Germany: Dead Good Coffee- Cemetery Cafés Gain Popularity in Berlin
Graveyards may not seem the ideal location for afternoon tea, but there is a trend towards opening cafes inside cemetery walls in Berlin and other cities. They offer comfort not just for the bereaved but for local people and tourists who seek tranquility.
“But no dead people were laid out here, right?” The two elderly ladies standing at the cake counter wanted to know exactly what happened here. “Oh yes, corpses were laid out right here,” replied the waitress, Johanna Helmberger, suppressing a smile. …
Spiegel Online
New Zealand: ‘Extinct’ South Island kokako could still be alive
A claimed sighting of the South Island kokako, a bird declared extinct six years ago, has fuelled hopes the species could still be alive.
Advocacy group Forest and Bird said a sighting of the bird by two people near Reefton in 2007 had recently been accepted by the Ornithological Society’s Records Appraisal Committee, which monitors the status of rare and endangered birds. …
The New Zealand Herald
South Africa: In Search Of A Truly South African Beer
A new variety of hops, simply called J-17-63, is giving the growing microbrewery industry a shot in the arm.
The product of 15 years of research has been released to a few microbrewers for feedback and to assess its long-term potential.
“Because it offers such high bitterness, but then also fruitiness and even a hint of chili, it means brewers are able to use it to make very different styles of beers”, says South African Breweries chief brewer Martin Brooks. …
All Africa
Ireland: A history of Irish drama in 10 foods
Brendan Behan said every time there was a crisis at the Abbey, someone put on a pan of rashers. But are there any rashers in Irish plays?
The search led me to construct a history of Irish drama in 10 foods.
1: Algernon’s cucumber sandwiches (1895)
In Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, the first intimation of Algy’s double life is his hypocrisy over the cucumber sandwiches he has told Lane, his butler, to make for Lady Bracknell. He forbids Jack from eating them: “They are ordered specially for Aunt Augusta.” But he immediately eats one himself. By the time Lady Bracknell arrives Algy has scoffed the lot. Lane covers up the crime by saying there were no cucumbers to be had in the market, “not even for ready money”. …
The Irish Times
Mexico: Whale Watching in the Waters of Banderas Bay
Come December the sounds of Humpback whale song can be heard once again in the protected waters of Banderas Bay.
These behemoths of the deep return to the breeding and calving grounds off Puerto Vallarta in December, and stay until their newborns are strong enough to begin their migration northwards to the rich feeding grounds off Alaska in March. Their presence in the bay provides locals and tourists alike the opportunity to go whale watching. …
Banderas News
Finland: Young Finnish pupils to learn programming?
A Finnish minister says the government is mulling the idea of introducing computer programming to the syllabus of primary schools in the country. Alexander Stubb said last week that the youngsters could be doing basic programming and coding exercises for homework in the not too distant future.
The foreign trade and European affairs minister said modern children are familiar with technology and its myriad uses from an early age. He continued by saying they learnt how to play games and use gadgets which all required a certain amount of coding and programming. …
Ice News
Bangladesh: UP, UP & away
Suspended more than 500 feet above land, strapped to a para-motor, an epiphany forces itself into your consciousness; man was never meant to fly. Peering down at the tiny dots which were previously people, the feeling of isolation sinks in. There’s also ample fear because at the moment your only saving grace is the experienced pilot behind you. Around you swirls a chilling breeze; a sombre reminder of the presence of the literal winds of fate. Your adrenaline levels soar and every minute lasts an eternity making you experience trepidation and thrill in equal measures. Welcome to the world of para-motoring, an offshoot of paragliding.
An initiative of Major Maaz, this para-motor experience is the first of its kind in Bangladesh. …
The Daily Star
