The 2022 Digicel Cup season will head into round 17 this weekend ending the regular rounds before the finals series. Round 17 will kick off with the final home game for the West New Britain Provincial Kimbe Cutters as they prepare to take on Kroton Hela Wigmen on Saturday 27th August 2022 at 2pm at Sir Peter Humphrey’s Oval. The match in Minj intended as a home game for the Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles versus the Agmark Rabaul Gurias has been moved to Port Moresby. The Eagles and Gurias match has been scheduled as the second match of the triple header in Port Moresby this Sunday at the Santos National Football Stadium at 1pm as the day will be kicked off with the Moni Plus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers going up against Bintangor Goroka Lahanis at 11am. The main match of the day will see 6th placed Central Provincial Government-backed Central Dabaris take on the 5th placed Enga Provincial Government-sponsored Enga Mioks at 3.30pm in the battle to remain in the top 6. In Lae, the Lae Rugby League Ground will host a double header on Sunday as the Lae Snax Tigers will go head-to-head with Jiwaka Provinicial Government Waghi Tumbe at 12.30pm followed by the main match between PRK Mendi Muruks and PRK Gulf Isou at 3pm. Muruks are favorites to take out the minor premiership with a stiff challenge coming from the Gurias. “I would like to thank Naming Rights Sponsor Digicel and Platinum Sponsor SP Brewery for supporting the semi-professional rugby league competition,” said Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition Manager Mr Ora Gairo. Mr Gairo also went on to thank airline partners PNG Air and Air Niugini, as well as accommodation partners, and support sponsors Moni Plus and Peuna for the continuous support to the competition despite the season being impacted by the 2022 General Elections.

