DACF Update (Ghana): Upper West Region has received GH¢101.9m out of its District Assemblies Common Fund for development projects, about 25% of its expected yearly allocation, funding CHPS compounds, classrooms, boreholes, teachers’ and nurses’ quarters, police posts, market sheds and road works. Press Freedom (Africa): A journalist in Lesotho was abducted, beaten and threatened after reporting on education financing and human rights, renewing calls across Africa to protect reporters from intimidation. Climate Adaptation (Sahel): CSIR-SARI distributed 2,500 tree seedlings to 14 communities in Upper East and Upper West under the LOGMe II project, pushing agroforestry to restore degraded lands and boost food security. Security & Terrorism (Ghana): WACCE warns Ghana is “closer to the threat” as extremist violence spreads from the Sahel and insecurity drives cross-border displacement. International Justice (ICC): The ICC faces a confidence crisis as more countries prepare to withdraw under US pressure, with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger already among those leaving. Ukraine–Russia Proxy War (Mali): Ukraine reportedly deployed about 15 drone specialists to northern Mali to train and support forces fighting Russian-backed troops, showing how the conflict is spilling into African theatres. Regional Business (Burkina Faso–Nigeria): Burkinabè business leader Idrissa Nassa met Nigeria’s ambassador in Ouagadougou to expand trade, investment, logistics and digital economy ties, including reviving a dormant bi-national commission. Transport (Ghana): Ghana plans a multimodal rail–lake–road system to decongest highways and reduce pressure on the Port of Tema, with containers moving from Tema to Mpakadan then by barges to Buipe.