Red Sea & Horn-of-Africa stakes: Houthis seized Yemen’s port city of Mocha and pushed toward the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, raising fears of tighter control over a key shipping route that runs between Yemen and Djibouti/Eritrea—an escalation that could ripple into global oil flows. Eritrea in the spotlight (culture/history): Prof. Saleem H. Ali shared reflections after a two-day visit, spotlighting Eritrea’s architecture, religious harmony, and environmental initiatives, with a special focus on Asmara’s distinct character. Diaspora & rights: EEPA reports thousands displaced in Sudan’s Blue Nile, while another EEPA update notes Eritrean refugees in Libya remain trapped in detention marked by violence and abuse. Eritrea’s strategic memory: A commentary revisits Eritrea’s “quiet resilience” and enduring strategic geography, arguing that the Horn’s importance is historical, not a passing trend. Sports (Eritrea in the mix): South Africa’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers include a match vs Eritrea in Cairo, as Bafana’s new coaching era builds toward the campaign. Arts & sound: Jabulile Majola talks about his shift from rap to Afro-folk/Afro-soul and his next album, Ipasi. Football staff moves: Reports say Arthur Zwane could join Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana setup as second assistant, with youth integration on the agenda.