Solomon Islands defeated Papua New Guinea 17–4 in the OFC Beach Soccer Men's Nations Cup after suffering a devastating last-minute loss to Tahiti in their first round. The home crowd were in full support as the Solomon Islands made the perfect start with Thomas Amasia scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot in the second minute. Two minutes later Jose Nawo doubled the lead when he turned and shot, the ball creeping across the goal line off the inside of the post. The writing was on the wall for the tournament debutants when Peter Reginald scored his side’s third goal in the 6th minute. Babob Labong’s team had made a dream debut to international Beach Soccer 24 hours earlier when they stunned Fiji 8-6, but the home side were a step up in class and Albert Bobby fired in off the crossbar to put the hosts 4-0 and in command. Raven Samuel pulled a goal back for Papua New Guinea with a fine strike by Raven Samuel before the end of the period to give Papua New Guinea hope heading into the second stanza, and they opened the scoring after the break with a real ‘football’ goal, some nice one touch passing setting up Goiravana Kala who beat James Do’oro in the Solomon Islands goal. The crowd had gone silent, and the home side needed a bit of magic to regain the ascendency, and it came from Erick Wanega who blasted a long-range effort past Kopi Samuel in goal. Max Fa’ari then scored a quick brace to put the hosts firmly in control. Peter Reginald then got into the action as Papua New Guinea wilted under the pressure, before Solomon Islands captain Charlie Otainao scored his side’s 9th goal, with Nawo grabbing his second not long after. Raven Samuel beat the onrushing Do’oro to score his second of the game to briefly hope the Solomon Islanders momentum. Wanega grabbed his hat-trick with a shot that bobbled over a hapless Samuel in goal to end a high scoring period. Max Fa’ari scored his third of the game five minutes into the final period before Navu Willie got on the scoresheet for for Papua New Guinea. Wanega added two late strikes to put the icing on the cake, with Reginald claiming his hat-trick in the dying seconds. The Solomon Islands know a win over Fiji in their final group stage game next will confirm their place in Saturday’s final while Papua New Guinea faces the unenviable task of overcoming defending champs Tahiti while hoping Fiji win for them to make the final.

After passing an evaluation by the Papua New Guinea Medical Board, Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has been given a three-year license to offer medical services in Western province. This followed a visit by several members of the PNG Medical Board to see OTML’s operations in September and conducted a comprehensive review of OTML’s healthcare services, facilities, and its outreach to the communities. The board was impressed by the company’s extensive social responsibility footprint, noting that OTML’s health services extend beyond the mine site to the Preferred Area and other impacted regions. This includes the Medivac program and ongoing support to North Fly District. Manager Health Services, Raymond Singamis, said OTML has been commended for its commitment to delivering healthcare services that meet the National Department of Health (NDoH) Standards, thus being granted a full three-year license instead of the one-year interim extension that was requested. “As a company, we want to be compliant in every aspect of our operations and health services is one of them. It’s an exciting journey because OTML will now be managing the hospital going forward, but will be outsourcing the labour hire to our local contractors as part of promoting local business content." “We are now preparing for a national accreditation assessment by the National Department of Health Standards team in November 2024. The NHSS team will evaluate Tabubil Hospital, which was last rated as a five-star hospital during the 2018 accreditation,” Mr Singamis said. As part of its vision for the future, OTML is now the sole operator of Tabubil Hospital under an owner-operator model, which brings several advantages, including: 1. Compliance and Standards – OTML is committed to adhering to national health standards, ensuring the delivery of high-quality and compliant healthcare. 2. Improved Patient Care – By managing the hospital directly, OTML aims to elevate the standard of care, reduce waiting times, and enhance overall patient satisfaction. 3. Cost Savings – Direct management will enable OTML to reinvest cost savings into the redevelopment of hospital facilities, ultimately improving infrastructure and healthcare delivery. The Health Services Department is working on a three-year strategic plan that will guide the future development of its healthcare services. This plan includes the modernisation of medical technology, the possible introduction of drone medical services, and partnerships with specialised healthcare providers. Meantime, with the granting of this three-year license and the implementation of its strategic healthcare development plan, OTML is committed to elevating healthcare services for its workforce and the communities it serves.

