France shows solidarity with Papua New Guinea following the earthquake that severely hit the country, a neighbor of New Caledonia. A magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook the East of Papua New Guinea on Sunday. France stands in solidarity with Papua New Guinea. We are ready to send help from New Caledonia to address any requirements and needs expressed by the local authorities. The Crisis and Support Center of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with the French Embassy in Port Moresby, is following the evolution of the situation. The delegated Minister in charge of the Overseas Territories, who is on site, ensures the total mobilisation of the French Government in New Caledonia.

All flags raised around the city for the 47th Independence Anniversary will fly at half-mast as Port Moresby mourns the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. City Manager Ravu Frank issued the instructions at City Hall in compliance with the directive from the Department of Foreign Affairs for all flags in the country to be lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect for the late Queen of England and the Commonwealth of nations. “We have complied accordingly with all our flags in the city as we mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of England and the Commonwealth of nations. “The flags were raised all over the city in preparation for the 47th Independence anniversary celebration however, in these circumstances we are obliged to comply as a mark of respect and honor of our head of state. “The City of Port Moresby extends sincere condolences to the royal family with prayers and thoughts on this very significant loss,” Mr. Frank said. Queen Elizabeth II had a strong connection to Papua New Guinea and displayed gracious and humble leadership of the Commonwealth over the 70 years of her rule. She visited Papua New Guinea in 1974 prior to Papua New Guinea’s independence and Port Moresby hosted her visit at the now re developed Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. “Port Moresby deeply feels the passing of Her Majesty,” Mr. Frank said. Meanwhile, the City Manager is strongly appealing to city residents to refrain from stealing the Papua New Guinea flags hoisted in public places for the purpose of celebrating the country’s 47th independence anniversary. His appeal follows reports of missing flags from public areas which are presumed to be “stolen” from the locations. The national flags and the other decorations are put up to instill pride and a feeling of nationalism in our city as we approach independence day and stealing the flags is totally unacceptable,” Mr. Frank said.

US President Joe Biden has invoked the memory of America's united response to the September 11, 2001 attacks by Al Qaeda and vowed to "never give up" in the face of terrorist threats in a solemn commemoration at the Pentagon. Mr Biden's remarks about national unity on the 21st anniversary of the attacks on Sunday stood in contrast to his warnings in recent days about dangerous divisions in American society stoked by former Republican president Donald Trump. "I hope we'll remember that in the midst of these dark days, we dug deep. We cared for each other. And we came together," Mr Biden said, as rain fell on troops standing behind him, flanking his Defence Secretary and top general. Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks when Al Qaeda hijackers flew planes into New York's World Trade Center towers and into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, while a fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania. Passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 overcame the hijackers and that plane crashed in a field, preventing another target from being hit. [caption id="attachment_26446" align="alignnone" width="862"] Speaking at the Pentagon, Mr Biden said the fight against terrorism would go on.(AP: Andrew Harnik)[/caption] 'We will not rest' The anniversary comes a year after Mr Biden ended the US-led war in Afghanistan, launched two decades ago to root out the Al Qaeda militant group that carried out the 9/11 attacks after plotting them from Afghanistan. His chaotic withdrawal of US troops last year and the resulting rapid fall of the country to the Taliban drew criticism from members of both political parties. But Mr Biden vowed that the fight against terrorism would continue. "We will not rest. We'll never forget. We'll never give up," he said. Last month, he authorised a drone strike in Kabul that killed Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian surgeon who had a $US25 million ($36 million) bounty on his head and helped to coordinate the September 11 attacks. The disclosure of Zawahiri's presence in Kabul raised questions about the degree to which Al Qaeda is receiving sanctuary from the Taliban. Biden vows to prevent similar attack Military and intelligence officials had warned that a complete US withdrawal from Afghanistan could allow Al Qaeda as well as Islamic State to strengthen and, left unchecked, to eventually plot against the US. Mr Biden and others argued that the threat from terrorism had spread throughout the world over the past 21 years, and that there were better ways to combat it than open-ended military deployments and war. "Our commitment to prevent another attack on the United States is without end," Mr Biden said. [caption id="attachment_26447" align="alignnone" width="862"] Vice President Kamala Harris attended the service at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York.(AP: Julia Nikhinson)[/caption] The first lady, Jill Biden, attended a ceremony in Pennsylvania on Sunday morning, while Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were at a memorial in New York City. In New York, key moments, such as the times at which each tower of the World Trade Center fell, were marked with a moment of silence after the tolling of a bell. Families of victims of the attacks have waited for years to see several of the people accused of planning and assisting the hijackers brought to trial and convicted. US plan to hold plotters to account They include Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others imprisoned at the US military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. On Sunday, Mr Biden told reporters that "yes, there is a plan for that" — to hold the accused plotters accountable — but declined to comment further. Without naming Mr Trump, Mr Biden again also raised a call for Americans to safeguard democracy. "It's not enough to stand up for democracy once a year or every now and then," Mr Biden said. "It's something we have to do every single day. "So this is a day not only to remember, but also is a day for renewal and resolve for each and every American in our devotion to this country, to the principles it embodies, to our democracy." SOURCE: ABC News  

