Ethiopia Crisis: Tigray rebels are reported to be withdrawing from Mekelle as Ethiopian forces advance, raising fears of a wider Horn of Africa spillover after renewed fighting since late September. Horn of Africa Diplomacy: Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met Egypt’s Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Alamein to coordinate on security across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Nigeria Security & Youth Service: Omoyele Sowore demands the immediate suspension and eventual scrapping of NYSC after 19 corps members were abducted in Imo. Egypt Press Crackdown: Rights groups say Egypt arrested every member of an entire newsroom at Matsaddash, with authorities accusing the platform of “fabricated news.” Politics & Corruption Row (Nigeria): A fresh exchange between Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi escalates as the presidency alleges a “box full” of corruption and money-laundering cases. Regional Mobility Deal: Kenya and Benin sign a landmark visa-free agreement to boost travel, trade and integration. Energy & Industry: Africa’s energy debate heats up as officials warn against exporting crude while importing fuel, pushing value-add in critical minerals and refining. Road Safety (Kenya): A crash on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway killed 17 Catholic pilgrims heading to a shrine. Governance Focus (Sierra Leone): Civil society urges voters to judge governments by performance, not party loyalty.