El Niño Preparedness: PNG PM James Marape has ordered all provinces and districts to prepare now for a possible extraordinary, prolonged dry season, with Cabinet reviewing how funding channels can support local disaster readiness and response. Financial Inclusion: Wau-Waria has launched banking access and economic empowerment steps, including a Women’s Micro Bank Access Point and a MoU linking the district development authority with the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion. Superannuation Compliance: Nasfund welcomed BPNG’s reminder on employer and employee superannuation contributions, reiterating legal obligations and timelines for remittance. Bougainville Mining Update: Bougainville Copper Limited says its Panguna licence has been suspended following changes to mining legislation, while ABG says a new 25-year licence and partner arrangement will strengthen landowner participation. Critical Minerals Push: A US expert says PNG can expand critical minerals by training and exchange programs for geochemists and metallurgists, while mine waste could hold recoverable battery metals but economics and scale remain hurdles. Business & Energy: Heineken appointed Rafael Oliveira as CEO, and South Pacific Brewery says it is upgrading its Lae plant with solar and capacity expansion to support net-zero goals. Agribusiness Innovation: A Central Province poultry farm won an Innovation PNG award for using black soldier fly larvae to cut expensive imported feed costs. Trade Links: New Zealand’s envoy visited Lae to deepen economic ties, including trade, skills and market access. Environment Science: PNG researchers reported a new “walking shark” species, adding to the Coral Triangle’s biodiversity—while warning it may be at risk.