U.S. Visa Policy: The U.S. has made its refundable “visa bond” programme permanent, effective Aug 3, allowing consular officers to require certain B1 business and B2 tourist applicants from 50 countries (including Djibouti) to post deposits up to $20,000 before a visa is issued—refunded if travellers comply and leave on time, forfeited if they overstay. Regional Security & Shipping: Saudi Arabia has unveiled a multinational maritime defence alliance to protect Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb routes, naming Djibouti among participating African states alongside Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia, as attacks and rerouting keep raising trade costs. Djibouti Education: Qatar Charity has started building two primary schools in Djibouti with the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training, aiming to ease overcrowding and improve learning conditions. Ethiopia–Somalia/AUSSOM: Ethiopia reaffirmed support for AUSSOM and Somalia’s security transition at a Kampala summit, stressing that hard-won gains in the Horn must not be reversed. Tigray Update: EEPA reports renewed clashes between ENDF and TPLF in western Tigray near Shererina, with heavy artillery, mechanized units and drones involved.