Roads & Skills: PNG’s Department of Works and Highways is rolling out a 2025–2029 Five-Year Training Plan with a Graduate Development Program (up to 20 graduate engineers per cohort from 2027), plus a SOP manual to build a stronger road engineering pipeline with Australian support. Digital Economy & Cybersecurity: PNG hosted the Digital Transformation Summit and Pacific Cyber Week in Port Moresby, with leaders pushing a secure, inclusive, Pacific-led digital future covering AI, cybercrime, online safety and digital public infrastructure. Aviation & Trade Links: Prime Minister Marape welcomed the restoration of Air Niugini’s direct Port Moresby–Tokyo Narita service (now twice weekly), boosting tourism, investment and people-to-people ties. Mining Output: St Barbara reported an 8% rise in Q4 gold production from the New Simberi JV, with improved processing and sales. Infrastructure Delivery: Hoskins Airport upgrade is at 57% completion; runway limits are in place until Stage Eight ends, with aircraft operations affected. Banking Leadership: TISA Bank appointed Luke Kaul as substantive CEO, aiming for disciplined growth and stronger governance. Maritime Safety: Australia’s HMAS Leeuwin is deploying to PNG for five weeks of hydrographic surveying with PNGDF to improve navigation safety and maritime cooperation. AI Misuse & Elections: PNG is drafting cyber laws to tackle deepfakes and digital impersonation as election-year disinformation risks rise. Workforce & Jobs: Newmont Lihir opened hiring across engineering, operations, supply chain, environmental and social performance roles for PNG nationals.