Red Sea Flashpoint: Houthis seized Mocha and pushed toward the Bab el-Mandeb islands, raising fears for global shipping and Saudi oil flows as Iran-backed support and IRGC-linked guidance reportedly fuel the offensive. Diplomatic Fallout: Algeria cut ties with the UAE and banned Emirati aircraft from its airspace, escalating a regional rift. Nile Water Tensions: Egypt rejected new Ethiopian dams or unilateral Nile control, warning the issue could destabilize Africa. Critical Minerals Push: Africa is trying to capture more value from copper, cobalt and lithium as the race for battery and green-tech inputs intensifies. East Africa Energy: Kenya is set to break ground on Dangote’s Sh2.2tn Lamu refinery at end-month, aiming to shift from fuel imports to a processing hub. Sahel Mobility Break: Niger launched biometric passports to complete its exit from ECOWAS travel rules under the AES rupture. Tourism Uptick (KZN): KwaZulu-Natal arrivals rose 29% in July, with officials urging longer stays and more local spending. Tech Platform Retreat: Uber is exiting Nigeria and Uganda, citing tougher economics for drivers and operations. Sports Business: South Africa and New Zealand’s rugby unions banked millions from the Baltimore Test, underscoring how money shapes the rivalry’s modern schedule.