Ahead of their Women’s Rugby League World Cup match against Australia, the PNG Santos Orchids Captain Elsie Albert said the girls are reallly excited and nervous at the same time, as this would be their first ever semi-final world cup match on Tuesday 15th at 3am PNG time, in York. “We’re pretty much excited because were going up against Australia in the semi-finals, says Albert.” As one of the NRLW based players, Elsie has encouraged her team mates to stay focus as they approach their semi-final match against Australia’s Jillaroos during one off their training sessions. “The best thing I’d say to them is that the pressure is on the Aussie side because they’re the world champs and going into the semis, everyone is expecting us to loose, so going in as the ‘Under Dogs’, we just have to get in there and play the best we can and keep our heads up, says Albert.” Santos PNG Orchids Center Belinda Gwasamun said, this is a very big achievement for the PNG ladies compared to the last world cup where the team did not win any of their games and we are happy to have won 2 of our matches and are now into the semis. Gwasamun said, one of the things she learnt from their match against England was communication on field. “We need to communicate properly especially when the game is brought back on our defense line, other than that, I am really excited because we have come this far, says Gwasamun” Gwasamun also thanked PNG as a whole for the support. “Because of your support, we have made it this far. Even though we lost our last game, we can still feel the energy and support from miles away and we are very happy for that”.

The 2022 Paws Walk hosted by RSPCA is an annual event staged to bring together Dog Lovers and many participants especially families, for a walk around Ela Beach to raise funds for their educational awareness programs and the sheltered animals they have at the RSPCA pound and clinic. RSPCA’s Administration Manager Karen Swale said the walk started at 7am Saturday morning and all though there were not many participants as expected there was still a good turn out and the walk still pushed through. Swale said, due to COVID, they have put a pause to their events especially the annual end-of-year Dog Show. “We were hoping to combine the annual Dog Show event with the Paws Walk but due to limited participants, we only had the Paws Walk”. The RSPCA has postponed all their annual events due to COVID and other reasons but are hoping for bigger and better show next year. She is also appealing to the general public to participate in their annual events by registering with them because all funds raised are for a worthy cause. “All who participate in our events that we host, it all goes to our educational program that we do in-and –around Port Moresby three times a week for the entire school year and the adoption and shelter of our animals. She added that the more participants they have, the better for the community.

The 2022 Eastern Papua Cup (EPC) kicked off its annual tournament with games and a reconciliation and peace ceremony for the fight that happened on Kiriwina Island and to also respect the fallen members of EPC Association over the last 2 years. EPC President Dr. Linus Digim’rina said that the initial kick-off for the senior men’s & women’s games started off yesterday, 12th Saturday November, with a total of 39 teams registered. The tournament will run for 5weeks at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) oval. “We have registered 39 teams from the 16 clubs already, but I won’t be surprised if we end up with 40 or 41 teams by the end of this weekend or next weekend because one or two are still rolling in.” Dr. Digim’rina said the UPNG Administration, allowed them to book the field for 5 weekends of their games. He said with two years of postponed games due to COVID, they are excited and feeling anxious for this year’s tournament. “We are excited because when we put out the notice for the EPC games to be hosted this year, we saw a lot of excitement going around on social media. We were anxious because of the payment deadlines we set up, but so far there was a good turn out and we’re excited for this.” Dr. Digim’rina also mentioned that as part of their reconciliation and peace ceremony, they are raising funds as a contribution towards the people who suffered from the fight that happened back on the island to support them in areas like health and food supply. “Anyone who sets up a market-stall pays a fee of K50 per day, which goes toward the fundraising drive for the people back home. We are also appealing to anyone who is interested to donate and be part of this drive to help assist our people who have suffered from this unfortunate incident back home. ”

Joining over 120, 000 grade 8 students nationwide from 3, 433 primary schools, the students from the Coronation primary school in the nation’s capital sat their first paper today to kick off the examination week. Unlike the grade 10-12’s exams which ran for a week, the grade 8 national examinations will be on for only 4 days form the 24th-27th of October. [caption id="attachment_28950" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Coronation Primary Head Teacher Mr. Tavera Seka.[/caption] Coronation Primary Head Teacher Mr. Tavera Seka said, they have a total of 425 students sitting for the exams. “The students sat for their written expression paper this morning, tomorrow will be Math, Wednesday will be English and they will complete the week off with the combined subjects on Thursday, said Seka.” Meanwhile, the grade 8 students are the only ones in school this week. [caption id="attachment_28951" align="alignnone" width="906"] Grade 8 students of Coronation Primary School during the exams this morning.[/caption] The rest of the grades from elementary to grade 7 have been given the week off so no to cause any disturbances to the final years sitting for their final examination this week.

