Deep-Sea Mining at the UN: Governments at the International Seabed Authority in Kingston launched long processes to challenge the US push for unilateral deep-ocean mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, as companies and the US trade arguments over permits and conduct. Retail Tech in Action: London’s Met police rolled out a new CCTV system that lets retailers submit footage and statements directly to officers, speeding up investigations from days to minutes. Extreme Heat Planning: Atlanta City Council ordered a stronger extreme-heat safety plan after criticism of its heatwave response, including more cooling centers and faster public alerts. Congo River to Lake Chad Water Push: Africa’s $50bn Trans Aqua plan aims to redirect water from the Congo River Basin to revive shrinking Lake Chad, tied to climate stress and rising demand. Sargassum “Self-Sustaining” Crisis: New reporting links Caribbean beach seaweed surges to a self-sustaining cycle, with nutrients from major rivers including the Congo helping fuel blooms. Congo River Shipping Tech: Royal IHC’s Easydredge 2700XL dredger project in West Africa awarded electrical engineering scope to Royal Van der Leun, aimed at keeping Congo River ports accessible. AI Governance Power Shift: A new World AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO) was signed in Shanghai by 29 nations, setting up a fresh global framework for AI rules. Energy Corruption Case: US court filings allege Turkish firm Aksa Enerji used bribery and political connections to secure a Ghana power contract—raising scrutiny of state-linked tech and energy deals across Africa.