HUMNEWS HEADLINES - March 17, 2010 (Africa and the Middle East)

Africa and the Middle East:  

ALGERIA:    Sahelian Foreign Ministers Discuss al-Qaida Threat - http://bit.ly/9fpQlS 

ALGERIA:    Algeria plans barley exports- http://bit.ly/93z0wd 

ALGERIA:

International Agency for Development calls on world community to look into disappearances in Tindouf, Algeria - http://bit.ly/aJo0Ie 

ALGERIA:   Africa: Increased connectivity leads to rise in botnets - http://bit.ly/cfm9oe 

ANGOLA:    Angola saves over USD 500 million with fast goods clearance - http://bit.ly/9bNBVk 

ANGOLA:    Angola, Portugal analyse higher education, technology issues - http://bit.ly/bj9JlY 

ANGOLA:     Feature - Angola low on priests, high on poverty - http://bit.ly/cAlbjl 

ANGOLA:      Culture minister praises UNESCO workshop – http://bit.ly/aUbhy2 

BENIN:        Developing Weed Resistance in Corn Hybrids - http://bit.ly/9S2Fhd 

BENIN:       Cotton output forecast to double in 2010 - http://bit.ly/944S0j 

BENIN:      ECOWAS demands EU's commitment to development fund – http://bit.ly/9PE8HB 

BOTSWANA:   Court president warn youth on HIV/AIDS - http://bit.ly/aXz7hj 

BOTSWANA:    Teachers advocate for global warming education in schools - http://bit.ly/ditr5m 

BOTSWANA:   Botswana want flogging back-Minister says - http://bit.ly/c7rUMx 

BOTSWANA:   Puma Enters Botswana through the Wilderness - http://bit.ly/bvSgmo 

BOTSWANA:     National bio-diversity framework ready for submission to Cabinet - http://bit.ly/cpdSWf 

BURKINA FASO:   Pope Meets Bishops from Burkina Faso and Niger - http://bit.ly/clGkoN 

CAMEROON:    New Strategies to Sustain Mangrove Ecosystems - http://bit.ly/caHQ5q 

CAMEROON:    Cameroon hit hard by brain drain - http://bit.ly/a5IMJD 

CAPE VERDE:   Barefoot diva to appear on Kremlin's stage again - http://bit.ly/c7tv6k 

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC:  Rebels Now Terrorize Central African Republic- http://bit.ly/bLmYQI

CHAD: 

Security Council extends UN force for two months, as talks with Chad continue- http://bit.ly/cFSdeK 

CHAD:     Food crisis affecting 2 million in Chad- http://bit.ly/dlhqyO 

COMOROS:    $540mn pledged for Comoros Islands- http://bit.ly/cvuDpK 

COMOROS:     Comorian justice minister arrives in Sana'a, Yemen - http://bit.ly/aD8FOR 

DJIBOUTI:        Djibouti receiving food aid - http://bit.ly/ajR2dp 

DJIBOUTI:        A critical situation - http://bit.ly/b7ztIQ 

EQUATORIAL GUINEA:  Tourist in Equatorial Guinea Finds White Worms in Her Eyes - http://bit.ly/deGYqz 

ERITREA:    National School Leaving Certificate Examination Underway- http://bit.ly/aSj5iI 

ERITREA:  UN Security Council Wants Probe into Aid Corruption in Somalia via Eritrea- http://bit.ly/bcZyJp 

GABON:    Gabon's Ali Bongo elected president of ruling party- http://bit.ly/coIGWC 

GABON:     President Bongo in Morocco - http://bit.ly/9DJjlQ 

GAMBIA:    Amnesty International asks Gambia to charge or free detainees- http://bit.ly/c24I3S 

GHANA:     Will Oil Revenues Wane Foreign Aid To Ghana? - http://bit.ly/ch6pUl 

GHANA:     On media irresponsibility (OPINION) - http://bit.ly/bDYENP 

GHANA:     

Ghana Ranked Top in Press Freedom in Africa by Reporters without Borders - http://bit.ly/9QPJ5K 

GUINEA:   No chance of coup, says Guinea leader- http://bit.ly/aptNfj 

GUINEA-BISSAU:

Brazil wants to encourage production of biofuels in West Africa, particularly Guinea Bissau - http://bit.ly/bJjguR 

LESOTHO:  

New campaign to help prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Lesotho (RELEASE) - http://bit.ly/bCBF5f 

LESOTHO:   Canadian doctors fear 'life and death' crisis at Lesotho AIDS clinic - http://bit.ly/9oopNn

LIBERIA:  

The Need for a National Educational Technology Plan in Liberia (OPINION) - http://bit.ly/aW3OMD

LIBERIA:

Liberian, Swedish, Malawian Red Cross Pledge to Develop Capacity of Girls- http://bit.ly/b77NS3

LIBERIA:   UN Deputy Envoy Decorates 558 Chinese Peacekeepers in Liberia- http://bit.ly/aYK4ys 

LIBYA:     Libya as an African Power (COLUMN) - http://bit.ly/d9g5Ci 

LIBYA:    For end to violence in Nigeria, Gaddafi proposes partition- http://bit.ly/dvx56U 

MADAGASCAR:  Death toll rises after tropical cyclone Hubert - http://bit.ly/bMdUIv 

MADAGASCAR:     A year of crisis- http://bit.ly/atJZn0 

MADAGASCAR:     UN scheme aims to give youth employment a boost- http://bit.ly/dpKv7i 

MALAWI:     U.K. Lawmakers Denounce Malawi Gay Trial - http://bit.ly/aoZIdr 

MALAWI:      Malawi warned- http://bit.ly/coQfY2 

MALAWI:      Malawian churches open debate on gays- http://bit.ly/aGR5SC 

MALAWI:     Malawi tobacco sales kick off on promising note - http://bit.ly/aP1Ab6 

