Pacific Security Diplomacy: Pacific foreign ministers in Suva will debate whether to issue a joint response to China’s July missile launch, with New Zealand urging action but warning divisions may block agreement. Energy for Honiara: Construction has started on a 22-kilometre transmission line linking the Tina River Hydropower Facility to Honiara’s grid via Lungga, aiming to deliver up to 15MW of cleaner power by early 2028. Local Economy Push: Commerce Minister Harry Kuma outlines plans to strengthen local businesses, expand SME access to finance, and create jobs, including reforms to recognise assets as collateral. Education Reform: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says fee-free education will roll out nationwide in 2027, while MEHRD has announced national exam dates for primary and secondary levels. Infrastructure Progress: Kirakira Wharf in Makira-Ulawa is at 90% completion, with remaining works expected to finish by month-end; Ahanga Wharf progress resumes after the contractor adds specialised piling equipment. Governance and Accountability: Transparency Solomon Islands calls for “No Work, Full Pay” absenteeism to be punished after an Auditor General report flagged about $1 billion wasted; a court orders a Honiara lawyer and clients to repay $2.57m to a logging company. Agriculture Services: MALD will deploy agricultural officers to all 50 constituencies and target 10,000 hectares of new cocoa and coconut plantations to boost rural production.