World Cup aftershocks in Africa-linked squads: As Argentina and Spain prepare to lift the trophy in New Jersey, African hopes are already shifting to club season—Arsenal’s William Saliba faces a fitness wait after a back issue ended his tournament, while Spain’s final squad includes Nico Williams (Ghanaian parentage) and Lamine Yamal (Moroccan and Equatorial Guinean family ties). Sahel security shock: In northern Mali’s Gao region, Islamic militants and a separatist group ambushed a military convoy, with Mali saying it is counterattacking after “precision strikes”; both JNIM and the Azawad Liberation Front claimed responsibility. Justice access in Kenya: Court of Appeal Judge Joel Ngugi urged community-based mediation to cut case backlogs, training human rights activists in Mombasa as “ministers of justice.” Red Sea sovereignty row: Egypt and Eritrea rejected non-littoral security arrangements in the Red Sea, stressing bordering states’ exclusive responsibility. Elections in Sao Tome and Principe: President Carlos Vila Nova seeks a new term as he runs as an independent after splitting from the ADI party, with voters heading to the polls amid stability concerns. Maritime trade and Iran pressure: Analysis warns Iran is expanding influence around Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb via proxy networks, raising risks for global shipping and energy security.