Poland: MPs in conflict over Round Table talks legacy
A conservative opposition party is attempting to block a 25th anniversary resolution that “glorifies” the historic Round Table Talks between Solidarity activists and the Communist party. ... (Read more)
The News
Iceland: Iceland Voted Best TV Location
The readers of British media web site Radio Times have chosen Iceland as their favorite location for a TV show, i.e. the backdrop of HBO’s epic fantasy series Game of Thrones. Runners up include Dorset, the setting of Broadchurch, Cornwall, the setting of Doc Martin, and New York, the setting of Mad Men.
According to the web site, “Iceland brings active glaciers and blizzards to the drama, and is the backdrop for many of the scenes... (Read more)
Iceland Review
Australia: Are we teaching electricity the wrong way around?
It’s the beginning of another school year, and another crop of year 9/10 students is about to not get the hang of what electricity is all about, writes Bernie Hobbs. ...
Yet when they learn about electricity in year 9/10 science this year, it won’t be anything to do with the electronics they’re immersed in, or the Wi-Fi that enables it. They'll just learn how to build circuits that make light bulbs glow, and how to calculate current, voltage and resistance. ... (Read more)
ABC
Japan: Female grand master designate symbol of change in world of ikebana
The world of ikebana is not an institution where many expect to find change--after all, it is one of Japan’s most traditional arts, dating back over five centuries.
Yet “centuries of history have little meaning if they don’t connect the art to the present and pave the way for its future,” explained Yuki Ikenobo, the 46th grand master designate of the Ikenobo Flower arrangement schol ... (Read more)
Asahi Shimbun
Argentina: Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo announce 110th grandchild found
The Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo today announced the identification of a new grandchild who was appropriated during the dictatorship, the 110th child of disappeared activists found by the campaign group... (Read more)
Buenos Aires Herald
Switzerland: Swatch posts record profit as 2013 sales soar
Switzerland’s biggest watch group Swatch on Wednesday posted record net profits for 2013, up more than 20 percent from the previous year, and hailed a promising start to the new year.
Times look good for the company despite changes in the climate for luxury watch sales in the important Chinese market, the company said. ... (Read more)
The Local
Malaysia: Hot and dry weather expected throughout M’sia until Monday
It is going to be hot and dry in most parts of Malaysia, with scorching afternoons to be followed by cold nights.
“It’s going to be dry for most of the regions. Some showers here and there, but mostly dry and hot weather,” said National Weather Forecast Centre director Muhammad Helmi Abdullah... (Read more)
The Star
Friends Read Free