IMF Talks in Focus: Malawi’s IMF mission has praised reforms but has not agreed a new Extended Credit Facility deal yet, leaving officials waiting on a verdict as fuel and forex pressures bite. Fuel Crisis Fallout: In Zambia, police arrested 19 Malawians and five Zambians over alleged petrol smuggling into Malawi, underscoring how shortages are driving risky cross-border trade. Cost of Living Pressure: Young UDF leader Atupele Muluzi says patience is running out as forex problems fuel fuel, medicine shortages and rising prices, while the official-parallel exchange rate gap deepens the squeeze. Governance and Accountability: Mzuzu City residents back Mayor Chiyembekezo Glyn Moses’s sanitation enforcement after a resident was arrested for dumping waste on cleaned streets. Finance Regulation: Reserve Bank of Malawi Governor George Partridge urged stronger SADC cooperation to regulate cross-border financial services and protect savers. Public Services: Malawi’s medicine shortage crisis is pushing the health ministry to engage local drug manufacturers to supply hospitals via CMST. Legal/Justice: The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed a bid by Blantyre Water Board boss Yeremiah Chihana to stop his sacking, sending the dispute to the labour court. Economy Watch: A tax justice tribunal is set to start work after panellists were sworn in, with tax disputes worth over K12 billion. Controversy: ADMARC faces fresh scrutiny over a K2.97bn tarpaulin deal, with critics demanding answers on pricing and connections.