Mining & Jobs: Newmont Lihir is hiring across PNG, with roles spanning engineering, reliability, mine planning, IT and leadership—another push for local skills in New Ireland. Wildlife & Branding for Conservation: NCD Governor Powes Parkop is backing tree-kangaroo fundraising via community products like conservation coffee and branded toilet paper, aiming to channel consumer spend into breeding and protection. Sports Infrastructure: Australia-backed ESIP funding will support new competition-standard softball facilities at UPNG, with two fields and amenities targeted by Oct 2026. Connectivity & Telecom: Telikom is now an authorised Starlink reseller, rolling out services for government, mining, finance, SMEs and existing VSAT users. Forestry Climate Finance: PNG launched a $63.4m Green Climate Fund project to protect forests and fund community livelihoods, including sustainable agriculture, with 60% earmarked for local activities. Agriculture & Food Systems: World Bank says agriculture must drive PNG’s long-term transformation, while IMF highlights PNG’s green finance reforms under the RSF. Ports & Regional Trade: The Quad’s new push includes port infrastructure in Fiji, alongside maritime surveillance and critical minerals partnerships—relevant to PNG’s logistics outlook. PNG LNG Politics: Parliament erupted over the government’s handling of the 4.27% Kroton equity option tied to PNG LNG, with opposition questioning renegotiation and governance of the shares. Timber Value-Adding: New Ireland signed an MoU to set up an onshore balsa processing factory and mill, targeting large-scale employment and smallholder participation. Fisheries Business Support: A West Sepik coastal fishing group boosted catches and reduced waste after EU-STREIT PNG fisheries support, training and new equipment. Energy & Critical Minerals Watch: High Arctic says low PNG activity is easing as it moves toward renewed drilling and Papua-LNG steps toward a Final Investment Decision.