Humanitarian Spotlight: A Malian-born nurse, Abidine Ould Sidewa, is credited with helping cut preventable deaths at Mauritania’s Mbera refugee camp by running triage, malnutrition screening, vaccinations for zero-dose children, and health education for new arrivals. Tragedy in the Sahel: In northern Niger, at least 49 people died of thirst after a truck broke down in the Sahara while returning from Mali for Eid al-Adha; two survivors trekked over 50km to Assamaka and alerted authorities, with victims buried in mass graves. Culture & Identity: In Benin, coverage highlights how Vodún/Voodoo survived years of suppression and became tied to the country’s democratic transition after Mathieu Kérékou lost power in 1991, with rehabilitation framed as national heritage. Mali Security & Public Life: Mali’s military government announced a $3.5m reward for information leading to the capture or neutralisation of JNIM leader Iyad Ag Ghaly, alongside smaller bounties for other figures. Arts & Screen: The documentary world looks to South Africa’s Encounters festival opening in Cape Town, while TV fans get a Mali-adjacent cultural nod as Channel 4 promotes the Welsh-set mystery drama “The Light in the Hall: Still Waters.” Sport & Mobility: Iran’s World Cup plans remain clouded by visa uncertainty, even as it beat Mali 2-0 in a warm-up and prepares to travel to Mexico.