Refugee & Asylum Pressure: Kenya’s refugee and asylum-seeker population hit a record 857,065, with Eritreans and Burundians among the fastest-growing groups, as Burundians face a crackdown on small businesses and seek documents. Diaspora Commemoration: Eritreans in the UK, Sweden, and elsewhere marked the 65th anniversary of the armed struggle’s start, with officials urging unity and passing history to younger generations. Education & Youth Recognition: The Denden Award honored 77 top students in Dekemhare, while other schools in Gala-Nefhi, Asmara, and Barentu recognized high-GPA performers—especially highlighting strong participation by girls. Community Culture Abroad: Eritrean nationals in Canada held a vibrant community festival in Toronto to strengthen harmony, unity, and cultural identity. Digital Heritage: Three Eritrean developers unveiled Afro Verse, an AI-powered VR demo designed to preserve Eritrean culture through immersive digital storytelling. Interfaith & Values: A US-based council discussion stressed “the middle path,” religious freedom, and education as tools to build pluralism and counter extremism. Global Migration Spotlight: In South Africa, asylum seekers—including Eritreans—protested closed reception offices after a court ruling said undocumented people can’t be deported for lack of access. US Green Card Lottery: The US State Department published DV-2026 selections, listing Eritrea among participating countries (206 selected entrants).