the Tonga-Cook Islands game. Source: NRL.com

Santos PNG Orchids captain Elsie Albert needs little introduction. Spurred on by watching the Orchids’ international debut at RLWC2017, she took up rugby league in 2018 and was selected to represent her country later that year. The Southern Highlander captained the Orchids in the 2019 test series against England, raising her international profile and earning a professional contract with St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRLW – the first PNG-based woman to do so. Elsie has now played three seasons of NRLW, including one Grand Final, with the Dragons, and will again captain the Orchids at #RLWC2021. “It's an honour for me to be given the opportunity to captain my country but this time on the World Cup stage,” Elsie says. “In 2017 when I watched the girls playing in their first ever World Cup, it was pioneer Orchids like Cathy Neap and Della Audama (now Orchids assistant coach) who inspired me. “Now, I think me being in the NRLW system inspires the girls back home. I get a lot of messages saying, ‘seeing you play inspires us to get our boots on and get onto the field’. “When I run out as captain, I think about the girls back home who are inspired by me to play rugby league or are sitting at home not knowing what to do…it’s about inspiring the next generation of girls to play rugby league, or those who want to do things in other male-dominated areas. If you put your mind and hard work into anything, you can achieve it.” Source: Santos PNG Orchids

The official opening of the New Kavieng Airport Terminal has been confirmed and fixed for 03rd November, 2022 after having to go through two postponements at the request of the Prime Minister. The controversial opening ceremony, first scheduled for 20th October was deferred tentatively to 27th October while awaiting a confirmed schedule from the Prime Minister has angered the New Ireland Provincial Government. New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan made a decision after the numerous deferrals not to attend the opening and had pulled out from organizing the event towards the opening. Prime Minister James Marape will be Guest of Honour and will officiate the Official Opening of the New Kavieng Airport Terminal and other upgraded airport facilities. National Airports Corporation Managing Director and CEO Rex Kiponge has invited the people of New Ireland and Papua New Guinea to attend this milestone event in the province. The project was implemented by NAC through the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program (CADIP), funded by the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG), in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

NCSL is excited to welcome its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Keith Raimo, and Manager Member Services and Branch Support, Noel Keyala. Keith Raimo possesses more than 12 years of experience in the area of accounting and financial management, including senior management roles with Digicel, Capital Group, and recently with Paradise Private Hospital before joining NCSL. He is keen to look at technology to accelerate transformation with a view to ensuring greater efficiency and achieving quicker turn-around times. “I believe technology is vital to creating greater efficiency in member service and reporting. Technology will be the enabler for the delivery of key strategic outcomes. Equally important are people and process development. Without good people following good processes, there is no implementation. These to me are key to positioning NCSL as the go-to brand for our current & future members. Great systems, great people, great service,” Raimo said. Raimo is also passionate about helping people. “Helping and developing people leaves a legacy. I believe the work at NCSL to develop financial literacy and other people development initiatives are key value-added services for our membership,” he added. Manager Member Services and Branch Support, Noel possesses more than 14 years of banking experience. He was previously Manager Contact Centre and Manager Client Services with Kina Bank, then Acting Head of Customer Experience prior to joining NCSL. “I am thrilled to join at an exciting time and be part of NCSL’s transformation and journey as it aspires to become an e-bank,” Keyala said With an expansion in membership growth- and business demand, NCSL also expanded its Lending team with two new additional Lending officers namely, Rebecca Manihoru and Fidelma Watir. NCSL Chief Executive Officer, Vari Lahui said ncsl is delighted to have such talented officers with fresh ideas joining the ncsl family. “I am confident with their level of experience, expertise, and contribution, NCSL will reach greater heights,” the CEO said when welcoming the new faces.

