India–SACU Trade Talks: India and the five-member Southern African Customs Union (SACU) have signed Terms of Reference to kick off negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement, aiming to wrap talks within a year and covering areas like goods trade, market access, customs procedures, SPS, trade remedies, TBT, rules of origin and dispute settlement; India is pushing for duty concessions in sectors including automobiles/auto parts, pharmaceuticals, machinery, electrical equipment, chemicals and textiles. Youth & Agriculture Jobs: In Maseru, the agriculture minister urged young people to embrace agriculture and other productive sectors for economic independence, pointing to tractor support for youth and plans to back financing and training. Climate-Smart Farming: Farmers were urged to act early on El Niño warnings by adjusting planting times, improving water management and using climate-smart practices to protect crops and livestock. Qacha’s Nek Machinery Boost: Qacha’s Nek farmers are using newly supplied walk-behind tractors to raise yields and reduce labour demands ahead of the summer cropping season. Illegal Mining Crackdown (SA): South Africa gazetted a General Mining Laws Amendment Bill to criminalise illicit mining, with penalties up to 30 years in prison and fines up to R100 million. Mining Tragedy (SA): A disused mine dump collapse near Rustenburg killed 14 suspected illegal miners, most believed to be from Lesotho, with rescue efforts continuing and several injured detained. Border Trade Simplification (SADC): Eswatini and regional partners moved to simplify border procedures under the SADC Simplified Trade Regime to cut costs and ease cross-border trade for small-scale traders. Choral Music Support (Lesotho): Young choral musicians called for stronger government and stakeholder support, arguing the sector can create jobs and promote Lesotho’s culture. AfCFTA Capacity Building (Lesotho): Lesotho’s trade ministry and private sector took part in an AfCFTA workshop on dispute settlement and trade goods to strengthen implementation capacity.