The Santos Papua New Guinea Orchids squad for this year’s Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) in England will feature 11 debutants and just four players who competed at RLWC2017, as head coach Ben Jeffries looks to nurture talent that can represent PNG women’s rugby league at the highest level for years to come. Two-thirds of the squad, which has an average age of 25, is based in PNG across three regions (Southern, Highlands and Northern) while four players have current or recent experience in the NRL women’s competition (NRLW) – Elsie Albert (currently at St George Illawarra Dragons), Jessikah Reeves (Brisbane Broncos last season), Shellie Long (St George Illawarra Dragons last season) and Therese Aiton (Parramatta Eels last season). The returning RLWC2017 players in the squad are Carol Humeu (Southern), Gloria Kaupa (Highlands), Shirley Joe (Northern) and Vero Waula (Southern).   “It’s exciting that we have several debutants combined with some experienced Orchids players, including a handful that return from RLWC2017,” Jeffries said. “Those returning players will be critical for the younger players within the group. The reality is that this could be the last opportunity for some players to represent the Orchids, so the expectation of these players is to assist in nurturing the younger players whilst competing for their positions from game to game.” “The squad features a majority of PNG-based players (65 per cent) coming from three confederates, and among the Australia-based players (35 per cent) we have a combination of players predominantly based in Queensland. All Australia-based players have been monitored through the Queensland and New South Wales women’s competitions, and it is pivotal to recognise players like Elsie Albert, Shellie Long, Jessikah Reeves and Therese Aiton who have been part of NRLW squads this year, which will assist in creating high standards within the Orchids team.” The 23-player squad (in alphabetical order) is: “In terms of new talent, we have two exciting young halves in Lila Malabag, who debuted against England in 2019 and Elizabeth Kapa, who came straight out of the schoolgirls’ competition. They could potentially be long-term halves for the Orchids and will work with the evergreen Shirley Joe, who was the try-scoring hero in the 2019 victory over England. In addition, dual-code international Joanne Lagona has been a standout player throughout this process and has played in every major PNG based competition and trial leading up to this selection” There are nine stand-by players who will be considered to replace any players who are forced to withdraw from the squad. They are (in alphabetical order): Delilah Ahose (Highlands, PNG), Emily Veivers (Tigers – QRLW, Australia), Gemma Schnaubelt (Souths – QRLW, Australia), Jessica Carey (Tigers – QRLW, Australia), Layna Nona-Busch (Rabbitohs – Western Australia, Australia), Leilah Kerowa (Southern, PNG), Melli Joe (Highlands, PNG), Regila Wilfred (Highlands, PNG), Ua Ravu (Bulls – NSW Country, Australia). The Santos PNG Orchids Team Management are Head Coach Ben Jeffries, Assistant Coaches Della Audama and Meg Ward, Team Manager Cassie Davis, Media Manager Joanna Lester, Assistant Team Manager and Media Assistant Urith Toa, Head of Performance Tandia Wood, Strength and Conditioning Coach Moses Guise, Performance Analyst Wade Sinclair, Head Physio/Trainer Carly Jennar, Physiotherapist Siyih Johang, and Wellbeing Manager Dr Jo Lukins. On behalf of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) Board Chairman Sandis Tsaka and the management team, Chief Executive Officer Mr Stanley Hondina congratulated the girls and the coaching staff who have made the side. “We also extend our appreciation to the head coach Ben Jefferies and his team for a great effort and outcome getting this far. We started off with the ‘’Road to the World Cup’’ concept when we realized our girls were disadvantaged as they don’t have a systematic process to pick the team like our male structure,” Mr Hondina said. “Thanks to our sponsors and partners, Santos, Digicel, National Gaming Control Board, Bank South Pacific and PacificAus Sports for the support provided to us to have the monitoring (test and trial program), tri series and the possible vs probable matches played to use as the platform to select the side.” “We are confident of the selected squad and the depth of experience we have in our coaching staff and know they will do PNG proud at the 2021/22 RLWC later this year in the United Kingdom (UK). We wish them all the best in the preparations, Prime Minister’s 13 and the RLWC campaign as the nation and lovers of the sport stand behind you in this journey,” he said. Santos PNG Orchids Chairlady Ms Okaro Yogi was pleased at the selection of the Orchids team that will prepare for the Rugby League World Cup. “Congratulations ladies! You have all proven through your own individual merits to be named in the final squad. I know you all will wear the Santos PNG Orchids jersey with pride and make us all proud. We will all be cheering you all on!” Chairlady said. “I would like to thank the coaching staff and Coach Ben Jeffries for prepping and selecting the final squad. The preparation and campaign for the RLWC 2021 would not have become a reality without the support of our major sponsors who have believed in us and what we stand for – “an equal playing field for men and women”. On behalf of the PNG Orchids Board, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Naming Rights Sponsor Santos and Platinum Sponsors Digicel PNG, National Gaming Control Board and Bank South Pacific for backing the Santos PNG Orchids.

