LDC Graduation Delays: Bangladesh and Nepal are asking the UN to extend their least-developed-country status, pushing the decision to November 2029 as political disruption and export losses bite—highlighting how trade preferences and concessional finance can make or break fragile economies. Energy Access Reality Check: A new analysis argues Africa’s fossil-fuel wealth hasn’t translated into reliable power for households, with hundreds of millions still without electricity and little progress since COVID. Digital & Water Cooperation: Egypt and Madagascar signed cooperation deals spanning trade, agriculture, healthcare, energy, water management, desalination, smart computing, and youth/university education. US Consular Restructuring: The US plans to end routine visa processing at its Abuja embassy and 24 other African missions, shifting applicants to regional hubs from Aug. 1, 2027. Electricity Reliability Watch: Ghana’s major blackout is blamed on a disruption on the national grid that tripped generating plants, renewing calls for stronger infrastructure resilience. AI for Farms: IMF-linked reporting says AI could help close Africa’s yield gap if countries invest in digital skills, infrastructure, and supportive policy. Russian Recruitment Trap: Equatoguinean youth accounts describe how Russian intermediaries lured recruits with promises of training and work, then forced them into fighting in Ukraine. Sanctions Evasion Tech: A report says shadow fleets use fake websites mimicking African maritime authorities to generate fraudulent documents and registrations. Agriculture Funding Pressure: ActionAid Nigeria warns that low capital spending on agriculture could derail food security and CAADP implementation.