National Dialogue Watch: Ethiopia’s long-awaited National Dialogue Conference is now in full swing in Addis Ababa, with 4,000+ participants set to debate eight major pillars and aim for binding consensus next month, while northern tensions in Tigray remain a reminder that peace is still fragile. Tourism & Cities: Addis Ababa’s corridor development is boosting tourism beyond transit, with the city reporting 221+ international conferences in the latest fiscal year—up from 150+ the year before—signaling stronger business travel pull. Wildlife & Conservation: Ethiopia marks the 60th anniversary of its Wildlife Conservation Authority, with cheetah expert Dr. Laurie Marker joining events and a panel in Addis Ababa to spotlight community-led conservation. Safety & Security: Ethiopian and Dubai police say they arrested two alleged human traffickers tied to moving 105 Ethiopians to Dubai, including claims of assault and torture, and secured extradition back to Ethiopia. Travel Policy Pressure: UK visa rules are tightening for applicants from 33 African countries, with tougher credibility checks affecting tourism and study plans—another headache for travelers with family milestones. Aviation Connectivity: South Korea and Algeria agreed to launch direct air services, with traffic rights for up to four weekly passenger and cargo flights.