THE U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), partnered with the Santos Foundation, its parent company Santos Limited, and Schlumberger LB to launch a solar-powered mini-grid to provide electricity to the Pimaga Vocational Educational Training Centre (VET). This is the second mini-grid the partnership between USAID and Santos has built in Pimaga. The first was launched in 2022 and currently provides electricity to the Pimaga Rural Hospital to facilitate life-saving blood transfusions and other treatment. USAID Country Representative Nino Nadiradze highlighted the importance of leveraging private sector partnerships to support electrification in PNG, and noted that, “Creative approaches, creative partnerships, and private sector engagement are necessary to bring power to communities like Kutubu, Nipa-Kutubu District, to support the government of PNG’s ambitious goal of lighting up 70% of households by 2030, and to ensure that rural electrification is climate smart.” The $57 million USAID Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership (USAID-PEP) is the largest bilateral investment in PNG’s energy sector. USAID aims to facilitate 350,000 new on- and off-grid household electricity connections in part by developing sustainable off-grid models and fostering private sector investment. Over 225,000 of these connections have already been achieved. This Pimaga VET mini-grid was developed in partnership with the Santos Foundation and its parent company Santos Limited, Schlumberger LB, the Department of Education, Pimaga VET Training Centre, and the Nipa-Kutubu District Development Authority. The mini grid will support the VET Centre’s training programs, which serve more than 300 students. The power provided will enhance education outcomes, power staff housing, and support expansion to allow more students in Kutubu and elsewhere to benefit from the opportunities the center provides.

The madness goes on! The 321 Lotto Treasure Island Scratch Cards have announced a second jackpot winner, just one month after announcing the first. The lucky family was stoked after realizing they’d struck a massive win. This win has come at a convenient time as this would help take care of various necessities as well as be a boost for the youngest in their family, 19, who has just finished his year 12 examinations. For the 321 Lotto team, it is always extremely gratifying to be able to make dreams possible for their winners. Most successful players who’ve won big are mainly average citizens who look towards making positive changes to their livelihoods. So far, the experience has been a rewarding one, both for players, and 321 Lotto as a whole. “At 321 Lotto, we design our games with the goal of bringing joy and opportunities to our players, while always ensuring responsible gaming remains a priority." "Helping our winners achieve their dreams is just part of what drives us, but we are equally committed to making sure everyone plays responsibly,” said COO Aaron Egan. So far, there have been many winners who have expressed how their winnings have impacted their lives tremendously. The 321 Lotto team is extremely grateful for the success of all its winners and is always delighted to celebrate every win, big or small.

Papua New Guinea’s Beach Soccer team created its own History in taking part in their first ever international beach soccer match. The Team also scored one of the fastest goals in international Beach Soccer history in an incredible start to the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup in Honiara. Having never played an international match, the Papua New Guinea players who hail from Fisherman Island off the coast of Port Moresby were expected to struggle against more experienced opponents. But from the kick-off, Demasol Manama blasted the ball into the net with the goal coming after just one and a half seconds. The Boys shocked Fiji two minutes later with Ellygia Benard making it 2-0 before a shell-shocked Fiji found themselves three down a minute later when Goiravana Kala converted a freekick. Fiji pulled a goal back through Adriu Nabose in the 6th minute before Papua New Guinea were at it again with another explosive free kick from Kala rifling past Sanaila Waqanicakau in the Fijian goal in the 9th minute. Papua New Guinea ‘keeper Kopi Samuel made a mistake for Fiji’s second goal in the final minute of the first period as Jerry Sam’s side got back into the game. In the second period, scoring slowed, but it was Papua New Guinea who struck first with Benard nabbing his second. France Catarogo then fired over the bar from the penalty spot for Fiji before another defensive mistake saw Steven Dean close the gap to two goals in the 20th minute. Raven Samuel restored his side’s three goal advantage a minute later before Fiji closed the gap to two again, from a well struck free kick a minute before the end of the period. As the rain continued to pour down, the clocked ticked down. Papua New Guinea extended their lead again through Joe Vere with six minutes remaining. But Fiji applied the pressure and struck twice in quick succession to close the gap to one. With the Fijians pushing for an equaliser, Papua New Guinea were given a golden chance to kill off any resistance and duly did, with Ellygia Benard completing his hat-trick to add an eighth taking them to 8-6 at fulltime. PNG now looks forward to the next challenge against Solomon Islands tomorrow.

