RiRi smurf? Not quite, but superstar Rihanna is set to play Smurfette in the upcoming “Smurfs” animated film. On Thursday, Paramount Pictures announced the news during their CinemaCon presentation, revealing that the singer will create and perform original music for the film. She will also serve as a producer. “Getting to do animation is a fun journey for me,” Rihanna said. “I’m usually front and center with everything with my likeness…but this was fun, I got to imagine, I got to show up in my pajamas in my third trimester, and be a blue badass.” Chris Miller and Matt Landon will co-direct the movie. Pam Brady penned the script. The “Smurfs” film franchise kicked off in 2011 with “The Smurfs,” starring Neil Patrick Harris. Katy Perry formerly played Smurfette. “The Smurfs 2” was released in 2013, followed by 2017’s “Smurfs: The Lost Village.” As for her acting career, Rihanna starred in 2012’s “Battleship” and appeared as herself in 2013 comedy “This Is the End.” She also appeared in “Ocean’s 8,” among television show appearances. The “Smurfs” movie hits theaters February 14, 2025.

Holding on to the wisdom her father passed on to her, Bowi Courtney Agiru overcame the challenges life threw at her and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG). Bowi expressed an over whelming emotion for her loved ones who were not present to witness her achievement but also appreciated her family and friends who showed up for this special occasion. “It’s very over whelming and mixed feelings. A little bit of sadness for the people who couldn’t be here, but overall, just happy that I’ve passed a mile stone and another chapter and looking forward to the next. ” Bowi is the only daughter of the former Hela Governor Anderson Pawa Agiru who passed away in 2016. She said, moments like this when you expect to see and hear from them but are not present. These are the hardest, especially during her schooling years. “His done his bit and taught me what I needed to know and I’ve come this far. It kind of hurts more but it makes you embrace that moment and appreciate everything and everyone around you.” Coming from a back ground where her father was associated in the political area, Bowi said she was always encouraged by her father to always encourage her to do want she wanted to do in life where she made sure of that when she got degreed. “He always encouraged me to do what I want with my life and he never really liked me in the political eye. He always encouraged me to do want I want and to never let other people’s expectations get in your way or cloud your judgement.” After four years of studying at the university, perseverance and independence are two of the most profound virtues that she learnt while studying. “It’s not real life, it’s still a bubble but it teaches you how to look after yourself. To network, what to expect out there. It’s basically, like a trial face before you get out there.” She also uttered a very strong message to fellow students who are still in school to make education the most important priority in their lives and everything else falls behind. “One important thing I’ve really learnt is education and I’ve made it this far, and I’ve seen the power of education and independence for young people. As early as you can know what you want to do in life.” She also encouraged other young individuals out there to never let other people’s expectations and judgments cloud their own but to be themselves as they are the best versions of themselves. Bowi was among the 200 School of Law students that graduated at the UPNG 68th Graduation Ceremony, which was held at the Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium at Port Moresby on Thursday 27th April.  

The SP PNG Hunters will have an advantage this weekend when they run out to a home crowd welcome tomorrow Saturday 29th April, to play host to the Mackay Cutters in Round 7 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. Having fallen short to the Burleigh Bears in Round 6 last week, the Hunters should outplay the Cutters who are currently sitting at 14th place on the ladder while the Hunters are at 11th place. However, the Hunters will be without suspended five-eighth Sakias Komati this week but will be confident of returning to the winners circle against the 14th placed Cutters. The last time these sides met was in Round 20 last year, when the Hunters produced one of the performances of the season. Down on the scoreboard with just minutes remaining, a length of the field try in the 77th minute clinched the result for the Hunters to ensure they finished the 2022 season on a high. Current Hunters players Rodrick Tai, Judah Rimbu, Ila Alu and Brandon Nima were instrumental to that result and shape as key players for PNG again, this week. Mackay have made a host of changes to their Round 6 losing side and will be desperate to get their season back on track with a win this weekend. Head Coach Stanley Tepend was understandably disappointed with last week’s performance and is looking forward to a response on Saturday. “It’s obviously been a disappointing last few weeks.” “Full credit to Burleigh who played a great game, but we just lacked energy and intent right from the kick off. We just weren’t there last week but the boys are learning quickly that in this competition you have to be ready to turn up every week.” Tepend said his side has focused on being accountable for individual performances this week. “We’ve had a look at our individual preparation – what we do throughout the week, on game day, how we’re preparing ourselves for the game. We need to be accountable for our own actions and make sure we’re all on the same page.” “We’ve focused on staying in our systems and being more resilient when things don’t go our way. We know we’ve got points in us but we just need to not panic and trust our defensive systems.” Team List 1. Morea Morea 2. Siki Konden 3. Brandon Nima 4. Rodrick Tai 5. Solo Wane 6. Joshua MIre 7. Jamie Mavoko 8. Junior Rop 9. Wesser Tenza 10. Epel Kapinias 11. Sherwin Tanabi 12. Julius Yakoba 13. Ila Alu (captain) 14. Judah Rimbu 15. Tom Moide 16. Henry Noki 17. Koso Bandi 1 8. Benji Kot 19. Sanny Wabo 20. Trevor Solu  

