The Cowboys could be without star centre Val Holmes for the rest of the regular season after he was charged with a Careless High Tackle in Sunday's loss to the Titans. Holmes' tackle on Jayden Campbell in the 20th minute at Cbus Super Stadium was deemed a Grade 2 by the match review committee and carries a three-game ban with an early guilty plea. Should Holmes fight the charge at the judiciary and be found guilty at Panel, he would miss four games. The Cowboys have a bye in Round 24 so only have four games left to play in the regular season. Source: NRL.Com

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Task Force Koa Moana 23 recently participated in a fire-starting class hosted by Papua New Guinea Defense Force Warrant Officer Class 2 Steven Baloiloi in Goldie River Training Camp in Port Moresby. Papua New Guinea is part of Task Force Koa Moana’s deployment to the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen relationships with Pacific Island partners through bilateral and multilateral training. The informal period of instruction was taught by Baloiloi, a native of Milne Bay Province and the PNGDF Warrior Wing Sergeant Major. According to Lance Cpl. Jalen McLean, a native of Baldwin, New York and a transmissions system operator with the task force stated that, the class was unscheduled, but very much appreciated by the service members. “Sergeant Major Baloiloi is a really nice guy,” said McLean. “We asked him for a coconut from their coconut tree and he said sure. He helped us get the coconut down. He cut the coconut and showed us the difference between the brown coconut and the white coconut and how to pick the soft ones and not the hard ones.” Additionally, Baloiloi taught the Marines and Sailors how to create fire using wood, coconut husks and coconut leaves. “You just need wood and friction,” said Baloiloi. “You need to learn how to make your own fire. Don’t bring a lighter when practicing perfecting the skill - you will become dependent on it, you must master it. Make your own fire!” Throughout the class, Baloiloi reminded the Marines and Sailors to watch for thick smoke as it is an indicator of fire. “It was fun, but tough and it was a great experience," said McLean. At the conclusion of the class, Baloiloi offered to host other basic survival classes for the Marines and Sailors over the remainder of their time in Papua New Guinea.

Twenty-five CPL staff who represented their various group brands has participated in a four-day training on Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS). These 25 CPL participants were awarded certificates after the completion of the 4 days training. The training was done considering a signed Memorandum of Understanding between the USAID’s Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) program and CPL Foundation in late 2022. Asia Pacific’s Regional Director for Clean Cities Blue Ocean, Mr. Renerio Acosta stated that the training covered essentials on proper waste segregation and types of plastics, valuable information gained on enhancing waste management at the store level and its benefits will further improve waste management techniques at CPL facilities. “The program included a one-day theoretical training on its waste analysis and characterization study program to expand participants’ knowledge on waste management followed by a 3-day practical training of its applications”. General Manager for Health, and Safety, CPL Group Mr Chester Selibu, said that as the retail sector contributes a substantial amount of commercial waste produced daily, the WACS training undergone by CPL staff is the start to employing effective solid waste management solutions for CPL and all its sub brands. “This will be implemented through CPL’s Health and Safety Department and will ensure compliance with ISO standards.” The training was facilitated by a 3-member team from Tetra Tech, USAID’s implementing agency for its CCBO program recently in Port Moresby to implement programs aimed at establishing an effective waste management system as well as building capacity for the retailer to apply the 3Rs (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle). It is understood that CPL was prompt to host training on Waste Analysis and Characterization Study due to the fact that Commercial waste account for up to 33% of the total waste generated in the Nation’s Capital, and the need for effective waste management solutions is required to cater for waste produced daily by businesses with a large waste footprint.

