COVID-19 Pressure on Hospitals: PNG’s three biggest hospitals say COVID-19 is still hitting hard, with Port Moresby General Hospital, Mt Hagen and Goroka Base Hospital warning many new cases are among the unvaccinated and urging everyone to get vaccinated. Digital Access for Care and Learning: Lightspeed PNG rolled out a Starlink-based “clean internet” school deployment at Tubusereia Junior High in Central Province, designed to support schools and health centres with lower-latency connectivity and filtered access for students. US Connectivity Push: The US Embassy launched Starlink at the American Corner in Waigani, saying US$30 million will bring high-speed, low-latency internet to hundreds of remote health facilities, schools and government offices. Jobs Gap Despite Growth: A World Bank update says PNG’s economy grew 5.6% in 2025, but formal employment per person fell, with many new workers stuck in subsistence farming and informal work. Health Workforce Support: National Volunteer Service is deploying 14 health and education volunteers after orientation in Morobe, placing them in aid posts, clinics and schools across Tewai-Siassi, Kabwum and Huon Gulf. Cross-Border Referral Talks: Jayapura Regional General Hospital in Indonesia’s Papua province says it’s ready to become a referral hub for PNG through a partnership being explored with PNG health authorities. Pacific Security Spillover: China test-fired a nuclear-capable missile into the Pacific hours after Australia and Fiji signed a major defence treaty, raising fresh regional stability concerns that also involve PNG being informed.