Oil Palm & Agriculture Expansion: PM Marape welcomes surging Malaysian interest to scale investments in PNG’s oil palm, livestock and downstream processing, with talks focused on unlocking the Ramu and Sepik plains via public-private partnerships. Prison Capacity Pressure: A government performance report warns overcrowding is worsening health risks and security threats, driven by ageing facilities and delays in court decisions. Real Estate & Urban Jobs: The K400m Noble Centre, a 23-storey downtown Port Moresby office tower, is set to open tomorrow after pandemic delays and added compliance upgrades. Youth Development Rollout: Eastern Highlands becomes the first Highlands province to complete the NYES 2025–2029 socialization program, including Kainantu’s NYES online youth registration launch. Investment Pipeline: First speakers are confirmed for the 2026 PNG Investment Conference in Brisbane (10–11 August), spanning finance, infrastructure, energy, telecoms, aviation and superannuation. Digital Education Push: UPNG plans to become an AI-powered university, piloting Starlink satellite internet for remote learning centres and upgrading campus connectivity. Mining Exploration Boost: K92 Mining will invest up to K150m in exploration, ramping drilling around the Arakompa project near Kainantu. Energy & Inflation Watch: Bank of PNG says it’s monitoring the Middle East-driven oil supply shock and may take policy action if inflation pressures build. EU Trade Talks: EU–PNG Business Forum in Port Moresby drew 300+ participants and 170+ B2B/B2G meetings to deepen investment and trade links. Green Fee Backlash: PNG tourism authorities reject the new international Green Fee, saying it was introduced without consultation and could hurt visitor growth. Coral Triangle Insurance Pressure: A coalition says most major insurers still won’t rule out LNG cover in the Coral Triangle, despite biodiversity concerns.