Newcastle have secured their spot in the 2023 finals series with a 32-6 victory over the Sharks but the result could come at a cost after a shoulder injury to superstar Kalyn Ponga. Ponga was at his electric best to score a try and play a part in two more as the Knights extended their winning streak to eight, but a sell-out crowd was left silent momentarily when the star fullback was floored in a tackle by Jesse Ramien. Scans will determine the severity of an AC joint issue for Ponga and his right shoulder but more importantly for the Knights they can afford to be without him for at least next week against the Dragons with a home final all but locked in. Both sides were locked at 6-6 at the break before the Knights powered ahead by 12 with converted tries to Bradman Best and Dominic Young setting up a handy lead. Another try to Best, where Ponga was hit heavily by Ramien in the lead-up, quickly followed with a big effort from Greg Marzhew with the Knights running in 32 unanswered points. Earlier, a no try ruling to Young denied the Knights early before Cronulla crossed first on the right edge through Connor Tracey to stun the sold-out crowd on Old Boys day. Ponga's stellar season in attack on the left edge continued with the Knights fullback getting on the outside of Matt Moylan to get the home side on the board. A see-sawing first half saw both sides have opportunities to score further points but gutsy finals-like defence shut down any attacking raids. The Sharks appeared to be over once more when Briton Nikora broke through the line twice but a big effort from Dylan Lucas denied the back-rower with the NRL Bunker ruling he lost the ball. Young was then bundled into touch down the other end with the try-line beckoning with Braydon Trindall coming up with a second try-saving effort of the afternoon. Trindall's efforts were as far as it got for the visitors, however, with the Knights producing a second half masterclass led by Ponga with five-straight tries. An individual effort from Lucas, who broke through the line and then got around Tracey for his first NRL try, got the party started in the Hunter and sets up a Sharks date with the Raiders next week that will be a must-win for both sides. Source: NRL.Com

The Cowboys have kept their finals hopes alive with a 34-10 win over the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. Needing to win their final two games and hope other results go their way, Todd Payten's men took care of the first part of the equation with a polished six-try display in front of 33,449 fans in Brisbane. The Cowboys grabbed the first try of the night in the 11th minute when Dolphins fullback Jamayne Isaako spilled a bomb and the ball came down to Tom Dearden who spun it wide for Zac Laybutt to race away and score. Four minutes later the Cowboys had a second when Kyle Feldt crossed for the 128th try of his career to close within two of Matt Bowen's club record of 130. Dearden stamped his class on the contest in the 17th minute when he delivered a superb cut-out pass to Murray Taulagi down the short side and the winger found Scott Drinkwater backing up for an 18-0 lead. The Dolphins looked set to hit back on the half hour mark when Kenny Bromwich got over the line but Drinkwater was able to knock the ball loose as he tried to get it down. With Dolphins prop Josh Kerr in the sin bin for a hip drop tackle the Cowboys took advantage of the extra man as Drinkwater delivered a precise pass to Laybutt who crossed for his second of the night. The Cowboys should have had their fifth try early in the second half after Heilum Luki found himself in open space and linked with Feldt but the winger's pass went astray when he tried to find support. After hanging tough for 16 minutes in the second half the Dolphins finally cracked when Dearden cut out two players and found Taulagi who strolled over to make it 28-0 to North Queensland. With 17 minutes to play Isaako grabbed his 22nd try of the season when he latched onto a sweet pass from Nikorima and raced away to make it 28-6. The Dolphins' joy was short lived as Cowboys veteran Peta Hiku hit back three minutes later with a try in his 200th NRL game courtesy of a brilliant flick pass from youngster Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. Some slick hands from the Dolphins created space for Isaako to make it a double in the 72nd minute as Wayne Bennett's men pushed the Cowboys right to the end. Source: NRL.Com

