persist

Somalia’s Security Imperative: A Nation Under Siege MOGADISHU, Somalia - A somber morning unfolds in the bustling city of Mogadishu, where the echoes of recent terror attacks still linger in the air. Amid this unsettling backdrop, Somalia's President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has voiced grave concerns over a menacing surge of violence, orchestrated by the infamous Al-Shabaab, within the vicinity of Halane, the city's bastion of security. Nestled as a fortified haven amidst a city fraught with uncertainties, Halane stands…

Remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa: A Complex and Expensive Journey Imagine this scenario: You're working hard in a foreign land, far from the warmth of your home, trying to make a better life for yourself and those you've left behind. Every month, you send a portion of your earnings back home. It’s a lifeline, not just for your family, but for the economy of your homeland. Now, consider the irony — while your remittances are crucial, the cost of sending this money can sometimes feel like an insurmountable barrier.…

Last month, the world witnessed a significant diplomatic development when Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement. The aftermath of this breakthrough sparked a heated dialogue about who deserved the credit: was it Joe Biden or Donald Trump? President Biden was quick to assert that the framework for the ceasefire closely mirrored the one crafted by his administration in May. There's merit to his claim; indeed, the agreement's primary structure was largely in place. However, an addition was made in early January — a…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has informed the United Nations that military operations against Hezbollah will persist, effectively squashing any hopes for the 21-day ceasefire advocated by France and the United States earlier this week. “Hezbollah has made a choice, and that choice is war. Therefore, Israel must act, and we possess every right to safeguard our citizens and ensure their safe return home,” Netanyahu stated during his address to the UN General Assembly. He emphasized that offensive actions against…

Recently, tragedy struck in KwaZulu-Natal when two individuals succumbed to the perilous effects of hypothermia after being ensnared by a relentless snowstorm on the N3 highway. This heartbreaking incident unfolded over the weekend, showcasing the unforgiving nature of winter weather. As snow blanketed the roads, rendering them treacherous, many motorists found themselves caught in an unexpected deluge of white. The sudden onset of severe weather can often catch drivers off guard, emphasizing the critical need for caution…

As Hezbollah’s chief, Hassan Nasrallah, stood before the camera for a televised address on Thursday, the unmistakable sound of Israeli jets roaring overhead delivered a stark warning. This sonic disruption served not only to interrupt his speech but also to instill fear in many viewers across Lebanon, a message underscored by the previous week’s bombings targeting Hezbollah's communications systems. The blasts resulted in numerous fatalities, left countless individuals injured, and reverberated across the nation,…

Libya's ceasefire has been held since it was reached in October, and rival parties continue talks at the negotiating table, but the road to a permanent political solution that will end the nearly decade-long civil war and bring peace to the country still hangs in the balance due to deep divisions over a transition leader. The UN has "succeeded in accelerating the pace of inter-Libyan negotiations by exerting pressure on all parties, as much at the military level as the political level," Miloud el-Hajj,…