IMF Talks: Zambia’s finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane says Lusaka hopes to agree a new IMF programme by year-end to unlock investment and jobs after the last deal ended in January. Sovereign Wealth/Mining Finance: Zambia’s delegation visited Ghana’s Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) to study how a sovereign minerals fund can manage mineral wealth and support industrialisation. Critical Minerals: New global warnings highlight how China’s rare earth export controls could disrupt supply chains worth about $6.5trn, intensifying the push for mineral sovereignty and alternative processing routes. Energy Infrastructure: Trafigura has reportedly backed out of an Angola–DRC–Zambia 2,000MW transmission line project, leaving power plans for critical mines uncertain. Digital TV Expansion: eMedia launched Openview Stream, a free ad-supported FAST streaming service rolling out first in Zambia and several other countries. Agribusiness & Policy: Government unveiled a National Tobacco Strategy aimed at stabilising the sector and improving livelihoods as production rises. Elections & Business Climate: In Lusaka, police fired tear gas at opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and running mate Makebi Zulu during a roadshow, underscoring heightened political tension ahead of 13 August. Health Systems: CIDRZ joined efforts to prepare for next-generation TB vaccines, with WHO-led planning for potential rollout in high-burden countries including Zambia. Tourism Investment: A World Bank-backed GREAT-TDP project in Zambia is targeting nature-based tourism businesses and infrastructure upgrades across provinces.