After diamonds and minerals, soft drinks and other products are increasingly profiting from bloodshed. Most of the world’s supply of Gum Arabic, which the food industry relies on, is controlled by Sudanese warlords. Moreover, alternatives are unlikely to emerge soon. Traditionally, gum Arabic, derived from the sap of acacia trees, serves as an emulsifier in…
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The feast of Santa Vera Cruz marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of a new life cycle. It is considered the fertility feast for the regeneration of human and animal life. According to oral narratives, the festival was anciently celebrated on a stone bearing the sign of a cross, a symbol of…
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Determined to protect his homeland from mining, Batmunkh Luvsandash’s activism resulted in the creation of a 66,000-acre protected area in Dornogovi province in April 2022, abutting tens of thousands of acres already protected by Batmunkh and allies. Mongolia is a large and sparsely populated nation – with numerous nomadic and semi-nomadic communities – whose economy…
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During his pontificate, Pope Francis has placed young people at the centre of his pastoral attention, recognising them as key players in building a better future. He has sought a sincere and profound dialogue with new generations, addressing their challenges and encouraging them to be agents of change in society and the Church. Below are…
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Video makers, sculptors, painters and creative Sudanese have taken part in the civil society protests of recent years, but after the outbreak of the conflict they had to leave. In Nairobi they have enriched an active and supportive community of artists. We met some of them at the Kuona Artists Collective. Yassir Ali Mohammed is…
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Poverty, peace, creation and mercy are the four pillars of the intense adventure of the first Pope, called “from the far side of the world”. Peripheries always at the centre. Preference for the poorest. An outgoing Church. Starting from his choice of name, Bergoglio wants to give a clear indication of what his pontificate will…
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There is a Catholic minority in Mauritius, but it is highly valued by both the government and the population for its traditional contribution to social work, in collaboration with the other numerous religious groups present in the country. Mauritius today has over 1 million,300 thousand inhabitants, mostly Hindus, Buddhists and Confucians (50%); over 32% are…
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Once upon a time, there was a girl of enchanting beauty. Her name was Nyanjira. She had soft, smooth skin and a very sweet smile that was always just a little intriguing. What particularly caught people’s attention, however, was her lower teeth. Not because they were as white as milk or particularly well aligned, but…
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From dependence on sugar cane to diversification into tourism, financial services and innovation, Mauritius looks like a parable with few equals in Africa. But between threats from the climate crisis and transparency issues, there are plenty of question marks. Over the past few decades, Mauritius has gone from being an economy based on the monoculture…
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Chinese firms are present in over a third of all African port developments, some of which could be used for expanded Chinese naval presence on the continent. Chinese state-owned firms are active stakeholders in an estimated 78 ports across 32 African countries as builders, financiers, or operators. Chinese port developments are concentrated in West Africa,…
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On October 23, 1996, in Bukavu, Mons. Christophe Munzihirwa was captured by the forces of the AFDL (Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo) led by Laurent Kabila. The rebels killed him. The streets were deserted, the people were holed up in their homes, and corpses lay in the streets of the city.…
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On Pentecost Tuesday, 22 May 1888, a crowd of two hundred faithful arrived at the sanctuary of Popenguine on foot, on horseback and in pirogues to venerate Our Lady of Deliverance for the first time. Over more than a century, this pilgrimage, which now attracts nearly 100,000 people each year, has become one of the…
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The river is sacred to the Kukama people, who believe that their ancestors reside on the river floor. They are ready to protect the Marañón…
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Like the other farmers, Taro also grew rice, wheat, and vegetables, living in peace and contentment. However, things never remain the same. One time, there was no rainfall,…
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From 24 to 27 July, hundreds of young people from the Comboni youth movements across Europe will gather in Milan, Verona, and Florence, Italy, in preparation…
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