Tamiok Strike 23 is a bilateral exercise co-hosted by the U.S. Army and PNGDF at the invitation of the PNG government and Projects under the umbrella of Tamiok Strike 23. This will take place in Goldie River Training Depot in Port Moresby, Moem Barracks in Wewak, and Igam Barracks in Lae, until July 29. Lieutenant Colonel John Wani, Commander of PNGDF Engineer Battalion, and Captain Samuel Gest, Commander of the 95th Engineer Company, as well as Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Papua New Guinea Defence Force Soldiers celebrated the beginning of Tamiok Strike 2023 with a groundbreaking ceremony recently. The exercise involves approximately 90 U.S. and 150 PNGDF participants and aims to enhance combined interoperability capabilities through training and cultural exchanges. This exercise continues to solidify the U.S. and PNGDF partnership and advances security cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. It is the third in a continuing series of U.S. and PNG bilateral exercises designed to promote regional peace and security. Training focuses on stability operations tasks and engineer operations to build the capacity of the PNGDF. At the groundbreaking event Captain Samuel Gest stated that the groundbreaking ceremony is groundbreaking in two regards. “First, we are literally breaking ground, pushing dirt and pouring concrete. We are improving our surroundings.” “During this build we will sweat; it will not be easy, but our training and determination will allow us to succeed.” Captain Gest also stated that they are also symbolically groundbreaking for the first time in exercise Tamiok Strike history, and they are conducting a joint construction operation despite still learning how to operate and plan together; there is much promise between the two engineer forces. “Tamiok Strike 23 enhances readiness the PNGDF need to maintain a safe, stable, and secure Papua New Guinea.” The exercise also provides excellent opportunities for community, professional, and cultural exchanges that strengthen our partnership through shared learning and training. Training includes expert academic exchanges and professional development workshops that focus on stability operations tasks and engineer training at the company level and below. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of joint construction operations as well as a milestone for the exercise being the first iteration with additional joint construction operations. Tamiok Strike is a bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the combined interoperability of the Papua New Guinea Defence Forces and U.S. Forces, to increase partner capacity for conventional, complex, and future contingencies throughout the Indo-Pacific region. This is the second operation of Tamiok Strike in Papua New Guinea.

Ashfall from the erupting Mt Bagana in central Bougainville has collapsed several traditional houses. A cabinet minister in the government of the Autonomous region of Bougainville, Theonila Roka Matbob, said there is more than 7,000 people needing temporary accommodation because of the eruption. Mt Bagana, erupted for the first time in 11 years more than two weeks ago, depositing ash over a broad area, with lava flowing into the rivers surrounding the mountain. Matbob added that thick layers of ash have collapsed some sago leaf roofed houses in rural areas. "So that has contributed a lot to people having to seek shelter elsewhere, with the ash fall collapsing homes, where the ashes seem to be having a lot of weight added on to the sago palms that serves as the roofing." She further said there were more and more reports of eye and throat irritations because of the ash, while the ash was having a pronounced impact on water supply and crops. While about one thousand people have been evacuated to the camps at Torokina and Wakunai, due to the facilities being made available may have to be expanded because as many as 7,000 more may need assistance. The Minister said in the meantime the Bougainville government was providing food and non-food supplies to the victims. The mountain is continuing to erupt but the scale of the event has been reduced to level two from former level three. Source: Radio NZ

The President of the autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville, Ishmael Toroama, says hundreds of people have been displaced by the eruption of Mt Bagana. The 1800 metres mountain, in central Bougainville, began erupting nearly two weeks ago. Toroama said all water sources were contaminated, leading to waterborne diseases. He said 19 primary and elementary schools have been affected and they have all been shut down temporarily. The president said ensuring there was sufficient food, water and medical supplies for the people is the top priority. "We have deployed our health officials to conduct an environmental assessment to ascertain the suitability of setting up care centers at Torokina and Wakunai respectively. "Natural disasters are volatile and may change at any moment. The welfare of our people is far greater than any one person who chooses to be ignorant in these circumstances," Toroama said. The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory said while the summit area remained obscured, there had been a pyroclastic flow, but that this was small and confined to riverbeds. This flow includes lava, ash and hot gases, and it means rivers originating from the volcano were contaminated. Toroama has thanked the Minister for Internal Security Peter Tsiamalili Jnr and the Minister for Information and Communication Technology Timothy Masiu for their responses to the disaster after they made funding available for supplies. He added that "the Australian Government has assured me that they will respond to the situation should it escalate". Source: RNZ.com

