AFP

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Squatters make most of empty London homesPlay

Squatters make most of empty London homes

AFP - Thu Nov 5, 2:35 PM ET

Central London is one of the most expensive places to live on the planet. But hundreds of properties -- amongst them mansions and former embassies -- are left empty by their owners, often leaving the way open for communities of squatters to set up home. One multi-million pound property, in London's famous Leicester Square, has been taken over by an art collective offering a rent-free space to cash-strapped performers.

  • French anti-poverty organisation Emmaus turns 60 Play
    French anti-poverty organisation Emmaus turns 60 AFP - Thu Oct 29, 7:08 AM ET

    Emmaus, France's biggest NGO fighting poverty across the world, is 60 this year. The organisation was founded by Catholic priest Abbe Pierre who was a thorn in the side of French politicians, relentlessly lobbying for the poor, and becoming France's most popular personality. Duration: 02:31

  • Football brings hope to poor South African kids Play
    Football brings hope to poor South African kids AFP - Mon Oct 26, 12:53 PM ET

    A FIFA-backed football project in Johannesburg is helping to educate hundreds of children in one of its poorest neighbourhoods. 'Football for Hope' teaches youngsters important health messages and will culminate in its own World Cup with teams from deprived areas coming to compete from all over the globe. Duration: 02:21

  • Africa's greatest hotel now Mozambique squat Play
    Africa's greatest hotel now Mozambique squat AFP - Fri Oct 23, 7:04 AM ET

    At the heart of Mozambique's general election on October 28 is the fight against poverty, a fundamental issue in a country where 78 percent of people live on less than two dollars a day. In the town of Beira, some 3,500 people have been living at the "Grand Hotel", a giant open air squat that was once one of Africa's most luxurious destinations.

  • Baby boom for Indian surrogate mothers Play
    Baby boom for Indian surrogate mothers AFP - Tue Oct 20, 4:12 AM ET

    Each month, scores of infertile Western couples head to a small clinic in Gujarat state, where they can rent out wombs at five times less than it would cost them at home. For the Indian surrogate mothers, many of whom are illiterate and sign the contracts with thumb prints, it is a fast way to earn money to support their own families. Duration: 02:37

  • Mia Farrow, UNICEF envoy, visits Gaza Play
    Mia Farrow, UNICEF envoy, visits Gaza AFP - Thu Oct 15, 7:25 PM ET

    Actress Mia Farrow is due to visit the poverty-stricken Gaza Strip on Thursday as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, the UN children's agency she represents as a goodwill ambassador.