Tens of thousands of people have died in Somalia's famine, and aid agencies warned two weeks ago that another 750,000 are at great risk of death in the next few months.
By comparison, 70 bomb deaths may seem unworthy of big headlines around the world. But the front-page stories about the shameful Mogadishu blast were fully appropriate, because they remind us that political failure is behind Somalia's crisis. The shock value of the bomb planted by the Islamist group Al Shabab may at least sweep away the world's donor fatigue and political despair and re-energise the old debate over how to fix a failed state.
Anyone who doubts that this crisis is political in origin should consider that drought has also ruined crops in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. But those states function. Aid agencies can operate, food can be distributed and people can survive and remain in their homes.
But in Somalia, most of the factions in the loosely-organised Al Shabab have barred western aid agencies. Mogadishu's port is moribund, Al Shabab controls Kismayo port and pirates infest coastal waters.
In the arid desperation of Somalia, even Al Shabab seems to have been failing. The movement abandoned most of Mogadishu this summer, probably because it could not feed the populace. But the weak UN-backed government has wasted this opportunity to win support.
Al Shabab is promising more bombings, always a sign of weakness. However, excluding Somalia's Islamists from political life, the policy pursued by the US and its allies, notably Ethiopia, can only perpetuate the nihilism we saw this week. Finding a way to persuade the Islamists through dialogue that there is an alternative to never-ending bloodshed is an option worth exploring. It is also time to rethink bans on aid, imposed to penalise militants but which have hurt the public far more.
There is at least one other promising approach. A UN monitoring group noted in July that "Al-Shabab's greatest asset today is its economic strength," including $15 million a year from taxing exports of charcoal, much of which moves through the Gulf. The UN unit urged Dubai and Sharjah in particular to clamp down on this trade.
But while economic leverage - and good intelligence - can help, the solution to this political problem will ultimately be political. After years of failure, a new openness could lead the international community towards helping the hungry.
Company%20Profile
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PSG's line up
GK: Alphonse Areola (youth academy)
Defence - RB: Dani Alves (free transfer); CB: Marquinhos (€31.4 million); CB: Thiago Silva (€42m); LB: Layvin Kurzawa (€23m)
Midfield - Angel di Maria (€47m); Adrien Rabiot (youth academy); Marco Verratti (€12m)
Forwards - Neymar (€222m); Edinson Cavani (€63m); Kylian Mbappe (initial: loan; to buy: €180m)
Total cost: €440.4m (€620.4m if Mbappe makes permanent move)
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
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MATCH INFO
Watford 2 (Sarr 50', Deeney 54' pen)
Manchester United 0
Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The figures behind the event
1) More than 300 in-house cleaning crew
2) 165 staff assigned to sanitise public areas throughout the show
3) 1,000 social distancing stickers
4) 809 hand sanitiser dispensers placed throughout the venue
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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England v South Africa schedule:
- First Test: At Lord's, England won by 219 runs
- Second Test: July 14-18, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 2pm
- Third Test: The Oval, London, July 27-31, 2pm
- Fourth Test: Old Trafford, Manchester, August 4-8
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.