Jacqueline Ntengula - Mana

Tropical cyclone FAIDA, formed on 23 January over the southern Indian Ocean, passed on 2 February close to the northern coast of the Mauritius Islands and Reunion Island, and continued moving westward over northern Madagascar.

The High Court in Lilongwe dismissed plastic manufacturers' challenge against Malawi’s thin plastics ban, citing abuse of court process and suppression of material facts. Justice Howard Pemba ruled that the manufacturers deliberately delayed enforcement by filing repeated legal challenges since 2014. The court also found their nine-year delay in seeking judicial review unjustified, marking a victory for environmental regulations.

MACRA plans to introduce a misinformation monitoring system, raising concerns among digital rights advocates about potential threats to freedom of expression and privacy. The Net Rights Coalition (NRC), alongside 15 other organizations, has urged MACRA to reconsider, warning that the system could be misused to monitor activists, journalists, and opposition voices, especially ahead of Malawi’s 2025 General Elections.

The World Bank January 2025 edition of the Malawi Economic Monitor (MEM) has stressed the need for urgent economic reforms to stabilize Malawi's economy warning that failure to do so could lead to deeper fiscal distress, increased poverty, and economic stagnation.

Malawi's HIV response faces a critical juncture following the US government's 90-day freeze on foreign assistance, including PEPFAR's substantial funding. While the Ministry of Health, through Secretary Dr. Samson Mndolo, has assured the public of uninterrupted services due to adequate ARV and test kit supplies, health experts remain cautious.

HRDC accuses Malawi Bureau of Standards of gross negligence in enforcing product safety, urging immediate action to protect consumers, while MBS defends its ongoing efforts and commitment to balancing consumer protection with sustainable trade