The Prime Minister Hon James Marape today announced the official Cabinet of Ministers and their respective Ministries. Notable inclusions include new departments of Ministry for Oil Palm and Ministry for Coffee while Ministry for Agriculture and Livestock have now been separated into respective ministries. The Ministry for Police and Ministry of Correctional Service have now been combined into Ministry for Internal Security. Ministry for Transport and Civil Aviation are now combined into the one Ministry whereas the Ministry for Finance and Implementation is now Ministry for Finance and Implementation and Ministry for Planning is now separate. Also combined as one Ministry is the Ministry for Petroleum and Energy. 1. JAMES MARAPE - PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR PLANNING 2. JOHN ROSSO - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR LANDS, PHYSICAL PLANNING AN URBANISATION 3. WILLIAM DUMA - MINISTER FOR STATE ENTERPRISES 4. IAN LING STUCKEY - MINISTER FOR TREASURY 5. SOROI EOE - MINISTER FOR PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL-LEVEL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS 6. RAINBO PAITA - MINISTER FOR FINANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION 7. RICHARD MARU - MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT 8. JUSTIN TKATCHENKO - MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS 9. DON POLYE - MINISTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, RESEARCH, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND SPORTS 10. SOLAN MIRISIM - MINISTER FOR WORKS & HIGHWAYS 11. PILA NININGI - MINISTER FOR JUSTICE & ATTORNEY GENERAL 12. WALTER SCHNAUBELT - MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND CIVIL AVIATION 13. KERENGA KUA - MINISTER FOR PETROLEUM AND ENERGY 14. JIMMY UGURO - MINISTER FOR EDUCATION 15. JOE SUNGI - MINISTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE 16. SALIO WAIPO - MINISTER FOR FOREST 17. HENRY AMULI - MINISTER FOR COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY 1 8. PETER TSIAMALILI, JR - MINISTER FOR INTERNAL SECURITY 19. LINO TOM - MINISTER FOR HEALTH 20. KOBBY BOMOREO - MINISTER FOR HOUSING 21. JASON PETER - MINISTER FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, RELIGION AND YOUTH 22. TIMOTHY MASIU - MINISTER FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 23. JELTA WONG - MINISTER FOR FISHERIES AND MARINE RESOURCES 24. WIN DAKI - MINISTER FOR DEFENCE 25. ISI HENRY LEONARD - MINISTER FOR TOURISM, ART AND CULTURE 26. AIYE TAMBUA - MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE 27. SEKIE AGISA - MINISTER FOR LIVESTOCK 28. FRANCIS MANEKE - MINISTER FOR OIL PALM 29. JOE KULI - MINISTER FOR COFFEE 30. BRYAN KRAMER - MINISTER FOR LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION 31. ANO PALA - MINISTER FOR MINING 32. SIMON KILEPA - MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE 33. MINISTER FOR BOUGAINVILLE AFFAIRS - Yet to be Named.

Quaden Bayles, an indigenous Australian boy who won the support of celebrities and well-wishers around the globe after being bullied because of his disability, has landed a role in the new "Mad Max" movie. Oscar-winning director George Miller has cast the now 11-year-old in a small role in the movie "Furiosa," a prequel to his 2015 post-apocalyptic blockbuster "Mad Max: Fury Road." Miller revealed in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald's Good Weekend magazine, published Saturday, that he was moved to put Bayles on the big screen after watching the distressing video his mother shared of him in February 2020. The Queensland boy, born with a type of dwarfism known as achondroplasia, is already scheduled to appear alongside Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton in Miller's next film, "Three Thousand Years of Longing." "It was good for us and it was good for him," Miller told the Sydney Morning Herald. "And he did such a good job that he's got a small role in Furiosa." CNN has contacted representatives for Miller and Bayles for further comment. In the 2020 viral video clip, Bayles is shown crying uncontrollably in the back of his mother's car as he asks for a knife to kill himself. "This is what bullying does," his mother, Yarraka Bayles, said in the video, livestreamed on Facebook to raise awareness of the impact of bullying. "Can you please educate your children, your families, your friends?" The video also caught the attention of celebrities, including Australian actor Hugh Jackman, who posted a video message on Twitter telling Bayles: "No matter what, you've got a friend in me." "Quaden, you are stronger than you know, mate," Jackman said. "Everyone, let's just please be kind to each other. Bullying is not OK, period." Source: CNN