The Voice Inc. (TVI) celebrated the graduation of its 1st Cohort of Developmental Leaders who have completed the Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) course on Wednesday 23rd August, which was facilitated by the Building State Capability Team of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government through their Local Leadership and Collective Action Program (LLCAP). The Voice Inc. Executive Director Ms. Maliwai Sasingian said, 31 local leaders and champions of change across 7 provinces successfully completed the PDIA course online in a scale of 3months. “The PDIA course fills the capacity to develop young leaders to be agents of change. “ “The role of a being a leader is not done by an individual but requires the efforts of groups, networks and collisions to work together for positive change which is TVI’s vision.” Sasingian added that the 31 applicants were put into teams that are pushing for 6 reforms based on Sorcery Accusation Related Violence, Education, Higher Education, Decentralization and Youth Employment. One of the teams was focused on sorcery accusation related violence from Jiwaka to Mendi. The team decided to prioritize and focus on access to justice and through this process, they identified the need to set-up a legal desk at Kudiawa PHA Family Support Center by the end of this year. Meanwhile, Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Mr. Paul Lehmann said the PDAI is a dynamic process with tight feedback loops that allows you to build your own solution to your problem that fits your local context. “The Australian Government is very happy and proud to support the course through our building community engagement programs in PNG.” Furthermore, The Voice Inc. Board Chair Dame Meg Taylor said, as a senior citizen, it gives her great hope for the future of this country that these small steps taken, will increase overtime and build a strong cohort that will reshape the nation. She also wished the 2nd cohort for 2023 the very best and to use the resources provided at the best of their ability for greater results. The 2nd cohort 2023 has a total of 17 members who started their lessons on the 23rd of August.

The disaster co-ordinator in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville says as many as 60,000 people have been affected by two months of heavy rain. Much of south Bougainville is a flood zone at the same time the region is coping with the impacts of the Mt Bagana eruption. As a result of both natural disasters the Autonomous Bougainville Government last week extended a state of emergency until mid-October. Esther Usurup said teams are now carrying out an assessment before food supplies are flown in. "The whole of south Bougainville from Torokina to Siwai, Bana and Buin specifically, have also been inundated and, as of the last 24 hours we have had a rapid needs assessment that has been deployed," she said. Usurup said meanwhile that the volcano, Mt Bagana, is continuing to erupt, after bursting to life for the first time in 11 years on July 7. She said it still carries a level two advisory. About 3,000 people remain in camps for people displaced by the eruption. They are at Wakunai and Torokina, which are either side of the mountain. At least 5000 more are known to be affected by the eruption. Source: RNZ.Com

After a long 10 years wait, the Lae Area Medical Store (AMS) in the Morobe province finally received assistance with a total of 14 solar lights from the United Nations Population Fund to improve the security of the medical supplies warehouse. The Lae AMS team managed to successfully set up the lights at the warehouse with two flat lights around the yard and the two security lights on the roof of the warehouse. The remaining lights will be set up inside the warehouse storage space. According to the Acting Assistant Manager Mr. Lukey Pokapon, “It has been close to 10 years since we had proper lights in and around the warehouse and it has been a security risk for the team and the medicine suppliers stored here.” The Area Medical Store in Lae, Morobe Province is responsible for medicine supply and distribution for almost 200 Health facilities in Morobe Province and four other catchment provinces: Eastern Highlands, Madang, Manus, and the Northern Province. “We have had incidents of several break-ins into the property,” shared Mr Pokapon. “With no lighting in the area, common thieves have stolen supplies and have left unseen.” “This is not good, especially when we have essential medical supplies for five provinces stored here.” The AMS works closely with the UNPFA, through its Reproductive Health Commodities Supply Chain team, for procuring these commodities and storing them at the warehouse. “We receive support from UNFPA and they are our good partners.” “So I told them of the situation of the no lights in the AMS last year,” Mr. Pokapon added. “Through their positive response, we now have four street solar lights.” “The two we have mounted on the roof provide light from the AMS onto the streets around AMS ensuring that there is no room for any theft, helping the guards that monitor the area.” Mr. Pokapon expressed his gratitude towards UNFPA for recognizing the need and responding. Although it may seem small in gesture, it has a lasting effect. The remaining 10 lights will be set up before the year ends. “To install these 10 solar lights inside the warehouse, we need a qualified electrician to do that, and we have engaged one already,” said Mr Pokapon. “We should have a fully lit-up warehouse before the year ends, but for now, we are more than happy that our yard is fully lit up!” UNFPA’s work with the Lae AMS is part of the organization’s work in strengthening reproductive health commodity supply chains, ensuring that medicines and devices are available when and where they are needed in health facilities around the country. In addition to procuring reproductive health commodities, UNFPA works in partnership with the National Department of Health to provide inventory management training for health facility staff responsible for managing stock levels of essential medicines to improve logistics between the Area Medical Store and health facilities.