The Rabbitohs are through to week two of the Telstra Premiership finals after ending the Roosters' season with a 30-14 win, coming at the end of a war of attrition on Sunday afternoon at Allianz Stadium. Across an 80 minutes best described as chaotic, there were seven sin-binnings - an NRL record, which included Victor Radley and Taane Milne both being sent on two separate occasions - and a high injury toll which saw four players suffer game-ending injuries inside the opening hour. Among the casualties, the Roosters lost star fullback James Tedesco to a failed HIA, with Angus Crichton (HIA) and Daniel Tupou (groin) following. It took just three minutes for emotions to spill over, with Radley the first of three players sent to the sin bin in the first half, in his case after being ruled to have thrown a punch during a scuffle with Milne. Milne and Tom Burgess soon followed, with both sent for 10 minutes following swinging arm tackles. Burgess was in the thick of it again early in the second half, this time as the victim of a dangerous tackle from Jared Waera-Hargreaves which landed the Roosters prop in the bin. Burgess then left the field for an HIA which he failed. Both sides responded remarkably well to their numerical disadvantages though, with the Roosters scoring twice during Radley's time off the field in the first half and South Sydney crossing for their second try while down to 11 men. Amid the drama, the Rabbitohs took a 12-8 lead into the break thanks to converted tries to Alex Johnston and Latrell Mitchell. By the time the second minute of the second half rolled around, the Roosters were down to 14 fit players, and South Sydney were on top, scoring further four-pointers through Johnston and Jai Arrow. Isaiah Tass struck the final blow, selling the Roosters on a dummy out wide which allowed him to stroll through for his side's fifth try of the day. Source: NRL.com