Jillaroos winger Julia Robinson etched her name in the history books with a stunning six-try haul in her team's 84-0 triumph over the PNG Orchids at Suncorp Stadium. The previous record for most tries in a Test by a Jillaroo was five by Sam Bremner at the 2013 World Cup. On the other wing Jakiya Whitfeld helped herself to five tries as the Jillaroos warmed up for a heavyweight showdown with the Kiwi Ferns in week two. The Jillaroos opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Robinson broke the line and found Tamika Upton in support for a 6-0 lead on the back of Tarryn Aiken's conversion. A clever grubber by No.7 Delailah Ahose earned the Orchids a line dropout but a mistake by the halfback in the ensuing set saw the opportunity go begging. When Jessikah Reeves came up with an error for the Orchids it was powerhouse Jillaroos winger Robinson who made her pay after finishing off slick lead-up by Aiken, Upton and Isabelle Kelly. Three minutes later Robinson made it a double as the Jillaroos' left edge again clicked into gear before right winger Whitfeld got in on the action in the 25th minute after the Orchids had lost Roswita Kapo to the sin bin. Another blow for the Orchids in the 28th minute when La-Toniya Norris-Addo was forced off with a knee injury and the Jillaroos again went left to hand Robinson a hat-trick after a superb cut-out pass by Aiken. The Jillaroos then produced a long-range try from the halfway line with Jess Sergis delivering the final pass for Whitfeld to race away for her second try. Aiken converted for a 32-0 lead. On the stroke of half-time Whitfeld completed her hat-trick courtesy of a well-timed pass from Tiana Penitani and the Jillaroos went to the break at 36-0. Two minutes into the second half Robinson made it four before Aiken chipped over the top for Upton to regather and score for the most spectacular try of the night. Come the 44th minute and Penitani crossed for her first try as a Jillaroo before Kelly took off from a scrum 10 metres out from her own line and sprinted 90 metres to make it 56-0. The tryscoring battle between the wingers continued when Whitfeld crossed for her fourth try in the 51st minute before Robinson answered straight back two minutes later with her fifth try. Remarkably Whitfeld then took a long ball from Penitani and powered over for her fifth of the match in the 56th minute before Robinson grabbed her slice of history with her sixth try of the match. With 90 seconds to play Sergis backed up to score after a long run by Yasmin Clydsdale before Kelly crossed in the dying seconds to make it 84-0, bettering the 82-0 scoreline over the Orchids at the 2022 World Cup. The Orchids will now need to beat the Kiwi Ferns in week three of the tournament if they are to avoid the relegation play-off.

To further solidify their collaboration, The Voice Inc. (TVI) and the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their partnership. TVI’s engagements within the university over the last four years are a testament to its commitment to the institution and the young people it serves. Between 2021 and 2024, the organization engaged students for industrial training and conducted CleanGen Leadership Training programs. It hosted campus events in collaboration with students and the community, fostering student engagement and creating safe spaces for conversations around issues such as Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Additionally, it supported innovative student projects that impacted communities and sponsored scholars 5 students with full scholarships with the first scholar successfully completing his studies in UNRE this year. The new MOU captures a commitment to supporting innovative student research projects nationwide through CleanGen Hubs for students' special projects and industrial training course requirements. As part of the MOU signing, a Home Biogas Kit was donated to the university to kick-start these special projects. TVI’s Clean Generation program supports efforts to address climate change, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable livelihoods. The Home Biogas Kit is part of TVI’s commitment to assist final year students with their special projects and research papers. The kit will serve as a research tool for the university’s academic and farm projects. Present at the MOU signing was UNRE Vice Chancellor Professor Aisak Pue and Dr Livingstone Tavul the Pro-Vice Chancellor Planning and Development. TVI representatives included Executive Director Ms Maliwai Sasingian, Senior Programs Manager Mrs Barbara T. Elias and Small Grants Coordinator Mr Slyney Tau. Speaking on behalf of TVI, Maliwai Sasingian thanked UNRE for allowing the organization to carry out its programs within the university and expressed excitement on the work ahead through the MOU. TVI also extends its gratitude to MASHAV Aid from Israel and Pacific Grow whose support to Mr. Slyney Tau enabled the donation of the Home Biogas Kit to UNRE. TVI is present in all five state run universities throughout Papua New Guinea, offering various leadership development programs and support to students who are part of the organizations CleanGen Movement.

