Water & Daily Life: Chronic water shortages in Eritrea’s capital Asmara are forcing families to ration showers, stagger laundry, and flush toilets only when everyone has used them, with fear of authorities keeping complaints quiet. Governance & Rights: An opinion piece argues East Africa is sliding from constitutional democracy toward entrenched authoritarian rule, with elections, courts, and legislatures increasingly used to consolidate power. Ethiopia-Africa Tech & Training: Ethiopia opened two robotic surgery and endoscopic technology training centres with China’s support, aiming to upgrade specialist skills and expand access to advanced care. Security & Drugs: AFRICOM says illegal drug trafficking across Africa has surged more than sixfold in two years, warning that logistics and communications are key to countering transnational threats. Media & FGM Language: Equality Now urged journalists in a regional workshop (Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia) to use accurate terms, warning that calling FGM “circumcision” can downplay harm. Culture & Heritage: BRICS Culture Working Group meetings under India’s presidency focused on protecting heritage, supporting creative economies, and setting ethical rules for AI and copyright. Youth & Sports: Reports say about 20 Ethiopian youth footballers and officials went missing after Sweden’s 2026 Gothia Cup, with Swedish police treating it as voluntary for now. Arts & Music: Mulatu Astatke is highlighted for pioneering Ethio-jazz and honoring his roots. Tech & Business: Safaricom’s AI push is framed as a shift from telecom into AI-driven services, including finance, healthcare, and streaming.