Geopolitics & Security: Turkey is deepening ties across Africa with mining, energy and military links, expanding its footprint as major powers compete for strategic routes and critical minerals. Conflict Mediation: New analysis warns that modern peace talks are stuck in a moral and practical bind—mediators must negotiate with armed actors while the global order that once supported mediation is fraying. Regional Instability: The Horn of Africa is at risk of escalation as Sudan’s war spills into neighboring crises, demanding urgent de-escalation by both regional and Middle East players. Health & Biosecurity: Nigeria is overhauling its PPR (goat plague) control plan to cut a disease that can kill up to 90% of infected sheep and goats, with stronger surveillance, vaccination and cross-border coordination involving Chad and others. Travel Risk Signals: The US added Uganda to its Level 4 “Do Not Travel” list, bringing the count of African countries under the highest warning to 10. Tech & Payments: Visa and Safaricom are pushing awareness of M-Pesa GlobalPay’s Virtual Visa Card in Kenya via football-themed campaigns. Research & Climate: New work links the Aral Sea’s drying to major carbon release, turning a former carbon sink into a climate driver. Energy & Industry: Cameroon targets a $1.75B mining windfall as it expands projects and pushes undeclared gold into the formal economy. Governance & AI: Tunisia ranks 110th in a responsible AI readiness index, pointing to weak safeguards and governance gaps.