Delhi, India: Between 2003 and 2005 Eritrea and few other countries were pioneers introducing a law, which banned or taxed plastic bags in order to protect nature. In Eritrea the law was introduced along with a fine in case someone would continue to produce, distribute or sell plastic bags. Individuals were exempt from the fine and many people accepted the law making the ban a success story. Most of other countries have taxed the usage of plastic bags instead of introducing a ban. Early this year, in January 2009, one of the biggest cities in the world Delhi has introduced exactly such a ban on bags – find out about the challenge to make a population of 13.782.976 people in one city adapt to this. read more:

Toronto, Canada: JESSICA LEEDER From the Globe&Mail

Two Eritrean Obama enthusiasts trying to tap the President’s popularity to drive business at their side-by-side Toronto stores have begun a legal duel over who has rights to put the famous name on their sign.  The use of the President’s moniker by both fledgling stores, which are separated by a dusty outfit called Jane’s Happy Bar on an eastern stretch of Danforth Avenue, has left many customers with the impression that a local Obama chain has been formed.  Read the full story

New York, USA: After the United Nations Mission had been terminated in 2008 assets belonging to the UN have been left behind in Eritrea. During a meeting of the Fifth United Nations Administrative and Budgetary Committee this morning, it has been proposed to donate the assets to the Government of Eritrea. According to a United Nations press release the inventory is worth $6.08 million with a residual value of $2.3 million. Further, the report states that the donation awaits confirmation from the United Nations and Eritrea.

Land of the Punt

Bonn, Germany: Hatshepsut ruled over the land of the Pharaohs in the 18^th Dynasty 1479 to 1458 BC.

Although it was uncommon that Egypt was governed by a woman, Hatshepsut and Cleopatra are evidence that death and destiny could have created scenarios, where a woman could have become the Sun God.

As a pharaoh Hatshepsut oversaw preparation and funding of missions to the Land of Punt, today in the region of Eritrea. When the Egyptians returned from the Land of Punt they brought with them richness and goods in the form of gold, myrrh, ebony, ivory and incense.

Even today incense is used and routed deeply in the culture of Eritrea and the Horn of Africa.

According to German scientists traces of such incense have been found in a flagon that has an inscription with Hatshepsut’s name. The flagon was used as perfume by the pharaoh and seems to be well preserved.

The scientists plan to screen the perfume, which they named “the scent of the gods”, in the Radiology Department of the University of Bonn. First x-rays revealed residues of fluid sediment, which is going to be analysed by pharmacologists with the goal to recreate the perfume. University of Bonn Press Release

London, England: According to a Reuters report; British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is going to meet African Leaders ahead of the London G20 summit in April. Quoting the spokesman of Gordon Brown at least over 20 African Leaders will attend. The meeting should address the concerns of Africa that poorer countries might be left out of the measures to be taken to address the recession. Gordon Brown states; the commitment to the developing world should be kept - a “real stimulus” involves any country in the world.

There is a wide spread fear amongst developing countries, that the willingness of wealthier nations to boost aid might go down. The concern seems to be not unfounded according to an estimate given by Action Aid. In an article from the BBC, Action Aid states the loss of aid and export earnings will be $27bn out of a total of $49bn, which African economies will lose by the end of the year due to the recession.

Al-Damazin, Sudan: During the opening session of a conference for Sudanese and Ethiopian border security cooperation, the Sudanese head of security and intelligence services said that the two countries made considerable progress. read more:

Hamid Island, Eritrea: A short story from a sailor arriving with his boat on the shores of Hamid Island Eritrea in the Read Sea. read more:

read-sea-sailing

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: The movie tells the story of a young man, who leaves his African small town in order to study in Germany. When he returns to his home village in Africa after several years, he comes back as a changed man. The story is said to underline the fact that many Africans do not draw lessons from the racism they experienced abroad when returning to Africa. read more: