Climate and Energy: At COP31, Prime Minister Matthew Wale called for grants and affordable financing to help small island states shift to clean energy. More than 90% of Solomon Islands’ electricity grid runs on diesel, while the Tina River hydropower project is expected to supply about 70% of Honiara’s needs. Wale also said the country’s first national weather radar, near Honiara airport, is expected to begin operating by year’s end, improving disaster warnings across the 994-island nation. Digital Services: A new national digital transformation policy sets priorities for better connectivity, online public services, digital skills and cybersecurity, while addressing high internet costs and uneven infrastructure. Biodiversity Research: An environmental DNA study of Guadalcanal’s Itina River detected 30 vertebrate species—six more than a traditional survey—showing how genetic traces in water can help identify wildlife. Infrastructure: Construction of the main Tina River dam can proceed after its design and concrete mix received clearance. New air traffic control towers in Honiara and Munda are also advancing to improve aviation safety. Earthquake: A magnitude 5.1 quake struck Solomon Islands at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to Germany’s GFZ research centre.