Disease Preparedness: A new study warns that soft ticks could complicate African swine fever control in Texas by acting as long-term reservoirs, potentially reintroducing the virus even after infected pigs are removed. Food Systems & Resilience: The Africa Food Systems Forum opened in Rwanda, with delegates pushing for more financing, climate resilience, better post-harvest handling, and easier intra-African trade. Climate & Weather Risk: South Africa faces disruptive conditions as SAWS issues warnings for heavy rain, damaging winds and rough seas in parts of the country. Waste & Public Health: Ghana’s waste management overhaul is underway as a minister pledges stricter enforcement of sanitation rates and accountability for landfill and transfer-site problems in Accra. Security, Environment & Displacement: Somalia’s early warning systems are highlighted as a model for turning food and water data into faster decisions and action. Energy & Rural Access: Epson is exploring solar-powered printing and projection for rural Kenyan schools to tackle electricity shortages while supporting digital classroom upgrades. Extremism Online: Nigeria’s terror groups are increasingly using TikTok to recruit and spread propaganda, raising new challenges for digital security. Policy & Governance: Uganda’s banks are looking beyond traditional lending to finance a $500b growth plan, with new funding models set to be discussed at an upcoming bankers’ conference.