Shiprider Agreement: The U.S. says Solomon Islands’ newly signed Shiprider deal is meant to strengthen sovereignty, with Solomon Islands officers keeping law enforcement powers while boarding U.S. Coast Guard vessels to tackle illegal fishing and other sea-borne crime. Parliament Oversight Push: The Independent Group is urging Prime Minister Matthew Wale to table the agreement in Parliament for debate and scrutiny, after concerns it was signed without enough consultation and due process. US Port Funding Race: Wale says the U.S. is in advanced talks to finance Bina Harbour, a deep-water port project that could boost shipping and tuna processing—amid ongoing regional influence competition with China. Gold Ridge Mine Disaster: A landslide at the Gold Ridge open-pit mine on Guadalcanal killed at least one man, with police saying recovery continues and officials are looking at whether mining practices and regulation need strengthening. Agribusiness Grants: MALD handed over SBD 1.34m to four indigenous agribusinesses to expand processing, marketing standards, and farmer-to-market links. Honiara Roads: The Hot Bread roundabout road upgrade is in its final stage, with asphalt paving completed and finishing works underway. Women in Leadership: 18 senior women executives are completing WELSI’s leadership training in Honiara, aimed at building pathways to CEO and board roles. Protected Forest Status: The Lukulobere Tribe in Choiseul celebrated official protected area status for 563 hectares of rainforest after earlier logging threats and a court challenge. Visa-Free Travel: Solomon Islands and Hong Kong agreed to reciprocal visa-free travel from 26 August, expected to support tourism and business links.