The PNG Hunters have confirmed that centre Elijah Roltinga will miss the remainder of the 2025 season after suffering a broken leg. The injury occurred during the warm-up ahead of the team’s Round 16 match against the Mendi Blackhawks. Roltinga was injured prior to kick-off in what the club has described as an “unfortunate and unexpected incident.” He was immediately airlifted to Pacific International Hospital in Port Moresby, where he was admitted overnight and underwent surgery the following morning. Club officials reported that the procedure was successful and that Roltinga has now entered the recovery phase. “Elijah is now beginning a comprehensive rehabilitation program and will receive the highest standard of medical care available in Papua New Guinea,” the club stated. Roltinga, a key figure in the Hunters’ lineup, is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the year. His absence will be felt both on and off the field. The PNG Hunters extended their support to Roltinga and his family, expressing hope for a full and speedy recovery. The club also confirmed that updates on his rehabilitation progress will be provided in due course.

Prime Minister James Marape held high-level talks with senior executives of ExxonMobil Corporation in Houston today, aiming to accelerate Papua New Guinea’s next wave of liquefied natural gas (LNG) development. The meeting, held at ExxonMobil’s global headquarters, focused on three major projects: Papua LNG, P’nyang LNG, and the Wildebeest gas field. These developments are seen as vital to PNG’s long-term economic growth, investment flow, and job creation. Prime Minister Marape described the discussions as “substantive, productive, and forward-looking,” and welcomed ExxonMobil’s continued commitment to PNG’s energy sector. “I’m pleased to confirm that ExxonMobil has reaffirmed its support for the development of Papua LNG, P’nyang LNG, and Wildebeest,” Marape said. “These projects remain strategically important and will be rolled out in a carefully sequenced manner over the next 10 to 15 years.” The Prime Minister was joined by Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina, Mining Minister Rainbo Paita, State Solicitor Daniel Rolpagarea, MRDC Managing Director Augustine Mano, and State Negotiating Team Chairman Dairi Vele. ExxonMobil’s delegation included Chairman and CEO Darren Woods, Upstream Oil and Gas President Dan Ammann, Global LNG Senior Vice President Peter Clarke, and ExxonMobil PNG Managing Director Dinesh Sivasamboo. The talks also addressed recent cost pressures facing the Papua LNG project, where TotalEnergies serves as the lead operator. Marape confirmed that all joint venture partners — ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited — remain committed to a collaborative solution. A joint stakeholder meeting is being scheduled to resolve the cost issues and move toward a Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Papua LNG project. ExxonMobil also expressed strong interest in advancing the Wildebeest gas field, which is still in its exploration phase. Deep-well exploratory drilling is ongoing, and the company signaled its willingness to partner with the PNG Government on its development potential. “We have clearly stated our preference: Papua LNG first, then P’nyang LNG, followed by Wildebeest,” Marape said. “This sequencing allows for continuity in construction and investment, helping sustain momentum in the industry and ensuring benefits reach our people consistently over the next decade.” In a notable moment during the visit, the Prime Minister was informed that more than six Papua New Guineans are now working at ExxonMobil’s Houston headquarters — a result, he said, of long-term investments in local talent. “As Education Minister in 2008–2009, I supported training programs to prepare our people for roles in the LNG sector,” Marape said. “Seeing our nationals contributing globally at a company like ExxonMobil shows what’s possible when we invest in our human capital.” He thanked ExxonMobil for continuing to empower Papua New Guinean professionals and encouraged the company to expand global opportunities for local talent. Following the Houston engagement, Prime Minister Marape will depart overnight for Washington, D.C., where he will continue his official mission with a two-day program of meetings. These include talks with senior U.S. Government officials and executives from Newmont Corporation, as part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and attract responsible investment to PNG’s resource sector. Marape concluded the Houston leg of his tour by reaffirming the government’s support for responsible resource development. “Our gas projects must deliver lasting benefits for our people,” he said. “With trusted partners like ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies, we are confident these investments will drive the transformation our nation needs as we look toward our next 50 years.”

