Sahel Security: Niger’s junta says Russia’s “African Corps” helped suppress an attempted rebellion and regain control of key Base 101 near Niamey airport, with reports of drone strikes and rebels surrendering. Health & Research: DRC’s Ebola outbreak has surged past 6,000 cases and nearly 3,000 deaths, while an Ebola response team was attacked in Ituri, underlining security gaps in the response. HIV & STI Policy: Benin’s Cotonou will host ICASA+ 2027, rebranded to cover HIV plus malaria, TB and emerging epidemics, aiming for stronger health systems and universal coverage. Diplomacy & Elections: The US and UN welcomed a Libya electoral agreement between rival camps, urging factions to implement it and move toward national elections. Digital Sovereignty: Namibia rejected a US health data and specimen-sharing proposal over privacy and sovereignty concerns, seeking alternative funding for HIV programmes. Governance & Finance: Togo launched a National Accounting Council to modernize financial reporting and boost transparency. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky warns small businesses across the META region are still hit hard by spyware, password-stealer and backdoor attacks. Trade & Industry: Afreximbank named senior executives to strengthen regional operations and speed up intra-African trade and integration. Africa-Europe Research: AU and EU-linked university leaders called out “geopolitical rupture” and pushed for deeper Africa-Europe research cooperation.