Day: 25 January 2006

Sri-Lanka and Rebels Agree to Peace Talks

The Tamil Tigers, a group of rebels fighting the Sri Lankan government, have agreed to meet in Switzerland with the Sri Lankan government to negotiate peace. Recently ceasefire agreements have been breached, both sides don’t want more war, but agree nothing will happen until a more comprehensive ceasefire agreement is reached. Both sides also acknowledge that the recent fighting has done more bad than good for all people.

Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim helped broker a brief peace between the Tigers and Sri Lanka in 2002, and thanks to him the peace talks are now being held in Switzerland.

Researchers Reveal 3D structure of HIV

A team of scientists from the UK and Germany have established the 3D structure of the HIV virus. This discovery may help other scientists to develop new therapeutic techniques.

The scientists had a tough time cracking the shape of the virus, as it is highly variable, but they used a technique of combining multiple images to glean HIV’s shape.

The HIV virus causes aids by infecting the body’s T Cells, critical immune system cells which fight off invaders.

Stylish Bags NOT From a Sweatshop

A small NGO founded by a couple to help a slum in India has now become a profitable venture. It all starts with discarded plastic bags that are found in a dump.

From the high Commission of India, London:

“It may sound hard to believe, but handbags for sale in some of London’s fashionable boutiques started out as used plastic bags scavenged from the rubbish tips of Delhi. They are the product of a cottage industry run out of the living rooms of a handful of houses in a Delhi slum. The plastic bags are ferreted out by the rag-pickers, the poorest of Delhi’s poor, who make their living hunting for scraps in the rubbish of their richer neighbours.”

Truly a fantastic demonstration of a small amount of capital being used to make big chances in impoverished communities.

Thanks, Justin!