Prime Minister James Marape, has thanked the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Themba Kalua for calling upon him last Wednesday (07/09/22) at the Prime Minister’s Office, whereby Mr Kalua seized the occasion to congratulate Mr Marape on his resumption as Prime Minister as well as reaffirm the United Nations (UN) presence in Papua New Guinea and continuity of its development assistance programs. The Prime Minister informed Mr Kalua that the Resident UN Coordination Office continues to be a valuable development partner and the alignment of its work programs to the Medium-Term Development Plan III and the ensuing MTDP IV indeed complements Papua New Guinea’s overall objectives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and development agenda. He said in terms of current and ongoing UN assistance programs, he wishes to reiterate his deepest appreciation for support to Bougainville. In their discussions, Prime Minister Marape said that the Wabag Roadmap was a timeline for presentation of the Referendum results whilst the Era Kone Covenant consolidates the outcome towards ratification of the outcomes of the Referendum. Prime Minister Marape said he has made it abundantly clear that under PNG’s Constitution, Parliament is the ultimate Authority that decides on the issue of Independence. Outside of this, any sentiments for secessionism individually or at public rallies, and even on social media are tantamount to treason under existing laws. “In terms of the Chief Moderator for Bougainville I highly recommend for the retention of former Prime Minister of Ireland Bertie Ahern and for engagement of senior global citizens from Australia and New Zealand,” he said. “For Australia, I recommend Professor Edward Wolfers who has had a long attachment to PNG as he was also part of the Constitutional Planning Committee in PNG’s formative years.” Prime Minister Marape added that apart from the foregoing, he welcomed the UN’s continued support in governance and social services, such as education and health, in particular vaccination for children, economic growth through entrepreneurship work with farmers to have access to value chains and market access and peacebuilding initiatives in the Highlands. “UN commitment to assist with electoral reform and the census are very timely and will complement our efforts to review the role of Parliament, women in the electoral process, role of Governors, use of identification cards for polling purposes and the proposal to have the Prime Minister directly elected by the people.” He said these Constitutional issues he mentioned are currently work in progress and will be resolved by 2025. The Prime Minister further added that the Census is equally important to determine and confirm our population, so that policy priorities and development issues are evidence based and can be effectively implemented. On Mr Kalua’s offer to meet with Resident coordinators, Prime Minister Marape he is in agreement and proposes that they meet, including selected Ministers of his Cabinet on the occasion of UN Day on 24th October 2022 and asked the UN to liaise with his Office to firm up arrangements. He said with regard to the construction of the UN House and Compound for staff, he confirmed that land is available and there is the option for the UN to construct or alternatively he can arrange for landowner investors to construct and offer the UN to lease on market terms. In other matters, Prime Minister Marape sought Mr Kalua’s assistance in recruiting professionals, especially teachers’, doctors and nurses as well as tradesmen and women, particularly from Zimbabwe. This will indeed fill in the employment gap and for skills and knowledge transfer.

Prima Smallgoods is continuing its support for Athletics with monthly product donations to national squad athletes training in Goroka , Port Moresby , East New Britain and NCD. Pictured is Prima’s Lae based Events Co Ordinator Brian Waongo handing the latest supply to national athletes Ongan Awa , Edna Boafob and Scholastica Herman.

With a busy period of international events behind it, Athletics PNG is now focusing on its domestic Programme of events for the remainder of the year. The East New Britain association is hosting the PNG Air NGI Regional Championships at Vuvu Secondary school on September 23/24. West New Britain are preparing to send a large team along the New Britain Highway next week to attend this event. New Ireland have also confirmed their intention to participate, as have the Autonomous Region of Bouganville. Invitations have also been sent to Primary and Secondary Schools in ENB and a very good turnout is expected. Meanwhile the Port Moresby Athletic Association are gearing up to stage the PNG Air Southern Region Championships at the Sir John Guise Stadium on the weekend of October 1 and 2. Schools in NCD have been invited to participate, long with teams representing the various athletics clubs in the City and a team from the Central Province Schools Association. Participating teams for both events are encouraged to nominate their Para athletes so that events can be added to the programme according to demand. Entry forms, competition rules and a draft timetable for each of these Championships are on the Athletics PNG website and can also be obtained through email png@mf.worldathletics.org. Any queries can be directed to Athletics PNG on 71290002. Following these two events , teams will have two months to prepare their athletes for the National Championships which will be held at the Sir John Guise Stadium from December 9 to 11.

