Energy & Transport Costs: Diesel price pressure across East and Southern Africa is feeding straight into freight, farming, and everyday goods costs, squeezing operators on tight margins and raising the risk of higher food prices. Governance & Finance: A confidential legal opinion has challenged the Labour Minister’s defence of Derrick Shiba’s appointment as chair of the incapacitated ENPF Board, leaving employer and employee representatives boycotting board work and forcing Prime Minister Russell Dlamini’s intervention. Manufacturing & Trade Links: Turkmen electronics firm Aýdyň Gijeler says it has agreed with Eswatini to supply secure IDs and biometric passports, including 1.5m national ID cards and 500k+ passports, with 4 hectares allocated for local production. Creative Economy: ESWACOS says the first royalty distribution for rights holders is expected in the 2026/27 financial year after licensing and music tariff approvals. Tourism & Border Flow: Ngwenya Border Post is handling heavy traffic as thousands cross for the MTN Bushfire Festival, with telecom vendors selling SIMs to keep visitors connected. CIT Security: Fidelity Services reports no attacks on its newly deployed cash-in-transit trucks, alongside a broader decline in CIT robberies in South Africa. Local Industry Spotlight: IDCE announced a E14.5m dividend for FY ending June 30, 2025, highlighting support for agriculture and targeted turnaround financing. Culture & Youth: The 2026 EU Bushfire Schools Festival opened at House on Fire with youth performances led by heritage expert Allington Ndlovu. Policy Watch (Regional): China’s zero-tariff expansion to 53 African countries excludes Eswatini, while negotiations focus on non-tariff barriers for Zimbabwe. Energy Security Deal: Eswatini’s $300m Taiwan-backed Phuzumoya Strategic Oil Reserve is raising debate over affordability amid poverty and unemployment concerns.