The Gulf Provincial Administration has committed K80, 000 to support the establishment of the Toare Cultural Centre, a ground-breaking cultural preservation initiative led by UNESCO in partnership with the National Cultural Commission (NCC) and the provincial government. The cheque was officially handed over during a ceremony at the NCC Head Office in Port Moresby. Attending the event were NCC Executive Director Mr. Steven Enomb Kilanda, Gulf Provincial Administrator Mr. Clement Tare, Culture and Tourism Manager Mr. Oscar Evare, Gulf Music and Culture Association Chairman Mr. Alex Anthony, as well as the NCC staff. Despite its proximity to the capital and its rich cultural heritage, Gulf Province has seen limited provincial support for cultural development in the past. This latest move marks a turning point, with the Gulf government being the first to formally partner with NCC on a community-driven cultural initiative. NCC Executive Director Mr. Kilanda expressed gratitude to the Gulf leadership and called on other provinces to follow suit. “Culture doesn’t live in Port Moresby; it lives in our communities.” “We need provincial governments, as cultural custodians, to work with us in delivering services that preserve our traditions and reduce social issues.” Kilanda emphasized that cultural projects like the Toare Centre not only protect heritage but also engage communities, especially youth, in meaningful activities that help reduce law and order problems. Mr. Tare echoed this sentiment, warning that youth disengagement is a growing issue in PNG. “Our youth are a time bomb. We must involve them in cultural and tourism activities to keep them engaged, skilled, and connected to their roots.” He also urged the NCC to go beyond hosting cultural events and to incorporate skills training into its programs to empower young people and build capacity at the community level. "This collaboration is the first of its kind in Papua New Guinea, uniting an international body, a national agency, and a provincial government, to build a cultural center aimed at preserving traditions that risk fading away."

Palau's Ministry of Health (MOH) has warned athletes and officials at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games to be cautious after a dengue fever case was reported on Friday, with an athlete admitted to the national hospital. The Mini Games Organising Committee said all safeguarding protocols for the athlete, teams, visitors and people of Palau have been activated. The Health Ministry is asking everyone to protect themselves as much as possible from mosquito bites. "One case of dengue fever has been detected amongst the athletes," the MOH statement said. "The case was detected through our enhanced health surveillance system, which is conducted daily to ensure early detection and rapid response to potential outbreaks. "The affected person is currently under medical care." But despite the setback, the competition continued in the different sports Saturday. Medal standings Tahiti continues to lead the medal standings, with Samoa getting closer in second, following some impressive golden performances. Sunday was initially marked as a rest day but baseball teams will be competing, as organisers work on catching up with the schedule, following two days of competition being washed out on Monday and Tuesday. The features of day six were the 100-metre finals in both the men's and women's categories. Australia won the women's 100m final, with Kayedel Smith claiming first place ahead of Papua New Guinea's Isila Apkup and Fiji's Sera Nasilivata. Smith stopped the stop watch at the 12.16 seconds mark, with Apkup winning silver in a time of 12.17s, while Nasilivata took the bronze home, completing the race in 12.20s. The men's final saw Papua New Guinea's Pasil Wasil storming home to take the gold in a time of 10.51 seconds, ahead of teammate Tovetuna Tuna, who finished 0.02 seconds later than Wasil to claim silver. Fijian Waisake Tewa took the bronze medal. New Zealand-Tongan David Liti took three gold medals in the men's 110-kilogram weightlifting, with a total lift of 335kg. Fijian Reki Roberts proved to be the best heptathlon athlete, amassing a total of 4,250 points to win the gold. Raylyne Kanam of PNG won silver with 3,816 points while Tonga's Manatu Hafoka finished with the bronze. Her teammate Waisele Inoke claimed the top prize in the men's octathlon, totalling 5,336 points. Competition will take a break on Sunday, resuming on Monday with judo getting into action. At the end of day six (Saturday), Tahiti had totalled 53 gold, 32 silver and 18 bronze medals. Samoa has 27 gold medals to its name in second place on the medal tally, while Fiji is third ahead of Australia, with more silver medals won, atlhough both nations have 18 gold medals each. Fiji have 24 silver compared to Australia's eight silver so far. Papua New Guinea, who topped the medal tally at the 2022 Mini Games in Saipan, are currently sitting in fifth position with 11 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze. Weightlifting competition has ended, along with table tennis, va'a, archery, swimming and wrestling. The closing ceremony is scheduled for 9 June. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1050"] 2025 Pacific Mini Games medal tally at the end of day six of competitions on 5 July 2025. Photo: RNZ Pacific[/caption] Source: rnz.co.nz