MALI:       Mali leprosy rates decline - http://bit.ly/9oDRFK 

MAURITANIA:  Mauritanians shed tradition for healthier beauty ideal- http://bit.ly/9rn9ue 

MAYOTTE:   An international swindler arrested in Mayotte- http://bit.ly/d7ElgN 

MOZAMBIQUE:    Cholera kills 41 in Mozambique- http://bit.ly/9ZxBTm 

MOZAMBIQUE:

Mozambican television strengthens cooperation with Angola's TPA- http://bit.ly/dnaO8w 

NAMIBIA:    Lithuania and Namibia will Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation- http://bit.ly/9c6iQg 

NAMIBIA:     Government Aims to Go Nuclear in 20 Years- http://bit.ly/9NGF9Z 

NAMIBIA:      Church Discusses Domestic Violence- http://bit.ly/cBtyMy 

NIGER:   Experts explain why malnutrition is recurrent - http://bit.ly/didmG9 

NIGER:    Niger needs $123m in food aid - http://bit.ly/9ypS16 

NIGER:     Students to Undergo Body Search- http://bit.ly/bjPjS7

QATAR:   Dream comes true for Qatar’s first woman judge- http://bit.ly/cUF1Ko

SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE:

Taiwan to help African allies, including Sao Tome and Principe to develop green energy for carbon rights- http://bit.ly/a7gSCd

SEYCHELLES:  Reconciling conservation and commerce in the name of sustainability- http://bit.ly/civviC 

SIERRA LEONE:

Exclusive: Football Made Me Somebody-Sierra Leone Goalkeeper Christian Caulker- http://bit.ly/ds4KbG 

SUDAN:    Uganda accuse Sudan of abhorring rebels - http://bit.ly/doopEP 

SUDAN:     Sudan denies Ugandan rebel leader relocated to Darfur - http://bit.ly/9oUYTF 

SWAZILAND:    Swaziland drafts bill to regulate broadcasting industry- http://bit.ly/bUgJY4 

SWAZILAND:     New Customs Terminal on Swazi Border with Mozambique - http://bit.ly/cya68E

TOGO:  The Togo Election (OPINION) - http://bit.ly/cnLBBa 

WESTERN SAHARA:   Sun power project "may eye Western Sahara location" - http://bit.ly/aGSNTU 

YEMEN:    ICRC's bureau to be opened in Aden- http://bit.ly/di5lLX 

YEMEN:     Yemen sends delegation to Somaliland to open diplomatic office-http://bit.ly/c0QaI2

HUMNEWS HEADLINES - March 16, 2010 (Europe/Eurasia)

Europe/Eurasia: 

ANDORRA:

When Did the First 'Modern' Human Beings Appear in the Iberian Peninsula? - http://bit.ly/cFkWAM

ARMENIA:   Armenia reports new case of African Swine Fever - http://bit.ly/9ZzLG7

ARMENIA:  300 schools to be connected to Internet in Armenia - http://bit.ly/dgipGo

ARMENIA:

The Customer is Always Wrong? Consumer rights violations remain commonplace in Armenia- http://bit.ly/bsgXe4

ARMENIA:  How trees are restoring hope to Armenia - http://bit.ly/9RPTEp

ARMENIA:

Armenia expects about $19 Million (US) from the Millennium Challenge Corporation - http://bit.ly/9AssYo

GIBRALTAR:

Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation hands reins to former SKY News presenter Allan King - http://bit.ly/cyK1fN

GIBRALTAR:   (OPINION) The future of relations with Spain, Britain - http://bit.ly/bOGks7

KYRGYZSTAN:

The Kyrgyz authorities continue information filtering: the circulation of the Forum newspaper is arrested and BBC radio broadcast is suspended- http://bit.ly/aBDlAl

KYRGYZSTAN:   Kyrgyz association of entrepreneurs established in Russia- http://bit.ly/aZ7KN4

KYRGYZSTAN:   Youth policy in Kyrgyzstan: stiff mission - http://bit.ly/aLm8J6

KYRGYZSTAN:   Kyrgyz Web Sites Blocked- http://bit.ly/apXHfL

LIECHTENSTEIN: 

Service agreement for "Special Olympics Liechtenstein Foundation - http://bit.ly/cHZZWE

LIECHTENSTEIN:  Higher Education Reform - Liechtenstein rises to the challenge - http://bit.ly/ckv80H

MOLDOVA:  Moldova likely to hold constitutional referendum on 6 or 13 June 2010- http://bit.ly/dDbNqi

MOLDOVA:  Moldova, Kuwait sign tax-related agreement - http://bit.ly/93h296

MOLDOVA:   UK to grant Moldova 4.5 million pounds to back social assistance sector - http://bit.ly/bTpklf

MONGOLIA:   (BLOG) Mongolia faces climate-driven humanitarian crisis- http://bit.ly/d3FXzd

MONGOLIA:    Mothers in Mongolia receive aid during 'dzud' weather pattern - http://bit.ly/bhFy9b

MONGOLIA:    Japan Steps up Its Dzud Assistance to Mongolia- http://bit.ly/9AP9Ed

MONGOLIA:    UN Allocates US$3.7 Million to Dzud Affected People- http://bit.ly/9MCVke

MONGOLIA:    Leeds students plan road trip to Mongolia in aged ambulance - http://bit.ly/amtCJN

MONTENEGRO:  

Deposed Thai leader Thaksin reported to be in Montenegro-(report) - http://bit.ly/9eXvQ6

THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO:

IMF: San Marino must strengthen measures against vulnerabilities - http://bit.ly/9qvnjS

TAJIKISTAN:   Missing Kyrgyz Rights Activist In Detention In Tajikistan - http://bit.ly/dcIFzz

TAJIKISTAN:

