Aid & Connectivity: Australia says it will keep its 2026-27 aid programme at $5.2b, with more than three-quarters going to the Pacific, while a separate milestone confirms all Pacific Islands Forum members—including Solomon Islands—are now linked by undersea cables, boosting digital access for businesses and services. Public Finance Scrutiny: The Public Accounts Committee paused MID’s supplementary budget review after figure mismatches, and it also grilled OPMC over nearly $31m in supplementary funding and MEHRD over a $76.9m request—raising questions on planning and accountability. Free Education Debate: PM Matthew Wale defended the 2027 free education plan and promised full costing in December, as Opposition MPs—including Tozen Leokana—warn the Government must show the money, teachers, infrastructure and long-term fiscal plan. Local Revenue & Infrastructure: Guadalcanal will pilot mobile payments for business licence fees and property taxes using the M-SELEN platform, and Honiara’s traffic relief push moved forward with procurement for a second road corridor feasibility study with ADB support. Economy & Resource Policy: CBSI projected a better 2026-27 outlook, and Government outlined reforms including a sliding-scale gold royalty system and new labs to verify mineral exports. Agriculture & Trade: CEMA’s Farmers First push was defended in Parliament as supporting thousands of copra/cocoa farmers, while a cocoa producer highlighted switching to CEMA agency work to access export licensing and better market terms. Diplomacy & Security: Pacific foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint statement condemning China’s missile test, underscoring widening divisions ahead of the Palau PIF leaders meeting.