US-Africa Consular Shift: The US will end routine visa processing at its Abuja embassy and 24 other African missions from Aug. 1, moving routine work to regional hubs; Brazzaville is listed among affected posts, though other consular services remain available. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos held bilateral talks with Congo and Angola counterparts in Addis Ababa, focusing on expanding cooperation in areas like AI, climate resilience, and aligning with AU priorities. Ebola Update (Congo): Congo’s Ebola confirmed cases reached 3,262, with the outbreak described as the fastest on record and response complicated by insecurity and health worker strikes. Regional Security/Health: Uganda declared itself free of Ebola after its last patient was discharged mid-June and the WHO-recommended follow-up period passed without new transmission. Economy/Finance (CEMAC): BEAC liquidity demand rose after rate cuts, with banks borrowing more heavily from the central bank, while public-sector claims remain dominant in the CEMAC banking system. Mining/Arbitration: Sundance Resources says an ICC tribunal ordered Cameroon to pay about $616m over the Mbalam-Nabeba iron ore dispute involving rights revoked and later transferred to another party. Environment/Policy: A draft UN biodiversity report warns the world is falling short on 22 of 23 2030 nature targets, pushing for faster action ahead of COP17.