Nasfund Contributors Savings and Loans Society (ncsl) wishes to inform all its members that the Poro Card system is back online and working better than ever! Chief Operating Officer of NCSL Presley Semi said, "We are delighted to announce the successful relaunch of our Poro Card system, which reflects our unwavering commitment to providing our valued members with modern and efficient banking solutions. Furthermore, Acting Chief Executive Officer Keith Raimo said “We would like to thank our members for their patience, and we look forward to their continued support.” If members experience any issues with Poro Card access or have queries regarding pin resets, please visit your nearest branch or contact customer care team on 2072000 or 313 2000 or email callcentre@ncsl.com.pg. Our members can also visit our website www.ncsl.com.pg/poro and download any necessary forms.

As teams across the Pacific prepare for the ultimate U17 Basketball Championships, the official logo for the FIBA Oceania U17 Championships 2023 has been revealed with less than 50 days until the event tips off in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. “The logo references the national emblem of Papua New Guinea, the bird of paradise, complimented by our traditional national colors, red, black and gold.” That’s according to the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea. “The traditional Motuan tattoo design, namely the Revareva, is used across Oceania by various tribes linking Pacific cultures everywhere.” “There is a pulse in the Revareva design that also highlights the intrinsic link shared by the Oceania people.” BFPNG have also included a pink thread on the basketball to recognize and promote awareness for breast cancer which is a core national educational priority in Papua New Guinea (PNG) during the month of October, coinciding with the championships, PinkTober. “We are excited to have this event taking place in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea,” said FIBA Executive Director – Oceania, Amanda Jenkins. “Launching this culturally significant logo is a key milestone as we approach event tip-off on October 2.” The FIBA Oceania U17 Championships serve as the first step in the qualification process to the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup. The top two finishers will qualify for the FIBA Asian U18 Championship 2024.

Lana Del Rey is hitting the road. Live Nation announced on Monday that the singer is heading out on a limited tour this fall. It all kicks off on Thursday, September 14 in Franklin, Tennessee and will make stops across ten cities in the US, including Austin, Texas, Tampa, Florida, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before wrapping up at Charleston Coliseum in in Charleston, West Virginia, on Thursday, October 5. Her ninth studio album, “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd,” was released in March. Over the past few months Del Rey has been performing in the festival circuit including at Glastonbury and Lollapalooza. She also stirred a buzz while serving coffee at a Waffle House in Alabama in July. Source: CNN News

