Manufacturing & Jobs: Zimbabwe’s new Chinese-backed cement plant in Chegutu is 90% complete and already employing about 450 workers, with output of nearly 800,000 tonnes expected after commissioning in August—aimed at easing local cement shortages and boosting rural employment. FX & Policy Pressure: Zimbabwe’s finance minister Mthuli Ncube faces renewed criticism over delays in industrial support, with the Zimbabwean dollar described as a major drag on recovery. China Auto Demand: China’s domestic car sales fell sharply in May, with the auto industry expected to stay under pressure through 2026 even as exports rise. Middle East Risk to Markets: The South African rand held steady as investors watched US inflation and digested renewed US-Iran tensions that are pushing oil higher. Public Finance/Health: Sanofi will stop a Phase 3 riliprubart trial after interim results showed insufficient efficacy, while ongoing studies continue. UK Ports Investment: Associated British Ports secured a £300m finance package to expand UK port infrastructure, targeting hundreds of jobs and supply-chain growth. Circular Economy in Hospitality: Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi Centre is turning coffee grounds into biofuel briquettes as part of its sustainability push after earning Green Globe certification. Tech & Energy Standards: The Open Group released the OSDU Data Platform Standard v1.0 to reduce data silos in energy systems, while SLB and Qualcomm are partnering on edge AI for real-time energy operations. Investing Sentiment: India equity mutual fund inflows fell 40.4% month-on-month in May amid global uncertainty.