Desertification Watch: China’s “Green Great Wall” is still planting at massive scale, but scientists warn the approach needs a rethink: fast-growing plantations can stabilize sand in the short term, yet may be temporary for long-term carbon storage and ecosystem resilience, raising concerns for biodiversity and soil health. Climate & Livelihoods: A new IGAD-backed, ECHO-funded initiative (IMPAACT) is launching anticipatory action systems across the Greater Horn to protect people from compounding drought/flood and conflict shocks—aiming to close the gap between early warnings and timely help. Water & Soil Conservation: Eritrea’s Students’ Summer Work Program has started in the Central Region, with 7,379 students set to build 700,000 terraces and plant 220,000 tree seedlings, and most participants focused on water and soil conservation. Coastal Agriculture: Eritrea’s date palm push is underway along the Red Sea coast, with 50,000 seedlings planted so far and plans to expand—linking arid-zone farming to environmental and economic gains. Red Sea Border Incident: Eritrean naval forces detained a Yemeni fishing boat near the maritime border after it drifted in rough winds, confiscating gear and leaving the fisherman without his livelihood. Access to Nature & Safety: Eritrean community groups abroad are upgrading safety infrastructure, including installing fire sprinklers in a Seattle Eritrean community center. Internet Affordability: Eritrea is highlighted as having the world’s least attainable internet access for ordinary people, with extremely high per-data costs that deepen the digital divide.