hope

La Liga Update: A Weekend of Drama and Triumph This weekend, La Liga served up a delightful mix of triumph and tension, featuring standout performances from Kylian Mbappe and Arda Güler. The dynamic duo propelled Real Madrid to a thrilling 3-2 victory against Celta Vigo, showcasing how the beautiful game can hold our hearts in suspense until the very last whistle. Can you recall a moment in sports that left you on the edge of your seat? It’s precisely the kind of elation that sports fans live for. Real Madrid’s journey…

In a poignant address that resonates deeply with the realities facing many Nigerians, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), recently sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s worsening economic landscape. His words serve not just as a critique but as a wake-up call: the average Nigerian is now grappling with an economic state that is, alarmingly, worse than it was at independence in 1960. Dr. Adesina's remarks were made during a keynote address at the 20th anniversary dinner of the…

An Irish-Syrian citizen who fled Aleppo in 2014 recently returned to her home city, only to find it "completely destroyed." Dentist Loujin Shakerdi has made Maynooth, Co. Kildare, her home since her arrival in Ireland nearly a decade ago. However, the lingering effects of the 13-year civil war she escaped have left an indelible mark on her heart, igniting a strong desire to return and lend a helping hand. During a recent five-day humanitarian medical mission, the 25-year-old found herself stationed in Maarat al-Numan, a…

The truth commission in The Gambia, a relatively young institution born in 2018, stands as a beacon of hope amid the shadows of a troubled past. This vital body has accused numerous officials from the regime of former president Yahya Jammeh of heinous acts, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and a slew of other human rights atrocities. Each of these allegations unfurls stories of grief, loss, and injustice that echo throughout the national psyche. Take, for instance, the recent issuance of an arrest…

The narrative of aid to Africa is undergoing a monumental shift. We find ourselves at a crossroads, where the often-discussed topic of aid dependence comes face-to-face with the harsh reality of aid cuts, particularly those announced by countries historically viewed as partners. Former Ghanaian President John Mahama sees this moment as Africa’s chance to pivot from reliance to resilience. A compelling notion, indeed, yet it provokes a fundamental question: Will Africa's leaders seize this moment of reckoning to shoulder more…

When tragedy hits home, it echoes painfully through the lives of those left behind. Leyla Mahmud Ahmed was no exception to this heartache, as she grappled with indescribable anguish over the execution of her brother, Mohamed Nur Hussein, in Saudi Arabia. The ruling, she emphatically claims, was unjust and devastatingly felt by her family. (Credit: Supplied via BBC) Mogadishu (AX) — The grim news was delivered with chilling finality: Mohamed Nur Hussein, a Somali man detained for seven long years in Saudi Arabia, had been…

As the ceasefire extends into its seventh day, the residents of Gaza are grappling with the grim aftermath of a staggering 15 months drenched in tragedy and chaos. This week, the health ministry—operating under Hamas—reported a staggering death toll of 47,283, a figure that is grimly expected to climb higher as the debris is sifted and more bodies are discovered beneath the ruins. The erasure of Gaza's infrastructure is nothing short of catastrophic: approximately two-thirds of buildings that once stood have either…

In the heart of Los Angeles, amidst the chaos of wildfire devastation, a heartwarming scene unfolded at a donation center, transforming a routine day into a vibrant tribute to community spirit. Meet Oliver Lee, a spirited six-year-old with a heart bigger than his tiny frame. Alongside his father, Danny, this little champion was busy handing out bottled water like it was candy at a birthday party. Their base of operations? The Santa Anita Park racetrack in Arcadia—right in the trenches of the Eaton Fire devastation. As…

The landscape of childhood is undergoing profound transformations, with UNICEF's latest flagship report, ‘The State of the World’s Children 2024: The Future of Childhood in a Changing World,’ shedding light on these crucial shifts just in time for World Children’s Day. This insightful report delves into the repercussions of three impending global trends that are redefining the lives of young people worldwide. It highlights alarming statistics, revealing that children now face a staggering eightfold increase in exposure to…

World Toilet Day serves as a critical reminder of the pressing need for clean and safe toilets, particularly within Africa. The United Nations highlights a concerning reality— progress is lagging significantly behind in the race to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of providing "safe toilets for all by 2030." Currently, around 3.5 billion individuals across the globe are without access to basic sanitation. In various African nations such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, and…