Papua New Guinea began their OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025 campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Samoa, thanks to a first-half brace from star striker Marie Kaipu. Despite a late push by the Samoan side, led by the Salanoa sisters, the defending champions held on to secure three points in Group A. The match, played in front of a vibrant crowd, showcased two rising forces in women’s football. Papua New Guinea, boasting several players from the OFC Women’s Champions League finalists Hekari Women’s FC, faced a youthful and determined Samoa squad, whose U-17 side is preparing for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ in Morocco later this year. From the opening whistle, PNG’s talisman Marie Kaipu was central to the action. After an early challenge from Samoa captain Alisa Tuatagaloa left her briefly sidelined for treatment, Kaipu returned with renewed intent. She nearly opened the scoring in the 17th minute, narrowly missing the target after a quick burst down the right wing. Moments later, her persistence paid off. Capitalizing on a loose ball, Kaipu initiated a swift one-two before outrunning Tuatagaloa, rounding goalkeeper Kamy Anaya, and calmly slotting home to give PNG a 1-0 lead. PNG nearly doubled their advantage shortly after through Keren Kalapai, whose strike rattled the upright. Captain and 2022 Golden Boot winner Ramona Padio also came close in the 26th minute and later had a goal disallowed after setting up Kaipu, who finished well but was flagged offside. Samoa responded with resilience. Oteta Kitiona surged forward on the wing, testing PNG’s backline, while a low cross from Xevani Salanoa almost found the equaliser before the break. However, it was Kaipu again who struck before halftime. Set up by Michaelyne Butubu, she shrugged off her marker and curled a clinical finish past Anaya in the 40th minute to make it 2-0. She nearly completed a first-half hat trick just before the whistle, unselfishly laying off to Butubu, whose shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Anaya. The second half saw Samoa regroup and find momentum, particularly through the impact of the Salanoa sisters. Goalkeeper Xeyana Salanoa entered the match at the restart and played a key role in keeping PNG at bay with a series of vital saves. Samoa’s growing confidence paid off late in the game when Xevani Salanoa looped a well-placed header over PNG goalkeeper Lavina Hola, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and raising hopes of a comeback. With renewed urgency, Samoa pushed forward in the final minutes, but PNG’s defence held strong. A brilliant one-handed save by Xeyana Salanoa in the dying moments denied PNG a third goal and kept Samoa within touching distance until the final whistle. Despite the loss, Samoa impressed with their tenacity and tactical discipline. For PNG, the victory reinforces their title credentials, while also highlighting areas for improvement ahead of their next group match.

