Gold Smuggling Crackdown: Cameroon has launched a major offensive to recover over $500 million in unpaid taxes and customs duties tied to undeclared gold exports, starting August 1, after findings showed a huge gap between official exports and gold shipments recorded abroad. Mining Reform Push: The government also says it is restructuring the gold sector and tightening oversight as it seeks to make mining a bigger driver of national revenue than oil. Port and Infrastructure Moves: Yaoundé has opened talks with MSC-linked Terminal Investment Limited to advance the long-delayed Limbe deep-sea port, while a key Yaoundé highway expansion is reported far behind schedule due to land and utility relocation issues. Governance and Data: Cameroon is racing to complete its first nationwide census in over two decades, with MINAT urging local officials to fix coverage gaps before the July 31 deadline. Security in the Northwest: Gunmen kidnapped seven passengers in the Northwest and a separate bar shooting in Bali Nyonga left one dead and two injured amid ongoing separatist violence. Human Rights: Readers’ donations helped free three women imprisoned for homosexuality in Cameroon, with more funds still needed to release additional prisoners. Health Financing: Nkafu Policy Institute discussions renewed calls to reduce out-of-pocket costs and expand chronic-disease coverage through private health insurance and universal health coverage reforms. Sports: Simba SC is reportedly targeting Cameroon striker Jules Armand Kooh ahead of the new season.