Kimbe Chief is the newest of 12 vessels in Consort’s fleet. Importantly, she has her own crane (30 tonne capability), enabling efficient and cost-effective cargo loading and unloading, and generous capacity (164 TEU). As her name suggests, she will be dedicated to servicing the weekly Lae-Kimbe-Lae Niugini Islands route. Thomas Bellamy, Chief Operating Officer of the logistics division of Steamships Limited, to which Consort belongs, reports that “wanting to better service our import and export customers and communities who rely on the Lae-Kimbe-Lae route was the primary reason for Kimbe Chief’s purchase. In short, having one of our vessels solely dedicated to the route enables Consort to provide a more reliable and efficient service.” Bellamy acknowledges that the Kimbe Chief ‘s purchase has the added benefit of freeing up other vessels that previously serviced the route, as well as minimising the impact of any unanticipated maintenance issues within Consort’s broader fleet. “We’re now more favourably positioned to not only provide an enhanced service between Lae and Kimbe, but better services across all routes. Furthermore, the expanded fleet has increased our charter project capabilities, which is particularly important for some of our biggest customers, including those in mining, as well as oil and gas.” The company’s additional investment in another barge and 1,000 new containers, including high-cube reefers and 20FT and 40FT dry containers, is also significant in terms of increased service capacity and reliability. According to Bellamy, so too is it important in terms of safety. “Aging logistics infrastructure and equipment poses all sorts of potential risks when it comes to workplace safety, as well as environmental safety. At Consort our primary goal is to provide a 100 percent safe service which includes proactively replacing assets prior to them having any capacity to compromise safety.” Consort transports cargo in a liner and project charter capacity for a diverse range of businesses, from domestic manufacturers and wholesalers to local farming, transport, and construction companies, as well as international energy and mining operators. Not only are Consort’s services vital to these organisations’ business operations but they are also critical to the health and development of communities all over Papua New Guinea. Consort has been transporting essential goods – including food, medicine, building materials and agricultural supplies – to communities for more than 40 years.

Departing forward Viliame Kikau admits the prospect of leaving the Panthers has been made easier following confirmation Cameron Ciraldo will coach the Bulldogs from next season. Kikau spoke for the first time on Monday since Ciraldo’s appointment at Canterbury was made official by the club for the next five years. It caps an otherwise unsettling period for the Bulldogs recruit, who signed with Canterbury last November under Trent Barrett’s tenure before the former coach resigned in May. Both Kikau and Ciraldo have been at Penrith for six and 10 seasons respectively with the pair now looking to give the premiers one last parting gift – back-to-back trophies – before teaming up at Belmore. “Obviously I was happy about it,” Kikau said when asked of Ciraldo’s appointment. “I like 'Ciro' as a coach. He's taught me a lot of stuff since I got to Penrith. I've learned a lot. “Some days he comes in and does so much of the talking and sometimes he'll just leave it to the boys asking questions. “It's easier now with 'Ciro' going, he's got a lot of stuff he'll take with him.” Kikau said since accepting the Bulldogs deal just weeks after the Panthers won the competition last year, it has allowed him to relish the final season in the club’s colours. It’s also given him the added motivation to leave on his terms with the Fijian international playing in all but one game so far this season. "Yeah I guess that (leaving on a high) was always there since the day I signed that deal with the Bulldogs,” Kikau said. “Coming into this year, my main focus was to make the most of everything. I've known these boys for a really long time. “Most of them are family. I'm trying to make the most of it and at the same time play my best footy.” The Panthers forward hosed down suggestions he was in career-best form but believed he wasn’t far off as the side eye off another premiership after wrapping up top spot on the Telstra Premiership ladder last week. Source: NRL.com

The National Gaming Control Board refutes claims on social media that NGCB will shut down Pacific Racing Betting Shops nationwide. Certain individuals with malicious and ill intent to tarnish the reputation of NGCB have put up the social media post. All Pacific Racing Betting Shops are current and in operation. “Spreading rumors and fake news on social media with the intent to incite anger, frustration and tarnish the good name of a state owned organization is ridiculous, outrageous and unreasonable,” said NGCB CEO Imelda Agon. The NGCB is committed in ensuring the operation of the gaming industry remains uninterrupted especially during this time when the industry is recovering from the closure of gaming operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I strongly urged Papua New Guineans and especially social media users, to be wary of fake news and scammers that are encroaching our societies with unfounded reports and publications.” “I also strongly urge punters to gamble responsibly and know your limits,” said CEO Agon.

