El Niño & private sector push: President Peter Mutharika met MCCCI leaders at Kamuzu Palace, urging stronger government-business partnership to tackle El Niño-driven food insecurity and boost trade, with IPC figures showing 1.9 million people in crisis and 4.4 million under food stress. Energy & fuel pricing: MERA kept petrol and diesel pump prices unchanged but raised kerosene by 5.74% to K4,641/litre under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism. Mining & industrialisation: Malawi’s rare earth and critical minerals projects are gaining attention, but experts warn that without stronger institutions and local processing, the country risks exporting raw value. Water utility bailout: Blantyre Water Board received a K24 billion electricity debt rescue, cutting losses by over 70% and improving liquidity. Food systems & markets: NFRA reopened maize procurement to all suppliers on a first-come basis to replenish the Strategic Grain Reserve after shortfalls. Governance & oversight: CAMA says it will support Parliament’s planned ad hoc investigations, even as a High Court order temporarily halts committee operationalisation. Digital ID rollout: NRB plans to launch the Nzika Digital ID wallet on Sept 16 to make national IDs usable via smartphones. Diplomacy: Norway announced it will close its Malawi embassy by end-July 2027, though development support will continue through other channels. Workplace safety: Reports from Haroon Steel in Blantyre highlight unsafe working conditions and weak enforcement of labour protections.