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The emergence of kush, a synthetic concoction derived primarily from marshmallow leaves, marks a troubling chapter in West Africa's battle against substance abuse. First surfacing in Sierra Leone during the early 2020s, this alarming trend quickly gained traction, infiltrating neighboring nations such as Liberia, Guinea, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal. What drives this rapid proliferation? Is it the ease of production or the allure of a cheap high that beckons many into its addictive embrace? Initially, kush might…

In a recent incident involving a Ryanair flight bound for Milan, nine passengers sustained injuries after the aircraft was compelled to make an emergency landing in southern Germany due to severe turbulence caused by a thunderstorm last night. According to Bavarian police, the adverse weather conditions prompted the pilot to make the precautionary landing in Memmingen, located approximately 113 km west of Munich. "Safety is our utmost priority, and the captain acted accordingly," the police stated. Fortunately, the plane…

The opioid epidemic in Ghana is becoming a grave concern, particularly as it grips the nation’s youth. The surge in addiction to a street drug known colloquially as "Red" is triggering alarm bells among health authorities, transforming a troubling trend into a full-blown public health crisis. What lies behind this escalating issue? Opioids, typically prescribed for pain relief, turn treacherous when misused. Their addictive nature can ensnare individuals with alarming rapidity. Recent videos circulating on social media…

"We hadn't encountered anything like it before; the intensity was unlike any infectious disease we had ever faced," reflected former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the recent launch of a compelling new book that chronicles Liberia's struggle against the Ebola virus. Titled Stepping Up to the Plate: Liberia's Untold Ebola Story, this publication emerges from a collaborative effort by the Liberia Institute for Growing Patriotism and the Angie Brooks International Centre for Women's Empowerment. The book aims to shed light…

Tragic events have unfolded in South Korea as wildfires have claimed at least 24 lives, marking one of the most catastrophic wildfire outbreaks in the nation's history. The acting president characterized the damage as “unprecedented,” reflecting the widespread impact these fires have had on communities. Over the weekend, a series of wildfires erupted, particularly devastating the southeast region of the country. This calamity has forced approximately 27,000 residents to evacuate urgently, with flames cutting off access…

Somalia at a Crossroad: Madobe Critiques the Government KISMAYO, Somalia - In a forthright and impassioned address, Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, the influential leader of Jubaland, offered a scathing critique of the current administration in Somalia. His discontent was vividly evident as he described a leadership that, in his view, mirrors a private enterprise rather than a government by the people, for the people. "How can a nation thrive," he seemed to question, "when its leaders act more like CEOs than public servants?"…

For over 17 years, the PSMN has diligently tracked the ebb and flow of internal displacement. October's tally revealed around 66,000 displacements, with conflict and insecurity uprooting 50,000 people, while climate calamities like droughts and floods displaced 3,000, according to UNHCR’s update from Mogadishu, the bustling capital of Somalia. When new homes and communities are torn apart, the foremost needs of displaced families become crystal clear: food, shelter, water, viable livelihoods, and essential healthcare. These…

Spain has faced catastrophe as flash floods transformed serene village lanes into torrents, obliterating homes, halting transit, and claiming at least 95 lives in what many deem the nation's most dire natural calamity of recent memory. Torrential downpours battered southern and eastern Spain from Tuesday through Wednesday, impacting areas from Malaga to Valencia. Vehicles became playthings in the rushing water, while debris and household goods spun in the rapidly rising currents. Police and rescuers employed helicopters and…

As Hurricane Milton approaches, it has diminished slightly but remains a formidable Category 4 storm, posing a serious threat to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on its trajectory toward Florida. In response to the storm’s path, authorities have ordered the evacuation of over a million residents in its anticipated wake. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted, “Milton is expected to maintain its dangerous status as it nears Florida’s shores.” The densely populated west coast of Florida, still recovering from the devastating…

MOGADISHU, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) — Over 342,000 individuals have been uprooted from their homes in Somalia since January 2024, thrust into uncertainty by conflict, climate woes, and rampant insecurity, as per the latest briefing from the United Nations refugee agency. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)-led Protection and Monitoring Returns Network disclosed that a significant 23,000 were displaced just in August. Among these, 43 percent were forced to flee due to clashes, instability, and natural calamities like…