The Mt Bagana eruption in the Papua New Guinea autonomous region of Bougainville is starting to affect crops and there are fears it could impact sources of drinking water, according to reports. Mt Bagana, which is 1800 metres tall, began spewing out ash and lava on July 7, and the government is issuing daily updates on its response to the volcanic activity. The government said it was a mild eruption, at level three, on a five level scale. Reports from locals is that the ashfall has covered vegetation, destroyed food gardens and contaminated rivers and streams used as the primary water source. On Monday, villages in a number of districts close to the volcano were ordered to move to safety. The government said all relief efforts were being coordinated through their disaster management teams. It said it was important that all people in the impacted communities in both Wakunai and Torokina continue to move from their villages to the district stations respectively. This is to allow District Disaster Management Teams to have oversight and better coordination to move efficiently, carefully and quickly if required. Food and water supplies will also be distributed at the main camp areas at the Torokina and Wakunai stations respectively. The government said the affected communities are strongly urged not to use the contaminated water for drinking, cooking or washing. It warned even if a water source was ash free, the water must be boiled first. "The ABG Department of Health has activated their Health Emergency Response unit and will mobilise necessary support and medical supplies to be deployed to Torokina and Wakunai tomorrow (Wednesday)," New Dawn FM reported. The caretaker chief secretary Esther Usurup said that "district health clinical officers on the ground at Piva in Torokina and Ruruvu in Wakunai have been instructed to monitor and report on a daily basis the diseases being reported at the clinics especially diarrhoea and other water borne diseases, plus any reported cases of eye or respiratory infections." 'Smoke is everywhere' Theresa Jaintong is a community leader in Arawa, which is a significant distance from Mt Bagana and well outside the zone the government has ordered to be evacuated. Jaintong said Arawa was feeling the impacts of the eruption. "The impact we are facing now is the ash from the volcano. It's really clouding up," she said. "The smoke is everywhere, and the fear is we depend entirely on water tanks, because the running water for Arawa town is not treated so that is going to have an impact on our drinking water." Torokina Disaster coordinator team leader Boniface Wadari said two days after the government order to evacuate some people were yet to move. "Basically, some of them feel that it is not really a big problem but it's part of life. They need to get more information." Wadari said the disaster team has received financial help from two national cabinet ministers, the MP for regional Bougainville and the MP for South Bougainville, along with the ABG. He said this money is being used to get water and food for the evacuees. Geologists from the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory have undertaken an assessment of the seismic activity in the area. Source: rnz

The country’s leading superannuation fund, Nasfund has partnered with one of the leading healthcare providers in the country to conduct Health Talks on Cervical and Breast Cancer Awareness in the workplace. Through this collaboration between the National Superannuation Fund Ltd (Nasfund) and Pacific International Hospital (PIH), more than seventy (70) staff of Nasfund based in both Port Moresby and the branch operations who joined in via Zoom attended the session today on Friday. Chief Dr Mathias Sapuri, an author and publisher of more than 60 books with 35 years of clinical experience conducted a comprehensive health talk, that ensured all staff members are equipped with vital knowledge about cancer prevention, detection, and early intervention. Nasfund in realizing that cancer remains a significant health concern for its staff, members, and community in Papua New Guinea has prioritized the promotion of cervical and breast cancer awareness as part of its ‘’Staff Wellbeing Program’’ that is spearheaded by the Talent & Culture division. By partnering with Pacific International Hospital, renowned for its commitment to healthcare excellence, the Fund aims to empower and educate its staff members, providing them with the necessary tools to make informed decisions regarding their health. Present for the session, Dr. Mathias Sapuri, an eminent figure in the field of women's health, led the discussions that covered a wide range of topics, including risk factors, symptoms, screening methods, treatment options, and the importance of regular check-ups. The sessions also included Q&A segments, and the distribution of informational materials, enabling employees to deepen their understanding of breast and cervical cancer and its prevention strategies. Commenting on this initiative, Nasfund’s General Manager Talent & Culture, Vincent Lialu, expressed his enthusiasm. "At Nasfund, the health and well-being of our staff are of paramount importance.” “By getting into partnerships with key institutions like Pacific International Hospital and PNG Cancer Foundation while bringing in the expertise of Dr. Mathias Sapuri, we are taking significant steps to raise awareness about cervical and breast cancer to ensure our staff members are empowered with the knowledge they need to protect their health including their families and the communities we serve.’’ Chief Executive Officer, Rajeev Sharma who was also present during the session thanked Dr Sapuri and the PIH medical team, for an informative and interactive session on how to deal with medical issues along with the importance of preventative and regular medical checks. He reiterated, ‘’Nasfund understands the importance of prioritizing staff wellbeing to ensure that our employees are not only financially fit but medically fit and remain healthy to better serve our members.’’ “Through this ‘Staff and Wellbeing Program’, Nasfund continues to prioritize the health and welfare of its staff members, by fostering a supportive work environment.”

