Video. Afro-Brazilians pay tribute to their sea goddess to mark the New Year
The celebration comes from the Candomblé and Umbanda religions which came about as the religions of West African slaves brought to Brazil in the 16th century merged with Catholicism.
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France 24
08-05-2025
- France 24
'A blessing': US Catholics celebrate first American pope
Outside Manhattan's imposing St. Patrick's Cathedral, 66-year-old Rosaria Vigorito, an artist from Miami, said she could "feel the excitement just in the few minutes I've been walking around." She said she hoped Pope Leo, a 69-year-old from Chicago who spent much of his career in Peru, would be a reformist. "I have one issue with the Catholic Church that I'm hoping they'll correct, and that is allowing women to become priests," she said, a crucifix around her neck. "I think Mary Magdalene was an important apostle. There was a press release issued by the Vatican years ago -- they called her the apostle to the apostles." Crowds of faithful and journalists had gathered around lunchtime outside the church that first opened its doors in 1879, with hundreds of worshippers filing in to pray and light candles. A news ticker outside the nearby Fox News building announced the shock news to the city. Oscar Salvador, 45, a laborer from Mexico, said he hoped the new pope would be able to stem the tide of people leaving the church. "I believe it is a blessing for the people of America," he said. "Hopefully, he will leave a good legacy... so that more people stay in Catholicism, since lately we have seen many people leave for other religious sects." American worshipper Tim Anderson, 61, said Leo's strength would lie in his languages -- reportedly speaking English, Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese -- in addition to reading Latin and German. "I'm still working on English so I think it's gonna be interesting in this day and age where there's so much craziness," he laughed. "Maybe he can bring back a little bit of what I remember as a child growing up a Roman Catholic -- and how full the churches were back then." 'Welcoming to everybody'? Vigorito said she wanted Leo "to bring us together, trying to increase the sensitivity to love and peace." She acknowledged the new pontiff would have a daunting task to "do as much as (he) can as a religious leader, because we deal with a lot of secular politics and issues." "I would love the new pope to help, especially with conflicts in any way possible, like in Ukraine," she said. Salvador said he was also hopeful Leo "can reconcile the countries that are at war and help them to reach peace so that we do not continue on this violent path that we are living on today." Having an American pope "will help bring more people to the Catholic Church, and even those that have walked away -- maybe they'll get reengaged," added Vigorito. Annie Elm from North Carolina paid tribute to former pope Francis, calling him "wonderful" and praising his legacy. "He loved everybody. He lived very modestly. He didn't live in the big homes. He was very humble," she said. Elm said she was hopeful Leo "would be also very kind and caring -- welcoming to everybody." © 2025 AFP
Euronews
24-04-2025
- Euronews
Eight Earth Day reads that span the roots of the climate crisis and offer hope for the future
ADVERTISEMENT It has been 55 years since the first Earth Day, an annual event founded following a wave of environmental protest in the US that led to the creation of a federal agency to protect the environment. This history helps explain why Americans are once again taking to the streets on 22 April, as President Trump guts core environmental agencies and rolls back vital protections. At a bewildering moment for the global climate movement, which has celebrated Earth Day since 1990, we need all the historical context and informed visions of the future we can get. Luckily, bookshops have history, hope and the resources to replenish our care for the natural world in rich supply. 'Books are the starting points of action-making and of change-making,' Jessica Gaitán Johannesson, digital campaigns manager at Lighthouse Bookshop in Edinburgh, tells Euronews Green. Related Science, compassion and Catholicism: How Pope Francis helped inspire global climate action Read, think, act: Meet three booksellers guiding people through the climate crisis Climate-conscious bookshops are busy setting people off in productive directions all year round. But Earth Day can still be useful as an awareness-raising mechanism, Jessica says. 'I think an important thing is for individuals and organisations to note it and to actually just for a moment stop and take stock and maybe spend half an hour reading the news articles and understanding why Earth Day is important,' says Amber Harrison, co-owner of FOLDE bookshop in Dorset. 'Even if people just take one tiny step or one action to do something a little bit differently or to explore an idea a little bit differently, then a huge difference could be made. 