US Diversity Visa/Green Card Lottery: The US State Department says Nigeria is the only African country barred from DV-2026, while 49 other African nations are eligible; the programme drew 20.8m qualified entries and the US registered about 129,516 prospective applicants, with selectees required to complete processes by Sept 30, 2026. CAF Champions League drama: Scottland FC’s Knowledge Musona was left out of the squad for the clash with Nsingizini Hotspurs after a substitution incident that drew sponsor Wicknell Chivayo’s warning over disrespect to the technical team. Eswatini football abroad: Green Mamba’s CAF Confederation Cup tie took a hit as CD Primeiro de Agosto beat them 2-0 in the first leg, setting up a return in Luanda. Local governance & trade: Mbabane City Council won best exhibitor and most innovative exhibitor at the Eswatini International Trade Fair, as government pushed plans to turn Mavuso into a permanent trade and investment hub. Money-laundering safeguards: Eswatini secured four upgrades in FATF-style testing, moving to satisfactory ratings on 32 of 40 standards and reducing greylisting risk. Independence Day diplomacy: UAE leaders sent congratulations to King Mswati III, while Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev also wrote to the King, citing improving bilateral relations. Sports spotlight: Hayley Hoy led Eswatini’s medal haul at Africa Aquatics Zone IV in Botswana, winning five medals. Court update: The High Court granted 25 Chinese nationals leave to execute an earlier release order after immigration and related charges tied to raids on alleged illegal online gambling centres.