Samarai-Murua MP and Tourism, Arts & Culture Minister Hon. Isi Henry Leonard was officially sworn-in during the 10th Milne Bay Provincial Assembly in Alotau on Friday. Hon. Leonard, re-elected for a second term by the people of Samarai-Murua was the final member of Milne Bay Parliamentary leaders to be sworn in at the provincial assembly. His four provincial colleague leaders headed by Governor Hon. Gordon Wesley, Esa’ala MP Jimmy Maladina, Kiriwina-Goodenough MP Douglas Tomuriesa and Alotau Open MP Ricky Morris were all sworn in earlier last Thursday when the assembly sat for the first time after the 2022 national general elections. Senior Provincial Magistrate Wialo Sakatao carried out the swearing in ceremonies at the provincial assembly on both days. Hon. Leonard has been rewarded the same portfolio as Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture by Prime Minister James Marape recently. In his remarks at the provincial assembly, he highlighted among other things the need for economic independence within his district and Milne Bay province. He said bigger mines in the country could be shared with investors but smaller mines like Woodlark and Missima Islands was something he was pursuing to be nationalized. “On Jommard passage I was fortunate with Esa’ala MP Jimmy Maladina to visit the National Maritime Service Authority and there we saw on screen how many ships and vessels pass through the passage,” Hon. Leonard said. Adding that on a normal basis there were more than 18 to 20 vessels but on peak periods it would go up from 40 to 60 vessels. He said opportunities were there to harness and commercialize the Jommard passage. Minister Leonard has been in discussions with the Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Hon Walter Schnaubelt to take ownership and commercialize the opportunity presented by Jommard passage. “We the provincial government, and the people of Samarai-Murua and even other districts like Kiriwina-Goodenough and Esa’ala will all benefit from it,” he said. Meantime on the issue of Conflict Group of Islands in his district, he said that Standing Orders in Parliament did not allow him to ask questions as a minister, therefore he could not raise the issue on the floor but as soon as it appeared, he wrote a letter to Prime Minister James Marape regarding the issue. Hon. Leonard also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands and Physical Planning Hon. John Rosso last week to discuss the matter. Indicating that Hon. Rosso had summoned the Conflict Islands owner Mr Ian Gowrie-Smith to report to the Lands Minister, so they could resolve the matter. “The idea is simple, we are taking back our island, so that our people can benefit from it. “We would like to protect it, make it a marine conservation area, so we protect our marine environment and at the same time harness it for tourism purposes.” Hon. Leonard said. He also echoed the importance for all Milne Bay leaders to work together in this term of parliament to address law and order among other sectors to create change and tangible development for their people. Governor and Chairman of the Provincial Assembly Hon. Wesley including Open MPs Hon. Tomuriesa, Hon. Maladina and Hon. Morris shared similar sentiments on the need to work together to curb law and order and to create a conducive environment for the province to thrive in all sectors of development. The swearing in ceremony for all MPs in Milne Bay province is part of the process to kick start the provincial assembly and its business for this term of parliament, similar to all provinces throughout the country

The Kumul Petroleum PNG Barramundis were back in action at Amini Park yesterday 11th of September as international cricket returns to PNG. The first match between PNG Barramundis and the USA ended in a match tie. USA: 10/205 after 47 overs PNG: 10/205 after 49.5 overs Cricket PNG is hosting USA and Namibia as part of the ICC CWCL2 series, a pathway event to the next ICC One Day International World Cup in 2023. This is the first international cricket in Port Moresby since 2018. Kumul Petroleum Barramundis Captain, Assad Vala was excited “ it is great to be finally playing back home in front of our family, friends and fans. It has been a long time; all the team are excited to have the home crowd support and to play good entertaining cricket in front of our supporters”. Source: Cricket PNG 

Save the Children together with the Gulf Provincial Health Authority (GPHA) and Oil Search Foundation have completed a week long COVID-19 Vaccine awareness Training for Health Care Workers in Kikori district Gulf province. A total of 36 health workers consisting of 13 females from rural aid posts, health centers and urban clinics attended the district training. The training was aimed at making sure health workers understood well aspects of the COVID-19 vaccine so they can go back to their communities to help increase the uptake of the vaccine. Kikori District Health Manager Kunsy Donnie highlighted that there were over 200 health workers in the district however a less number has been vaccinated which is a concern. He said the training was important to reduce risks in the communities. "Out of the 200plus health workers in the district, we have about 10% who have been vaccinated. The training is important because when the health workers go out to their communities, they will be agents of change". Danny also thanked the Gulf PHA, Oil Search and Save the Children for making the training a reality for the district. Following the training, 6 health workers themselves got their first jobs whilst 7 others for their second and booster shots. Amongst them was twenty-six-year old Community Health Worker (CHW) Corazon Yowat who decided to get the vaccine. She took the vaccine because if she was down who would treat the patients. She said, "I decided to take the vaccine because COVID-19 not only affects the respiratory system but all parts of the body. And as a CHW I think it is important for me to take the vaccine because if I'm sick who else will treat the patients". The topics covered in the training included the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, how COVID affects the human anatomy, how to vaccinate a patient, treatment, and management of COVID-19, interpersonal communication, and planning and monitoring. The training is the second to be held in Gulf province, the first one was held in June in Kerema. These trainings are one of many activities Save the Children is carrying out together with PHAs and partners under its Risk Communication & Community Engagement (RCCE) project which is supported by UNICEF.