Tajikistan to get about 3m dollars from South Korea to build small power plants - http://bit.ly/9AWRAR

TAJIKISTAN:  Tajikistan: UN helping to boost resilience to natural disasters - http://bit.ly/9YZCKS

TURKMENISTAN:

U.S. State Department Report Takes Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan to Task - http://bit.ly/aQXBp6

TURKMENISTAN:  President of Turkmenistan orders construction of expressways- http://bit.ly/a2IZbB

TURKMENISTAN:  

President of Turkmenistan gives start to mass tree planting campaign - http://bit.ly/90HZYw

HUMNEWS HEADLINES - March 16, 2010 (North and South Oceans)

ANTARCTICA: Scientists “gaga” over life found 200m beneath Antarctica -  http://bit.ly/atpltY

ANTARCTICA: Killing whales ‘wrong way’ to learn more about them - http://bit.ly/b3mRVw

ANTARCTICA: Iceberg forensics: Predicting the planet’s future with Antarctic ice - http://bit.ly/dqByrm

ANTARCTICA: Antarctic broadband satellite team celebrates grant -  http://bit.ly/9msebg

ANTARCTICA: Does Antarctic shrimp mean extraterrestrial life? -  http://bit.ly/aIZ9l8

ICELAND: UK and NL waiting for Iceland’s next Icesave move - http://bit.ly/aQlXr1

ICELAND: Could geothermal energy save Iceland’s economy? - http://bit.ly/9odMIs

ICELAND: Bill banning striptease debated in Iceland’s parliament  - http://bit.ly/cUmyWp

ICELAND: Iceland faces decreasing population trends - http://bit.ly/bXoYrC

ICELAND: Iceland banks deliberately weakened krona before collapse -  http://bit.ly/d6nPX5

ICELAND: Wikileaks potential security threat to US Army - http://bit.ly/buP5hT

SVALBARD: CO2 levels rise despite recession  - http://bit.ly/9YHTZM

HUMNEWS HEADLINES - March 15, 2010 (the Americas)

The Americas:  

BELIZE:      Guatemala Reasserts Challenges to Belize’s Sovereignty - http://bit.ly/chzkg4

FALKLAND ISLANDS:  Pirate radio in the Falkland Islands - http://bit.ly/aK3Bh9

FALKLAND ISLANDS:   Falklands Achieve New Record for Most Southerly Marathon - http://bit.ly/clItUY

FALKLAND ISLANDS: 

(RELEASE) The Falkland Islands have been given a new online look! - http://bit.ly/akw7Ag

FRENCH GUIANA:   OHO-1 satellite to be launched by Arianespace from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana - http://bit.ly/cYUSah

GUYANA:    New code of conduct for Guyanese media - http://bit.ly/bRBQNT

GUYANA:    Drought in Guyana withers sugarcane fields - http://bit.ly/aDypzK

GUYANA:    Guyana revisited-http://bit.ly/9LwfO3

GUYANA:    (OPINION) Guyana has a growing drug-trafficking problem - http://bit.ly/9OTqGz

SURINAME:  

(REPORT)  Technical Developments But No Competition Mean Suriname Is Awash With Mobiles But Has Few Internet Connections - http://bit.ly/cETtim 

SURINAME:

(RELEASE)   Suriname to host OAS Caribbean Conference on Higher Education - http://bit.ly/9MSjFB

HUMNEWS HEADLINES - March 15/16, 2010 (Asia and the Pacific)

Asia and the Pacific:

AMERICAN SAMOA: Togiola wants new American Samoan citizenship - http://bit.ly/9ZTtCK

AMERICAN SAMOA: Government cutbacks in American Samoa - http://bit.ly/blA0wV 

AMERICAN SAMOA:

Former Samoa police commissioner selected for peace keeping mission - http://bit.ly/bouWxF 

BHUTAN:    Philippines- Farm department bans poultry from Bhutan- http://bit.ly/bBk6Vm 

BHUTAN:   Getting Bhutan schools W.I.R.ED- http://bit.ly/bfGKP5 

BHUTAN:    Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Bhutan to see Tata Nano this year- http://bit.ly/b3cGSk 

BHUTAN:     Bhutan set for Saarc summit- http://bit.ly/aoDcaK 

BHUTAN:     Bangladesh to offer Bhutan duty-free access for 18 products http://bit.ly/a2eKKc 

BHUTAN:     Call for a rural development policy- http://bit.ly/cdkF27 

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM:   20pc Of Population Faces Diabetes Risk- http://bit.ly/a9ku16 

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM:  

Brunei Darussalam Community Welfare Council Held its First Congress - http://bit.ly/bSMeCx 

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM:  

Hong Kong Financial Secretary to visit Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia - http://bit.ly/cHG2sq 

CHRISTMAS ISLAND:  Darwin on alert as flood of boat people heads to Australia - http://bit.ly/blAuoT 

CHRISTMAS ISLAND:

Iraqi witness denies putting pressure on Indonesian fisherman - http://bit.ly/aC6IWk 

CHRISTMAS ISLAND:   Sink boat policy - http://bit.ly/abbvx2 

COOK ISLANDS:      

No apologies from Cook Islands Government for slow progress on Aitutaki rebuild - http://bit.ly/crSiXO

COOK ISLANDS:     

NZ provides multi-million dollar reconstruction package for Cook Islands after Cyclone Pat - http://bit.ly/97uS4o 

EAST TIMOR:  East Timor government excludes foreigners from land owning rights - http://bit.ly/bZovNW 

EAST TIMOR:  East Timor economy grows 14 pct in 2009, government says - http://bit.ly/9lwJHn

EAST TIMOR:  Timor-Leste: UN peacekeeping mission mourns death of deputy leader - http://bit.ly/b4yMki 

FRENCH POLYNESIA:  France asked again to reconsider nuclear compensation laws - http://bit.ly/aewwLC 