The NSW Blues have saved face in front of their home fans with a 24-10 victory in Origin III at Accor Stadium. After losing the first two matches, the new-look NSW side dug deep to salvage some pride in front of 75,342 fans on Wednesday night. Blues coach Brad Fittler made a number of changes after losing the series in Game Two but they were vindicated as Cody Walker shone in his return to the Origin arena and 21-year-old debutant Bradman Best stole the show with two tries on debut. Just three minutes into the contest Best looked to open the scoring but he was denied with the bunker ruling the centre offside. While the Blues appeared to have all the momentum in the opening 10 minutes, the Maroons were quick to capitalise on their first set in enemy territory. It was Tabuai-Fidow who tapped down a pinpoint Cameron Munster kick into the hands of David Fifita, and the Blues didn't have a chance of stopping the charging Titans enforcer, who crashed over the line to open the scoreboard. But the Blues hit back just two minutes later with debutant Keaon Koloamatangi putting his mark on the match, producing a perfectly placed tap-pass to open up space for Brian To'o to cross on the right edge. Come the 20th minute and Cody Walker made his presence felt, with some quick hands, unlocking Best who tipped on to Addo Carr before the Australian winger broke down the left edge with a perfectly executed kick and chase putting the Blues in front 10-6. With the Blues mounting pressure and the Maroons coming up with some crucial errors, Walker orchestrated another left-side shift and this time Best capitalised, crashing over for a try on debut. Taking note of Addo-Carr's previous heroics, Tabuai-Fidow got in on the action in the 35th minute, sweeping outside Blues defenders before punting the ball through the line and regathering the ball just over the stripe to reduce the deficit 16-10. A penalty against Harry Grant for crowding the ruck handed Stephen Crichton his second penalty goal of the half, stretching the Blues lead 18-10 right on the halftime buzzer. The second stanza played out in a fairly even contest with both teams trading sets and while the Blues looked to break the deadlock in the 62nd minute through Isaah Yeo, however the forward was ruled offside. Eight points was still the difference. After breaking tackles all night, Blues skipper James Tedesco finally found some space, streaking down the left edge before finding Best in support who made it a double on debut. Crighton's conversion made it 24-10. Source‏‍: NRL. com

Central Province Governor Rufina Peter presented a cheque worth of K20, 000 to the Manumanu United Church in the Hiri-Koiari district of the Central Province early this week. The money was presented to support the church to host their thirty second (32nd) annual church council meet for the West Red Scar Circuit, which started yesterday Tuesday 11th July and will end on the 15th of July. About 96 delegates travelled in from Papa, Bogi, Lealea and other surrounding villages to be part of the 5days church council meet. Chairman of the West Red Scar Circuit Bisia Lahui in welcoming the delegates stated that despite the difficult times the circuit has managed to survive through the blessing of God with whatever little they had. Mr Lahui added that he is grateful with open arms for the kind gesture shown by the Governor of Central Province, because the church is also struggling to keep peace and harmony both in the church in all the surrounding communities. Governor Peter who was the guest at the opening of the church council meet, said that she was happy to be part of a program and the congregation. She added that the occasion reminded her of the passion of early Christian missionaries that brought the Good News to Papua New Guinea. "As I was coming here to Manumanu, I was thinking about the missionaries who first landed on the shores here in Manumanu and in PNG generally”. Governor Rufina said that at that time the country was not advanced, the world was not advanced in technology, and these missionaries they did not have ships that had automated piloting and all the state of the art technology to even fly a plane. “They (missionaries) came on vessels that perhaps had to use both the sails and the understanding of knowledge, how to use the stars and moon to determine the weather how it would be and whatever else they had in that boat or vessel to bring them to our shores the shores of Papua New Guinea to bring the good news to the people of Papua New Guinea.” “And so reflecting on that to me it just shows the missionary zeal that the early missionaries had, they were God focused and centred, they did not look at the