Climate & Food Security: UNICEF warns 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa face worsening El Niño risks, with Somalia among the hardest hit as severe flooding could disrupt food, health, water and schooling. Public Finance & Payroll Integrity: The World Bank backs Kenya’s and Somalia’s public sector reforms, pushing tighter payroll controls, unified payroll numbers, and cleanup of county payrolls using Auditor-General findings. Digital Infrastructure Investment: WIOCC Group secured a $300m investment from Africa Finance Corporation and Vision Invest to expand open-access fibre, data centres and subsea assets across Africa. Regional Security in Somalia: Puntland President Deni ordered tougher controls in Bari—banning unpermitted weapons and restricting vehicles that can conceal arms—while Somalia’s federal leadership also held internal security transition talks. Trade Policy: Somalia published a list of three banned import/export categories: charcoal, narcotics/controlled substances, and counterfeit goods. Somalia’s Foreign Economic Push: Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre met Qatari state firms and investors to pitch fisheries, energy, tourism and transport deals. Maritime Risk Link: Reports say al-Shabaab and Yemen’s Houthis are deepening cooperation, raising concerns for Gulf of Aden shipping and regional stability.