National Dialogue: Ethiopia has kicked off a National Dialogue Conference in Addis Ababa, bringing together regions, religious groups, civil society, youth and other stakeholders to tackle issues like national identity, state structure, social cohesion, corruption, institutions, human rights and post-conflict reconciliation, with PM Abiy calling it a chance to break the cycle from inflammatory rhetoric to violence. Public Health & Security: President Taye Atske Selassie marked the Ethiopian Public Health Institute’s Diamond Jubilee, stressing that protecting citizens’ health underpins development, economic growth and national security, and highlighting EPHI’s role in rapid response to outbreaks including COVID-19, Mpox and Marburg. GERD Economy: Benishangul-Gumuz reports that Lake Nigat—created by the GERD—produced 10,799 tons of fish in the concluded fiscal year, double the 2017 output, with 46 fishing associations now operating. Ethiopia-EU Talks: State Minister Semereta Sewasew met EU Commissioner Jozef Síkela to expand the Ethiopia-EU strategic partnership, focusing on trade, investment, development finance and sectors like renewable energy, manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics and digital transformation. Air Connectivity: Ethiopian Airlines’ new direct service to Mauritius is being framed as a major step for African connectivity, with the Mauritian president calling it a catalyst for tourism, trade and investment. Trade & Compliance: The U.S. is investigating whether Ethiopian-made solar cells using Chinese inputs are dodging Chinese import duties, while Ethiopia’s immigration service says only Kenya and Djibouti citizens can enter visa-free in 2026.