El Niño Readiness: Western Highlands governor Wai Rapa says his province is “unprepared” for severe El Niño impacts, warning of drying rivers, looming pressure on pig farming and a lack of communication from the national government. PNG–China Trade Push: Business leaders are being urged to think in 30-year terms and secure government backing ahead of the PNG–China Business Forum and Trade Expo in October. PNG–Solomons Investment Drive: PM James Marape and Solomons PM Matthew Wale opened the inaugural PNG–Solomon Islands Investment Conference in Honiara, pushing a “Melanesian growth corridor” focused on bankable deals, jobs and downstream processing, with PNG SMEs showcasing products and a new weekly direct air link supporting business ties. Digital Sovereignty: State Enterprises Minister William Duma will unveil Kumul Cloud Infinity PNG’s Sovereign Cloud and AI Datacenter on 21 August, aiming to keep critical data and AI workloads hosted in-country. Aviation & Infrastructure: Finschhafen DDA and NAC move ahead on the Gagidu Airport redevelopment, setting up a grievance redress committee for landowner and community concerns. Health & Skills: FAO-backed portable fish smoking dryers are being rolled out in Sepik to improve safer, more efficient fish processing for women fish processors. Energy/Business: Santos says continuous production has started at its Pikka project in Alaska, a milestone as it ramps toward plateau rates.