Spark

On Thursday morning, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened a roundtable discussion with business leaders, focusing on the implications of "Liberation Day". During his remarks to the media, Starmer's tone was noticeably more assertive. "Last night, the President of the United States acted for his country, and that is his mandate. Today, I will act in Britain's interests," he stated, conveying a sense of determination. Following former President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 10% tariff on the UK and a 25% tariff on…

Love's Silent Cry in Berbera: A Community Reflects In the heart of Berbera, a city steeped in both historical richness and modern complexity, two young souls recently embarked on a path of desperation, shaking the very core of this close-knit community. The stories unfolding are more than isolated incidents; they echo a series of emotional crises rooted deeply in societal and cultural dilemmas. This past Tuesday, two individuals, caught in the throes of…

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…

On the 20th of January, a palpable wave of relief washed over European leaders when Donald Trump, during his inauguration speech, elected to forego any mention of tariffs impacting European goods. Yet this sense of ease was fleeting. Just hours later, as he disembarked from Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, he greeted reporters with a pointed remark: "It will definitely happen with the European Union." How quickly the horizon can darken when it comes to transatlantic relations. Trump's self-assured declarations painted a…

As the climate clock ticks, keeping the global temperature rise beneath the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius is proving to be a monumental challenge. This escalating predicament is echoing in the halls of power at the United Nations, where top advisers are sounding alarm bells. The urgency was starkly highlighted in an open letter that made waves this week, calling for massive reforms in the COP climate talks framework. To add fuel to the fire, the election of Donald Trump, coupled with rising political divisions…

FILE - On the date of April 8, 2023, Ethiopian Minister Abiy Ahmed was present at the graduation event for recruits at the Ethiopian military school. Mogadishu (AX) — Ethiopia's hustle for a grip on the Red Sea is heating things up in the Horn of Africa. This tug-of-war among Ethiopia, Djibouti, Egypt, and Somalia might just change the political scene there. At the heart of it all is the fierce scramble for control over the vital Red Sea route. A big piece of the puzzle is Ethiopia’s port deal with North Western State of…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A fierce storm is brewing in Somalia's delicate democracy, fueled by the discord over proposed changes to the constitution. These changes are spearheaded by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who stands firm despite a brewing political tempest. Hassan Sheikh envisions a shift to elections by universal suffrage, moving away from the elder-dominated political approach. For thirty years, Somalia has operated under this indirect system amid persistent turmoil. Amidst fierce constitutional debate on…