The Papua New Guinea Chamber of Resources and Energy (PNG CORE) has congratulated New Porgera Limited (NPL) for its impressive first-quarter performance in 2025, describing it as a strong sign of renewed confidence in resource development and national ownership. In a statement recently released, PNG CORE President Anthony Smaré praised NPL’s early achievements since the mine resumed full operations, noting both the economic impact and the company’s commitment to local communities and workforce development. “New Porgera has made an excellent start,” Mr. Smaré said. “This result is a credit to the hard work and resilience of its management, employees, shareholders, and partners. It’s encouraging to see the mine once again delivering value to Enga Province, the Highlands, and the nation.” Among the key outcomes highlighted were the production of 84,800 ounces of gold, a declared dividend of USD $80 million, and the payment of USD $48.9 million in corporate tax. Mr. Smaré said these achievements not only strengthen PNG’s economy but also reflect the potential of responsible, well-managed resource projects. He also commended the successful connection of the Mulitaka Bypass Road, calling it a major logistical improvement and a sign of NPL’s commitment to solving infrastructure challenges in remote areas. Workforce development was another standout, with 97 percent of NPL’s 2,811 employees being Papua New Guinean nationals. Additionally, the company has provided training opportunities to 43 industrial trainees, helping to build future local expertise in the mining sector. However, PNG CORE also expressed concern over ongoing law and order issues in the region. In the same period, NPL reported 33,499 illegal intrusions into the mine site, 11 armed robberies, and the shooting of a staff member, along with frequent disruptions along critical access routes. “These serious incidents threaten not only the company’s operations but the broader benefits flowing to communities and the nation,” Mr. Smaré said. “We support the government’s consideration of a Security Tax Credit Scheme and a Highway Tax Credit Scheme to help address these challenges and enhance protection for both company assets and local people.” Mr. Smaré concluded by reaffirming PNG CORE’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the Porgera project and other resource developments across the country.

Prime Minister James Marape has extended heartfelt congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, the Government of the United States, and the American people on the 249th anniversary of U.S. Independence. Speaking from St. Louis, Missouri, where he is attending the 62nd General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church as an official guest, PM Marape reflected on the shared values of liberty, democracy, and faith that connect PNG and the United States. As part of the event’s opening session, PM Marape has been invited to speak on “PNG for Christ 2024,” a national Christian outreach initiative aimed at strengthening faith and unity across the country. Reflecting on the occasion, PM Marape described the United States as “the world’s greatest free-market economy, the greatest democracy, and the greatest Christian nation.” “As we celebrate the 249th birthday of the United States, we also reflect on the global spread of Christianity and the renewal of faith across nations,” he said. “America stands as a beacon of freedom, opportunity, and faith — a country built on enduring values that empower individuals to become the best versions of themselves.” He emphasized the powerful symbolism of holding such a large religious gathering on U.S. Independence Day, noting the strong connection between national identity and religious freedom — a principle also deeply rooted in Papua New Guinea’s Constitution. “Our Constitution, especially Section 43, guarantees religious liberty and freedom of conscience,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Like the United States, Papua New Guinea is a diverse nation — not due to immigration, but through our many indigenous cultures.” “We, too, embrace unity in diversity and uphold the values of freedom and faith.” The PM praised the nearly 250 years of American nation-building and said that the U.S. model of democracy, free enterprise, and religious tolerance continues to inspire nations around the world — including Papua New Guinea. “As PNG prepares to celebrate 50 years of independence in September 2025, we look to long-standing partners like the United States as sources of inspiration and guidance.” PM Marape concluded by sending Papua New Guinea’s warmest wishes to President Trump, the U.S. Government, and the American people on this important national celebration.

The Grand Final of the inaugural PNG National Youth Competition (NYC) will be hosted in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, at the National Sports Institute (NSI). This milestone event marks the first-ever youth rugby league grand final in PNG, as the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) and the PNG National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) move to take major fixtures beyond Port Moresby, promoting inclusivity and extending social and economic benefits to other regions. PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina congratulated the grand finalists and reaffirmed the league’s commitment to its vision of Better People, Better Sports, Better Nation. He emphasized that the NYC, as a sanctioned under-19 competition, provides development and pathway opportunities for young rugby talent across PNG. “Firstly, I’d like to congratulate the NYC grand finalists — the U19 Bintangor Goroka Lahanis and the U19 Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles. Both teams have performed exceptionally, and the Grand Final promises to be a thrilling encounter,” said Mr. Hondina. “To the other four franchises that participated, you have made history as part of PNG’s first-ever U19 rugby league competition. The skills, experience, and discipline gained over the seven rounds of competition will influence your future decisions and create new opportunities in the sport.” Mr. Hondina also acknowledged the support of the National Government and the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government in developing the facilities at NSI, enabling the hosting of national-level competitions. “We intentionally selected Goroka to make it easier for families and supporters of both highland teams to attend and cheer on their young players,” he added. The NYC Grand Final will serve as a curtain-raiser to the Round 12 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup match between the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis and the Asila Waghi Tumbe on Sunday, 6 July. Unlike the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup, the NYC is a development-focused competition. The winning team will make history as the first-ever champions of the PNG National Youth Competition.

