SADC Summit & Critical Minerals: South Africa’s Ramaphosa took over the SADC chair and pushed for faster regional integration, trade, and industrialisation, with a clear call to stop exporting critical minerals raw and instead build value-adding industries. Zambia Food & Climate Risk: Zambia recorded its largest maize harvest at about 4.9 million tonnes, driven by expanded planting and above-average rainfall, but farmers are already watching El Niño-linked weather risks for the next season. Zambia Election & Copper-Led Growth: Hakainde Hichilema won a second term, setting up continuity for an investment-led plan focused on sharply expanding copper output after debt restructuring. DRC Health Emergency: Ebola in the DRC has reached record levels for the country, with WHO warning it could eclipse the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak if it keeps accelerating. Youth, Peace & Climate Justice: The African Union launched a Pan-African Youth Framework linking youth participation to peace and climate justice, urging young people into decision-making. Public Health & Mercury: A New York study found mercury in nearly a third of tested skin-lightening and skincare products, raising serious toxic exposure concerns. Water Safety: Authorities in South Africa’s Vaal River region launched a crocodile capture-and-relocation plan, urging residents to avoid water activities until the animal is moved.