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A programme in the Central African Republic helps former child soldiers open businesses and readjust to society

Advancing rebels are 45 miles from capital of Central African Republic

As most of you spend today putting the final touches to your Christmas preparations, perhaps the last thing you want to do is contemplate the troubles of those living thousands of miles away in war-torn Africa.

Fancy attending a pre-match press conference at Man City?  How about an original work by Tracey Emin, or a private gig from Mark Steel?

With no end in sight to the crisis, Unicef is focusing efforts on providing care

These drawings, created at rehabilitation centres, testify to scarcely imaginable suffering. Dr Rachel Calam assesses their meaning.

In theory the rebel groups are fighting the Government. In reality they're battling for dominance of the diamonds, and they see children as the ideal warriors

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