The PNG Gold women’s team defeated Vanuatu in the women’s fixture in the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup Tournament on Thursday. Captain Ramona Padio wasted no time setting the pace of the match, scoring in just the 4th minute to give PNG an early lead. The team’s attacking momentum paid off as they headed into halftime with a 3–0 advantage, before sealing the victory with a fourth and final goal in the second half. PNG Women’s coach Erickson Komeng said that the girls played really well, and he was pleased with their performance. “The girl’s attitude and approach to the game today was 100% spot on,” he said. “We wanted to come here and beat the Vanuatu side.” He said that it was challenging playing on the home ground in front of fans, but the girls did very well. He added that the first game is always the toughest, but he knows that the girls can improve and work together and play well in this tournament. Komeng said that the important thing about this tournament is building relationships between players and coaches with their Melanesian counterparts. He further added that the girls have a good chance of winning the tournament as long as they work together with the right attitude and remain positive. Meanwhile, the Vanuatu Women’s Coach Jean Robert Yelou said that the PNG Women’s team was outstanding, and his team will now go back and prepare well for the next upcoming games in the tournament.

Since being diagnosed with retinoblastoma (cancer in his right eye) in 2023, four-year-old Wilchi Paddy Kapin has endured countless hospital visits and treatments.Despite the challenges, his courage and bright spirit continue to shine, offering hope to other families facing the same battle. Retinoblastoma is the second most common cancer in children, and it affects children under the age of 5. Wilchi’s mother, Normajean Gapi, said that a lot has happened since 2023 when he was diagnosed when he was just a year old. “In 2023, after Wilchi got chemotherapy for six months at the Port Moresby General hospital, we went over to the Philippines where he had almost eight weeks of intraocular chemotherapy, a procedure that delivers cancer-fighting medicine directly into the eye along with weekly examinations.” “In February 2024, Wilchi had his right eye removed and we have had about three to four visits to the hospital for his checks.” “Wilchi had his first prosthetic eye fitted in 2024 and he has had this for over a year which cost us about K2, 500 for the eye alone.” Normajean said that a few months ago, they went back to the Philippines where he was supposed to have his MRI scan, his chest X-ray and his eye examined to see that his left eye is still okay, however, was not able to have an MRI as he ended up getting sick. While there, Wilchi had genetic testing done to determine whether the cancer was caused by a gene mutation from both parents or an inherited gene from one parent. Wilchi’s genetic test results were released on Friday, November 7, 2025, confirming that he carries the RB1 gene linked to retinoblastoma. His doctor, Dr. Lingao, explained that this means Wilchi has a higher risk of developing secondary cancers such as brain, bone, or skin cancer, conditions that sometimes affect retinoblastoma survivors. The results also indicate that the gene can be passed on to his future children. The family who are just processing the news, are preparing for further testing, including a family variant test that must be completed within 150 days of Wilchi’s blood collection in July, leaving about three months to complete it. Today, Wilchi continues his journey with strength and courage. But his fight isn’t over yet. To continue his treatment and monitoring, Wilchi urgently needs to undergo several important medical tests which include eye examinations, an MRI brain scan, chest X-ray, and other follow-up procedures. The total cost is estimated at K30, 000 per trip. His family is doing everything they can but greatly needs assistance. Any contribution big or small will go a long way in helping Wilchi get the care he needs and give him the chance to live a healthy, happy life.

The injuries and even deaths from the use of the notorious wire catapult in the East Sepik province continues to be a major problem that requires a drastic and decisive action to fully address.Like any other homemade weapon, the wire catapult is also a very deadly weapon that is a major concern for the police says Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Christopher Tamari. The wire catapult, also known as ‘Silencer’, consists of a metal rod sometimes sharpened with barbs or hooks and is used in a slingshot-style mechanism to propel the rod at a target. The wire catapult was originally used by the Sepik people living along the river as a fishing rod; however, it was later adapted and used as a weapon against people. PPC Tamari when speaking to PNG HAUSBUNG, said that the wire catapult is used mainly by intoxicated youths in social disputes as it is a convenient homemade weapon. “Social issues arise in the province because there are a lot of idle youths who are unemployed and have access to home brew.” “We do not have enough manpower on ground to attend to the law-and-order issues in the province,” said PPC Tamaris. The PPC is in the process of requesting for logistical support from district administrations for reserve police officers on ground so to better address the matter of fights and the use of the wire catapult. He also wants tougher punishment imposed for people in possession and using wire catapult so to deter them from using it. PPC Tamari said he was in talks with the East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird to ban the sale and use of rubber as it is the major component in making the slingshot to launch the wire. Meanwhile, PPC Tamari said currently it has been really quiet in the province with only a few alcohol related incidents. He also said that the LLG Elections went smoothly with no major incidents reported.