Worldwide

DRC: peacekeeping force decides to withdraw

01 May 2025
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has begun withdrawing its peacekeeping force from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Rwanda. The troops, from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania are exiting Goma in North Kivu and…

Brazil: seeking to restore the land with seed and songs

01 May 2025
In Brazil’s hottest region, the Maxakali indigenous people are restoring life to their ancestral land through an agroforestry project called Hāmhi Terra Viva. Amid soaring temperatures and rampant wildfires worsened by invasive guinea grass (introduced by…

Japan / Philippines: reaffirming commitment to cooperation and security

01 May 2025
Japanese prime minister Ishiba Shigeru and Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr have reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to peace, stability, and resistance to foreign aggression in the Indo-Pacific. The leaders highlighted expanding defence, economic, and diplomatic cooperation,…

Catholic Church: after Francis, who?

24 Apr 2025
As preparations are made for Pope Francis’s funeral, there is already much speculation about who might succeed him, a risky process as supposed ‘front-runners’ are seldom elected. Also, Francis’ appointments of many new cardinals have complicated…