GUAM:   For Taipei President Ma, Guam stopover won't include meet with Obama- http://bit.ly/9T4i7x 

GUAM:    (COLUMN) Guam: Progressive and proud of its heritage- http://bit.ly/bujGMb 

GUAM:   Conan O'Brien tweets "bad news" about Guam; “no show in Guam yet”- http://bit.ly/bccJzM 

KIRIBATI:      Pacific activists urge NZ leaders to act on climate change -http://bit.ly/cMRA8v

LAOS:  

Laos Gets Help from Nordic Development Fund to Boost Resilience to Climate Change - http://bit.ly/9lqRCn

LAOS:    Lao PM welcomes Vietnamese Minister of Justice - http://bit.ly/c2HMbR 

LAOS:    Thailand approves $19 million loan to Laos for road construction - http://bit.ly/bKPzAU 

LAOS:     Vietnam workers leave home for illegal work in Laos, Thailand - http://bit.ly/aqHvYy 

MACAU:   Roof-tops and bridges to get the ‘green treatment’- http://bit.ly/ce28T0 

MALDIVES:   

Maldives - President meets with officials from major human rights NGOs in Geneva- http://bit.ly/aXUgDl

MALDIVES:   Maldives Parliament to vote on repealing gender restrictions in politics - http://bit.ly/bjyIzs

MARSHALL ISLANDS:   Pacific's slow recovery from recession - http://bit.ly/bImpeL

MICRONESIA:    Fishing in troubled waters - http://bit.ly/dnK1fp

NEW CALEDONIA: Your tribe for the night – (travel) http://bit.ly/avKfCV

NORTH KOREA:   Report names 'enemies of the Internet' - http://bit.ly/90i0Yr

NORTH KOREA:   Private sector aid arrives in N. Korea- http://bit.ly/d7f2sg 

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS:   

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to participate in its first Earth Hour - http://bit.ly/aKLPJO

PALAU:    

Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) convened in the Republic of Palau on Sunday - http://bit.ly/d5cd60

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

ICANN Formalizes Relationship with the Domain Manager for Papua New Guinea's .PG ccTLD - http://bit.ly/9Hryt0 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:   PNG official says oil money wasted while women suffer - http://bit.ly/9I8aqC 

SAMOA:    Samoa government proposes legislation to operate casinos- http://bit.ly/cRviK4 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:    Cyclone Ului Eases While Heading West- http://bit.ly/9CDRHo 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:  Solomon’s to benefit from Global Climate Change Alliance - http://bit.ly/cGoAdZ 

TONGA:   Strong Wind Warning for Tonga waters - http://bit.ly/bXxdAS 

TONGA:   Tonga seeks medical expertise from China - http://bit.ly/cWUvz1 

TONGA:    Tomas effect continues - http://bit.ly/csbGat

TONGA:     Australian government gives $7 million health care funding to Tonga - http://bit.ly/aELBSY 

TONGA:    Japan commits $11 million for Solar Home Systems to Tonga - http://bit.ly/clDIVL 

VANUATU:  

(COLUMN) Pacific business women need better access to information and knowledge- http://bit.ly/d8Vlk3

TUVALU ISLAND: Hurricane status update - http://bit.ly/cOqhdZ

WALLIS AND FUTUNA: Tomas batters Wallis and Futuna with 200km/h winds - http://bit.ly/b1cYhL

HUMNEWS HEADLINES - March 15, 2010 (Africa, The Middle East)

Africa and the Middle East:

ALGERIA:     Foreigners banned from bluefin tuna fishing-  http://bit.ly/9YO2BM

ANGOLA:     Mozambique, Angola partner on stronger public television-  http://bit.ly/anSZbp

BOTSWANA:    Airport expansion hopes to lure bigger airlines- http://bit.ly/dAr8Wv

BURKINA FASO:  Draw disappoints in CHAN qualifier match with Ghana-  http://bit.ly/cx4zUO

CAMEROON:     Turkish President, business men visit Tuesday- http://bit.ly/abttfZ

CAPE VERDE:     Liberalization of gaming laws to increase Chinese investment-  http://bit.ly/9yeXnV

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC:    New IMF program to regulate diamond, precious metal sectors- http://bit.ly/dpLRUc

COMOROS:    Delegation to attend Non-Aligned summit in Manila-   http://bit.ly/9kfCWc

DJIBOUTI:     Students attend University Leadership forum in Libya-  http://bit.ly/bvkTQ2

ERITREA:    UNHCR: Eritreans by far largest refugee group in Israel- http://bit.ly/dq6BWT

GABON:    Government to ban plastic bags, replacing with biodegradable- http://bit.ly/bf1EBG

GAMBIA:     Meetings with UAE-based EIG as government eyes foreign investment-  http://bit.ly/boS0wH

GHANA:     Indian companies invest UD$277 in projects-  http://bit.ly/aHuNdq

GUINEA:     Australian, Chinese mining companies in US$13bn talks- http://bit.ly/cBEOla

GUINEA-BISSAU:     Brazil encourages biofuel production-  http://bit.ly/9rhLRA

LESOTHO:     Local entrepreneur launches first black airline-  http://bit.ly/9fgWv8

LIBERIA:   US firm sets up sustainable clothing unit in Liberia- http://bit.ly/bNkDZn

LIBYA:    Geopolitics put oil sector on the rocks- http://tinyurl.com/yjxalo8

MADAGASCAR:    Many villages still cut off from aid after tropical storm kills March 10- http://bit.ly/bEWTMP

MALAWI:     Tea output, revenue fall in January and February- http://bit.ly/cWZl70

MALI:     Canadian firm SNC Lavalin awarded hydroelectric contract-  http://bit.ly/ar8Hp5

MAURITANIA:        Representatives to speak at Western Africa Energy Week June 2 in Ghana- http://bit.ly/d1ZnxN

