Climate Watch: The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño is likely to develop this year, with an 80% chance between June and August 2026 and a high likelihood it lasts into November—raising the risk of hotter-than-usual conditions and shifting rainfall patterns, including across eastern and southern Africa. Regional Health Security: IGAD launched a $31.9M pandemic preparedness project for Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, focusing on cross-border early warning, lab capacity, and trained health workforces under a One Health approach. AI for Education: Ethiopia plans an AI university in Addis Ababa, aiming to open in 2027 and support its Digital Ethiopia agenda by training students in machine intelligence with local relevance. Health & Tech in Care: Ethiopia also pushes medical tourism by upgrading tertiary hospitals and using AI-driven diagnostics, citing growing patient flows from Djibouti and neighboring countries. Public Safety & Climate: A WHO-led study warns snakebite risk may rise as warming reshapes habitats, increasing human encounters with venomous species. Elections & Governance: Ethiopia’s June 1 general election is underway amid logistical delays tied to online registration and security-linked polling disruptions, with tight scrutiny on press freedom and stability.