Credit Corporation PNG Limited staff recently participated in a mangrove planting initiative at Gaire village in Central province. Risk Support Officer Hindira Ivahupa says the initiative is one of the company’s sustainable projects undertaken as part of its corporate social responsibility. “The goal of this initiative is to promote sustainable development by providing our staff with environment conservation activities that will benefit both the community and the environment,” said Ivahupa. “Our sustainable projects are also a great way to connect with the local communities we operate in and raise awareness on the importance of being environmentally conscious,” she further added. Ivahupa also acknowledged the community-based organisation, ARO who initiated the Gaire Mangrove Conservation and Rehabilitation program for their support in helping Credit Corporation to undertake its first mangrove planting initiative. A donation of K2000 was also presented to ARO in support of the organisation’s conservation efforts within the community. In thanking Credit Corporation for its generous donation, ARO Project Coordinator and Gaire local, Roy Hitolo, said the aim of the project is to restore degraded mangrove areas along the village’s coastline and river system. “We started in 2020 with a group of 20 youths, all from Gaire and we are now in our third year. We are aiming to plant 20,000 mangrove seedlings before 2025. So far, we’ve planted a total of 3,000,” said Hitolo. He further added that mangroves play a very important role in preventing the rise of sea levels and preserving coastal ecosystems and encouraged coastal communities around the country to start up mangrove planting projects to protect their coastlines. “We all have role to play when it comes to conserving our natural environment and I would also like to thank Credit Corporation and its staff for their contribution to the fight against climate change,” said Hitolo.

BSP’s strong business performance across the Group was maintained in the third quarter of 2022, with Group net profit after tax of K672m, compared to K699m for corresponding 2021 period. This sound performance was achieved notwithstanding BSP having expensed the Additional Company Tax (ACT) payment of K190m, which was introduced this year. According to BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming, the company’s underlying profit growth reflects the improved economic conditions in the region, resulting in loan growth of +5.6% and increased transactional activities, which has contributed to non-lending fee income increase of +14.3%, despite BSP continuing to reduce its fees. Overall Group expenditure increased by 15.1% in Q3-22, compared to Q3-21. This higher level of expenditure was driven by additional roles being created in Retail, Operations and Compliance teams to support customer growth, more effective compliance, higher channel related costs (contributing to the higher channel revenue raised above) and property maintenance costs. With the support of its shareholders, BSP is pursuing a judicial review to challenge the constitutional validity of the ACT, given its material impact on shareholder returns. Nevertheless, the K190m tax was paid on 30 September 2022 into an escrow account held with BPNG, pending the outcome of BSP’s legal challenge to the ACT. The full K190m was taken up in BSP’s first quarter accounts. Despite the above, Mr Fleming stated that BSP Group’s key performance ratios remained strong, with cost-to-income improving to 37.7%. He added that BSP’s capital base remains robust, with total capital adequacy as at September 2022 at 23.3%, in line with September 2021 levels, well above the minimum Bank of Papua New Guinea prudential requirement of 12.0%. Group Return on Equity (ROE) was 27.1% in Q3-22, impacted by the ACT. Mr Fleming also said that irrespective of the K190m Additional Company Tax, BSP has expanded its branch network, with Eriku branch opening in the first week of November 2022, NCD Lending Centre in Port Moresby in December 22, Telefomin hybrid sub-branch in the first quarter of 2023, and Dobel branch in Western Highlands in the first half of 2023. Mr Fleming concluded that BSP remains the largest and most profitable bank in the South Pacific. BSP also continues to deliver sustainable growth, as evidenced by its strong year to date profit results.

