Ethiopia Election Silence: Ethiopia has entered the mandatory electoral silence period ahead of its June 1 general election, with the National Election Board saying logistical preparations are complete and the vote is moving into final implementation—an important test of institutional readiness for a country with over 50 million registered voters. AI for Education: Ethiopia also plans an AI university, announced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, aiming to open in 2027 and support the “Digital Ethiopia” push by training students in machine intelligence with local relevance. Regional Health Security: IGAD launched a $31.9 million pandemic preparedness project (PREPARE) to strengthen cross-border surveillance, lab diagnostics, and emergency workforce capacity across Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. Medical Tourism Push: Ethiopia’s health ministry says it wants to become a medical tourism hub by upgrading tertiary care and using AI-driven diagnostics, citing growing patient visits from Djibouti and northern Kenya. Climate & Snakebite Risk: A WHO-led study warns snakebite risk may rise as venomous snakes shift habitats with warming temperatures and human pressure. Djibouti Connectivity & Cables: ASEAN Cableship marks 40 years in submarine cable installation and repair, unveiling a new logo and highlighting fleet upgrades to meet growing data demand across the Indian Ocean.