PNG Kumuls got off to a good start with skipper Rhyse Martin stamping his leadership mark when he entered the Tongan try line to launch the first World Cup try for his side in their first match against Mate Ma’a Tonga this morning at St Helen’s Wicked Stadium. In front of 10, 409 fans, the Kumuls delivered to expectation despite having a few missed opportunities that could have earned them their first win of the series. PNG never gave up the fight in trying to match a fast- paced Tongan outfit to level the scores in the 67th minute, but a final try from the Tongans broke the hearts of the players and fans around the world to close the score board at 24-18. Despite bitter emotions of losing to a fellow Pacific Island nation among players and fans after a controversial call by the match referee that denied winger Roderick Tai's try after several replays from the bunker, the boys gave it their best performance. PNG hooker Edwin Ipape scored the player of the match award despite the heartbreaking outcome of the opening match of Group D. The Kumuls will take on Cook Islands next Wednesday 26th October 2022 at 5:30am, Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.

There is a likelihood that HIV/AIDS statistics in the country will soar in the following year. The National Aids Council Secretariat-Acting Director Mr. Tony Lupiwa said despite the lack of available statistics on the new cases of HIV/AIDs after the national general elections, they are expecting to see an increase by 2023. PNG has recorded increases in new cases of the deadly virus in the past election years and this year's election is no exception. “This because the virus takes up to 6 months to start inhabiting the body and begin destroying it. By then, people will be visiting clinics and other testing centres to get tested hence we will start collecting the numbers," said Mr. Lupiwa. The Secretariat reports that behavioral patterns among the general public during elections are unstable due to the unsafe election practices voters are involved in especially around huge gatherings at campaigns, rallies, and other election-related activities. Lupiwa said the secretariat can do as much as they can but with financial limitations, they are working within their budget allocations. He said they were only able to carry out awareness in the Highlands region, Madang & Morobe Province. “We are expecting to see an increase of cases from other provinces by next year, said Mr. Lupiwa.” On average, a total of ten infections are recorded per day along with two deaths per day.

The 3rd EU-PNG Trade & Investment Conference kicked off its two-day conference at the APEC Haus yesterday attracting a good number of SME’s who gathered to showcase and market their products. Caltep Holdings Limited, a family-owned business from the Western Highlands Province showed off their locally made 100% organic “Grow Hariap Fertilizer.” Sales and Distribution Team Leader Judy Tep said, it took her father more than 10 years to come up with the final product which is now locally manufactured and distributed to all Brian Bell Home Center outlets in PNG. “There were a lot of trial & errors and when the Pacific Adventist University’s Farm got us on board to do testing on their farm, it was a success. From then on, we went commercial and are currently distributing our products to all Brian Bell outlets throughout the country”. This is the first locally owned and 100% organic fertilizer produced in the country. Tep said the locally made fertilizer can be used on cash crops, flowers and veggies with no side effects. The fertilizer itself is non-toxic and is not harmful to both plants and humans when used. It is made from known highly nutritive traditional plants found in PNG and culturally used by Papua New Guineans in the past which are now packed into liquid fertilizer form ready for plants to feed on directly. “Plants directly absorb the fertilizer through their leaves and roots for quick action and has a dual action mode which makes the plants grow faster and produces high yields.” The fertilizer also improves the soil health by increasing soil micro-organism activity, and basically puts micro-nutrients back into the soil & increases soil fertility for plants to grow successfully. “This allows continued use of limited land and sustains plant growth and production,” said Tep. As a local SME, they are happy and grateful to Brian Bell for taking them on board and supporting them to distribute their products. They have big plans ahead are looking forward to expand on their product and maybe export someday, but for now, they are taking one-step at a time. “I’d like to thank the European Union for this exposure and providing a venue for us to market our SME’s and hopefully pick up some good contacts here and build on from there,” said Tep.

Though there has been a lot of disruptions throughout this academic year, especially to do with the National General Elections, Butuka Academy is prepared for the national examinations. Butuka Academy- Secondary Principal Jean Ifuda said, Butuka has a total of 573 students who will sit for the national examinations starting next week. “Out of the 573 students, there are 229 Grade 10 students who will kick-start the examination week followed by 175 Grade 12 students and 169 Grade 8 students, said Ifuda.” Even though the students have returned back from their one-week break, they have been given a lot of support materials to do over the holidays and now that they have returned, they’ve had a lot of follow-ups from their subject teachers as well. “Given that, we are very confident that our students are prepared and will do very well.” Meanwhile, Principal for the primary school-Butuka Academy Mr Dennis Iauve wished all their students the very best and to give their 100% best during the exams.

