Energy Security: Madagascar reimposes a nationwide state of energy emergency, citing renewed Middle East tensions and fuel-price uncertainty, with the goal of securing imports and protecting essential services. Mining & Production: Total Graphite temporarily halts operations at its Vatomina graphite mine to complete drilling and operational upgrades, targeting a restart of over 1,000 tonnes per month from December. Energy Skills: Energy Transition Africa concludes arrangements to train 15 pan-African fellows after selecting professionals from eight countries, including a Madagascar participant, to strengthen energy crisis response capacity. Maritime & Trade Risk: Analysis says Russia has become the leading flag for shadow fleet tankers, with sanctioned ships increasingly re-registered to evade interdictions—raising pressure on maritime regulators and insurers. Climate & Food Security: El Niño forecasts point to severe humanitarian impacts, with Madagascar flagged for south drought and higher cyclone risk in the east, alongside broader regional food and nutrition threats. Regional Governance: SADC ministers meet to review peace and security, including eastern DRC conflict, terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime and governance. Critical Minerals Strategy: A wider Africa critical minerals push argues the real challenge is moving from extraction to transformation—processing, services and skills that keep more value at home.