'Far too often it's just another day marked in the calendar and it needs to be quite seriously recognised, particularly in this time of changing climate.' With that in mind, who better than booksellers to share their top reads this Earth Day. 8. Renaturing by James Canton Mel, from Drake The Bookshop in Stockton-on-Tees , says: 'I really feel that this book is a must-read for anyone saddened by the recent news that almost half the butterfly species in Britain are now in long term decline. Mel, from Drake The Bookshop in Stockton-on-Tees. Drake The Bookshop 'What I really loved about this book is that not only does James reflect on his own rewilding journey as he turns the field behind his cottage into a thriving wildlife haven, but he makes a distinction between ' rewilding ' which is usually reserved for large scale project, and 'renaturing' which is much easier for anyone to achieve on a small scale. 'It is a heartfelt, accessible guide for anyone wanting to make a positive impact in their own local areas - a wildflower window box, a small garden pond - even on the smallest scale, it all counts.' Related Meet the Italian tattoo artist who turned his London backyard into a thriving urban garden 7. Practicing Social Ecology by Eleanor Finley 'We hear a lot about the climate crisis in the news and on social media, but there's never much discussion about what ordinary people can do about it politically,' says Jamie, from Red Lion Books in Colchester . 'Practicing Social Ecology by Eleanor Finley is a fantastically down-to-earth book about how we can build ecological alternatives to the current bureaucratic system. ADVERTISEMENT Jamie, from Red Lion Books in Colchester. Red Lion Books ' Citizens' assemblies , social revolutions, study groups, and local permaculture projects are explained and explored, with examples of successful ecological movements from around the world. 'This is a book about grassroots democracy, offering practical tools to help build a better, more ecologically just future for humanity and the natural world.' 6. Ways of Being by James Bridle Chris, co-owner of Hold Fast Bookshop in Leeds , recommends Ways of Being by James Brindle. 'This book is a thought-provoking look at how humans have forgotten, or not yet come to fully appreciate, the wisdom of natural forces on display in the environment around us, whilst already causing the extinction of many plants and species. Chris, co-owner of Hold Fast Bookshop in Leeds. Hold Fast Bookshop 'It is illustrated with insights into how animals with 'more than human' intelligence often outsmart the best computers and artificial intelligence in survival and navigation, and how we could adapt our use of technology to work with nature rather than against it. From predicting volcanic activity to anticipating predators, we humans are often one step behind. ADVERTISEMENT 'Bridle wisely suggests 'if we are prepared to treat understanding as a process and a negotiation, rather than as a route to mastery and dominance, there is much we can learn from the wisdom of others.' I found this book a humbling and hopeful read.' Related New year, new reads: Here are my favourite climate-related books from 2024 5. The Memory We Could Be by Daniel Macmillen Voskoboynik Jess from Lighthouse Bookshop in Edinburgh always has The Memory We Could Be by Daniel Macmillen Voskoboynik close by. 'In order to create a different future, we need to be honest about the past,' she says. 'Histories are narratives constructed by those in power, and so in order to build new ones, we must address the hundreds of years of colonialism , imperial oppression and extraction that lay the foundation for the climate and environmental collapse we see today. 'For the majority of the world, it is nothing new. Voskoboynik's book is a thoroughly courageous, generous and kind call to feel all of it - the sorrow, the fear, the power and connection - and to unite in choosing a different path with everything we have. I've held it close for years now and will continue to do so.' ADVERTISEMENT 4. Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake 'In this age of continuous bad news, bombardment of climate crisis news, micro (and macro!) plastic pollution , and people in general not being in contact with nature, it is more important than ever to be aware of our natural surroundings,' says Manuel, from Read on Sea, in Leigh On Sea . Manuel, from Read on Sea, in Leigh On Sea. Read on Sea 'Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake offers a timely and awe-inspiring exploration of the natural world. Sheldrake's book delves into the fascinating world of fungi , showing how these organisms form essential networks that sustain life on Earth. By understanding the intricate web of life that fungi support, we gain a deeper appreciation for the fragile ecosystems we depend on. 