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Monthly Archives: August 2018

Botswana. The African Exception.

The resource curse, also known as the paradox of abundance, is the theory that countries with an abundance of natural resources, such as oil and minerals, achieve less economic growth than countries that are not endowed with natural resources. However, there are some exceptions, and  Botswana is one of them. The case of this southern…

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Herbs & People. Momordica charantia. A unique anti-diabetic plant.

Commonly known as bitter melon or bitter gourd, it is a climbing vine whose leaves and green fruits have been used in traditional medicine to fight cancer, diabetes and many infectious diseases despite its being very bitter. It is a widely distributed plant especially in Africa, Asia, and South America.  This herbaceous, slender climber has…

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USA. Weapons And Social Malaise.

U.S. citizens possess at least 265 million of firearms with an average of 88 weapons to every 100 inhabitants, the highest in the world. The role of the powerful US gun lobby NRA (National Rifle Association). The second amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America establishes the fundamental right of citizens to…

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Ethiopia. Unbelievable changes.

Since his appointment in April, the new Prime Minister, Abyi Ahmed has provoked a strong wind of change all over the region. But challenges remain on the path of reform. Opponents call for a national convention to guarantee its sustainability. Even Abyi’s opponents are amazed by the succession of specacular events which have occured since…

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Cinema. The Black Star Of Hollywood.

‘The Black Panther’ by Ryan Coogler, the first superhero movie, is the greatest cultural moment of the year. The struggle for black self-determination in the American country. The Church of Christ Trinity of Chicago did it. The Virginia Baptist Church also did it. And even in Memphis’s New Direction Christian Church and Hill City Church…

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The Planet Is Our Home.

It surrounds us, It is in every place we go, on the street, on the beach or the woods. We see it when we climb a mountain or go for a swim. It is there, evidence of our wilful neglect or ingenious inventiveness. It is our own man-made friend and already a destructive enemy. It…

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Philippines. Feeding Street People.

For the last five years, a retired engineer and his wife have been feeding poor people on the streets almost every week, on Kamias Road in Quezon City. Nobody knows about it – neighbours, family members, and friends. “We do not advertise or brag about it,” Imelda said. “It is our expression of faith or…

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Ivory Coast. Breaking Chains.

For 35 years now, Grégoire Ahongbonon has been helping African mental patients, providing them with treatment care and work. In the final analysis: ‘They are no different from ourselves’. Grégoire Ahongbonon, 65, originally from Benin, is no psychiatrist. He does not even have any health-care training. He is a mechanic by trade. But he has…

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The Reasons For Israel’s Fear Of Iran.

Bogus accusations against Iran as a manufacturer of nuclear arms. The Israeli government fears Iran may change the balance of power in the Middle East, compelling it to respect the rights of Palestinians. The Iranian nuclear question is again dominating the international political scene. It has obscured the deep crises in Syrian, Yemen and Libya,…

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How The Monkeys Saved The Fish.

The rainy season that year had been the strongest ever and the river had broken its banks. There were floods everywhere and the animals were all running up into the hills. The floods came so fast that many drowned except the lucky monkeys who used their proverbial agility to climb up into the treetops. They…

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The ‘No’ to Injustice.

“We are the ‘No’ that God scrawls on the wall,” said Cardinal Joseph Tobin, addressing a gathering of Faith leaders in Newark. He had first voiced that it is “the little person who goes into the square in the middle of town in the dark of the night and scrawls on the wall, ‘No’ ” that…

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The forgotten Real Issues.

If we analyse the actual reality of the continent from a security point of view we can see that if the fight against terrorism and insurgencies in Africa seems to be the priority for external partners, there are others major security issues that are not managed properly. But foreigners are not giving them the same…

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Advocacy

Rajagopal. Towards a dignified life.

As Gandhi's heir, he brought the method of non-violence to the conflicts of youth gangs and peasant marches for land rights. In May he was…

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Baobab

Aborigine Myth. The creation of the world.

A long time ago, Yhi, the goddess of the Sun, created the animals. She brought them to life by removing them from the icy depths of…

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Youth & Mission

Pope to WYD participants: Lisbon 2023 a chance to grow…

Pope Francis has sent a video message to young people registered for World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, on 1-6 August, and urges them to prepare…

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