Maritime & Security: Pakistan has begun repatriating four injured sailors and the remains of three crew members from the hijacked MT Honour 25, freed in a Puntland operation that captured 16 pirates but left five crew dead; the Ethiopian Airlines flight is expected to land in Karachi today. Ports & Trade: Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says Mogadishu is ready to let Ethiopia use two or three Somali ports for imports and exports, with taxes and fees to be agreed—an issue that matters for the Ethiopia–Djibouti corridor. Regional Stability: Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic ties after explosions in Addis Ababa and a drone strike, with Ethiopia expelling 10 Eritrean diplomats and Eritrea retaliating—raising fears of a wider Horn conflict. Red Sea Costs: EU naval escort shortages for merchant traffic through the Red Sea are leaving ships waiting, while war-risk premiums for Saudi-linked tankers have jumped as Bab el-Mandeb risk rises. Djibouti-linked Economy: A China-backed IFRC push highlights resilient community building in Ethiopia and Djibouti, while Ethiopia’s WTO push warns high trade costs may blunt membership gains for landlocked exporters. Humanitarian Pressure (Yemen): UN/WFP warns hunger is surging as renewed fighting displaces families and cuts access, with nearly 75% of households unable to meet basic food needs. Business Infrastructure: Ethiopia and Djibouti are moving ahead on the Damerjog–Dewele petroleum products pipeline, aimed at boosting fuel security and tightening economic ties. Visa Policy (for travelers): The US expanded a refundable visa bond requirement for B1/B2 visas to 50 countries; India is not on the list. Local Economy Indicator: Djibouti tops Africa in estimated monthly net salary rankings, with Kenya placing 10th.