Mining & Processing: Chinese Shenghe Resources has started building a heavy mineral sands Mineral Separation Plant in Pangani, Tanzania, positioning the country as a regional processing hub for raw materials shipped from other African states including Madagascar. Critical Minerals Supply Chains: A new analysis warns that refining is far more concentrated than mining, with the top three refiners producing about 86% of refined output in 2024—making diversification hard even as new mines open. Energy Access in Madagascar: A spotlight on Madagascar’s solar push highlights how low electrification and costly diesel generation keep power out of reach, while rising oil prices and financing/skills gaps slow PV rollout. Scam Economy & Enforcement: US authorities seized Telegram-linked crypto wallets and restrained $52M tied to Xinbi Guarantee, while separate actions in Madagascar targeted 13 Chinese-run scam compounds—showing how digital fraud networks can span borders. Local Conservation & Research: Stony Brook University named Cortni Borgerson as associate director for CVB/ICTE, focusing on Madagascar community conservation and language-linked research that connects livelihoods and biodiversity. Industry & Trade: FAW-Volkswagen launched the Jetta VS5 and VS8 SUVs in Madagascar, touting localized tuning plus shipping, parts supply, and after-sales support.