'Entangled Life serves as a powerful reminder of natural interconnections, urging us to rethink our relationship with nature. On Earth Day, this book is a call to action, encouraging readers to not only reflect on our planet's challenges but also to renew our commitment to healing and preserving the natural world.' 3. Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility, edited by Rebecca Solnit and Thelma Young Lutunatabua 'With the changing climate making the news headlines for all the wrong reasons - floods, wildfires, storms and biodiversity loss - you could be forgiven for thinking there's not much to be hopeful about. Not Too Late aims to change that mindset,' says Amber, co-owner of FOLDE bookshop in Dorset . ADVERTISEMENT Amber, co-owner of FOLDE bookshop in Dorset. FOLDE bookshop 'This anthology of short essays and conversations spans science, Indigenous systems approaches, climate coloniality and climate victories. It's written by those who've experienced first-hand the impacts of changing conditions, as well as poets, scientists, lawyers and activists, with the contributors sharing lived experiences and ways to try and make sense of our current position. 'Rather than being a book that just looks to the past, it also looks to our future, including speculative fiction for the world we hope for. And that's what this book tries to convey - that hope delivers more when we work together, and that we're 'not too late'.' Related Fish door bells, plastic-eating fungi and tree hugging: Positive environmental stories from 2025 Inactivity kills millions, but movement is the 'miracle pill' that could save people and planet 2. One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Jenni Desmond Nicci, of Happy Reading Children's Bookshop in Broadstairs , sets the scene for her pick: 'It's almost Earth Day, and two sisters are gazing out at the night sky from their bedroom in Greenwich. What does Earth look like at this exact moment, all around the globe? They open the window and take flight to find out. Nicci, bookseller at Happy Reading Children's Bookshop in Broadstairs. Happy Reading 'Today's children are increasingly, deeply aware of endangered animals, plastic pollution, and the importance of looking after our planet. Thankfully, children's books are leading the way in raising awareness… like 'One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth', which is engaging, inclusive, and gloriously illustrated. ADVERTISEMENT 'Nicola Davies is a go-to for nature writing with heart, always centring animals, empathy, and the mindset of young readers. This first-time collaboration with illustrator Jenni Desmond is a winning one. If your library doesn't yet have books about caring for our planet, this stunning picture book on Earth Day is the perfect place to start.' 1. The History Trees by Colin Selter 'While it's an unusual pick, The History Trees is a timely reminder of the resilience and joy of nature,' says Anna, from Simply Books in Manchester . Anna, from Simply Books in Manchester. Simply Books 'Following remarkable trees from around the world, many of which have borne witness to huge historical milestones, to those that have become a part of history themselves. 'The History Trees is the perfect read for anyone who needs to be reminded why we should protect our planet.' ADVERTISEMENT
Euronews
23-02-2025
- Euronews
'Surrounded by an ocean of sand': Desertification pushes ancient city to the brink of oblivion
For centuries, poets, scholars and theologians have flocked to Chinguetti, a trans-Saharan trading post home to more than a dozen libraries containing thousands of manuscripts. But it now stands on the brink of oblivion. Shifting sands have long covered the ancient city's 8th-century core and are encroaching on neighbourhoods at its current edge. Residents say the desert is their destiny. As the world's climate gets hotter and drier, sandstorms are more frequently depositing metres of dunes onto Chinguetti's streets and in people's homes, submerging some entirely. Tree-planting projects are trying to keep the invading sands at bay, but so far, they haven't eased the deep-rooted worries about the future. Like a natural disaster in slow-motion Chinguetti is one of four UNESCO World Heritage sites in Mauritania, a West African nation where only 0.5 per cent of land is considered farmable. In Africa - the continent that contributes the least to fossil fuel emissions - only Somalia and Eswatini have experienced more climate change impacts, according to World Bank data. Mauritanians believe Chinguetti is among Islam's holiest cities. Its dry stone and mud mortar homes, mosques and libraries store some of West Africa's oldest Quranic texts and manuscripts, covering topics ranging from law to mathematics. Community leader Melainine Med El Wely feels agonised over the stakes for residents and the history contained within Chinguetti's walls. It's like watching a natural disaster in slow motion, he said. 'It's a city surrounded by an ocean of sand that's advancing every minute,' El Wely, the president of the local Association for Participatory Oasis Management, said. 