Digital Transformation: PNG signed a MoU with Australia’s Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to modernise public services, build digital government skills, and support research tied to the SevisPass digital identity ecosystem. Blockchain for Aid: UNDP expanded its Stellar blockchain payments partnership after pilots in multiple countries—including Papua New Guinea—cut aid distribution costs and helped payments keep running during network outages. Connectivity in Schools: Lightspeed PNG rolled out “clean internet” Starlink-based access at Tubusereia Junior High School, aiming to improve learning while filtering adult content and limiting social media. 5G Readiness: Digicel PNG says it has completed 5G readiness testing, reporting peak trial speeds up to 1.2Gbps and positioning the network for next-generation services. Land Tech: NiuPay’s Digital Strata Title Platform issued PNG’s first digital strata title, designed to make strata ownership and registration work in practice. Security & Space for Peace: China’s long-range submarine missile test sparked regional alarm, with PNG’s PM James Marape urging military powers to stop using the Pacific for missile tests. Climate Pressure: A WMO report warns the South-West Pacific is warming and acidifying, with marine heatwaves and rising seas threatening livelihoods; it also flags Papua’s remaining tropical ice at about 2% of its 1988 size. Education & Health Systems: UPNG says overseas medical graduates (notably from China) must complete extra in-country clinical training before registering to practise in PNG.