weather and let that diminish their faith, they decided the land in the Southern Hemisphere called Papua New Guinea and was focused to bring the Good News the Sivarai Namona to this place and they landed here.” The Central Governor than challenged the delegates as leaders of the Church to check themselves if they have that missionary zeal. “We need it in this time when you see the changes happening around you, some things you feel you can’t do with your own human strength the forces that are much greater than you and I, and so your help, our help comes from him our Lord who is our rock our strength our tower of hope that we ran to in our time of need." “So for me it’s in the physical development sense, as you all its in the spiritual sense, spiritual leadership so just as I feel the pressure as Governor for Central Province looking after the affairs of five hundred thousand (500, 000) people together with the Open members." "I am sure you are feeling the pressure as spiritual leaders to guide the people of God that you and I are serving in different spaces of leadership.” Governor Peter further encouraged the church leaders that they play a much more important role than the political leaders because the foundation that must be set for a nation is through the word of God on which political leaders can join on and build on.

A man from Western Province has voluntarily built 21 houses for people living with disabilities, widows and young people in his community. Mr Kila Garum, 50 years old is a community leader in the remote village of Drimskai in the Kiunga rural local level government (LLG) of the North Fly District in Western Province, has given up his role as the ward councillor and has instead led villagers in Drimskai in a community development project that aims to build 49 homes to accommodate everyone in his village. “These first 21 homes built were prioritized for the people with disabilities, widows, married and young people in the community,” he said. “My dream is to see that everyone in the community owns a permanent house with solar lights and a drinking water tank.” Garum, is also supervisor to five (5) volunteers under the National Volunteer Services (NVS) who are currently attending a three-week Southern Region Batch 19 volunteers Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) program at the Goldie River Training Depot (GRTD) which ran from the 19th of June to the 9th of July recently. The Pre-Service Orientation is basically an induction program that is aimed to equip volunteers with the necessary information that they would need to successfully complete their +projects with the guidance of NVS supervisors. “I resigned from occupying the position of Ward councillor in the 2018 LLG election after realizing that the community needs that had been identified were not being prioritized.” Garum said he resigned after realizing that his efforts to seek assistance from the office of the District and Provincial members had fallen on deaf ears so he had to take action instead of waiting on the Government. Since then, he has managed to build 21 out of the 49 proposed houses that were to be built in the ward with the help of the local villagers and later a support funding of K136, 000 as the first quarter funding from the District Service Improvement Program Funds (DSIP). “Helping my community build the 21 houses has given me a sense of accomplishment in serving my purpose as a member of this community,” he said. Garum added that in 2022 the current local member of North Fly District Hon James Donald supported the project by offering a saw mill which greatly assisted them. He is also a part of the volunteer counselling committee for fifteen years from 1992 to 2007 and expressed that serving others through volunteering has given him satisfaction especially in seeing that he has made an impact in people’s lives. Garum has also proposed another project to venture into after the Southern Region PSO, which is a plan for a Land Use Project. “Drimskai was scoped as the central location for Economical and Business House Station for both the Government and Private sector for the people of North Fly and Western as a whole,” he said. “It is a first of its kind to the people of Western and the good news to the Drimskai people of North Fly to turn this central location to a House Station." He added that often times basic services were decentralized and remote people are in need of basic services and felt that this project will greatly help them. In the meantime, scoping and surveying has already been done so far for the remaining houses and they are waiting for the Government to intervene and assist with funding for the other projects to start. Garum said that the Drimskai was scoped and surveyed to be developed into a station with a Primary and secondary school, an Agriculture College, a Health Centre, Aid-post, a mini-Hydro plant and the sealing of streets. He further stated that he is looking forward to working with the other volunteers on the project after the PSO and is grateful to the opportunity from NVS to meet other likeminded individuals who had a passion to bring about positive change in their communities.