Oil & Gas Deal: Eni has entered The Gambia with an offshore Block A1 offshore petroleum exploration development and production license, covering about 1,300 sq km in deep Atlantic waters, expanding its West Africa portfolio. IMF Support: The IMF says it will step up funding for Ethiopia, The Gambia and Burkina Faso, with The Gambia seeking a 20% augmentation of its existing program plus a six-month extension and rephasing; it also plans a new disbursement of about $8.5m for Gambia under its ECF arrangement. Fuel Prices: Government cut gasoil by D5 per litre via a D150m subsidy, aiming to ease costs for households, transport operators, farmers and manufacturers while petrol (PMS) stays at D112. Power Sector Watch: NAWEC says the latest power crisis is driven by maintenance and equipment rehabilitation, not debt, while GALA warns of a June 19 accountability deadline; separate reporting puts Nawec’s regional electricity liabilities at about US$58m, lower than earlier claims. Halal Trade Push: SMIIC is running awareness and training in Banjul to strengthen The Gambia’s halal quality infrastructure and certification systems, positioning the country as a regional halal hub. Telecom Taxes: Africell wins Gambia’s largest taxpayer award for the 7th time, citing over a billion dalasi in annual taxes. Regional Energy Integration: The World Bank reports West Africa power upgrades have expanded access to over 3 million people and built 4,000+ km of transmission lines across 15 countries. Labour & Education: Gambia’s University of Education staff begin a sit-down strike from 1 June over unresolved demands, while GAMTUB urges the Justice for All Movement to avoid a nationwide protest and instead use dialogue.