Struggles

This year, Orthodox Christians in war-ravaged Gaza are facing a deeply somber Christmas. With escalating conflict enveloping the region, it feels as though the holiday spirit has been extinguished, leaving worshippers lamenting the absence of gifts and joy for their children. In the Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City, a small gathering of around a dozen Orthodox Christians met for the traditional service, even as the sounds of battle echoed throughout the Palestinian enclave. Amidst the turmoil, Archbishop Alexios of…

It’s painfully clear that this Christmas is shaping up to be one of the darkest for countless Nigerians. This isn’t due to a lack of enthusiasm or spirit; far from it! The issue at hand is a stark economic reality that makes the notion of celebration seem almost impossible. Ikechukwu Amaechi articulates this sentiment in The Vanguard, stating that the prevailing conditions are dampening the joys of the season. He highlights that this year's festivities feel more like a distant dream. Families are grappling with financial…

North Western State of Somalia's Upcoming Election: Muse Bihi Grapples with Defections and Sovereignty Struggle HARGEISA, Somalia - Muse Bihi Abdi, the leader of North Western State of Somalia, faces considerable challenges in the upcoming election as over a million voters prepare to choose their new leader. This vote is poised to be a pivotal moment for the self-declared autonomous region, which is pushing hard for global recognition. Bihi, who once piloted jets in the Air Force, now witnesses the departure of his deputy,…

In a stunning UEFA Champions League showdown, players from FC Barcelona rejoiced after defeating Bayern Munich 4-1 on October 23, 2024, in the vibrant city of Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua) FC Barcelona’s dynamic striker, Raphinha, dazzled the crowd with a hat-trick that secured the home team a crucial victory against Bayern Munich. Earlier this week, Raphinha expressed feeling 'disrespected' due to altered images of Nico Williams donning his jersey during the summer. The Brazilian maestro proved why letting…

Mogadishu (AX) — For many years, Somalia has been caught in a storm of turmoil, poverty, and uprooting that's left the nation's mental health in shambles. This dire situation has largely been ignored, as highlighted by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). "Women and kids are really taking the hardest hit," they noted in a recent report, pointing to the intensifying mental stress blanketing these already strained communities. From the start of 2024 to September, MSF's dedicated mental health squads have…

One year has passed since a cataclysmic earthquake ravaged the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, and the people on the ground express a sense of frustration over the sluggish pace of rebuilding efforts. Many remain in temporary tents, while others have been compelled to relocate entirely. Lisa Bryant reports for VOA on the ongoing struggle for recovery. This seismic event, registering a staggering 6.8 on the Richter scale, was the most powerful earthquake to strike Morocco in over a century. It hit on September 8, 2023,…

Inundating rains have unleashed a wave of flooding and destruction across various cities and towns in West and Central Africa, affecting millions of lives. This deluge has ignited humanitarian emergencies in countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Mali, Ghana, and Liberia, with a staggering estimate of four million individuals, most of whom are children, caught in the turmoil.

Somalia at 61: Struggles, Pain and Hope MOGADISHU, Somalia - Exactly 61 years ago today, the Blue Flag was hoisted in several parts of Somalia, with citizens thronging the streets to celebrate independence after the Italians gave up and returned to Rome, but leaving behind them traces of colonialism. Already, messages of goodwill have started pouring in congratulating Somalis on their…