Artisanal Mining Health Crisis: Mercury and sometimes cyanide use in Malawi’s small-scale gold mining is putting miners, families and nearby communities at serious risk, with calls for safer practices and better awareness. Forest-to-Income Honey Push: Castel Malawi donated K10m in beekeeping gear to Lunyangwa catchment communities, aiming to protect forests while creating steady honey income. Tobacco Export Boost: Malawi earned over US$184m from tobacco sales (89.4m kg) with improved auction uptake, offering a key foreign-exchange buffer. Agriculture Market Upgrade: IFAD-backed modern agriculture market construction in Lilongwe’s Area 1 (MK8bn, 24 months) is set to improve access to markets and support value addition. Electricity Governance Pressure: AG Frank Mbeta referred disputed Marep Phase 9 contracts to the ACB over alleged advance payments for undelivered materials, while debates continue on how ESCOM procures electricity meters. Power Infrastructure Losses: ESCOM says vandalism costs about K3bn annually, forcing diversion of funds away from new connections. Digital Agriculture Surveillance: Malawi is moving from paper-based pest tracking to digital systems under the Africa Phytosanitary Programme to strengthen food security. Internet Tariff Fight: CAMA challenges MACRA’s approval of TNM and Airtel data bundle hikes, demanding reversals over alleged legal breaches. FDI Competition Warning: UNCTAD reports tougher conditions for attracting foreign investment, with Africa seeing declining inflows. Mining Licence Watch: Sovereign Metals says it is waiting for a mining licence for its Kasiya rare minerals project before proceeding further. Education Affordability Shock: Public universities doubled tuition fees for 2026-27, sparking concerns about access and student welfare. Regional Xenophobia Spillover: South Africa’s anti-migrant raids and door-to-door evictions are driving Malawians and other nationals to return home, with economic and social fallout feared.