'There are places that I walk now that I remember being the roofs of houses when I was a kid.' He remembers that once, when enough sand blew into his neighbourhood to cover the palms used to make roofs, an unknowing camel walking through the neighbourhood plunged into what was once someone's living room. Deserts are expanding at an unprecedented rate Research suggests sand migration plays a significant role in desertification. Deserts, including the Sahara, are expanding at unprecedented rates and 'sand seas' are being reactivated, with blowing dunes and transforming landscapes where vegetation once stood. 'What we used to think of as the worst case scenario five to 10 years ago is now actually looking like a more likely scenario than we had in mind,' said Andreas Baas, an earth scientist from King's College London who researches how winds and the way they blow the sand are changing. More than three-quarters of the Earth's land has become drier in recent decades, according to a 2024 United Nations report on desertification. The aridity has imperilled the ability of plants, humans and animals to survive. It robs lands of the moisture needed to sustain life, kills crops and can cause sandstorms and wildfires. 'Human-caused climate change is the culprit; known for making the planet warmer, it is also making more and more land drier,' the UN report said. 'Aridity-related water scarcity is causing illness and death and spurring large-scale forced migration around the world.' Scientists and policymakers are mostly concerned about soils degrading in once-fertile regions which are gradually becoming wastelands, rather than areas deep in the Sahara Desert. Homes are now submerged in the sand In Chinguetti, a changing climate is ushering in many of the consequences that officials have warned about. Trees are withering, wells are running dry and livelihoods are vanishing. Date farmers like 50-year-old Salima Ould Salem have found it increasingly difficult to nourish their palm trees, and now have to pipe in water from tanks and prune more thoroughly to make sure it's used efficiently. Salem's neighbourhood used to be full of families, but they've gradually moved away. Sand now blocks the doorway to his home. It's also buried those where some of his neighbours once lived. And a nearby guesthouse built by a Belgian investor decades ago is now half-submerged in a rippling copper-hued dune. Though many have departed, Salem remains, aware that each time a member of the community leaves, their home can no longer serve as a bulwark. The rest of the community therefore becomes more likely to be swallowed by the desert. 'We prefer to stay here. If I leave, my place will disappear,' the 50-year-old date farmer said. Trees that once shielded the neighbourhood have disappeared Acacia, gum and palm trees once shielded the neighbourhood from encroaching dunes, but they've gradually disappeared. The trees have either died of thirst or have been cut down by residents needing firewood or foliage for their herds to feed on. Sandstorms are not new but have become increasingly intrusive, each leaving mountains of sand in the neighbourhoods on the edge of the city, retired teacher Mohamed Lemine Bahane said. Residents use mules and carts to remove the sand because the old city's streets are too narrow to accommodate cars or bulldozers. When sand piles high enough, some build new walls atop existing structures. 'When you remove the vegetation, it gives the dunes a chance to become more active, because it's ultimately the vegetation that can hold down the sand so it doesn't blow too much,' Bahane said. For years, Bahane has taken measurements of the sand deposits and rains and says that Chinguetti has received an annual average of 2.5 centimetres of rainfall over the past decade. As rainfall plummets, trees die, and more sand migrates into town. And with shorter acacia trees submerged in sand, some herders resort to cutting down date palm trees to feed their flocks, further disrupting the ecosystem and date farming economy. The sands also raise public health concerns for the community breathing in the dust, Bahane said. Could planting more trees stop sand from burying Chinguetti? The solution, Bahane believes, has to be planting more trees both in neighbourhoods and along the perimeter of town. Such 'green belts' have been proposed on a continent-wide scale as Africa's 'Great Green Wall' as well as locally, in towns like Chinguetti. Mauritania's Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture as well as European-funded NGOs have floated projects to plant trees to insulate the city's libraries and manuscripts from the incoming desert. Though some have been replanted, there's little sign that it has contributed to stopping the desert in its tracks. It can take years for taproots to grow deep enough into the earth to access groundwater. 'We're convinced that desertification is our destiny. But thankfully, there are still people convinced that it can be resisted,' El Wely, the community leader, said.
