Stories from Papua New Guinea

NRL player Jerome Luoy is set to sign a contract to play for the Papua New Guinea Chiefs. Sports writer Nick Compton described Luoy as a charismatic and magnetic player who inspires teammates. The move follows a plan for a Papua New Guinean team in the NRL that was announced 15 months ago by Prime Minister Anthony. The signing has generated excitement among rugby league figures, including former PNG national team captain Sean Dornie. The Australian government is providing $600 million over a decade to support the team's development. This measure follows the announcement of Jerome Loi's signing for the team ahead of their 2028 league entry. The tax-free assurance is intended to attract top-tier talent by increasing net earnings compared to other regions. Rugby league is reportedly a major sport within Papua New Guinea.

Starlink is set to enter Papua New Guinea following a court decision to lift a previous ban on the service. A court ruling last Friday quashed a directive from the Ombudsman Commission that had stopped Starlink's bid to operate in Papua New Guinea. The decision paves the way for the satellite internet provider to obtain a license to operate in the country. East Sepik Governor Alan Bird stated that affordable and easy-to-use technology is needed for people in his province. Many residents in remote and rural parts of Papua New Guinea currently struggle with reliable telecommunication services. The low-orbit satellite service is expected to be indispensable due to the country's wide-ranging terrain. Currently, the doctor-to-patient ratio in the country is approximately 22,000 to one. Alan Bird noted that the service could provide benefits to healthcare services.

Researchers observed water temperatures in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea, over a five-month period. The study measured a local population of red-and-white fish. Findings show that 100 out of 134 inspected fish exhibited reduced body length. This physical change increased survival chances by 78% under extreme water heating conditions. Out of 134 fish examined, 100 individuals showed decreased body size.