Visa & Mobility: The U.S. will stop routine visa processing at 25 African posts from Aug 1, 2026, including Banjul, with applicants redirected to 20 regional hubs across Africa—an overhaul aimed at tighter security screening and standardised adjudication. Labour Market Snapshot: Gambia’s Labour Force Survey reports 733,364 employed and 48,504 unemployed, with unemployment falling to 6.2% and labour force participation rising, but informal work still dominates (about 86%). Groundnuts & Food Security: Government begins paying D1.6m to Jokadou groundnut farmers left unpaid after Secco payment irregularities, using the NFSC to settle claims and protect producers. Transport/Compliance Tension: Vehicle owners threaten nationwide protest after being told to pay again for aluminium number plates they already paid for in 2025, as police intensify enforcement on unprinted plates. Coastal & Sand Mining Pressure: Banjul’s Mayor Rohey Lowe escalates the sand-mining dispute by seeking police approval for a peaceful Aug 27 protest over alleged unpaid royalties tied to Sino-Majilac. Agriculture Data Drive: The Agriculture Ministry strengthens data collection for food security, with officials stressing reliable statistics for planning and resilience. Energy/Industry Link: Senegal hosts AFOGEX 2026, with The Gambia represented by petroleum officials discussing responsible oil and gas development and regional energy cooperation.