After winning eight straight to book an unlikely finals berth in 2022, the Roosters are confident they can once again defy the odds and find themselves among the September action. The Tricolours' season looked all but over after a loss to the Broncos saw them slump to 14th after Round 22 but three consecutive wins have them sitting two wins away from a place in the eight. While everyone else is already eyeing the possibility of a do-or-die clash with their arch-rival Rabbitohs in Round 27, Trent Robinson’s men have pledged to stick to the process and focus on making it four straight against Wests Tigers on Sunday. “Being in a similar situation last year sort of helps and I know it's a cliche but we're just going with that mentality of just one game at a time,” Roosters forward Nat Butcher told the media on Saturday. “When you focus all your energy and effort into that week and then you play as hard as you can, you get the result and then you just go again for the next week. “That pressure has also freed us up a little bit. I feel like we're not as tight at training and then producing that on the field in the game. “We're just playing our footy, playing our strengths and letting the result take care of itself. "You obviously don't choose to be in a situation like we are, but it is what it is and we’ve just got to come up with the wins." After he helped Roosters string together eight straight wins to claw their way back to last year's finals, Robinson is also expected to welcome back 21-year-old halfback Sam Walker (ACL sprain) for his first game since Round 7. In pleasing signs for the Roosters, Walker got through his second 80 minutes performance in NSW Cup last weekend, however a battle for the No. 7 jersey looms with Drew Hutchison steering the side to three-straight wins alongside Luke Keary in the halves. “He’s looking good at training. He's tough to come up against, he's obviously on that right edge with the reserves and then I've been on the left,” Butcher said. “He does throw a lot of questions at you at training and he's looking good, back to the full Sam Walker. “He just brings that X-factor and carefree footy. He throws those long balls, puts in the grubbers, does a lot of things that you don't expect and have to react to and that's probably been his best attribute coming into the NRL and why I love playing with him. “But in saying that I think Drew (Hutchison) has done such a great job, he's in career best form at the moment. “I love seeing him not only step up and do a job but really execute his role and he’s been one of our best players on the field for the past couple of weeks.” Meanwhile, after the Roosters suffered a big blow in Friday's win over the Eels with James Tedesco now undergoing concussion protocols, Butcher has full confidence in Golden Boot winner Joey Manu to step seamlessly into the No. 1 role. “You never want to see that...especially Teddy being our captain so that was sad to see, but hopefully he just gets that rest that he needs and can come back whenever it is and play with us again,” he said. “When you’ve got Joey Manu, you know he’s 1B, Teddy being 1A. "He's such a great player what he does for New Zealand and then when we do get him for a couple of weeks throughout that Origin period there at fullback, he really executes his role there.” Source: NRL. Com

The Raiders have moved four points clear of the chasing pack in the battle for the remaining top-eight spots, following a 36-24 win over a stubborn Bulldogs outfit on Sunday. After an opening 66 minutes in which the gap between the two sides was never more than six points, Jordan Rapana struck the telling blow with a four-pointer that sent a wave of relief across GIO Stadium in Canberra, before Josh Papali'i put the icing on the cake with a try under the posts. The try capped off a brilliant game from Rapana, who set up another three tries and broke the line three times from fullback. Remarkably the 12-point gap was the Raiders' biggest winning margin in 2023 and with just two regular season rounds remaining and four points up for grabs, it puts the Green Machine within touching distance of the post season. In what was one of their better performances of the year, the Bulldogs simply refused to go away for the first hour, with star recruit Viliame Kikau coming up with several big plays and Jake Averillo putting in a strong showing from the back. Canberra centres Matthew Timoko and Jarrod Croker both got over for first-half tries, but on each occasion the visitors scored next, with rookie wing Blake Wilson crossing out on the left before Jacob Kiraz juggled the ball and regathered just in time to ground it five from the break. With both goalkickers on song it was 12-all at the half. Timoko grabbed his second nine minutes after the return of play, but it was quickly cancelled out by Toby Sexton who fended through Hudson Young to get over from close range. As both sides traded blows in the second half, the Raiders appeared to be slowly gaining an advantage and began to enjoy more time on the ball. Nick Cotric battled over to give his side the lead again on the hour mark and from there they never looked back, with Rapana's try following and Papali'i sealing the deal. Liam Knight scored a consolation try inside the final two minutes, but it was too late to threaten the outcome.  Source: NRL.Com

