University Funding & Accountability: PM James Marape told Unitech to provide acquittals for seven years of K141m in government infrastructure funding, praising its clean record and pushing stronger reporting and international course accreditation. Digital ID & Privacy: PNG opened public consultation on three bills covering data protection, cybersecurity, and verifiable credentials, including tighter rules for biometric data, consent, encryption, and penalties up to one million kina. Oil & Gas Skills Pipeline: Unitech launched a new School of Petroleum Engineering, with the first Bachelor intake due in 2027, aiming to build local engineers for PNG’s petroleum and energy projects. Disaster Readiness: PNG and the U.S. ran a four-day disaster management and humanitarian assistance field training in Morobe, strengthening province-level coordination for floods, landslides and maritime emergencies. Solar Power for Connectivity: Polar Power reported $7.9m in Pacific Islands revenue since 2024 and repeat orders for solar-hybrid systems to expand broadband in remote telecom sites. Climate & Water Stress: El Niño is already pressuring water supplies, with Port Moresby preparing for partial shutdowns to repair a leaking pipeline. STEM Scholarships: PNG’s STEM programme has now supported about 470 students overseas since 2023, including a new group of 137 leaving for further studies. Esports on the Rise: PNG Esports will send both men’s and women’s teams to Oceania qualifiers online, with the women’s Mobile Legends team making its first international appearance.