As the count down begins for a thrilling first match, Australia and Papua New Guinea will face off at Suncorp Stadium at 5:05pm this afternoon to kick off this year's Pacific Championships tournament, with the Orchids facing a tough challenge against the top ranked team. The gulf in experience cannot be denied, with the majority of the Orchids side having been selected from national Santos Cup competition which is in its inaugural year, with only skipper Elise Albert an NRLW regular. However, despite the 50-0 scoreline in last Sunday's Prime Minister's XIII match, the Orchids put in a strong showing in the second half to keep the Australian side to one try after trailing 44-0 at half-time. Australia will be out to show their credentials after posting a loss in their last Pacific Championships game last year and have plenty of talent of show, but won't be taking the Orchids lightly and know they will be in for a physical encounter. After sitting out the PM's XIII match to be kept fresh for the Pac Champs, PNG legend Elsie Albert will captain her country against Australia. Cowboys duo Essay Banu and Sareka Mooka bring plenty of class to the forward pack while experienced centre, Belinda Gwasamun has been playing with Wentworthville Magpies and was named joint winner of the Tahnee Norris Medal at the NRL’s Harvey Norman Women’s National Championships. Hooker Ua Ravu represented the Orchids at the World Cup in 2022 and has racked up four Tests for the Orchids. Jessikah Reeves and Sera Koroi both have NRLW experience with the Cowboys. Australia’s Ali Brigginshaw and Kezie Apps will lead a Jillaroos side boasting three debutantes in starting hooker Quincy Dodd and her back-up Olivia Higgins, as well as bench forward Sarah Togatuki. Nine members of the side that lost last year's Pac Champs final to New Zealand are back on deck, including fullback Tamika Upton and chief playmaker Tarryn Aiken, who shifts from five-eighth to halfback. Lauren Brown was listed among the reserves after suffering a hamstring injury playing for the PM's XIII but dropped out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off along with Jessika Elliston while Jess Sergis is 18th player. PNG TEAM LIST Interchange: 1 Mala Mark 14- Roswita Kapo 2- Freda Waula 15- Jessikah Reeves 3- Belinda Gwasamun 16- Talitha Kunjil 4- La-Toniya Norris-Addo 17- Leila Kerowa 5- Lyiannah Allen 6- Sera Koroi Reserves: 7- Delailah Ahose 18- Lilah Malabag 8- Essay Banu 19- Meli Joe 9- Ua Ravu 20- Yolanda Taute 10- Elsie Albert 21- Freda Anthony 11- Sareka Mooka 12- Emily Veivers 13- Gloria Kaupa

Deborah Alois has been welcomed by CPL Group as the Manager for CPL Foundation, the Group's Philanthropic arm. With an impressive background across environmental management, sustainable development, climate advocacy, youth empowerment, health communication, and anti-corruption work in Papua New Guinea, Deborah’s expertise perfectly aligns with CPL Foundation’s mission to uplift women and girls through education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. Her responsibilities began on July 29th of this year and involve creating and executing strategic plans to further the foundation's mission. Her key responsibilities encompass program management, financial oversight, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that initiatives are delivered effectively and sustainably. "I look forward to leading the Foundation in delivering impactful development programs that prioritize people—both in the communities we serve and by the teams executing the programs.” Deborah holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Geography and a Diploma in Project Management. She is passionate about transitioning the foundation towards sustainable, long-term development programs that empower women and girls. She also aims to pursue a master’s in development studies and/or a master’s in business administration.

The Bati and Kumuls, two proud and fervent rugby league nations, will face battle in a titanic match in Suva to begin their Pacific Bowl campaign tomorrow. With promotion and relegation added to the mix in 2024 there is more than just national pride at stake - the winner of the Pacific Bowl playing off against the third-placed Pacific Cup nation for a place in the 2025 Pacific Cup pool. That makes a first-up win even more crucial in front of a heaving crowd at Suva's HFC Bank Stadium, with free-flowing football sure to be the order of the day. The Bati and Kumuls met twice during last year's Pacific Championships with the results shared, but both of those games were in Port Moresby, now the Bati get to play a Test on home soil for the first time since 2000 and Tui Kamikamica will have his men primed for the occasion. Expect a torrid forward battle as Kamikamica and Ben Nakubuwai look to lay the foundations for Bulldogs superstar Viliame Kikau to run riot out wide, while the Kumuls' NRL pairing of Jacob Alick and Jack de Belin will fight for every metre in the middle. Rhyse Martin skippers a Kumuls side that includes Jack de Belin at lock, Lachlan Lam at halfback and Nene Macdonald at fullback. With star hooker Edwin Ipape sidelined by injury, cult figure Judah Rimbu takes over in the No.9 on the back of a classy display for the PM's XIII. Five-eighth Kyle Laybutt plays his 12th Test match and will form a dangerous combination with Lam, who has 10 Tests to his name. Titans forward Jacob Alick will show the way up front after representing the Kumuls at the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Pac Champs. Meanwhile, Fiji Bati’s Storm big man Tui Kamikamica will captain a vastly experienced Bati outfit that includes former skipper Kevin Naiqama, who lines up for his 25th Test match, as well as blockbusting winger Maika Sivo in his 11th Test for Fiji and Viliame Kikau in his 17th Test. Panthers premiership winner Sunia Turuva is the fullback while Dolphins playmaker Kurt Donoghoe wears the No.7. Emerging NRL forwards Caleb Navale (Sea Eagles) and Kitione Kautoga (Bulldogs) are back in the pack after featuring in last year's Pacific Championships.

