IMF Support for São Tomé and Príncipe: IMF Africa chief Zeine Zeidane says Middle East conflict fallout is hitting sub-Saharan Africa via trade, energy and fertilizer disruptions that could last months, while the IMF has already approved augmented financing for countries including São Tomé and Príncipe. EU Election Monitoring: The EU will deploy an Electoral Observation Mission to São Tomé and Príncipe for the July 19 presidential vote and the Sept. 27 legislative/local/regional elections, with a core team arriving June 14 and long-term observers joining June 26. Agro-exports and Trade Growth: A new ranking of Africa’s most profitable farm exports highlights cocoa, coffee, cashews, olive oil, tea and other value-driven commodities as key foreign-exchange earners, pointing to where global capital is flowing. Energy Deals with Regional Reach: Petrobras signed an MoU with Mexico’s Pemex to explore deepwater and ultra-deepwater areas in the Gulf of Mexico, and a related piece notes Petrobras is expanding exploration acreage including in São Tomé and Príncipe. Maritime and Shipping Rules: An ITLOS ruling in the M/T Heroic Idun case sets a major marker for shipowners and flag states on limits of anti-piracy enforcement and crew detention under UNCLOS. Finance Governance in São Tomé: A business explainer spotlights the Neves Licensing Authority in São Tomé and Príncipe, clarifying why licensing, supervision and regulation often sit in separate bodies. Security and Influence: Ukraine’s military intelligence alleges Russia is planning “Russian Houses” in multiple countries, including São Tomé and Príncipe, as part of a broader influence push.