Election Integrity Training: Journalists across Papua New Guinea are strengthening skills in ethical election reporting and investigative journalism in a week-long Port Moresby workshop funded by the EU through UNDP, focusing on accuracy, fairness, voter education, and tackling misinformation, intimidation and vote-buying. Bougainville Decision Pressure: Opposition leader James Nomane is urging PNG MPs to slow down before debating Bougainville’s 2019 independence vote, saying lawmakers need more time to study the result and what independence would mean for the wider country. HIV Public Health Crisis: The government says PNG now has about 130,000 people living with HIV, with 11,000 new infections in 2025, and only around 30% of pregnant women living with HIV receiving prevention treatment—prompting calls for renewed national mobilisation. Consumer Protection Push: The ICCC plans to expand its presence to every province, using appointed agents to handle complaints and monitor compliance more closely. Sports and Security: Police will increase their presence at Santos National Football Stadium for remaining Digicel ExxonMobil Cup finals after violent spectator disruptions, with zero tolerance for abuse and intimidation. Finance Safety Move: Westpac PNG has signed the PNG Empower Finance Code, aiming to strengthen safeguards against financial abuse and improve consumer protection. Mining Update: South Pacific Metals extends the Megabe mineralised strike at its Osena Project to more than 300 metres, with drilling confirming continuity and targets at depth. Pacific Diplomacy Tension: The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau opens amid controversy, with leaders missing and China reportedly furious over Taiwan’s participation.