Maritime Connectivity & Cost of Delay: A new look at island shipping argues maritime investment must treat ports as lifelines, citing UNCTAD data showing SIDS have far lower connectivity and higher shipping costs that can disrupt access to food and medicine. Pacific Games Procurement Fallout: Solomon Islands’ 2023 Pacific Games spending is under scrutiny after audits and court action flagged unlawful procurement shortcuts, weak budget control, missing records, and serious failures in controls tied to major projects. Forestry Rent Political Storm: Opposition challenges the Ministry of Forestry’s SBD$1.5m house rent linked to PM Matthew Wale’s land, raising questions on transparency and value for money. Rennell Bauxite Record Gaps: The Attorney General’s update says 33 bauxite shipments suffered years of missing or incomplete permits and no clear payment trail, with no refinery certificates or assay reports found. PNG–Solomons Investment Push: PM Wale and PNG PM Marape opened a Honiara investment conference focused on turning Melanesian ties into bankable deals, jobs, trade and downstream processing. Tax Reform Consultation: The GREAT Government released a draft Formal Tax Policy Work Programme 2026–2028 for public feedback, aiming for a more open tax policy process. Agriculture & Livestock Support: Central Makira received PRC farming tools for cocoa and coconut, while MALD ran Malaita livestock disease surveillance and awareness outreach. Parliament on Stray Dogs: MPs debated who should handle stray dogs killed on public roads, with calls for clearer responsibility and policy.