Another Nicho Hynes masterclass and a double to Ronaldo Mulitalo led the Sharks to a 44-6 win over the Cowboys at PointsBet Stadium last night. Mulitalo took his try tally at the Sharks' home ground to 19 in 18 games as Cronulla's outside backs ran riot in a seven-tries-to-one demolition. On the back of an early error by Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt it was the home side striking through Siosifa Talakai in just the second minute before Hynes added a penalty goal nine minutes later to make it 8-0. The Sharks had a second in the 14th minute when edge back-rower Briton Nikora's grubber kick rebounded into the in-goal and Jesse Ramien pounced forn his fourth try of the season. With Hynes' conversion the score had blown out to 14-0. With 15 minutes to go in the half the Sharks turned up the heat defensively on the back of a Hynes kick, forcing the Cowboys to kick from just 15 metres out from their own line and grabbing a try on the next set. Winger Sione Katoa was the beneficiary of some slick hands by Hynes and Will Kennedy and the Sharks had racked up a 20-0 lead. The Cowboys got on the board in the 34th minute when Tom Dearden exploded through a gap from 40 metres out and linked with Feldt, who produced a huge fend on Mulitalo to cross for his fourth try of the season. Four minutes into the second half the Sharks went left and another peach of a pass from Kennedy found Talakai who sent it on to Mulitalo for the home side's fourth try and the margin was out to 18. [caption id="attachment_39402" align="alignnone" width="788"] Mulitalo burns them on the outside[/caption] Sharks back-rower Jack Williams then made a line break and was taken high by Cowboys No.1 Scott Drinkwater, the resulting penalty gifting Hynes two more points to make it 26-6. Cowboys prop Coen Hess' 150th NRL game turned sour in the 55th minute when he was sin binned for tripping and the Sharks cashed in when Talakai produced another quality tap-on for Mulitalo to cross again. Two minutes after Mulitalo scored the Sharks were in again when Drinkwater made a meal of a Hynes kick and the Cronulla supremo picked up the scraps and touched down for a 38-6 lead. Five-eighth Matt Moylan then laid on a try for Teig Wilton as the Sharks piled more pain on the Cowboys, who also lost their skipper Chad Townsend to a suspected calf injury. The Sharks lost Nikora and prop Braden Hamlin-Uele to suspected knee injuries in the only dampener on a dominant performance. Source: NRL.Com

The graduating students from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) School Of Law were urged to be agents of positive change by being industrious and innovative. UPNG Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Frank Griffin, encouraged the 200 graduating law students not to be confined to their subject area that they have studied, but to diversify themselves and the certain skills set that they have been taught while studying at the university. “The training you have received for the past four or five years will now be put to good use as you progress yourselves from here on wards,” said Griffin. Pro. Griffin also challenged the students to embrace and accept change and to continue to look at ways to improve one’s self. “Make positive changes for our people where you are and thrive as you have done in the last years you spent at school (University).” “Be effective to make effective positive changes at the policy and process levels. To make changes for the better good of every Papua New Guinean, so that their lives can be improved, enriched and fulfilled.” He advised the graduating Law students to never under estimate their degrees as they are comparable to any in the world and to be competitive at the national, regional and international level. Pro. Griffin also reminded the student that as they graduated today, they will all become part of the UPNG Students Alumni and they should be proud of that. Meanwhile, Lady Winifred Kamit who is an alumni of the university expressed much emotion to see over 60 females graduate this year in the School of Law. “The Balance contribution to any work force brings out the best outcomes, said Kamit.” She is also calling out to the University Administration to make data available for students to know how many female students have graduated from the school of law since its establishment.

