SADC Fisheries Oversight: Namibia’s Stanley Ndara has been reappointed chair of the SADC Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Centre board in Maputo, as the bloc pushes harder action against illegal fishing and rolls out a regional register of fishing vessels. Insurance Regulation: Malawi’s insurers back tougher enforcement under the new Insurance Act, including advance premium payments and stiffer penalties for fraud, as the regulator moves to implement mandatory policies. US Visa Access: The US plans to cut Africa visa-processing sites from about 50 to 20 regional hubs across 19 countries, with Malawi applicants likely redirected to South Africa’s centres. Rare Minerals at Kasiya: Sovereign Metals says Malawi’s Kasiya Rutile-Graphite project has confirmed high-value heavy rare earths like dysprosium, terbium and yttrium, boosting the mine’s strategic appeal. Food Security Watch: Malawi’s maize export ban remains in force, with the ministry warning that exports are being taken out illegally while it awaits updated food balance figures. Payments Upgrade: PayPal launches PYUSD, a digital dollar stablecoin, in Malawi and 26 other African countries to speed up and lower the cost of cross-border payments. Energy Turnaround: ESCOM’s board and staff union pledge to work together to restore performance, as vandalism and service disruptions continue to bite. Transport Safety: Nacala Logistics will install spikes at the Chirimba railway crossing from June 8 to stop motorists misusing the train passage. Markets & Jobs: Tobacco farmers have earned about K120bn six weeks into the season, but revenue is still behind last year despite improving rejection rates. Governance & Courts: An Industrial Relations Court in Zomba has temporarily halted MBC’s dismissal of district reporters pending further proceedings. Regional Tensions: Reports of xenophobic violence in South Africa have sparked repatriation efforts for Mozambicans, with figures disputed between Mozambique and South African police.