Pacific Games Accountability: The High Court has ruled the National Hosting Authority (NHA) acted unlawfully in how it spent public money for the 2023 Pacific Games, including a “Blanket Waiver” that let contracts bypass competitive tendering; the decision follows an Auditor-General special audit finding poor budget control, weak procurement compliance, missing legal authority to spend from the special fund, and serious record-keeping gaps. Procurement & Records Fallout: The same audit sampled 16 Pacific Games procurement activities worth about SBD$222.4m and flagged missing budgets for most samples, weak cost control, bypassed competition, and failures in due diligence and conflict-of-interest safeguards. Mineral Governance Under Fire: Opposition is challenging Prime Minister Matthew Wale and the government over the Solomon Islands Mineral Holding Limited (SIMHL) registration process, while the Attorney General’s update on the Rennell Island bauxite probe points to years of missing or incomplete export records (2019–2021), no Central Bank payment trail, and no refinery certificates or assay reports. Tax Reform Consultation: The GREAT Government released a draft Formal Tax Policy Work Programme 2026–2028 for public feedback, outlining priorities and a process for sequencing tax policy and legislation. Health Push: Solomon Islands launched its National Roadmap for Malaria Elimination 2026–2040, targeting zero malaria deaths by 2030 and WHO certification by 2040, alongside a push for better data use at constituency and ward levels. Education & Skills: Malaita commended GREAT for continued education support as MEHRD signed new education cooperation agreements, while SINU urged young Solomon Islanders to build the nation through education, practical skills and innovation. Regional Business Links: Japan’s ruling party policy chief said Japan sees room for closer economic cooperation with Pacific islands, including discussions with Solomon Islands on economic security. Agriculture Support: Central Makira received PRC farming tools for cocoa and coconut farmers, part of ongoing rural livelihood support.