Express Freights Management (EFM) has reaffirmed its commitment to community development through a generous donation of sanitary pads, bath soaps, and cleaning detergents to the Metoreia Health Centre (MHC) in Port Moresby city, as part of its community initiative program. EFM’s Safety Manager, Mr. Chauka Molen, handed over the supplies on behalf of the company’s management and Mr. Nathan Brooks. Mr. Molen stated that the donation is a way for EFM to give back to the community and support essential health services. Receiving the donation on behalf of the clinic, Metoreia Health Extension Officer (HEO), Ms. Regina Wuri, expressed her gratitude to Mr. Nathan Brooks and the EFM team. She highlighted that the health facility, now six months into operations, has encountered various challenges and that such support would greatly assist in maintaining basic healthcare services. “The Metoreia Health Centre operates a 24-hour birthing facility, with nearly 200 babies delivered by our skilled midwives. Items like sanitary pads, soap, and cleaning supplies are crucial in ensuring a clean and safe environment for both staff and patients,” said HEO Wuri. Dr. Robin Oge, CEO of the NCD Provincial Health Authority, also extended his appreciation to the management of EFM on behalf of the Board and Management. He emphasized that such timely donations play an important role in supporting the Authority’s mission of delivering effective health services across the National Capital District.

Eight-year-old Undialu Philip from Tari, Hela Province, has been given a second chance at life after successfully undergoing open-heart surgery at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH). The complex operation was carried out by a collaborative team of local cardiac specialists and visiting experts from Singapore. Dr. Noah Tapaua, Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Surgery Coordinator at PMGH, confirmed the successful repair of Undialu’s heart defect. The operation involved a dedicated multidisciplinary team—including surgeons, anaesthetists, perfusionists, and nurses—working seamlessly in the operating theatre. “Undialu is the first paediatric patient in a series of ten scheduled for open-heart surgeries this week,” said Dr. Tapaua. “The youngest is just 4 years old, and the oldest is 11. Three of the children have travelled from Tari, Rabaul, and Alotau, while the rest are from Port Moresby.” Dr. Tapaua expressed deep appreciation for the returning team from Singapore, whose last mission to PMGH was in 2015. “The Singapore Heart Health team has not only helped us save lives, but they’ve also been instrumental in training and empowering our local cardiac professionals,” he said, noting that several members of the PMGH cardiac team received training at Singapore’s National Heart Centre between 2012 and 2014. PMGH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paki Molumi echoed the gratitude, highlighting the importance of the ongoing collaboration. “We are committed to strengthening this partnership so our local team can eventually perform open-heart surgeries independently,” Dr. Molumi stated.

