Agriculture Research: MALD’s rice trial of varieties MAL 1 and MAL 2 is in its final field stage, with harvest due next Monday; teams have been managing weeds, monitoring pests and disease, and tracking irrigation and agronomy, and post-harvest taste and quality tests will check yield per hectare and suitability for local consumption. Sports Tech & Training: St. Dominic Athletics Club is using mobile tech and social media group chats for remote coaching, keeping training momentum even when the mentor is away, with overseas partner support including running shoes and programme feedback. Infrastructure Oversight: China’s delegation inspected the China-aid Auki Road project, including on-site work, a field laboratory and camp facilities, and discussed progress plus training takeaways in roads, agriculture, fisheries and tourism. Graduates to Innovate: SINU Vice Chancellor Transform Aqorau urged graduates to “create work” and keep learning, using their skills with courage and integrity to solve real problems beyond their study fields. Health Services Upgrade: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre moves to 24/7 operations from 6 October, expanding continuous outpatient care and low-risk birthing while keeping high-risk referrals to NRH. Inclusive Skills Training: Australia-backed training with Smart Technology will teach 10 hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders mobile phone repair, with tools, mentoring and support to help participants start services or find work. Regional Media Leadership: MASI congratulated journalist Elizabeth Osifelo on election as Vice-President of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) at the Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu. Public Health Watch: MHMS reports a rise in influenza-like illness cases across provinces and urges hygiene and vigilance while further lab testing continues.