Readwrotes Blog

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 06/29/2009 8:22 AM | Presidential Election Presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri will campaign in Lampung later on Monday, while her running mate, Prabowo, will focus his campaign in Jakarta. Megawati is scheduled to greet her supporters at a mass gathering in Baruna Ria field, Bandar Lampung at 10 a.m., visit a free health service event, and hold a dialogue with local public and religious figures. She will continue her campaign by visiting Radar Lampung daily newspaper, and attending another mass gathering in Tanjung Sari field, Natar district, South Lampung regency, Kompas.com reported Meanwhile, Prabowo would meet the Land Transportation Organization (Organda) officials who will give their support to him in Grand Mangaraja building, Jakarta. He will also speak at a discussion titled “Glorious Cooperative, Great Indonesia, Prosperous People," in Thamrin City, Kebong Kacang Raya, Jakarta. This week is the fi

By Jeff Swicord Washington 26 June 2009 As bee populations decline around the world, beekeeping is becoming the environmentally "in" thing to do, even in urban settings. VOA takes us to the grounds of the Franciscan monastery in Washington, D.C. for a crash course on the life of bees and their importance to the environment. Then, we visit the rooftop of D.C.'s posh Fairmont hotel, where chefs are keeping hives and harvesting the honey to use in everything from cheese plates to the French delicacy, foie gras. Joe Bozik tends one of the beehives he maintains at the Franciscan Monastery Joe Bozik has been keeping bees on the grounds of the Franciscan Monastery in Washington D.C. for about four years. Recently, honey bee populations in the U.S. and Europe have fallen victim to something called "Colony Collapse Disorder," where bees leave the hive but, for unknown reasons, never retur

By Phil Mercer Sydney 27 June 2009 Like slaves on an auction block waiting to be selected, victims of human trafficking have to perform as they are told or risk being beaten (2005 file photo) Police officials from across Asia meeting in Australia have decided to form unprecedented joint operations to combat the trafficking of sex slaves. Law enforcement experts say the trade in young women is far more organized than first thought. Law enforcement officials from Australia, China, Indonesia other Asian nations have agreed to intensify their efforts to combat human trafficking. Experts say many of the victims of human trafficking are sex slaves. Security officials meeting in Sydney agreed to launch new joint investigations to tackle this insidious trade. Australian federal police commander Ramzi Jabbour believes organized criminal gangs are responsible for a large amount of trafficking. He says he hopes the new spirit of reg

By Robert Berger Jerusalem 28 June 2009 Israel is considering a compromise with the United States on the thorny issue of Jewish settlements. Israel's Cabinet discussed the possibility of a partial freeze on construction in Jewish settlements at its weekly meeting. Israel has been seeking a compromise, following repeated demands by the United States to halt settlement expansion as required by the internationally backed "Roadmap" peace plan. Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak, 28 Jun 2009 The issue will top the agenda when Defense Minister Ehud Barak visits the U.S. this week. Barak said he will discuss a wide range of issues with American officials, including resuming peace talks with the Palestinians and a comprehensive peace with the Arab states. But the Palestinians are refusing to return to the negotiating table until Israel agrees to a settlement freeze. Barak would neither confir

By Laurel Bowman Washington 28 June 2009 Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya in San Jose, Costa Rica, 28 Jun 2009 Honduran military forces have ousted President Manuel Zelaya and exiled him to Costa Rica hours before a controversial constitutional referendum vote was set to begin. Organization of American States met in emergency session while the Obama administration expressed concern over events in the Central American nation. Hounduran lawmakers named their leader, Roberto Micheletti, to replace President Zelaya. U.S. officials quickly responded that they will recognize no other president than Mr. Zelaya. Micheletti, head of the Honduran Congress, said after his swearing-in that Mr. Zelaya's removal from office was not a coup. President Zelaya says Honduran troops forcibly removed him from his home in the dead of night and sent him to Costa Rica in his pajamas. The expulsion came on the day Mr. Z