The Mapua Primary School (MPS) in the New Ireland province now operates as a Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE) satellite centre for the Simberi Gold Company Limited’s (SGCL) FODE program. As a satellite centre, MPS is providing easy access to Mapua and Tatau students to attend classes at the school rather than travelling to Simberi which is located at least 30 minutes away by boat. Mapua, located on the eastern coastline of Tatau, is home to a Catholic mission station that runs a primary school and health centre. The arrangement for MPS to become a FODE satellite centre was recently made between SGCL and MPS. Twenty-eight students from Mapua and Tatau have registered to begin their FODE journey. They include six students each in grades 9 and 12, five in grade 11 and 11 in grade 10. SGCL FODE Coordinator Patrick Nesen who is also one of SGCL’s FODE teachers, is pleased with the partnership. “This arrangement is good for the students. Instead of having the big group of students travel by boat daily from Tatau to Simberi to attend classes, they will now travel a shorter distance to Mapua,” said Patrick. He thanked the MPS administration for allowing the FODE program to run at the school and appealed to the students to make the most of the opportunity and called on students to take their studies seriously. “You have the potential to improve your marks and make it into government tertiary institutions after completing the year 12 FODE program,” encouraged Patrick. SGCL offers the FODE program free to Tabar locals as part of St Barbara’s commitment to building stronger communities. Each student must only pay the registration fee of K50. The Simberi FODE program was established in 2013, a year after St Barbara took over the mine from Allied Gold in 2012. This year, in its 10th year of operation, SGCL FODE has enrolled over 1, 000 locals, including SGCL employees. In 2022, SGCL recorded its first successful enrolment of two grade 12 FODE students, a male and a female, into Divine Word University for the Bachelor of Primary Education program. They both scored a grade point average (GPA) of over 3-points to earn the National Government’s Higher Education Scholarship (HECAS).

With Cameron Munster and Harry Grant coming to the party when it mattered the Storm downed an injury-hit Warriors side 30-22 at AAMI Park on Tuesday night. The Warriors had no players on the bench in the final 10 minutes and it was a line break by Munster and a try to Grant out of dummy half that snuffed out the visitors' brave challenge. Early on it was the Warriors making the ideal start in their bid to avenge last year's 60-point Anzac Day drubbing when edge forward Jackson Ford powered onto a Dylan Walker pass to cross for his second try of the season in the fifth minute. Six minutes later the visitors had a second try when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad's slick hands put Dallin Watene-Zelezniak over on the right side and Shaun Johnson converted for 12-0. A monster 40-20 kick by Cameron Munster in the 15th minute gave the Storm the chance to hit back and Justin Olam delivered the four-pointer to make it 12-6 to the Warriors. No sooner had the Storm closed the gap than they let Addin Fonua-Blake march straight through the middle of the ruck to grab the Warriors' third try and the margin was back to 12 points. When Johnson gave away a penalty for going a metre over the goal line when he launched a dropout, the Storm made him pay immediately through a try to Munster and the home side were right back in it at 18-12. Despite being a man down the Warriors struck first in the second when Adam Pompey delivered a superb pass for Watene-Zelezniak to grab his second try and the margin was back to 10. Just three minutes later the Storm hit back when Xavier Coates found space down the left and grubbered back inside for Nick Meaney to regather and score his sixth try of the season. A barnstorming run by Olam and a couple of six-again calls put Melbourne on the front foot and Meaney grabbed his second try off a Jahrome Hughes kick to put the Storm ahead 24-22 with 21 minutes to play. With Nicoll-Klokstad failing a HIA, Jazz Tevaga hobbling off injured and Bayley Sironen forced off for a HIA, the Warriors were down to 13 players for the final 10 minutes and Harry Grant finished them off with a try out of dummy half in the 76th minute. The Storm have now won their past 14 clashes against the Warriors and have climbed to fifth on the ladder ahead of a bye in Round 9. Source: NRL.Com

Broncos duo Ezra Mam and Payne Haas will miss the Round 9 clash against the Rabbitohs after both entered early guilty pleas to Dangerous Contact charges. Mam was cited for a tackle on Eel Matt Doorey in the 63rd minute of the clash in Darwin while Haas was charged for an incident involving Reagan Campbell-Gillard one minute later. Mam and Haas will both be back on deck for Magic Round where the table-topping Broncos face the Sea Eagles. Sea Eagles prop Aaron Woods, Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi and Eels forward J'maine Hopgood all entered early guilty pleas to charges arising from Round 8 and have received monetary fines. Meanwhile, Roosters second-rower Nat Butcher will miss the traditional Anzac Day clash against the Dragons after entering an early guilty plea to a Dangerous Contact charge. Also set to miss Anzac Day is Storm forward Tui Kamikamica, who entered an early guilty plea to a Dangerous Contact charge on Daly Cherry-Evans. Kamikamica copped a two-game ban and will miss Round 8 against the Warriors and Round 10 against the Rabbitohs. The Storm have a bye in Round 9. Source: NRL.Com