The vehicle used by Senior Constable Nelson Kalimda has been recovered, however the policeman is still missing, says Hela Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Inspector Robin Bore. He said the vehicle was recovered within the premises of the residence of a prominent man in the Hela Province. The residence was left vacant as a result of a recent tribal fighting. “People from the community are coming up with some information so we are working around to locate the whereabouts of the missing policeman. “The vehicle was recovered in very good condition. Nothing was removed or tempered with. The vehicle key was also on the vehicle’s ignition. We still do not have any concrete leads or information as to his whereabouts,” Mr Bore said. Assistant Police Commissioner Operations Samson Kua and Director Special Services Division Julius Tasion were sent to Tari on Tuesday to investigate the policeman’s disappearance. Yesterday and today Acting Deputy Commissioner Specialist Operations Donald Yamasombi visited the families of policemen at the Red Sea Police Barracks in Bomana in the National Capital District to talk to the worried and frustrated families. They have blocked the entrance to the barracks where Senior Constable  Kalimda  and his family also reside. “At 11.30am today they presented their petition which I received on behalf of the Police Management at the Red Sea Barracks. I reiterated the fact that the matter is being investigated and results will be made known. “I told them that the day the men and women (now policemen and women) who decided to join the police, they swore an oath to serve their country and its people without fear, favour or ill will. So, in this case we cannot accuse Hela people. They are part of our country and we have an obligation to serve them and other parts of the country as well. “However, the men and women in the blue uniform have a duty to abide by the guiding principles in times of official deployments. The rules are there to guide us and only if we deviate then we are bound to invite such situations upon ourselves when we could have easily avoided them. The police force has a duty to the country as a whole, not to a particular region or race therefore its men and women must serve with humility according to these guiding principles,” Mr Yamasombi said. The Acting Deputy Commissioner said on Tuesday the mothers were planning to march to the National Parliament to demand an explanation from Prime Minister James Marape who is also the Member for Tari Pori. “I advised them to wait as the matter is still under investigation,” Mr Yamasombi said, adding that he told the families that the facts have to be established before “we start coming up with conclusions”. He told the families to make their concerns known first to the RPNGC management before they resort to any other action that may be counter-productive. They have done that in the petition presented today to Mr Yamasombi. Mr Yamasombi told the families at the Red Sea Barracks that there was no confrontation on the day Senior Constable  Kalimda went missing. He said the policeman left everything behind, even his weapon, and drove out without informing his Squad Commander, his NCOs or his squad mates. “The police hierarchy is just as concerned about the whereabouts and well-being of Senior Constable  Kalimda. It is our prayer that God will keep him safe and bring him back to us and especially to his wife and sons,” Mr Yamasombi said. Mr Yamasombi said police teams in Hela are working day and night to locate Senior Constable  Kalimda. “I follow on with Commissioner David Manning’s plea to anyone who has any information about Senior Constable’s whereabouts to come forward and assist us in locating him. He has a wife and twin sons, extended families, friends and colleagues who are very worried,” Mr Yamasombi said.

For most of the third and final year programs that are offered at the University of Papua New Guinea, practicals and internships are compulsory for students, including the Accounting Practicum, for students studying the Bachelor of Accounting. Air Niugini has, for the first time, accepted students to participate in their internship at their head office in Port Moresby. Air Niugini has accepted third year Accounting students, while others have been accepted by various organisations. The students are attached with Air Niugini’s Finance Department and will be there for the next four months as part of the requirement to complete their degree program. The Executive Dean of the School of Business and Public Policy, Prof. Lekshmi Pillai, who was present during the orientation event for the students, said that this is the start of a long relationship between Air Niugini and UPNG’s School of Business and Public Policy, and that both institutions will benefit from this relationship. He thanked the Air Niugini management for accepting these nine students for their internship. The Accounting Divisional Head, Mr. Panditha Bandara, also thanked the Air Niugini Management, including CEO Bruce Alabastar and Financial Controller Fredrick Tongogo, and said that this is a significant achievement, which will enable students who undergo internships to engage with organisations within the country after their graduate, and that their exposure to the real-life working environment while studying is beneficial for the students and the industry as a whole. The students went through an orientation session at Air Niugini Haus where they were briefed on what to do, where to go and who to see during their work experience. According to Fredrick Tongogo, it is also an opportunity for Air Niugini’s Finance Department to have extra hands on board to clear any backlogs, and also help to prepare their end of year audit. He added that it is exciting to provide internships for UPNG accounting students for the benefit of the country and improve local talent. He assured the University that Air Niugini will be happy to help students in the future also. The Accounting Division regularly arranges placements in various reputed organisations to undergo accounting practicum. After students complete their third year of study, they are expected to carry out their practical for a minimum of 200 hours to pass this course and be eligible to graduate. The Division requests companies and government agencies to accept students for practicums to allow them to be exposed to real working situations for personal development. This program has been ongoing for the past five years.