MOZAMBIQUE:      Japan introduces de-mining robots-  http://bit.ly/a8GPKF

NAMIBIA:     Government aims for nuclear power within 15, 20 years-  http://bit.ly/9Hgxfz

NIGER:     Team beats Nigeria’s Eagles in CHAN round-  http://bit.ly/dbfHrr

SEYCHELLES:     Air Seychelles adds Cape Town ahead of World Cup- http://bit.ly/bAIbdM

SIERRA LEONE:    Music star Lady Felicia donates to schools- http://bit.ly/cAs2ci

SUDAN:    Upper Nile youth to be ‘ambassadors of peace’ during elections- http://bit.ly/a7yHAm

SWAZILAND:    Authority completes draft investment plan-  http://bit.ly/cWNn1a

YEMEN:    Malaysian delegation arrives for economic ‘festival’ - http://bit.ly/bSwZio

WESTERN SAHARA:     Policy experts call on international solution to deadlock-  http://bit.ly/ddQvwK

HUMNEWS HEADLINES - March 15, 2010 (The Caribbean)

The Caribbean:

ANGUILLA:   

Joint Statement by Chief Minister Hughes and HE the Governor of Anguilla- http://bit.ly/atezs7

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA:   

Trading words over the governance of Antigua and Barbuda-http://bit.ly/acJka6

ARUBA:   Expect Higher Gas Prices as Supply Declines Due To Refinery Closures-http://bit.ly/cJdrX0

BAHAMAS:  

Nordic tax fraud probe stretches to Bahamas- http://bit.ly/de1xdL

OECD Announces Bahamas' Removal from "Grey List" - The Bahamas expands its network for international exchange of tax information - http://bit.ly/9V2uwC

BARBADOS:   

Barbados shuts out dancehall musician - http://bit.ly/b2Ns4f

Greater info on the topography of Barbados needed to identify safe zones during a tsunami - http://bit.ly/cCHcNH

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS:   

$600K Contract Inked for National Health Insurance Scheme - http://bit.ly/afRkDW

CAYMAN ISLANDS:   

University shaping tomorrow's Caymanians- http://bit.ly/cMKWUa

SpongeBob comes to Cayman this summer - http://bit.ly/abOAGx

DOMINICA:  

World Bank assures support for CARICOM - http://bit.ly/9Jgujk

World Bank pledges debt relief support for CARICOM-http://bit.ly/bi4gKz

Region's youth worry about galloping crime-  http://bit.ly/cbUIjY 

GRENADA: 

Grenada government creates Office of the Diaspora Affairs – http://bit.ly/c0e0GH

Success in Grenada/Trinidad Maritime discussions - http://bit.ly/bEyzeR

UNESCO approves funds for Media Training in Grenada - http://bit.ly/awNSsN 

GUADELOUPE: 

Low turnout for first round of French regional elections, including Guadeloupe - http://bit.ly/ckdTYE

MARTINIQUE:

(OPINION) Harpooning Caribbean Tourism: Swallowing a Dead Rat - http://bit.ly/cTOrml

MONTSERRAT:

Montserrat makes top 10 list of places to celebrate St Patrick's Day - http://bit.ly/cOfqKf

NETHERLANDS ANTILLES:

World Wind Energy Report 2009 features Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean región - http://bit.ly/afI677

PUERTO RICO:   70 soldiers returning from Africa, after spending a year in Africa - http://bit.ly/bmv1L7

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS: 

Negative Growth! -- St. Kitts and Nevis second to last in CARICOM in 2009- http://bit.ly/9ReUI2 

Development Bank of St Kitts offering interest free loans to support food production - http://bit.ly/awByZT

St Kitts-Nevis moves towards universal healthcare - http://bit.ly/d48jAd

SKN signs TIEA with Australia - http://bit.ly/9B1nFH

VAT Coming by November to SKN - http://bit.ly/9GYwD6

SAINT LUCIA:

Taiwan helps Saint Lucia build a national tennis center - http://bit.ly/bWiIBz  

Azerbaijan establishes diplomatic relations with Saint Lucia- http://bit.ly/afkqFT

TURKS AND CAICOS:  

10% cut in salaries of civil servants in Turks & Caicos-http://bit.ly/9mrKMg

British: Go home! Massive protest rally in Turks and Caicos-http://bit.ly/bdFaQa

HUMNEWS HEADLINES - March 15, 2010 (North and South Oceans)

ANTARCTICA: Non lethal whale research team returns - http://bit.ly/aCnRbU

ANTARCTICA: Sea shepherd man handed over to Japanese prosecutors - http://bit.ly/d9XS54

ANTARCTICA: Sculpted icebergs in Antarctica - http://bit.ly/981xJ1

ANTARCTICA: Deep-sea volcanoes play key climate role: Scientists  - http://bit.ly/dxRsfg

ANTARCTICA: USF scientist leads Antarctic expedition to study effects of climate change on animals - http://bit.ly/9Cf1Ay

ANTARCTICA: Antarctic winds affect ocean layer - http://bit.ly/bIX9W1

BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORIES: Final destination Iran? - http://bit.ly/cnz2yS

GREENLAND: New evidence confirms presence of oceans on the Earth 4 billion years ago - http://bit.ly/cJg1Xm

GREENLAND: Hair equals bone for ancient diet research - http://bit.ly/bfuM5D

GREENLAND: Why the traditional meat diet makes sense - http://bit.ly/9F2uaP

ICELAND: Maldives President meets with Iceland’s ministers - http://bit.ly/aDk2KG

ICELAND: The Iceland experience - http://bit.ly/bD696E

ICELAND: Icelanders vote ‘NO’ payback for bank failure - http://bit.ly/bI1Te1

ICELAND: Iceland sets new path toward press freedom - http://bit.ly/cQbuYbICELAND

ICELAND: Icelandic manuscript good source on climate - http://bit.ly/aOubpL

ICELAND: No clear end to this Greek tragedy – (column) http://bit.ly/9p9Eb2

HUMNEWS HEADLINES-March 14, 2010 (Europe/Eurasia)

Europe/Eurasia:

KYRGYZSTAN:Kazakh Prime Minister’s book trashed, literally- http://bit.ly/cwOMOY

MOLDOVA: UK to grant Moldova 4.5 million pounds for budget support- http://bit.ly/dudUdT

TAJIKISTAN: Recent election results greeted with a yawn- http://bit.ly/cFaiYF

TURKMENISTAN: Report on prisons hints at police state- http://bit.ly/bXKMbT

A ‘New Era’ for Mongolia?