The punters have written them off and contract negotiations are seemingly wearing them down but Josh Kerr is adamant Anzac Day is the perfect stage to turn the Dragons' fortunes around. The Red V arrive at Allianz Stadium on Tuesday with an unflattering 2-4 record but that's exactly where they stood last year when they stunned the Roosters 14-12 on the back of a Ben Hunt masterclass. “It’s not really a game you need to be coached for, we’re always up for it,” Kerr told NRL.com. “The thing we need right now is this Anzac Day match, it’s not a skill-set thing this game it’s more about our desire to win and our effort and how much we’re going to turn up for each other as teammates. “We have a pretty good record against the Roosters on Anzac Day and it’s a really good platform to slingshot us off for the season.” Since the two sides launched the Anzac Day tradition in 2002, the Dragons hold a 12-8 advantage and a win in this year's clash would be a huge boost for coach Anthony Griffin as he faces continued speculation over his future at the club. Now in his fifth season at the Dragons, Kerr lines up in his second Anzac Day game, keen to avenge a 34-10 loss in 2021 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. When the whistle blows, you’re not playing for just our team, you’re playing for those people that didn’t get the chance to be nervous, they were jumping out of trenches and fighting for their country and their teammates. Josh Kerr “If we get the win here, it will be an important stepping stone,” he said. “In the grand scheme of the season, it’s still early days. We talked about wanting to use the first few rounds as a time to build our identity as a team and this is a game that will prove how tough we are and how hard we’re willing to play. “Hook’s our coach and he’s done a great job to hold his head up high considering what he’s going through at the moment. "We’ve just got to start winning games and then all that external noise goes away.” When Allianz Stadium falls silent just before kick-off in the ultimate mark of respect for those who have served our country, Kerr will link arms with his teammates and steel himself for an intense contest against a Roosters side also under pressure with a 3-3 record. “It’s pretty emotional, I’ve been lucky to be a part of one. I remember going out there and my eyes were welling up, you all stand together and it’s an eerie, emotional silence,” Kerr said. “There are thousands of people in a stadium and then suddenly it just goes quiet. You are pretty emotionally driven and after the Last Post plays and the minute of silence ends, you’re just ready to go, you don’t even need a warm-up. “I get goosebumps when I think about it, I can’t wait to be a part of it again. "When the whistle blows, you’re not playing for just our team, you’re playing for those people that didn’t get the chance to be nervous, they were jumping out of trenches and fighting for their country and their teammates. “We’re doing that in a different form on Tuesday and the sense of knowing we’re about to do something pretty special is exciting.” Fellow Dragon Jack de Belin lines up for the eighth time on Anzac Day in what has become a very important day for the 32-year-old and his family. Representing his grandfather, Fred – the Balmain great who flew suicide missions over Germany with the RAAF – de Belin knows ladder positions count for nothing on the most solemn day on the rugby league calendar. "It doesn’t matter how you are going in club form, it’s the easiest game to get up for," de Belin told NRL.com. "There’s so much on the line that you’re playing for, and it's pretty special that on Anzac Day we get to play a game of football for the people and hopefully make the people that served for us proud. "We only have to play footy for 80 minutes when you think of the people that went away and fought in the war before us, we’re doing nothing in comparison. "My grandfather went away in World War II and served our country, so I definitely don’t take this game for granted." Source: NRL.Com

Issues relating to kidneys can now be treated at the Mendi Hospital in Southern Highlands province after the hospital received its new Kidney Dialysis Unit. This was made possible through the support of the national petroleum and energy company, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), through a commitment made to support the establishment of the Unit at a cost of K1million and after some years, the dialysis unit is finally officially open and ready to take in patients. At the 2020 ground-breaking ceremony, KPHL made their first instalment of K500, 000 towards the Sothern Highlands Provincial Health Authority (PHA) project and by mid-2021 building construction was well underway. Since then, the facility has been fully kitted out with the necessary water treatment other necessary equipment and medical staff trained in Port Moresby to operate it. KPHL Managing Director Mr. Wapu Sonk said, “Kumul Petroleum Holdings is proud to have partnered with the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority in ensuring that this important life-changing medical facility is established and operational in a Highlands location, in a region where a large percentage of the country’s population lives. It is the second government kidney dialysis centre in PNG after Port Moresby. “Kumul Petroleum has always had a health focus, we want to help save lives. We have supported the National Heart Centre at Port Moresby General Hospital and also financed cancer treatment at that hospital and ANGAU Memorial Hospital in Lae. This support of the Mendi Dialysis unit is a logical extension of KPHL’s health sector programs.” Equipped with six dialysis machines each costing K85, 000, the Kidney Dialysis Centre at Mendi will serve patients from throughout the Highlands region. Two of the dialysis machines will be provided by PNG Kidney Foundation while the other four are funded by the PNG Government. An important part of the facility is the water filtering and treatment system, which cost over K200, 000. “As PNG develops there is an increased incidence of lifestyle diseases such as cancer and diseases that affect organs such as the heart and kidneys, which often results in death. At Kumul Petroleum we hope that our financial support can assist the National Department of Health, such as today where we see the first Highland regional dialysis facility.” “Kumul Petroleum Holdings hopes that the dialysis unit here in Mendi properly serves its purpose, which ultimately is to save people’s lives - to become a kidney dialysis centre of excellence, providing training and development for our doctors, nurses and technicians.