The Canberra Raiders sent Melbourne packing from the 2022 premiership race with a 28-20 upset at AAMI Park on Saturday night. Ricky Stuart’s team has now beaten Melbourne five times in a row at AAMI Park and they move on to play the Eels in another sudden-death clash next weekend. After defending their line stoutly for several sets early on, the Raiders cracked the Storm when Joseph Tapine put Jack Wighton into the back field with a delicate offload. Wighton pinned his ears back and then ofloaded a pass which was touched by Nick Meaney before landing in the hands of Xavier Savage who sent it on to Matt Timoko, the centre taking on Cameron Munster and powering over in the right corner for a 4-0 lead. On the back of their third six-again call in the opening 15 minutes the Storm went left and Kenny Bromwich put in a grubber which Savage was forced to knock it dead to hand the home side a fresh set. From there it was ball-players Munster and Jahrome Hughes creating space on the right for Marion Seve to put Xavier Coates away on a 20-metre run to the corner for his 14th try of the season. Four minutes later it was Caotes doubling his tally on the back of brilliant lead-up work by Hughes, who spotted Jordan Rapana in off his wing and chipped over for his winger to touch down and the Storm led 8-4. It took the Raiders just 10 minutes to hit back and reclaim the lead when halfback Jamal Fogarty took the first pass of a scrum 10 metres out and brushed off Meaney, Justin Olam and David Nofoaluma to score. In the 35th minute Tapine capped a magnificent first half when he put Elliott Whitehead over from close range with another deft offload and the Green Machine was in overdrive at 16-8. Munster and Hughes combined again in the 45th minute to put Seve away down the right side, the centre passing back to Munster who found Coates to power away for his second hat-trick of the season. Munster converted to make it 16-14. A high tackle by Tapine on Hughes in the 50th minute handed Munster a penalty shot to equal the scores but he pushed it wide. The Storm regained the lead in the 57th minute when a rampaging Nelson Asofa-Solomona took a pass from Grant 10 metres out and proved unstoppable to make it 20-16 with Munster's conversion. With 15 minutes to play it was Wighton nudging a left foot kick into the in goal for Hudson Young to beat Munster to the ball and lock the scores up before Fogarty converted for 22-20 to Canberra. The Raiders launched a raid down the left side with five minutes to play and Jordan Rapana made the most of a stroke of luck after a pass rebounded off Kris' head and into the in goal area. Fogarty's ice cool conversion made it 28-20 to the visitors and the upset was complete. The Green Machine are riding a five-game winning streak and will go into their sudden-death clash against Parramatta on Friday full of confidence while the Storm are left to reflect on a season hampered by injuries to key players like Ryan Papenhuyzen, Christian Welch and Reimis Smith.   Source: NRL.com

Commissioner of Police David Manning said Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second, has been a constant presence and beacon of hope for Papua New Guinea as it took its first step as an independent nation 47 years ago. “Sadly, as Papua New Guinea gears up for our 47th independence anniversary celebrations we have learnt of the passing of our Head of State, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second. “The Royal family has enjoyed a long and close history with Papua New Guinea and especially the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. Papua was annexed by Great Britain in 1884. In 1939 King George VI saw fit to grant the prefix “Royal” to the Royal Papuan Constabulary in recognition of the long and meritorious service of the local people in the service of the administration. “On 2nd June 1953, 25 members of the Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary represented the territories and attended the coronation of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. “Her Majesty was the longest serving monarch and has been an integral part of Papua New Guinea and the Constabulary’s growth and development over the last 47 years. “On behalf of the 6,000 members of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary around the country I extend our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the Government and people of the United Kingdom,” Commissioner Manning said.