Electricity Security: ESCOM and police chiefs in Lumbadzi, Dowa stepped up anti-vandalism awareness after a spike in transformer attacks, warning that sabotage threatens safety, disrupts power and drains money meant for network expansion. Illegal Manufacturing Link: ESCOM also uncovered an illegal aluminium pot factory in Lunzu, Blantyre, where pots and lids were reportedly made from vandalised ESCOM conductors, with dozens of pots and conductors seized. Fuel Price Pressure: CDEDI renewed calls for fuel price cuts, accusing NOCMA of drifting from managing strategic reserves into oil marketing and pointing to cartels in fuel, forex and procurement. Pesticide Crackdown: In Mzuzu, police with the Pesticides Control Board arrested a trader over alleged sale of expired and forged-labelled pesticides, including repackaged Dithane into unlabelled containers. Agriculture Markets: Maize prices are easing as harvest progresses, but FEWS NET still warns of a national deficit; cotton farmers meanwhile remain stuck as Admarc delays purchases. Mining & Industry: Chilwa Minerals expanded niobium mineralisation at the Nakombe Project in Zomba, though commercial extraction still needs a licence. Finance & Digital: NBM says innovation and digital banking will drive growth, while Airtel Money’s Tola promotion paid out K30m to 303 winners. Jobs & Trade: A partnership deal aims to boost SME and agri-business finance in Malawi, and Gwamba’s August concert plans to create over 1,500 jobs.