ATLANTA (HN, March 14) – The future of Mongolians may rest in its younger generations, according to new US ambassador to Mongolia, Dr. Jonathan Addleton, who was in Atlanta on March 2 to speak with a group of local business and civic leaders.

Only three months on the job, Addleton brings several years of work experience to his new diplomatic posting in Mongolia after migrating from aid-specific work during the last two decades.

“Although (Mongolians) had years of isolation, it is a forward looking country with people very interested in the modern world,” Addleton told HUM News on the sidelines of his group discussion in Atlanta. “For the younger generation, it’s a new era.”

A native of the US state of Georgia but born to missionary parents in Pakistan, Addleton has spent most of his life overseas in countries few Westerners visit such as Cambodia, South Africa, Kazakhstan and Yemen. He made a career with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which first took him to Mongolia from 2001 to 2004. 

At that time, he oversaw development projects geared toward building up the country’s banking and economic sectors. A country the size of the US state of Alaska, but with a population of only about 2.5 million, Mongolia is a landlocked country sandwiched between Russia and China. 

“It has one foot in northeast Asia, and another foot in Central Asia,’ Addleton said.

Now he is back in Mongolia, which he says is emerging as a global economic force.

While most foreign investment comes from China, Mongolia has a “third-neighbor policy,” which the ambassador said is based on cultivating relationships with the rest of the world. Major mining companies from Canada have invested millions, for example, and multi-national companies like Caterpillar and Coca-Cola have both increased business dealings there.

Democracy

This year brings 20 years of democracy to Mongolia, which has a parliamentary system of government. The US-educated president, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, is a member of Mongolia’s Democratic Party and heads the country’s coalition government, but most members of parliament (MPs) belong to the opposing Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party.

The ambassador also discussed what he called the “five areas of activity” in terms of Mongolia and US relations.

Development is one. But a new approach, he said, is the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which, in Mongolia’s case, is meant to reduce poverty through economic growth. A $285 million foreign-assistance compact signed by the US and Mongolian governments in 2007 will be distributed over a five-year timeframe.

The MCC’s compact with Mongolia will invest in improving the effectiveness and capacity of the country’s critical-rail system, the backbone of Mongolia’s economy.  MCC is also working with Mongolia to improve the ability of Mongolians to register and obtain clear title to their land, reform the vocational education system to meet the demands of the market, and improve the health and well-being of the labor force by reducing non-communicable diseases and more.

As Mongolia opens its doors to the world and looks to join international markets, HUM News asked the ambassador what checks and balances are in place to make sure Mongolia is rewarded along the way.

According to Addleton, Mongolia is “ready to take the risk, while at the same time getting what they need out of it. The Mongolian man on the street wants to see transparency.” 

Addleton explained that President Elbegdorj is involved in a global-transparency campaign to monitor the mining investments, environmental issues, and community relations. The community has a part in the discussion, as their involvement is hoped to reduce graft.

“There are multiple voices around that table,” he added.

Deadly Winter

Mongolia is facing its harshest winter in 10 years, with temperatures reaching minus 50 degrees Celsius (minus 58 Fahrenheit) in some expanses of the country. The weather pattern, known as a ‘dzud’, is a combination of a summer drought that limits grazing, followed by heavy snow and extreme cold. Dzuds are unique to Mongolia and do not occur frequently.

This disaster is affecting about a quarter of the population – mostly herders who are at risk of losing their livestock to the cold. The government has arranged a donors meeting with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and governments around the world to help. The US has provided some assistance, channeling $50,000 in relief through UN Children’s Fund (UNCEF), and another $25,000 to Mercy Corps, an international medical-aid group.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has started a $4 million, ‘cash-for-work’ scheme that pays herders to collect and clear out the dead livestock, like goats, camels, horses and yaks, as some 2.7 million animals have perished so far this winter. 

Ambassador Addleton said that while the situation is dire, NGOs are in place to offer assistance and, ultimately, the problem is a long-term rangeland issue, as uncontrolled populations of livestock have taken over the area and are overgrazing what grass was left.

-- Courtney Body, reporting. Photo by Les Neuhaus.

HUMNEWS HEADLINES- March 13, 2010 (Africa/Middle East)

Africa and the Middle East

ANGOLA:     Speaker of Parliament urges women-focused development- http://bit.ly/cuSzYr

BENIN:     EU gives US$33 million for road networks- http://bit.ly/dtvU2A

BOTSWANA:    Puma clothing company invests in tourism company- http://bit.ly/aazBrZ 

BURKINA FASO:  Government ends water, electricity privatization- http://bit.ly/cBM6Sj 

CAMEROON:     Government to ban rice imports in hope to increase production- http://bit.ly/cFDqK3 

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC:    UN Mission extends mandate by 2 months- http://bit.ly/cfx409

COMOROS:    US$540 million, a record sum of aid, given at donors conference- http://bit.ly/9hGTRW 