The music world is grieving the loss of Liam Payne. The former One Direction member died Oct. 16 at age 31 after he fell from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, local authorities confirmed to Telemundo. He was 31. Payne was born on Aug. 29, 1993, in West Midlands, England, to Karen Payne and Geoff Payne. The youngest of three—his older sisters are Nicola Payne and Ruth Gibbons—he grew up participating in sports, particularly cross country running and boxing. He rose to prominence in 2010 on The X Factor after being grouped with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik to form One Direction. After placing third on season seven of the competition series, the group signed a record deal with Simon Cowell’s company Syco Records and the following year they topped charts round the world with the release of their debut single “What Makes You Beautiful” in September 2011. Their first album as a group, Up All Night, was released that November. And a November release and subsequent tour became a yearly occurrence for the quintet for several years, with the group launching Take Me Home in 2012, followed by Midnight Memories in 2013 and Four in November 2014. However, five years after forming, One Direction had a massive change as Zayn announced his departure in March 2015, citing a desire to pursue life as a “normal 22-year-old.” The group continued on as a quartet, with the rest of the band stepping in to take on his parts. "Liam stepped up to do the high notes,” Harry told Entertainment Weekly in 2015. “He kicks them in the bollocks every show. He doesn't hold back." One Direction ultimately went on what they described as a temporary hiatus in 2016, with the band members each going on to pursue solo projects. Payne released one solo album LP1 in December 2019. At the height of his time in One Direction, Payne dated dancer Danielle Peazer for two years before reconnecting with his childhood friend Sophia Smith, with whom he was in a relationship from 2013 to 2015. In 2016, Payne began dating singer Cheryl Cole, with whom he welcomed son Bear in March 2017 before their breakup in 2018. One year after his breakup from the former X Factor judge, Payne began dating model Maya Henry, to whom he was engaged twice—first in August 2020, which ended in June 2021, and again in late 2021 before breaking up in May 2022. Around this same time, Payne opened up about his struggle with substance abuse and suicidal ideation, describing himself while in One Direction as an “angry person.” “It was really, really, really severe. It was a problem,” the singer said during a June 2021 episode of the Diary of A CEO podcast, per Billboard, two years before entering treatment for alcohol abuse. “It was only until I saw myself after that I was like, ‘Right, I need to fix myself.' I just didn’t like myself very much, and then I made a change.” Payne found love with influencer Kate Cassidy in 2022, after she confessed to manifesting their relationship when she was just 10 years old. Hours before his death, Payne shared a photo to his Snapchat of the pair smiling in a mirror selfie while wearing their swimsuits. Source: https://www.eonline.com

Coach Tahnee Norris has named a 21-player squad for the Pacific Championships, which begin this Friday night with powerhouse forward Elise Albert, to headline the Santos PNG Orchids squad. The competition will take place across the next two months, with the Orchids playing matches in Brisbane, Port Moresby and Sydney in a busy schedule against leading teams including Australia and New Zealand. The PNG Prime Minister’s XIII side faced off against a strong Australian Prime Minister’s XIII selection at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday 13th October as part of their preparation for the campaign ahead. The players put in a commendable effort against an experienced Australian side who were all selected from the NRLW competition, with some having played State of Origin and with the Jillaroos. Albert is joined in the Orchids side by other players with NRLW experience including Essay Banu and Sareka Mooka who spent season 2024 with the North Queensland Cowboys and Ua Rava, who is signed to the Canberra Raiders. Experienced centre Belinda Gwasamun has been playing with Wentworthville Magpies and this year was named the joint winner of the Tahnee Norris Medal at the NRL’s Harvey Norman Women’s National Championships. The players have assembled in camp in Brisbane to prepare for their Pacific Championships campaign which will kick off at Suncorp Stadium against the Australian Jillaroos on Friday, October 18th. PNG Orchids Pacific Championships squad: Belinda Gwasamun – Wentworthville Magpies Delailah Ahose – Goroka Lahanis Elsie Albert – Parramatta Eels Emily Veivers – Norths Devils Essay Banu – Norths Queensland Cowboys Freda Anthony – Central Dabaris Freda Waula – Mt Hagen Eagles Gloria Kaupa – Wentworthville Magpies Jessikah Reeves – Western Clydesdales La-Toniya Norris-Addo – Darwin Brothers Leila Kerowa – Central Dabaris Lilah Malabag – Port Moresby Vipers Lyiannah Allen – Mt Hagen Eagles Mala Mark – Central Dabaris Meli Joe – Mt Hagen Eagles Roswita Kapo – Wentworthville Magpies Sareka Mooka – North Queensland Cowboys Sera Koroi – Goodna