Small Business & Jobs: In Suva, Solomon Islands-born vendor Ratu Silivenusi Waqa is up before dawn, running a roadside food stall outside the bus station after construction work dried up—showing how self-employment can keep incomes moving even when weather cuts sales. Energy Security: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says Solomon Islands plans a major regional fuel hub at Aruligo, Northwest Guadalcanal, aiming for up to 12 months’ fuel storage and lower freight costs across the Pacific. Freshwater Resilience: The government has launched the PacFresH2O programme in Honiara to protect freshwater resources and boost climate resilience, with support from GIZ, SPC and Live & Learn. Mining Revenue Scrutiny: Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo questioned why strong gold export earnings aren’t matched by visible capital inflows in the national accounts, signalling a push to examine where mining money is going. Tax Reform Push: Lilo also flagged moves to tighten tax collection, reduce exemptions and prepare a broad-based consumption tax (including a proposed VAT), alongside further changes to income tax. Parliament & Public Finance: Parliament deferred supplementary appropriation Bills after required reports weren’t tabled, while PAC hearings continue to probe donor-funded spending and other supplementary requests. Agriculture & Value Chains: Faifatala’a kava farmers are preparing a plantation-to-market plan to meet international demand, and MALD has started a pig breed improvement programme with breeding pigs arriving at KG VI Farm. Regional Cooperation: Wale met Indonesia’s envoy on deeper economic cooperation, including coconut value-add; Australia will hand over the Lofung border and patrol boat outpost to Solomon Islands on 17 August. Governance & Courts: The High Court ordered the SDA Church to pay over $831,000 in damages to a Chinese hardware business after missed court deadlines. Youth Justice: Work on the National Youth Justice Bill has stalled as legislative priorities compete, despite UNICEF-funded consultations. Sports Governance: OFC confirmed it will issue an update on FIFA’s Forward Enterprise proposal, with the Solomon Islands among the 11 member associations involved.