Digital Identity & Cybersecurity: PNG has opened public consultation on three bills covering data protection, cybersecurity, and verifiable credentials—aimed at strengthening its SevisPass/SevisWallet digital ID ecosystem, including tighter rules for biometric data and penalties for breaches. Disaster Readiness: The U.S. Embassy and PNG partners are running a four-day disaster management field training in Morobe to improve province-level response to floods, landslides and maritime emergencies. Earthquake Monitoring: Australia handed over specialist seismic equipment for the LaeShakeAware project, boosting community-based earthquake monitoring and faster local decision-making. Solar Skills & Energy Access: The International Solar Alliance will set up a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre at Don Bosco Technological Institute in Port Moresby to train installers and operators. Off-Grid Power for Telecom: Polar Power says repeat orders are expanding solar-hybrid systems across Pacific telecom sites, including new orders for the Solomon Islands. STEM Capacity Building: PNG’s STEM scholarship programme has now supported about 470 students overseas since 2023, with another 137 departing for studies. Petroleum Engineering Pipeline: Unitech’s new School of Petroleum Engineering was launched to build local expertise for PNG’s oil and gas sector. Science Spotlight: Researchers have linked “tiny people” hallucinations to a specific wild mushroom species, with DNA work pointing to the same culprit across PNG, China and the Philippines.