High Court on Pacific Games spending: The High Court ruled the National Hosting Authority acted unlawfully and without legal authority in spending public funds for the 2023 Pacific Games, following Auditor-General findings on procurement and control failures. Audit exposes procurement failures: A special audit found poor budget control, missing approved budgets for major samples, weak compliance with the Public Financial Management Act, bypassed competition, and serious record-keeping gaps tied to the Games. NHA spending unlawful: The court case also confirmed NHA lacked legal authority to incur expenditure from the special fund, deepening scrutiny of how the Games money was handled. Forestry rent controversy: Opposition renewed pressure on PM Matthew Wale over a reported SBD$1.5m Forestry house rent, pointing to land title links to the PM and questions over value for money and process. Mineral Holdings dispute: Opposition rejected the Government/AG’s explanation over Solomon Islands Mineral Holding Limited (SIMHL) registration, alleging process and due-diligence problems; the PMO later “corrected” Company Haus details. Tax policy consultation: Government released its draft Formal Tax Policy Work Programme 2026–2028 for public feedback. Malaria push: Health launched a National Malaria Elimination Roadmap 2026–2040, targeting zero malaria deaths by 2030 and elimination by 2038. Regional diplomacy: Japan’s ruling party signalled room for closer economic cooperation with Pacific islands as China’s influence grows. PNG–Solomons investment drive: PM Wale and PNG PM Marape pushed a “growth corridor” and investment-focused partnership to turn political ties into jobs and trade. PALM jobs milestone: Over 13,000 Solomon Islanders are now working in Australia under the PALM scheme.