Oil & Climate Risk: Uganda’s East African Crude Oil Pipeline is about 80–84% complete, with commissioning targeted for July 2026 and first exports by October—an electrically heated 1,443-km line designed to prevent crude solidification, raising new questions about environmental and community impacts as oil production ramps up. Heat & Health: El Niño-strengthening conditions and extreme heat are already biting; a Florida heat advisory warns “feels like” temperatures near 110°F, a reminder that hotter weather can quickly overwhelm health systems. Illegal Mining & Cocoa: Ghana’s Fair Trade Ghana Network is pushing for a coordinated, actionable roadmap to curb illegal mining after research showed farmers are still paying the environmental price—especially in cocoa areas. Water, Food Security: WFP and ICBA launched Iraq’s MURUNA project to tackle drought, desertification and water scarcity with climate-smart agriculture and inclusive water governance. El Niño Outlook: US forecasters say a “very strong” El Niño is likely to rank among the largest on record, with knock-on rainfall shifts expected across parts of East Africa. Conservation Through Culture: Zimbabwean artists are using indigenous taboos as conservation tools in a new exhibition, aiming to revive local stewardship of forests, water and wildlife.