PNG’s premier dance group “Wan Squad” finished 12th out of 42 teams in the World Hip Hop Dance Championships. The competition which ran from the 8th to the 12th of August saw more than 50 countries compete over 5 divisions. Wan Squad competed in the ‘Adult’ division which is historically the toughest in the competition. 42 teams took part in the division with Wan Squad finishing 10th after the preliminary round and securing a spot in the semi-final. They unfortunately would not progress past this point after a minor slip in their semi-final performance and would see them finish the competition in 12th. Wan Squad member and coach Pyan Ng says that it was an incredible learning experience for the team. “Although we would have liked to finish higher and make the final, we are incredibly proud of the effort we made, it’s the first major competition we have competed in more than 2 years and we have learnt a lot,” he said. “To be the best you have to compete against the best and we will only improve by competing in these high-level competitions” He also wanted to thank all the support the team has received from home, “the number of messages we have received from PNG has been overwhelming, it’s so nice to know that people back home are following us on our journey”. Mountain Dew sponsored the group with flights and accommodation to the United States to compete. Director of Pacific Industries Everett Chue, who produce Mountain Dew in PNG said the team should be incredibly proud of their efforts. “We are so proud to have given Wan Squad the opportunity to compete on a world stage and represent their country. They are terrific ambassadors for Papua New Guinea. These young men travelled across the globe to compete at the highest level, and they certainly turned some heads in the world dance community” The boys then took a much-needed week's holiday in Los Angeles courtesy of Mountain Dew to relax and reflect on their accomplishments, before returning to PNG to prepare for their next competition in Brisbane this November.

The PNG Games Council has unanimously agreed to recall the 8th PNG Games from the Host Organizing Committee (HOC) Mendi, Southern Highlands Province with reference to Clause 8.9.1 of the PNG Games charter which empowers the Council to monitor and evaluate Games preparations and recall rights to host. This decision was reached after the presentation of the Sports Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) venue inspection report which was conducted in Mendi on 26-29 June, 2022. The key question asked during the visit was whether the facilities were completed and Games ready for sports competitions by the end of this year. The STAC concluded that the venues will not be ready by November for SHP to stage the Games. After much deliberation, the Executive Committee made the following recommendations to the PNG Games Council for their endorsement; 1. That the SHP Provincial Government won the bid in 2015 and the venues preparation have fallen behind schedule for Games delivery in 2022. Therefore, the Council is to consider recalling the right to host the 8th PNG Games from HOC – SHP. 2. That the Council to invite other provinces to express their readiness to host the 8th PNG Games as soon as practicable. The Executive Committee also proposed for the Council to consider NCD/Central Province to co-host the 8th PNG Games in NCD in June/July 2023 given the availability of world class venues in Port Moresby.   3. The Council also recommended limiting the number of sports to 10 compulsory ones as captured in the PNG Games Charter. Other sports may be considered subject to the recommendation of the new hosts. The compulsory sports are: 1- Athletics 2- Basketball 3- Boxing’ 4- Football 5- Soccer’ 6- Powerlifting 7- Rugby League Nines 8- Touch 9- Volleyball (Indoor) 10- Netball Meanwhile, the PNG Sports Foundation has made the undertaking to work with HOC Mendi and SHP Government to complete the construction of all the facilities. The Executive Director Albert Veratau has expressed satisfaction that much has been achieved and much more will be achieved. This will be achieved with the collaboration of key Government departments including Department of National Planning & Monitoring and Departments of Treasury & Finance to have state of the art facilities completed in SHP. This decision relieves the pressure of HOC SHP and gives them sufficient time to complete the venues and be better prepared to stage the next PNG Games.

Queen Pads PNG is a locally owned SME that supplies locally made menstrual pads product to help young girls and women in rural communities, conducting awareness and supplying the products in the course to minimise health risks. BSP has supported the local SME with 1000 Queen Pads product purchase, that can help the SME distribute and conduct awareness to encourages menstrual health and hygiene in rural communities. BSP Corporate sponsorship Manager Amelia Minnopu said, “We are a community oriented bank that believes in people. We also strongly support health, women and girls in communities and invest in where we believe can elevate community levels, especially in rural areas.” “As the largest private sector employers in the region, BSP employs over 4,000 staff, with women making up 50% of the workforce. Supporting this is one way we hope to contribute positively towards community building and reducing health risks in our societies. We believe in social, economic and political equality’ that amplifies our message of a people’s bank, especially women and children in our communities,” added Ms Minnopu. Ms Minnopu added that: “These products are made of durable, environmentally friendly and gentle cloths that can last for up to five years and it’s useful for female that can help is many ways. This entailed well with our Go Green campaign in supporting awareness on environmental risks. Moreover, it is an innovative new way to decrease our environmental impact.” Founder and owner of Queens Pads PNG, Ann- Shirley Korave when discussing the product said, “About 80% of women and girls in rural areas still do not have access to basic hygienic sanitary pads, hence, the support from a bank that is well established in our community can help us reach these population.” “Menstrual Health and Hygiene is essential to the well-being and empowerment of women and adolescent girls,” added Korave. BSP and Queen Pads PNG’s partnership is a way forward in supporting women and girls in schools, workplaces and rural and local communities. More importantly, breaking the silence around it in our communities.