Team PNG added another medal to their tally on Day 2 (1st July) of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, thanks to a strong performance in Va’a. The Men’s V6 500m crew claimed bronze with a time of 1 minute 53.24 seconds, finishing behind gold medallists Tahiti and silver medallists Wallis & Futuna. PNG’s paddlers showed great determination in what was a fiercely contested race. In the pool, Team PNG swimmers were back in action. In Event 11 – Men’s 100m Butterfly – Nathaniel Noka posted a time of 59.72 seconds. In the Women’s 100m Butterfly (Event 12), Abigail Ai Tom clocked 1 minute 11.65 seconds. Event 13 – Men’s 50m Breaststroke – saw three PNG swimmers compete: Noka returned with a time of 32.16 seconds, Haoda Loi finished in 32.20 seconds, and Troy Oates swam 33.76 seconds. The swimmers are now focused on improving in today’s events (2nd July). On the basketball court, PNG’s 3x3 teams came out strong. The women’s team secured a commanding 21–7 win over host nation Palau in their opening match, while the men’s team battled to a 22–14 victory against Vanuatu. Later in the day, both teams faced tougher opposition in their second matches — the men fell to the Marshall Islands, and the women lost to Fiji. Despite the setbacks in Conference 1’s first round, both squads are resetting with determination ahead of today’s games (2nd July). Looking ahead to Day 3, Team PNG will continue competing across multiple sports including table tennis, swimming, va’a, indoor volleyball, softball, basketball 3x3, beach volleyball, and weightlifting.

Westpac NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley is considering a major pre-game change for next week's State of Origin decider in order to prevent a repeat of their slow start in Game Two. Rather than using the underground tunnel that connects the NSWRL Centre of Excellence to Accor Stadium, the side is likely to complete a traditional warm up and enter to the field via the western tunnel. The Blues produced a lacklustre first half at Optus Stadium to trail 26-6 at half-time. While they came roaring back in the second 40, it was ultimately too little too late and Queensland held on to set up a decider next Wednesday night. The performance triggered a detailed review by the NSW coaching staff and prompted Daley to look into adjusting the side's pre-game routine. The Blues have warmed up at the adjacent NSWRL Centre of Excellence before entering Accor Stadium via an underground tunnel for the past six years. The four-minute walk to the ground was one of the most spectacular entrances in Australian sport and led to scenes reminiscent of US college football as the tension built before the side ran on to the field in front of more than 80,000 screaming Blues fans. Daley, however, is eager to simplify the pre-game schedule and the unique arrival is unlikely to be used next Wednesday night. The Blues are now set to travel straight from the team hotel to the ground and complete their warmup inside the dressing sheds at Accor Stadium before entering through the standard tunnel. The change was first floated prior to the start of the series and Daley hopes it helps the players focus purely on their preparation. "We just want to get over there and be a part of it instead of walking over there [after the warmup]," Daley told NRL.com. "I like getting on a bus and going to a game rather than walking to a game. "That's what it is. I'd rather jump on a bus, leave the hotel and go from there and hopefully it's a smoother preparation." The Blues entered the second game of the series as heavy favourites, however they were blown off the park early by Queensland. While Brian To'o opened the scoring in the sixth minute, the Maroons went on to score four straight tries to take a 20-point lead heading into half-time. NSW made seven errors and conceded eight penalties in a 40-minute performance that ultimately cost them the game. Back-rower Angus Crichton conceded Queensland got the jump on the Blues at Optus Stadium and declared it won't happen again next week. "That was where we lacked in that last game," Crichton said. "We need to make sure we're ready to go and we need to be more emotional. We need to be more aggressive in that first half." Crichton played a key role in the Blues' drought-breaking victory in last year's decider at Suncorp Stadium, however, much has changed since that win. Daley has returned for his second stint in charge after Michael Maguire left to join the Broncos. While he won two deciders as a player, the Blues legend lost all three deciders during his initial five-year tenure as coach, and he is under plenty of pressure heading into next week's game. Daley acknowledges there is a lot riding on the result but is focused on ensuring the team peaks on Wednesday night. "I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t nervous, but it’s more excitement than nerves," Daley said. "Probably anxious is the right word. "You’re just hoping that you’ve nailed your prep for the week which we’re about to do, and that’s all we can do is nail what we can control, which is the preparation. If we do that then we’ll give ourselves every chance to win a game of footy. "Because it’s a big build up, you’ve got to be careful that you don’t play the game before you get there. You don’t want to be sky high today or tomorrow – you want to gradually increase the build up and increase the intensity of everything you do. "The first couple of days for us is about trying to stay calm, have a bit of fun and to get that camaraderie going again, and then we start to build into the week." Source: NRL.com