Independent Media Under Pressure: A new rights-focused piece warns that Ethiopia is increasingly treating critical reporting as a national security threat, citing documented intimidation and detention of journalists amid unresolved Tigray war fallout and wider Horn tensions. Nile Dam Dispute Intensifies: An analysis frames Ethiopia’s “keys to the Abay” approach as shifting from GERD to a broader reservoir network, while Egypt pushes for full disclosure and operating rules before more construction—turning the fight into a political contest over who sets river terms. Sudan Frontline Shifts: EEPA reports SAF gains in North Kordofan, renewed Blue Nile fighting, and continued displacement and missing persons, with talks aimed at civilian-only dialogue. Eritrean Opposition: Thirty Years On: A reflective column revisits the opposition’s long-running strengths and paralysis, arguing the movement needs stronger public platforms and less fragmentation. Eritrea in Global Spotlight via Culture Tech: Afro Verse, built by Eritrean developers, debuted a VR demo meant to preserve Eritrean heritage through immersive digital storytelling. UK Asylum System Under Fire: Multiple reports cite claims that asylum decisions are being gamed with “scripts,” while UK small-boat data shows Eritreans remain a major nationality group among Channel arrivals. Sports Governance Link to Eritrea: South Africa’s SAFA opened a national teams manager post as Bafana Bafana prepare AFCON qualifiers against Eritrea, underscoring how administrative decisions feed directly into match readiness.