Zimbabwe’s bicycle fever
Bicycles have been touted as one of the best ways to stem the over-reliance oil powered transportation and, at the same time, can significantly improve people’s health.
In Zimbabwe, bicycles are increasingly becoming popular, albeit for a different reason: money and economics. With a current world record inflation of 11,2 million percent and rising on a daily basis, many people in Zimbabwe are struggling to make ends meet with very meager salaries.
As a means to cope with high transport costs (a product of the Zimbabwe’s hyperinflationary economy), many workers have taken to bicycling in their hordes. Previously stigmatized as a sign of poverty, bicycles have taken on a new form as a means of affordable transportation to work. Read more
Toxic milk kills babies in China
BBC- A total of 1,253 Chinese children have fallen ill after drinking contaminated milk powder, and two babies have died, China’s health ministry says.
It confirmed the big jump in the numbers affected at a news conference.
“As many as 10,000 infants may have drunk the contaminated Sanlu milk powder,” vice health minister Ma Shaowei warned. Read more
Sex, sexuality and religion: Finding a middle path
Since time immemorial, sex and religion have always had a difficult relationship with each one seeking to free itself from the other.
Religions play a fundamental role in defining the attitudes of society and governments to matters of reproduction and sexuality. The influence of religion in individual decision-making on sex-related issues is beyond doubt, even among self-declared anti-religion activists. Read more
Zimbabwe bloggers shine a light
From the Los Angeles Times
By Robyn Dixon
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - The blogger calls himself a “fat white man” and jokes about the right way to approach a cordon of Zimbabwean riot police: Don’t wear an opposition T-shirt, or ask for the results of the recent one-man presidential runoff. Instead, greet them with a breezy “Good morning! How are you, sirs?”
“I note that there are no officers in the line, which is good as it means there’s nobody to order the cops to start hitting me,” he writes. “But then again if they do start hitting me there’s no one to tell them to stop.” Read more
Climate refugees: A 21st century challenge
In early 2008, Tsitsi Madavo, 67, was forced to abandon her village after a severe hailstorm hit Muzabarani, a village in central Zimbabwe, destroying her three huts, crops and livestock.
Every year, as in Muzarabani, environmental excesses around the world force millions of people to abandon their homes in search of places that are perceived to be safer. The impact of extreme weather will be felt more heavily among the poor and marginalized people. Read more
It’s year number 7 since September 11
I can still remember that day, September 11, 2001. I was sitting in my office, when a friend of mine called to say that “America was being bombed”. I was stunned and confused. Bombed? By who? Where exactly? A thousand questions, that today- seven years later- seem as far from being answered as they did when I first heard the terrible news.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have to go through this dark anniversary. May God give you strength to cope with it all.
