Health Diplomacy: WHO opened its Global Internship Programme to citizens of all 194 member states, including 54 African countries, with placements across Switzerland and regional/country offices and opportunities posted continuously. Regional Connectivity: The Via Africa submarine cable project aims to link Europe to Africa along the Atlantic coast, with planned landing points including Mauritania and partners spanning telecom and digital investors. Trade & Borders: A Moroccan embassy delegation helped ease congestion for Moroccan trucks at the Rosso border crossing with Senegal, improving flow after recent bottlenecks. Mining & Investment: Mauritania and the U.S. signed a framework agreement to boost critical minerals and rare earth cooperation, focusing on supply-chain resilience, investment, and processing. Business Tourism: The IFC committed up to $15m to expand Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie’s Sheraton Nouakchott, supporting business tourism and local jobs. Oil & Gas Interest: Murphy Oil and Chariot have applied for offshore Mauritania exploration acreage, following renewed interest after earlier exits by other firms. Politics & Society: Mauritania’s opposition coalition met Sahrawi representatives in Nouakchott, reaffirming Mauritania’s “positive neutrality” and support for UN efforts and self-determination. Culture: AFRIMMA 2026 nominees were unveiled, with Davido leading and the awards set to return after a two-year break.