Solomon Islands leadership shake-up: Matthew Wale has been elected Prime Minister in a 26–22 secret ballot, defeating Peter Shanel Agovaka after Jeremiah Manele was removed following a no-confidence vote—ending weeks of legal brinkmanship and court rulings that forced Parliament to sit. Foreign policy signals: Wale says “change is coming,” but reporting suggests no immediate reset of the country’s geopolitical direction, even as he has previously criticised the 2022 China security pact. Energy investment: The Solomon Islands Electricity Authority and the ADB have signed on for the country’s first large-scale grid-connected solar PV project for Honiara, with diesel still powering 98% of generation—plus a review of whether battery storage is needed. Pacific economy pressure: The World Bank warns growth across Pacific island states is slipping, with fuel shocks and weaker tourism hitting hardest, and youth jobs becoming the key battleground. Business & daily life: SICCI welcomed a move to relocate east Honiara buses away from the Central Market to ease CBD congestion. Culture on the move: Doc Edge Festival unveiled its 2026 programme with 28 world premieres, running 24 June–10 August.