AU Youth Training: The African Union opened a four-day Continental Youth Capacity-Building Programme on AU Shared Values in Addis Ababa, bringing 18–35-year-olds from 11 Anglophone countries to focus on democratic governance, rights, peace and civic leadership. Political Parties in Addis: Ethiopia will host the second African Political Parties Summit in Addis Ababa on Nov. 5–7, under “Governing for Growth,” with a push for youth participation and more female representation. Health Governance in Addis: Ethiopia’s Health Minister Mekdes Daba was elected chair of WHO’s 76th Regional Committee for Africa, with Niger and Zimbabwe named vice-chairs, as the meeting runs in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia–France Health Talks: Ethiopia and France discussed expanding a strategic healthcare partnership, including support for local pharmaceutical and medical oxygen manufacturing, plus scaling HIV, malaria and TB diagnostics and maternal care. Digital Infrastructure Oversight: Global Partnership for Ethiopia (GPE) board members met Safaricom Ethiopia staff in Addis Ababa, with local board representation expanding as the consortium drives digital infrastructure and financial inclusion. Food Aid for Refugees: WFP welcomed a $2.9m South Korea rice donation (2,400 mt) to support 100,000 refugees and host communities in Ethiopia. Credit Ratings Push: AU-backed APRM plans to launch a continent-wide credit ratings agency in Mauritius on Oct. 5 to cut borrowing costs and challenge Western ratings. Sudan War Spillover: The Sudanese army said it shot down a drone that crossed from Ethiopia into Blue Nile, underscoring cross-border security risks amid the wider conflict.