The Digicel ExxonMobil Cup first double header match played at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby this afternoon saw the Central Dabaris secure their first win of the season against Gulf Isou. However, the first half started with the Gulf Isou leading the match with a penalty kick by Gabby Taune securing 2 points followed by a try by himself taking the lead to 6 points to 0. The Dabaris on the other hand won’t go into half time scoreless and at the last minutes of the half, Dabaris’ centre Wala Samoa scored their first try followed by a successful conversion to level the score 6 points all. Coming back at second half, the Gulfs boys extended their lead through a try by halfback Michael Timothy followed a successful conversion, putting them in the lead 12-6. Playing in the second half, both teams also had two of their players sin binned for high tackles and were a man short. Things went bad for the Dabaris when a penalty was given to the Gulf Isou, of which they took a penalty kick and putting two points on the score board to lead 14 to 6. However, the Dabaris were not going to go quietly and with only fifteen minutes on the clock, the boys from Central province fought back through a try from Wala Samoa with a successful conversion. Another try by his team mate Rex Kaupa put the Dabaris further ahead on the score board. They would have gone further had the conversion kick was successful. Nevertheless, the Dabaris were in the lead 16 to 14 and held on until the full time hooter went off to win the match. Dabaris fullback Junior Bobby took out the man of the match award.

The SP PNG Hunters are back in Australia this weekend to take on the Burleigh Bears at UAA Park, Gold Coast in Round 6 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. The match will kick-off at 3pm on Saturday, 22nd of April. It’s been a short week for the Hunters who returned to Port Moresby following their disappointing loss to the Northern Pride last weekend. The travel to and from Papua New Guinea means the Hunters observed a restricted training schedule this week, but no doubt they’re eager to take the field on Saturday and respond to their Round 5 loss. Despite the result, there were plenty of positives for the Hunters to take away from last week’s match against the Pride. The PNG-based side showed that when they hold the ball and control their discipline, they can pile on the points quickly. They also produced some compelling defensive efforts on their own try line to repel an expansive Pride attack. It often took multiple repeat sets for the Pride to crack PNG’s line, and if the Hunters can limit their opponents’ attacking chances, they will be confident in defending their line. SP PNG Hunters Head Coach Stanley Tepend has made a few minor changes to his side for Round 6. Benji Kot moves back into the centres where he enjoyed a steller start to the season, while Julius Yakoba returns to the backrow after missing last week. In the spine, Jamie Mavoko has been recalled at halfback and gets a chance to resume what was a promising combination with Sakias Komati and Morea Morea over the opening four games. How the Hunters forward pack performs on Saturday will go a long way to bringing Mavoko, Komati and Morea into the game. The Hunters forwards were beaten through the middle by Pride in Round 5 but they get a chance to respond against the Bears on Saturday afternoon. The Burleigh Bears will also be stinging after a heavy loss in Round 5 at the hands of the Sunshine Coast Falcons. The Falcon’s Melbourne Storm affiliated players ran riot against the Bears in Round 5, who struggled to contain the NRL-quality attacking talent across the park. Don’t let that score line fool you, though. Burleigh have once again assembled a quality roster this season and will provide a stern test for PNG when playing at home this weekend. Team List 1. Morea Morea 2. Brandon Nima 3. Benji Kot 4. Rodrick Tai 5. Solo Wane 6. Sakias Komati 7. Jamie Mavoko 8. Junior Rop 9. Wesser Tenza 10. Epel Kapinias 11. Sherwin Tanabi 12. Julius Yakoba 13. Ila Alu (captain) 14. Trevor Solu 15. Tom Moide 16. Koso Bandi 17. Henry Noki 18. Sanny Wabo PC : Travor Mallen