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Yearly Archives: 2025

The River Niger. A meeting place.

In Mali and Niger, the lives of millions of people depend on the Niger River. Forced to live with the terror of jihadist attacks and military reprisals, and under the threat of an increasingly harsh climate, the inhabitants of the two Sahelian countries entrust their destinies to a river, an inexhaustible source of life, which…

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Herbs & Plants. Flueggea virosa. A wide range of healing virtues.

The plant is a cornerstone in traditional medicine across tropical Africa, revered for its myriad therapeutic properties. It is well integrated into the fabric of human life, healing, preserving cultural heritage and maintaining ecological harmony.  Flueggea virosa, known for its dioecious nature, presents itself as a multi-stemmed shrub or occasionally as a spreading tree, reaching…

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Colombia. The Wayúu. The spider taught them how to weave.

In the northern tip of Colombia and Venezuela, an indigenous ethnic group has survived, proud of its artisanal tradition. From one stitch to another, this is the textile culture of the desert. According to the myths and traditions of the women of the Wayúu community, settled in the Colombian department of La Guajira, on the…

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Witnesses of Jubilee. Fr. Stan Swamy. “Pay the price” for justice.

The life of Fr. Stan is a testimony to the defence of the human rights of underprivileged peasants in India. His sentence and subsequent death in prison raised an outcry all over the world, but his inspiring witness to righteousness keeps the flame of justice alive. He was 84 years old. He had Parkinson’s disease,…

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Carlo Acutis. “God’s influencer”.

The life of Carlo Acutis, short and intense, has been an inspiration to many people around the world. He will be canonized on 27 April. “I am happy to die because I’ve lived my life without wasting even a minute of it doing things that wouldn’t have pleased God”.  A few days later, on 12…

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Nicaragua. One big prison.

Seven years have passed since the protests against the regime. Assassinations, desaparecidos, incarcerations and deportations have marked the life of this country during those years. The Ortega-Murillo dictatorship continues its repressive action undaunted. At the entrance to the habitation of Niquinohomo, a small village not far from Masaya, stands the statue of General Augusto César…

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Towards a “family dictatorship”.

Change of the constitution. The introduction of a co-presidency. Total control over legislative and judicial power. Establishing a voluntary police force as an auxiliary and support to the National Police. Towards a “family dictatorship”. On January 30, 2025, the National Assembly of Nicaragua approved a constitutional reform that significantly strengthened the power of President Daniel…

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An Unequal Economy.

Modest growth. A dramatic increase in remittances. Over a million people undernourished. Chinese domination. Political indoctrination in schools. The Oriental Market in the capital Managua is the largest market in Central America. A large labyrinth where you can find everything. In one of the shops I met Dona Elvira Arua Pimeda, she has been working…

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China in Syria. A New Opportunity.

The fall of the Assad regime pushes China to a political pragmatism that must take into account economic interests and delicate geopolitical balances. Future developments related to Chinese economic and political commitments in Syria will have an impact not only on the Damascus-Beijing strategic partnership, but also on Moscow and Tehran. Who will actively participate…

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The Leopard, the Dog and the Tortoise.

Once upon a time, there was a leopard. He had a huge walnut tree that was full of nuts. Stingy as he was, however, he forbade anyone to touch the nuts and threatened to kill them if they did so. The tortoise was also aware of the ban, but when he saw the ripe nuts,…

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Txai Suruí. “May our utopia be the future for the Earth”.

“Let’s stop the emissions of false and irresponsible promises, let’s put an end to the pollution of empty words and fight for a livable future and present.” Txai Suruí is 28 years old. She comes from a well-known and influential family of activists: her father is Chief Almir Suruí, who grew up in the Brazilian…

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Advocacy

Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari. A Steward of the Marañón…

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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Baobab

A Wise Grandmother.

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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Youth & Mission

Comboni Youth Jubilee. To live is to hope.

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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