Pacific Games fallout: A special audit into the 2023 Pacific Games has flagged “serious” failures by the National Hosting Authority, including weak procurement controls, missing approved budgets for most sampled spending, bypassed competition, poor due diligence, and misuse of customs duty exemptions—covering 16 procurement samples worth SBD$222.4m. High Court ruling: The High Court has now declared NHA’s Pacific Games spending unlawful, saying the authority lacked legal authority to incur expenditure from the special fund and bypassed required legal checks. Minerals governance row: The Attorney General’s update on 33 Rennell Island bauxite shipments says key records for 2019–2021 are missing or incomplete, there’s no Central Bank payment trail for the shipments, refinery certificates/assays can’t be found, and customs documentation is incomplete—raising fresh questions over royalties and oversight. Political appointments pressure: Transparency Solomon Islands says the GREAT Government’s political appointment scale (58 appointees) and limited disclosure are “deeply concerning,” warning of rising costs amid fiscal strain. Tax reform consultation: Government has released a draft Formal Tax Policy Work Programme 2026–2028 for public feedback, outlining priorities for integrity, revenue, and legislative work. Health push: Solomon Islands launched its Malaria Elimination Roadmap 2026–2040, targeting zero malaria deaths by 2030 and WHO certification by 2040, with 2025 case numbers far above 2014. Trade & jobs focus: PNG and Solomon Islands are pushing a “growth corridor” approach through a new investment conference, aiming to turn Melanesian ties into bankable partnerships and more cross-border business.