First time PNG Kumuls, Zev John, still cannot believe he is playing for the national team and pledges to do his best in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup when the time comes. John, who plays as a prop forward for the Central Queensland Capras in the Queensland Hostplus Cup, is passionate and proud to put on the PNG colors and play alongside some of the big NRL players like Alex Johnston, Justin Olam, and Xavier Coats. “I can’t explain it, I’m so excited to be here with the boys. I was the biggest fan for Justin Olam and Nixon Putt back in the days, so playing alongside them means a lot.” He added that being part of the 2022 World Cup team is just unbelievable for him. John said he will give his 100% effort when playing for the Kumuls especially playing with some of the senior players that will be brining so much to the table. “Throughout this training, Justin has been a great input, especially to us younger boys. He is a great role model and training with him means a lot to me, said John.” The Kumuls team will depart for UK this afternoon around 3:30pm at the Jackson’s International Airport for the Rugby League World Cup where they go head-to-head with Tonga on the 18th October.

As schools across the country go into preparations for the national examinations next week, Butuka Academy took the time out to celebrate "World Teachers Day". Butuka Academy Principal Mr Dennis Iauve said, the students took the initiative with a little help from the teachers to have this celebration. The students presented gifts to each of their class teachers and a couple of dance performances. "World Teachers' Day provides us with the opportunity to thank every teacher or instructor that has contributed to our student’s life through education and we acknowledge that," said Mr Iauve. “Teachers are millionaires because whatever we teach around here the end products which are the students are millionaires as well and we are very happy to be the ones teaching teaching them, said Iauve.” Mr Iauve said, they have a total of twenty-eight teachers and are very proud of the efforts the teachers at Butuka Academy have put in to educate our future generation.

 The University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy’s HRM students received a kind donation of K10, 000 that will go towards their Human Resource Management (HRM) Day which will be celebrated on the 3rd of October. School of Business and Public Policy Head of Division (HOD) Mr. Raymond John said, this will be the first HR Day after an overdue of 2years due to COVID. “Basically the HR Day is where students take part in activities like debates, quiz and a series of panel dissuasions from what they have learnt during their classes," said John. This platform also paves a way forward to help the students build their soft skills especially in management skills, leadership skills and their public speaking through the theme “Graduate Readiness for the Future Work”. Mr. John thanked BSP for their platinum sponsorship for the event and hope to maintain the relationship. BSP Group Manager-Human Resource Hari Rabura said, they are happy to support this program as it paves a pathway for students to upskill their knowledge and understanding of the role which also makes training a lot easier when they graduate and are recruited into graduate programs like BSP’s Graduate Program. “As HR people, we want the students to be ready and well equipped before they leave Uni, "said Rabura. Representing the student body Ms. Thatiana Loreakena-HRM Vice-president thanked BSP for being one of the major sponsors for the event as this will benefit them and build their network with business houses and organizations after they graduate. “Most of the students tend to shy-away and hide in their spaces and events like this, we believe that this gives us the opportunity to open up and learn more before we come into the workforce," said Thatiana. Meanwhile, Dr. Lawrence Sause UPNG Deputy Dean also thanked BSP and for the support they have given to the students. “I think the future will only get better if we put in our resources to good use like upskilling the next generation the better.”

In support toward Port Moresby General Hospital’s first Clinical Nursing Symposium, City Pharmacy Limited has come on board showing their support through a donation of K20, 000. CPL General Manager-Sales & Merchandise Pradeep Panda, said after a meet with the team from POMGEN, they felt that it was a privilege for CPL to come on board and support this good cause. “It’s a wonderful thing that’s why we at CPL have come on board to support this with almost K20, 000 worth of merchandise which includes lanyards, pen, notebooks and other things as well, said Panda.” Panda added that they are also happy to support this cause as it will help equip the nurses to upgrade their knowledge especially with what’s happening across the globe. Speaking on behalf of the hospital was the Symposium Committee-Chair lady Sr. Anita Alu said, they are grateful for CPL's support and they hope to partner with them in upcoming events to enhance our nursing in PNG. "The Symposium will run for three days at the Apec Haus that will see nurses from other provinces join in as well," said Alu.