Zambian Elections Under Strain: Observers report intimidation, violence and abductions, with vote counting briefly suspended after attacks on polling staff and alleged ballot-paper theft, as President Hakainde Hichilema keeps a lead in the race for a second term. Osun Governorship Fallout: Nigeria’s Osun election ends with Ademola Adeleke winning re-election, but opposition groups and SERAP demand probes over alleged vote-buying, violence and a near four-hour halt in INEC’s IReV result uploads. Middle East Diplomacy: Muslim-majority foreign ministers condemn Israel’s reported rejection of Trump’s Gaza roadmap, warning it could derail efforts toward a ceasefire and Palestinian statehood. China-Africa Trade Push: Nigeria’s lawmakers say China’s zero-tariff expansion can boost Africa’s industrial shift—if countries build productive capacity to export more. Sahel Lithium and Conflict: Reporting highlights how lithium mining and smuggling are increasingly entangled with jihadist activity across Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Nigeria. Connectivity and Industry: Uganda backs bamboo-based manufacturing to cut paper imports, while Airtel Africa expands Starlink mobile service in the DRC. Youth Jobs Trend: A new outlook projects services overtaking agriculture as the biggest employer of young Africans by 2033.