Somalia Independence & diaspora culture: Birmingham’s Library lit up blue and white and the Somali flag was raised for the first time in the city, as Somalinimo 2026 celebrates Somali identity and the 1960 unification; in Mogadishu, the prime minister opened new development projects including a paved road, a modern agriculture ministry HQ, and a Diaspora Centre. Diplomacy & regional ties: India’s Jaishankar sent National Day greetings to Somalia’s FM, while Pakistan and Somalia marked Independence Day with pledges to deepen cooperation in education, trade, defense and maritime security. Security & daily life: A new look at Somalia’s war with Al-Shabaab says the conflict is stuck in a stalemate, with Mogadishu urged to strengthen training, involve federal states, and expand aid access while keeping dialogue on the table. Migration & rights pressure: Libya faces mass detention and collective expulsions of migrants after incendiary anti-migrant rhetoric sparked protests; meanwhile, South Africa’s anti-foreigner marches turned into looting and arrests, with Somali-origin shop owners among those hit. Work permits & TPS: After the Supreme Court move to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians, DHS set new work authorization expiration dates affecting nationals including Somalia. Community spotlight: A Columbus, Ohio city department deleted a post claiming it would raise the Somali flag at City Hall—sparking backlash and a debate over representation and belonging. Food systems: FAO opened its first Global Conference on Smart Farming, pushing tech and resilience for small-scale farmers.