AU Executive Council in Addis Ababa: The AU’s 49th Executive Council session opened with renewed calls for fair, permanent African representation at the UN Security Council, with leaders warning that conflicts and climate shocks are reshaping Africa’s priorities. Peace and security focus: Defence chiefs at the AU logistics and communications symposium praised Ethiopia’s role in continental peace and security, stressing that regional cooperation on logistics and communications is key to stability. Middle East spillover: African leaders warned that renewed fighting in the Middle East is driving energy shocks, supply disruptions and higher prices across the continent. Human trafficking and online scams: IOM warned that criminal networks are increasingly forcing victims into online fraud operations, with cases involving people from Ethiopia and Kenya highlighted ahead of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Ethiopia’s digital push: Ethio Telecom said Telebirr is partnering with the Great Ethiopian Run to digitise registration and payments for the 10km race in November. Aviation and travel: The FAA proposed inspections for hundreds of Boeing 737 MAX seats over installation concerns, while the US announced it will end routine visa processing at 25 African diplomatic posts from August 1, routing applicants to regional hubs including Addis Ababa.