Microplastics Monitoring: Scientists from 21 African countries met in Accra to harmonise coastal microplastics protocols using nuclear and isotopic techniques, aiming for comparable data and stronger evidence-based marine pollution policies. Anticipatory Humanitarian Action: Action Against Hunger and IGAD’s ICPAC launched IMPAACT, a two-year, ECHO-funded effort to scale interoperable multi-hazard preparedness and anticipatory action for 243,801 people across Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti. Forensic Skills for Police: Ethiopia announced a regional forensic science scholarship for IGAD member states, with Kenyan officers eligible to study at the Ethiopian Police University’s Crime Investigation Academy. Sanctions Compliance Pressure: Overlapping US and China sanctions are creating a compliance minefield for African businesses, with analysts reporting a surge in inquiries from companies trying to avoid export-control and sanctions violations. Afar Legal Heritage: UNESCO’s bid highlights Afar’s living indigenous legal traditions, including restorative, community-led dispute resolution systems. Djibouti-Region Security: UN and naval sources report rising Somali pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa, adding risk to shipping through the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.