Customs Crackdown at Durban Port: South Africa’s SARS says it intercepted a suspected cocaine shipment hidden inside heavy-duty excavation equipment imported through the Port of Durban, with detector dogs alerting officials and about 90 large bricks recovered for forensic testing. Sovereign Finance Boost: Fitch upgraded South Africa’s long-term debt ratings for the first time in nearly 21 years, citing improved fiscal management and progress on consolidation, a move expected to ease borrowing costs. Ebola Preparedness Push: Africa CDC and WHO launched a $518m, six-month continental Ebola preparedness and response plan (June–November) focused on early detection, rapid response, labs, infection prevention, clinical care, community engagement and logistics. Road Safety and Labour Tensions: In Mpumalanga, SATAWU issued a 14-day ultimatum to Nkomazi Municipality to reinstate 247 dismissed security officers, warning of escalation if jobs aren’t restored. Transit Infrastructure in Focus: Nigeria’s Gombe-Biu road reconstruction was flagged as a major corridor upgrade for trade and regional integration, with the Works Minister joining the flag-off. Energy Corridor Build-Out: Algeria has started work on the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline linking Nigeria, Niger and Algeria, aiming to move up to 30 bcm of gas annually toward European markets.