Grade 8 students from Losuia Primary School, Milne Bay Province have had to separate and sit for their exams in two different schools because of a fight that happened on the island at the beginning of the week. District Administrator, Mr John Ephraim said that students from Gumilababa village are sitting for their National Exams at the newly established Gumilababa Primary school while students from Losuia Station, Muloseda and Kavataria villages continued sitting for their exams at the school. “We came up with this solution after the school had closed its doors on Tuesday while we tried to calm the situation between the warring villages.” “So students missed the second paper but they sat for it on Wednesday and will continue with the last paper today.” “We want the students to complete the exams without any more disruptions while we work with the police to sort out the issue here on the island.” Ephraim said that the police are on the ground from Alotau and are currently carrying out their investigations. Meanwhile, Principal for Kiriwina Secondary school, Mr Cyril Tomodiwaona said that the has closed for this week and boarding students have been sent home. Only a handful of students from the outer islands remain in the school grounds. Kiriwina Secondary school will reopen next Monday. PC: Stanfford Nisim

Chairman of Lae Biscuit Company and franchise owner of Lae Snax Tigers today announced the return of the Snax 9s tournament in 2022. Ian Chow confirmed the annual Lae Biscuit sponsored Snax 9s returns in December aback its cancellation last year due to Covid-19. The 2022 Lae Biscuit Snax 9s is scheduled for 8th–10th December 2022 at the Lae Rugby League oval with over K40, 000 price money up for grabs. Mr. Chow is happy to bring back the annual event for the 8th year now since its inception in 2014. The Snax 9s tournament is primarily the scouting avenue for the Lae Snax Tigers team ahead of another season. With the Rugby League World Cup currently underway in England there is so much motivation to grow the code where ever it’s played. Papua New Guinea is no different standing firm behind the PNG Kumuls to go the extra mile. But there is so much that we can do at the local frontier to one day see the Kumuls soar higher where we all wanted. The Snax 9s has been the signature tournament converging vast rugby league talents in PNG and is testament to the continued success of the Snax Tigers in recent years. The Tigers hold 4 premierships and 6 minor premierships in the semiprofessional Digicel Cup and two Melanesian Cup championships and will continue to be back stronger in another season given such tournaments. The stakes will be higher and the onus is on participating teams to impress,” Chow said. Erave Hornbills of Southern Highlands are the defending champions beating West New Britain’s 15 City Roosters 22-4 in the 2020 Cup final. The Hornbills are returning to defend the title led by the Teme Brothers, David and Jerry Teme.

We can thank the “Black Panther” sequel for Rihanna finally returning to the world of music. The “Fenty” founder tweeted Wednesday about her forthcoming single, “Lift Me Up,” which is set to release on Friday. The original song will be featured on the soundtrack to the new Marvel movie, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” The song will mark Rihanna’s first new music as a solo artist in six years. According to a press release, the tune was written by Rihanna, fellow artist Tems, Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson and “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler as a tribute to the late “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman. Boseman died in 2020 at age 43 following a private battle with colon cancer. “After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life. I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them,” Tems said in a statement. “Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor". The song was recorded in five countries and Rihanna shared only a snippet of it on social media. Fans have been eagerly awaiting new music from Rihanna since her last album, “Anti,” which dropped in 2016. There had been speculation that she would release something new in anticipation of her performance as the headliner for the upcoming Superbowl Halftime Show in February. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Music From and Inspired By” will be released on November 4. The film hits theaters on November 11.

Papua New Guinea's Mackenzie Yei and Cook Islands forward Reubenn Rennie face one match bans after being charged over incidents in Tuesday night's World Cup match at Warrington. Both players were sinbinned during the match, won 32-16 by the Kumuls. Yei, who plays for the Central Queensland Capras, has been charged with a Grade A careless high tackle and will miss PNG's clash with Wales in Doncaster. Rennie, who plays for the Newtown Jets, has also been hit with a one-match ban and is set to miss this weekend's must win clash with Tonga at Middlesbrough after being booked for a dangerous throw. Ireland prop Jaimin Jolliffe will miss the game against New Zealand after unsuccessfully contesting his ban for a high tackle, while teammate Liam Byrne and Fiji's Tui Kamikamica will also miss the final round of World Cup pool matches. With Byrne suspended for two matches on separate dangerous contact charges, the Wolfhounds challenged Jolliffe's ban in a desperate bid to have him available for the must-win match against the Kiwis in Leeds. Byrne also received a caution for contrary behaviour. Fiji team-mate Taniela Sadrugu, who plays for the Cowboys, received a caution for dangerous contact.