Legal Action Over Power Project: Lesotho’s Ministry of Energy and Mining has sued Phaks Joint Venture to recover over M15.4 million, alleging the contractor was paid millions but failed to complete the Ha Belo 33/11kV substation and transmission line under a World Bank-funded project. Budget Priorities: Pre-budget consultations for the 2027/28 fiscal plan point to job creation and youth employment, agriculture and food security, roads and infrastructure, industrialisation, water and irrigation, electricity access, tourism, and health services. Investment Climate: The Private Sector Foundation of Lesotho (PSFL) is pushing for a legislated Special Economic Zones (SEZ) framework, including an SEZ Act and a one-stop investment authority, warning the current administrative model leaves Lesotho less competitive for investors. Crime and Security Alert: The U.S. Embassy warns Lesotho is vulnerable to transnational organised crime, citing the Kingdom’s methamphetamine manufacturing bust and urging stronger community policing. Child Online Safety: Government is moving to protect children from online abuse through legislation, school training, awareness campaigns, and stakeholder collaboration. Biosecurity for Wool and Mohair: Agriculture Minister Selibe Mochoboroane urges brokers, traders and farmers to keep complying with new biosecurity protocols after the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, to protect market access. Cross-Border Payments: Standard Lesotho Bank says it has launched direct Renminbi (RMB) transactions between Africa and China via a new cross-border interbank payment system, aiming to streamline a roughly $100m Lesotho-China trade corridor.