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Monthly Archives: June 2018

Beyond the Dark Web: Arms Trafficking in the Digital Age.

In October 2013, the US Justice Department announced the arrest of Ross Ulbricht, the founder and operator of ‘Silk Road,’ a massive online marketplace for drugs and other illicit goods. Authorities called it ‘the most sophisticated and extensive criminal marketplace on the Internet’ and estimated that it had facilitated the transfer of more than a…

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Latin America. The starting point of all the routes.

The mingling of drug trafficking and terrorist/guerrilla organisations also involves Latin America which, as is well known, is the homeland of drug trafficking. The new geographic mafia is making increasing inroads into the growing economies of the sub-continent. One of these is Mexico which, besides being a new geopolitical and geo-economic actor in the region,…

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India. Another Side.

It is called Sarva Seva Sangh which means “a community at the service of all”. It was founded by the Divine Word Missionaries and is especially dedicated to helping the street children of Pune. Pune, the eighth city in India, two hours’ drive from the great metropolis of Mumbai, increased enormously in size in recent…

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Mexico. “I could be killed anytime”.

Commitment to work side by side with immigrants right to the end. A Church up and running. The testimony of Fr. Thomas Gonzalez. “I have received many threats. I know I could be killed but I am not afraid. I have dedicated my entire life to the defence of the weakest. I always ask myself…

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Mali. Helping The Street Children Of Bamako.

One evening, Mamadou Touré had just left the disco and was walking back home when a child came up to him and told him that he was very hungry. Mamadu could not remain indifferent, and since then, every evening, he drives around his town to help children living on the street. Every evening when Inizio…

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Catholic priests. They are the Target.

In the last three months, eight priests and dozens of Christians have also been killed.  At least 24 people were killed when an armed group attacked the church of Notre Dame de Fatima in Bangui, capital of Central African Republic, on May 1. Father Albert Toungourmale-Baba was among the victims. The church is not far…

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Youth Synod: “Young people are a treasure for our people”.

In view of the XV General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, dedicated to young people, to be held next October 2018, many local churches are organizing activities and events with the youth. A few examples. In Kenya, the diocese of Ngong has organised the Year of Youth whose theme is: “You are the Light of…

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Groups in the galaxy of terror.

Among the groups belonging to the radical Islamic galaxy, a fundamentally important role was played by the Al Qaeda of Islamic Maghreb (AQMI) which now controls the routes in the area of the Gulf of Guinea and the Maghreb leading to Europe. Among the criminal organisations most involved in business with the Islamic terrorist groups…

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SIPRI. World Military Expenditure Up.

Total world military expenditure rose to $1,739 billion in 2017, a marginal increase of 1.1% in real terms from 2016, according to new figures  from the  Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) After 13 consecutive years of increases from 1999 to 2011 and relatively unchanged spending from 2012 to 2016, total global military expenditure rose…

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Drug Trafficking and Terrorism.

Drug trafficking is a global business. It is finding its way ever more perniciously into growing economies, corrupting and destabilising them while making them the target of the  leading extra-regional powers,  altering the geopolitical equilibrium of the future. This is evident when we consider drug trafficking as a new form of geopolitical power or, rather,…

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Territory control.

The colossal and internationally important business of drug trafficking, now run by criminals of all races, is also participated in by various factions of terrorist groups and guerrillas. According to data provided by the DEA (Drugs Enforcement Agency) entitled ‘Combating organised international crime’, it emerges that the ties between drug trafficking and terrorism continue to…

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Advocacy

Angie Torres. A refugee among refugees.

Forced to flee Colombia, she has managed to rebuild her life in Ecuador. Now she defends the human rights of migrants and in particular of…

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Baobab

Brazil. The violin's sound.

There was a man who had an only son. When the man died, the son was left all alone in the world. There were not many…

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Youth & Mission

What do Africa's youth have to say about the future…

The latest African Youth Survey from the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, a leading African foundation promoting active citizenship across the continent, provides a comprehensive look at the…

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