JNIM Offensive & Mali Security: JNIM and Tuareg allies (FLA) launched another coordinated push across northern Mali, with Malian and partner forces resisting as fighting continues around Anefis; a convoy carrying over 200 Russian fighters and 100+ Malian soldiers was attacked en route, with responsibility claimed by the FLA. Bamako Power/Water Disruption: Water returned to Bamako after sabotage hit a high-voltage line feeding the capital from the Manantali Dam, leaving residents relying on boreholes while the grid remains unstable. Climate & Farming Inputs: A new study shows heat stress is reshaping West African farm decisions—Malian farmers are using more pesticides while Nigerian farmers cut fertilizer use—raising worries for long-term soil health and yields. Plant Health Digital Expansion: FAO and partners expanded a phytosanitary programme to 38 countries, training specialists to detect and report crop pests using standardized digital tools, including Mali. Regional Security Diplomacy: Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso) signed cooperation documents after ministerial talks in Niamey, with plans for the next meeting in Russia in 2027. Human Trafficking Focus (West Africa): Nigeria’s House of Representatives urged survivor-centred rehabilitation and reintegration for trafficked Nigerians repatriated from Mali and other countries.