APEC Energy Security: APEC ministers met in Beijing as Strait of Hormuz disruptions drive multi-million-barrel oil shortfalls, with PNG’s import dependence front and centre and renewed push for faster cleaner energy rollout. Papua LNG Operator Shift: TotalEnergies confirmed it will hand operatorship of Papua LNG to ExxonMobil while trimming its stake, with ExxonMobil set to raise ownership to 34.1% as the project targets a 2026 FID. Mining Deal Watch: St Barbara agreed to sell its remaining New Simberi stake to China’s Lingbao Gold Group for A$410m cash plus A$43m construction repayment, keeping St Barbara on royalties while Lingbao takes full control. Financial Sector Safeguards: BPNG and 15 institutions signed the PNG Empower Finance Code to curb financial abuse and strengthen customer protections. Roads to Jobs: PM Marape urged Eastern Highlands communities to turn Highlands Highway investment into more coffee, SMEs and incomes. Trade & Growth Links: West Sepik businesses were encouraged to tap Indonesia’s Trade Expo Indonesia 2026 for agriculture, manufacturing and buyer connections. Digital Economy Pressure: A call for PNG to engage Meta meaningfully over local monetisation, payments and moderation. Maritime Strategy Angle: A separate analysis highlights why sea access matters for US strategy, tying regional chokepoints to broader security planning. Mining Workforce Logistics: Ok Tedi completed its first direct charter flight Tabubil–Brisbane, cutting travel delays for FIFO operations. Brand Dispute: PNG Chiefs’ NRL name faces legal threats from New Zealand Rugby over trademark issues.