ERITREA:    Eritrean idol wins year-long music contest- http://bit.ly/dezd63 

GABON:    Government to recruit 3000 new police officers-

http://bit.ly/clRRgn 

GHANA:     Multi-nationals invest US$5 million in oil industry- http://bit.ly/b8Wxpw 

GUINEA:     AU calls for change of voting rules before election-http://bit.ly/bxDErI 

LIBERIA:   Sweden doubles aid to Liberia- http://bit.ly/9xHTb6 

LIBYA:    Libya kicks off in CHA qualifier in Algeria- http://bit.ly/a39aXr 

MADAGASCAR:    Tropical storm kills 14, 10,000s affected- http://bit.ly/cSQ9Fy 

MALAWI:     CHAN 2010 Qualifiers: Malawi 3, Mozambique 0- http://bit.ly/btvkyF 

MAURITANIA:        France, Mauritania sign pact on social development- http://bit.ly/9EC0bu 

MOZAMBIQUE:      Largest bank says economy to keep growing-  http://bit.ly/b6nJvL 

NAMIBIA:     Report: media still has bias towards women-  http://bit.ly/apqm9Z 

QATAR:     UN talk on banning of tuna, ivory, tigers meet in Doha- http://bit.ly/bQMnd2 

SEYCHELLES:     South Africa donates official World Cup balls to Seychelles FA- http://bit.ly/a5PVvk 

SIERRA LEONE:     Minister confirms link to Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) undersea cable- http://bit.ly/9Cq8Nv 

SUDAN:    EU to have monitors for Presidential election April 11- http://bit.ly/aohyXB 

SWAZILAND:    Bill drafted to regulate broadcasting industry-  http://bit.ly/drphYl 

TOGO:     1000s turn out for competing political rallies- http://bit.ly/9SwaAd 

YEMEN:    Security forces storm, shut down Al Jazeera, Al-Arabiya offices in Sana’a - http://bit.ly/bzdaH0 

HUMNEWS HEADLINES-March 13, 2010 (Europe/Eurasia)

Europe/Eurasia:

ARMENIA:   Swedish genocide vote angers Turks - http://bit.ly/ 

MONGOLIA:   Mongolian protestors demand health minister resign- http://bit.ly/d8aPF8

TURKMENISTAN:   Russian FM to meet Turkmen President- http://bit.ly/aR4Rke

KYRGYZSTAN:   Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan to collaborate in education- http://bit.ly/buVAFD

MOLDOVA:   Moldovan, Ukrainian premiers discuss bilateral ties- http://bit.ly/8Yb1as

HUMNEWS HEADLINES-March 13, 2010 (The Americas)

The Americas:  

BELIZE:   Xate harvesting in Belize enters a new era- http://bit.ly/dkCFdM

BELIZE:  Guatemala Reasserts Challenges to Belize’s Sovereignty- http://bit.ly/chzkg4

BELIZE: 

Commentary: Belize needs a long term plan to become competitive in international sports- http://bit.ly/dCRA8B

BELIZE:  

Belize looks at recommendations on the Inter-American Convention against corruption- http://bit.ly/9iNHk5

FALKLAND ISLANDS:    Volunteer Monitors Sought for Falklands- http://bit.ly/bccbQA

FALKLAND ISLANDS:   

Falklands’ economy poised to expand 5.3% following a contraction in 2009- http://bit.ly/bDDgLH

FRENCH GUIANA:     As deadlines near for US, EU bans on mercury…… http://bit.ly/d6bAHM

FRENCH GUIANA:       Arabsat 5A is delivered to French Guiana for its Ariane 5 flight - http://bit.ly/9JhQBl

GUYANA:             Guyana’s water company increases restrictions- http://bit.ly/a4dWfa

GUYANA:              Arubans see ‘gold mine’ in Guyana’s fruits and vegetables- http://bit.ly/d08ppP

GUYANA:       Media sign revised code of conduct for upcoming elections- http://bit.ly/dluSin

SURINAME:    Suriname to host Caribbean Conference on Higher Education- http://bit.ly/aOaJ2r

SURINAME:     Suriname Elections Bureau sworn in- http://bit.ly/dwimOe

SURINAME:   Health workers in Suriname end strike- http://bit.ly/aJY0GU

HUMNEWS HEADLINES-March 13, 2010 (North and South Oceans)

North and South Oceans:

ANTARCTICA: Longwood man Mike Dann to head Polar challenge - http://bit.ly/aPz87i

ANTARCTICA: Violent backlash on against climate scientists - http://bit.ly/biHUWe

GREENLAND: Dramatic decline of male births in indigenous communities tied to industrial pollution - http://bit.ly/dnoxgm

GREENLAND: The Old Norse Predicament - http://bit.ly/bWLTEd

GREENLAND: “Ice Arches” act as gatekeepers to melting Arctic ice - http://bit.ly/dBhPtQ

ICELAND: Webstore on Icelandic design opens in France - http://bit.ly/cj2D03

ICELAND: Iceland airline bullish about Winnipeg - http://bit.ly/9UcKSN

ICELAND: 2010: The year of global insurrection? - http://bit.ly/aXIc7V

ICELAND: First dog sled competition held in Iceland - http://bit.ly/acW6qw

ICELAND: Debt ridden and not a worry in the world - http://bit.ly/b1RFRf

SVALBARD: Is the future of food in frozen, seed-filled Tupperware containers? - http://bit.ly/buyiHo

HUMNEWS HEADLINES - March 13, 2010 (Asia and the Pacific)

Asia and the Pacific:

AMERICAN SAMOA: 

Former official of federally-funded organization in American Samoa pleads guilty to theft - http://bit.ly/d5Ls8b

BHUTAN:  Bhutan duo on mountain mission to lift women's football - http://bit.ly/b0iDRn 

BHUTAN:   Many fingers in one pie- http://bit.ly/cmunQT   

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM:  Bruneian Organisations Unite Under One Body- http://bit.ly/9fYQdT  

