Guinea’s Gold Policy: Guinea has banned raw gold exports to push domestic refining and capture more value from mining, a move that fits a wider West African trend toward tighter control of strategic minerals. Regional Monetary Integration: ECOWAS central banks met in Monrovia to finalize the operational framework for the ECOWAS Exchange Rate Mechanism, a key step toward the proposed single currency. Ebola Response Pressure: The White House is seeking over $1.4bn from Congress to fight the widening Ebola outbreak, including funds for a Kenya quarantine center and global health security. Ebola Spillover Worry: France confirmed its first Ebola case linked to the DRC outbreak, with officials stressing low risk to the wider population. Liberia Court Case: A third defendant in Liberia’s major human trafficking trial said members of Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s security detail visited the alleged trafficking compound, as the case involving 57 alleged victims continues. China-Guinea Diplomacy: Chinese Premier Li Qiang met Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah during China’s major economic forum push, signaling continued investment and cooperation focus. Maritime Security: A new Gulf of Guinea maritime task force aims to curb piracy and other crimes across 26 countries, protecting the region’s blue economy.