New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan is going out to thank his voters for putting him back into office after his absolute majority win of 31,717 votes to make up for his absence not campaigning at all throughout the election period because of illness. His first location was at Fissoa, where he thanked the people of the Tikana LLG for their support. He was greeted by students of the Fissoa Primary School who lined the roadside to welcome him. “ I came back to say Thank you to everyone in the Tikana LLG for bringing me back. I was sick during the campaign period and you campaigned for me,” said Sir J. In all respects this is the peoples victory. He reiterated his commitment in ensuring free Primary Health care would be introduced during this term. “When I say Primary Health, this means the basic health services like medicines, injections, maternal health, immunizations and preventive care will be free under my new PPP Government. He urged all New Irelanders to feel proud of themselves because it was New Irelanders that established all the Universities and banking institutions in the country during the early days. “When we leave this world we must pass on something better then when we inherited from our parents,” said Sir J. Giving a background on Education improvements in the province since his return a decade ago he said there are currently twelve secondary schools with an enrolment of over 18,000 students. Overall over 60,000 children have access to education compared to only 25,000 before PPP policies were introduced in 2008. Girls are given the same opportunities as their male counterparts. Girls tend to miss out because parents cannot afford to pay school fees. A battle song on Autonomy sang by the Fissoa Womens Choir joined by students after the speeches left all the community in high spirits. Sir J’s “Thankyou” visits will continue in the coming weeks and months ahead.

Officers from Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) took part in Coral Planting on Sunday the 21st of August 2022. Its was an Initiative of Kokoda track Development & Livelihoods Association Inc, Conservation Environment and Protection Authority (CEPA) with Lakwaharu Coral, a local group from Tubusereia village in Central Province. CCDA’s Adaption and Projects Division, General Manager Mr Jacob Ekinye who led the team to Lion Island for Coral Planting said this was a new experience for himself and his team. Mr Ekinye said corals provide an ecosystem for life underwater. They protect coastlines from the damaging effects of wave action and tropical storms. Corals are source of nitrogen and other essential nutrients for marine food chains and they also assist in carbon and nitrogen fixing etc… Mr Ekinye said CCDA would like to participate in such activities in future and also in other provinces as well. Hollen Mado from Kokoda Track Development & Livelihoods Association Inc. said the coral planting event is a sole initiative of the Kokoda Wild Adventures under the name Kokoda Track Development and Livelihoods Association Inc. “The coral planting initiative is supported by the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority through their Marine Branch,” Mr Mado said. Koivi Egu from with Lakwaharu Coral said they have been planting coral in the sea near their village and they already have a coral farm. This coral gardening activity in Bootless Bay area is being undertaken by his family and the community members from Tubusereia village. Egu said this reef restoration activity is sponsored by Kyeema Foundation from Brisbane, Australia. Egu and his son work together with Kyeema Foundation to address the ever-increasing climate change issues affecting coral reefs in PNG. Kyeema Foundation sponsors this activity in PNG with support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). Egu said he they have been engaging in this activity for four (years) and are able and willing to assist any organsations that are interested to plant corals to save the ocean and the environment. He said they are also engaged in looking after chicken and Mangrove planting. The Coral Planting was a success as over 200 corals were planted that day.