Solomon Islands Leadership Shake-Up: Parliament has elected opposition leader Matthew Wale as the new Prime Minister, winning 26 votes to 22 after the no-confidence ouster of Jeremiah Manele—an outcome now being watched closely for any shift in the country’s China ties and governance style. Regional Diplomacy: PNG Prime Minister James Marape has congratulated Wale and signalled continued cooperation on peace, economic growth, security, fisheries, education, labour mobility and infrastructure. Geopolitics in the Background: Wale has previously criticised China’s 2022 security pact, though his tone has since softened—so the big question is what he will do with that agreement next. Energy Push: In parallel, the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority and the Asian Development Bank have signed a deal to prepare the country’s first large-scale grid-connected solar project for Honiara, aiming to cut heavy diesel dependence. Business & Governance: The CAPSA statistics and audit project has completed its mid-term review, backing efforts to strengthen Solomon Islands’ data and accountability systems.