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed recently between the chiefs and councillors of West Mekeo and the Central Province Governor Hon. Ruffina Peter in West Mekeo over the weekend to see the start of a brand new Mekeo Veifa Road. Central Governor who was there over the weekend on Saturday thanked the people of Mekeo and Kairuku for allowing the new Mekeo Veifa Road to commence. Governor Ruffina said that there is a great task ahead for Central Province, and all must work together because times and the environment around are changing and people living along the roadside can see the changes happening. “The Connect PNG Program will change the way you seat, settle and do your daily business,” she said. “Development is about working together, you doing your bit and together we progress and prosper and I thank the chiefs for giving your land, 20 metre or 40 metre for road development.” The Central Governor stated that this road will be developed to address law and order, because so many times the people of Aipiana, Veifa, Kenga and other villages in land often face harassment by the youths from Inaui village, and this road will create a route around Inaui village so that travelling passengers do not have to face harassment anymore. “This is a priority road, and it will benefit about 19-20,000 population, so I am happy to say the functional grants are well spent.” Ruffina added that the Provincial Government was allocated K8milion through the department of Works and with what she has on hand she had to move and start projects, especially road projects in the Central Province. “This year 2023, I have spoken with the Provincial Administrator, Mr Koava that the functional grants, works functional grants that come to the province must all be dedicated to building roads and bridges.” “My focus is road and bridges, not schools or any other projects yet because if we do not have access, nothing else will move in the district.” “With the MOU signed and Road Project launched, my job now is to knock on the door of Works Minister Solon Mirisen and tell him that work has started on West Mekeo Road and Moina Highways so please release funds to complete this road.” Rufina added also that there are 9 provincial roads that she will focus on to get them fixed. “I have started in Goilala, this Bereina Veifa to West Mekeo Road, I still have Rigo, Abau, Koiari and Kairuku ring road down from Isiu and others that I will look into and all districts’ roads belong to the open members so the local members must do their part also.” She also added that Transport Infrastructure is her number one priority which she has tapped into now, Law and Order, Integral Human Development, Income earning areas (SME) and Internal Revenue for the Province are other Priority areas that she and her provincial government will prioritise on. “I ask the Provincial Administrator that any funding that comes from the National Government to the Provincial works must all be made available to push and complete all the provincial roads.” In appreciation of the launching of the new Veifa West Mekeo Road, Chief Iso Aimo, expressed gratitude towards Governor Ruffina stating that this their cried been heard. “On many occasions, I have apologised to the Chiefs and the people of Aipiana, Veifa and Kenge village for the actions of my village people especially the youths for their misconducts and harassment towards the other village.” “Because of this Law-and-Order problem in Inaui village, I met with chiefs from the other villages, law and order Chairman for Central Province including policemen and police hierarchy last November and we made a commitment, and a petition was handed over to Governor to find a solution to this ongoing Law and order problem caused by the Inaui youths,” “Today I am happy man, although a private citizen now, our petition was granted,” said Mr Aimo. Governor Rufina acknowledges Mr Aimos enthusiasm and thanked all the people of West Mekeo for giving portion of their land for the road work to commence and he urged the youth of Inaui to change because better things are coming to change Central Province, and no one must be left behind in tangible development and progresses.