Elections in São Tomé and Príncipe: President Carlos Vila Nova has won a second five-year term outright, taking about 55.94% of the vote in Sunday’s presidential election and avoiding a runoff; his main rival Nito Viegas D’Abreu won about 41%, with turnout reported as low and officials saying no irregularities were found. Oil & energy: São Tomé and Príncipe rejected bids for three offshore oil blocks in its 2026 licensing round after only two companies—Petrobras and Oranto Petroleum—submitted offers, leaving the state without enough competition to judge value. Regional ties: Angola’s President João Lourenço received a gratitude message from Pope Leo XIV for hospitality during the Pope’s apostolic visit to Angola, delivered by the Holy See’s representative to Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe. Economy & society: A new ranking on overwork lists São Tomé and Príncipe among the most overworked countries in Africa for 2026, with average weekly hours around 49. Inflation: Another report places São Tomé and Príncipe’s inflation at about 9.2% (May/June 2026 readings), highlighting continued price pressure in an import-dependent economy.