World Cup 2026: Qatar edged closer in a tense Qatar vs Switzerland match, with Swiss frustration growing as chances came and went. Djibouti & the Red Sea: Israel’s search for a foothold in Somaliland continues to draw attention after public celebrations reportedly included Israeli flags and an Iron Dome interceptor presentation. Regional security: Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki’s latest Cairo visit highlights fresh Red Sea maritime cooperation and the wider push to shape littoral-state control. Djibouti environment: Researchers report a “chemical cocktail” of common pharmaceuticals in Djibouti’s Gulf of Tadjourah coastal waters, linked to untreated urban wastewater and raising ecological concerns. Migration pressure: IOM says African migrant arrivals to Yemen hit a new low in May, with Djibouti the main departure point for most arrivals. Digital connectivity: EU-backed funding boosts East Africa’s internet backbone, including the Blue-Raman cable extension connecting Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania. Climate watch: The WMO warns El Niño is back, with likely impacts for the Horn including Djibouti during the June–September rainy season.