Maritime Safety in the Gulf of Aden: India’s INS Trikand intercepted a piracy attempt on the MV Golden Arsenal about 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti, with 21 crew (including one Indian) sheltering safely in the citadel after damage to the bridge; a boarding team later cleared the vessel. Humanitarian Crisis at Sea: The Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment warned that conditions aboard the hijacked MT HONOUR 25 have deteriorated sharply after more than two months in captivity, with five crew (including the master) now ill, food reportedly reduced to rice, unsafe water, and pirates reportedly exchanging gunfire between rival groups; it also urged urgent action for crews of the SWARD and MV EUREKA. Regional Security Policy: The U.S. says it will stop supporting UN logistics for the Somalia anti–Al-Shabaab mission beyond end-2026, leaving thousands under AUSSOM facing uncertainty. Indian Ocean Geopolitics: Germany is weighing whether to recall minesweeper ships stationed in Djibouti for a possible Strait of Hormuz mine-clearing mission, saying conditions are unlikely soon. Djibouti in Regional Finance: PAPSS is highlighted as a way to settle trade across Africa in local currencies, with Djibouti listed among active participating countries. Press Freedom Debate: A Djibouti media freedom piece argues real change needs independent licensing and professional journalist bodies, noting the current system benefits from silence.