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM:  Brunei farmers can quadruple rice yield by double cropping - http://bit.ly/cprx4X 

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM:   Litterbugs slapped with fines - http://bit.ly/cDt2zT 

CHRISTMAS ISLAND:    Navy intercepts another asylum boat - http://bit.ly/9Yf4CQ 

CHRISTMAS ISLAND:    UN changes may see detainees sent home http://bit.ly/aJm8av  

CHRISTMAS ISLAND:     Crew from asylum boats transferred to Darwin - http://bit.ly/9Z0EWS

CHRISTMAS ISLAND: Evidence on detention centre riot in doubt - http://bit.ly/bZ4aA1  

COOK ISLANDS:    Aitutaki reconstruction aid announced - http://bit.ly/an4sdY   

COOK ISLANDS:   

Thousands flock to Pasifika festival, Cook Islands village is one of the most popular attractions-http://bit.ly/dkmXfc

EAST TIMOR: 

Human Rights Watch Film Festival features East Timor in “The Balibo Conspiracy”; in London - http://bit.ly/99LUR4

EAST TIMOR:  East Timor denies supporting human rights tribunal- http://bit.ly/94qfyV

EAST TIMOR:   A haven gone, but Old John keeps the faith- http://bit.ly/br0mjf

EAST TIMOR:    East Timor development reveals multiple graves - http://bit.ly/8YDZhD 

FRENCH POLYNESIA:    

55,000 in poverty in French Polynesia, says study - http://bit.ly/bPeeSN 

FRENCH POLYNESIA:  

French Polynesia defection strengthens ruling majority - http://bit.ly/b4krQ5 

GUAM:   Guam Airport Gets $7.7 Million in Federal Grants - http://bit.ly/d3cwdC  

LAOS:   Thieves loot Lao city's Buddha statue heritage- http://bit.ly/cUuasV  

LAOS:    When the Mekong runs dry- http://bit.ly/cRWTtf

LAOS:     First TBM launched in Laos- http://bit.ly/aRPa2w 

LAOS:     Laos and US discuss comprehensive accord- http://bit.ly/aZGRcN  

LAOS:  (INTERVIEW)  China No. 2 fuel ethanol maker eyes overseas plant in Laos - http://bit.ly/ahh4Nx 

MACAU:    US reports ‘sex trade’, trafficking in Macau- http://bit.ly/95rOAh 

MALDIVES:  Maldives - President Nasheed meets President and PM of Iceland- http://bit.ly/cqrWTM

MALDIVES:    Vice President meets with WHO Director General- http://bit.ly/9qBIng

MALDIVES:     Maldives president: We must find out who hacked climate emails- http://bit.ly/bFVGv6 

MARSHALL ISLANDS:   Maritime Labour Convention: Marshall Islands authorizes GL- http://bit.ly/9qhV6W 

MARSHALL ISLANDS:  Piracy update – Marshall Islands Chemical tanker hijacked- http://bit.ly/cgZTS8   

MICRONESIA:   PNA seeks tuna certification - http://bit.ly/daP1A1   

MICRONESIA:    Coast Guard on alert for missing men in FSM- http://bit.ly/dd7Pzm  

NEW CALEDONIA:   New Caledonia weathers 2009 global economic downturn- http://bit.ly/bvvYKb

NEW CALEDONIA:   Strike by New Caledonia nickel miners- http://bit.ly/axAplj

NORFOLK ISLAND:  Australian Labour Party and its last frontier - http://bit.ly/cZ7jPw

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS:    

Bigger role for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in US military buildup? http://bit.ly/9EyoqU 

NORTH KOREA: 

North Korean Defector Receives International Women of Courage Award - http://bit.ly/ccz0f4

NORTH KOREA:   Mexico announces roster for North Korea soccer match - http://bit.ly/aRDvZl

PACIFIC ISLANDS:  

Banking on Genes: Pacific Island invest in test tube plants and crops - http://bit.ly/d5pPOA

PALAU:

Second round of (Scripps Howard spelling) bee over, spellers from spellers from Guam, Saipan, Rota, Tinian and Palau left- http://bit.ly/dCnPi8  

PALAU:    Lucrative Shark Trade under Scrutiny after Palau, Maldives take steps- http://bit.ly/dndXFC 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

Yudhoyono holds bilateral talks with Papua New Guinea's Somare- http://bit.ly/cQNPoq

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

Groups Threaten Lawsuit Over Export-Import Bank ExxonMobil PNG Project - http://bit.ly/bROZwz

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:    Indonesia, PNG Agree on Official Border Post- http://bit.ly/dp4qeS

SAMOA:

Samoa will host the 2010 ANZ Pacific Nations Cup, the International Rugby Board announced yesterday- http://bit.ly/cJAhy4 

SAMOA:

Samoa's AG happy with New Zealand Broadcasting Association decision- http://bit.ly/9S4R5d 

SAMOA:   Samoa government to crack down on dishing out of titles- http://bit.ly/aUxnDR

SOLOMON ISLANDS:   Cyclone bill estimated at least US $77million so far- http://bit.ly/cJ6fZV

SOLOMON ISLANDS:    Touo Bible Translation Project begins- http://bit.ly/aSDZui

SOLOMON ISLANDS:   Seda lashes out at Solomon Islands Music Federation- http://bit.ly/bs8yiU  

TONGA:     Harvard’s Tonga line- http://bit.ly/agvjCS   

TUVALU ISLAND:  Internet still spreading its web- http://bit.ly/bC0Pcz   

VANUATU:    Vanuatu will shine in 2010 says Asian Development Bank- http://bit.ly/d5I3tp

WALLIS AND FUTUNA:     Wild weather brews in Pacific- http://bit.ly/d25shh

WALLIS AND FUTUNA:     Two cyclones named in region- http://bit.ly/9KaLId