The SP PNG Hunters 2023 campaign has come to an end at the hands of Norths Devils on Saturday, 19th August, falling short 30-40 in Round 22 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. Although they finished on the wrong side of the scoreboard, the Hunters made the most of their last showing this season to give fans plenty of hope for what is to come. It’s been a year of learning for Head Coach Stanley Tepend’s men, who have developed out of sight to just miss out on a finals berth this season. With one of the youngest and least experienced squads in the entirety of the Hostplus Cup competition, the Hunters have embraced the underdog tags all season and produced some memorable performances. A farewell game for Devils skipper Jack Ahearn made things too difficult for the Hunters in their last game of the year, but not without threatening to spoil the party at the Devil’s home ground. A trademark try to Hunters prop Junior Rop kicked off an entertaining contest at Bishop Park. As he’s done all year, Judah Rimbu’s craft from behind the ruck bamboozled Norths goal-line defence and gave Rop an opportunity to crash his way over the line. Burrowing low and using his strength to drive into the in-goal, Rop gave the Hunters first points in their last game of the season. Try scoring sensation Solo Wane almost added to Norths troubles when the Hunters backline combined smoothly down the right edge. Rodrick Tai’s quick hands sent Wane down the touchline, but a desperate tackle from the man of the hour – Jack Ahearn – managed to hold Wane up over the line. The game quickly settled into a grind from there as the try scoring opportunities dried up and the Hunters and Devils traded blows in yardage. A try to Gagan just before halftime gave Norths a 20-14 lead at the break which lasted less than five minutes into the second half. A trademark Komati show-and-go, split the Devils defence on their try line to score first points after the break before Rimbu crashed over himself just three minutes later. Both tries came on the back of some Devils’ ill-discipline and the Hunters impressed to take the opportunities presented to themselves in attack. It’s a good example of the Hunters development this season. Rimbu – once a utility and now a specialist hooker – and Komati – playing in just his first year at Hostplus Cup level – have consistently turned half-chances into points in 2023 and the Hunters improved ladder position is testament of this. With 20 minutes to go and everything to play for, it was the home side who finished strongest. It’s hardly a disappointing end to the Hunters 2023 campaign, though. A desperate and emotional Norths Devils side were too good on the day, but the Hunters were never out of it. It’s a good example of the improvements made by Stanley Tepend this season to put the Hunters in a position to win almost any game in their 2023 campaign. With key players like Rimbu, Mavoko, Morea, Tai and Whallan Tau-Loi now all a full season older and wiser, the Hunters will begin the 2024 season with a host of confidence and experience – something they’ve lacked in previous years.

A pioneering carbon market regulatory framework recently developed to guide the carbon market in the country received resounding validation from national stakeholders in Port Moresby recently. This landmark step signifies an epic stride towards climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability through a robust and accountable market mechanism. Led by Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), the Climate Change (Carbon Markets) Regulation 2023 was developed through rigorous consultation involving environmental bodies, regulatory agencies, industry leaders, NGOs and Community Based Organizations. CCDA’s Acting Managing Director William Lakain said that the carbon markets exist to incentivize emission reductions and help mobilize resources and reduce costs to give countries and companies the space towards a low-carbon transition. Mr. Lakain said that the challenges confronting the country in the absence of a regulatory framework prompted the need for the government to regulate this sector. “Recently, we have experienced an influx of interest in the country from developers targeting the Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM) in the absence of a regulatory framework, posing significant risks of governance, transparency and standards.” “Given that challenge, the Government of PNG through the CCDA was tasked to ensure administrative processes are established to provide for regulatory guidance and oversight for project developers pursuing the Voluntary Carbon Markets,” said Mr. Lakain. Many stakeholders in the country expressed their contentment on the final draft of the Climate Change (Carbon Markets) Regulation 2023, but also provided additional inputs on the contents of the regulation. Next step is for the regulation to go before the National Executive Council (NEC) for endorsement. CCDA’s Acting General Manager for MRV and National Communication, Ms. Debra Sungi who officially closed the validation program, sincerely thanked all the key stakeholders who have contributed to the development of the regulation.