Youth & Local Funding: Northumberland County Council will receive up to £600,000 for two “Young Futures Hubs,” aiming to give rural teens safer access to support and opportunities. Regional Investment Barriers: East Africa’s CEOs and officials warned that non-tariff barriers, fragmented rules, high energy costs and weak industrial links are still blocking regional trade and investment. UK Transport Spending: Oxfordshire approved a £245.5m transport plan for 2026-27 to 2029-30, covering roads, buses, active travel, EV infrastructure and a mobility hub. Media M&A & Foreign Capital: The US FCC cleared foreign investment in the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal, allowing stakes but banning voting control. Enterprise Tech for Security: Plexus Global partnered with TrendAI to expand AI-powered enterprise cybersecurity offerings. Small-Business Skills & Finance: Nigeria broke ground on a $12m Abuja entrepreneurship and innovation centre to connect training to jobs, enterprises and investment. Crypto Regulation Risk: South Africa’s crypto industry says proposed exchange-control rules could put R2.2bn in foreign investment on hold. Climate & Jobs: Nigeria urged turning climate finance into green jobs and investable circular-economy projects. Urban Waste Crisis: AP reports Africa’s cities are generating waste faster than infrastructure can handle, choking neighborhoods.