World Briefs

Author: Caroline Vial

Peace my friend, Adopt a Carrot...
Is your darling a vegetarian? Make him/her happy: adopt a vegetable. As most people know, we cannot begin counting the varieties that are slowly extinguishing. Save these endangered species by placing them in a safe haven, a grain conservation bank. For about 12 British Pounds (21 USD), you can participate during a year in the sponsorship of a kidney bean, a turnip or a head of cabbage (but certainly not tomatoes, sorry) at the Heritage Seed Library. For donations and adoption certificates, visit: http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk.
- Courrier International, Paris

Assault weapons: a gift with an aim
A Kalachnikov rifle? What a great Holiday gift! If it weighs about 25 pounds, donate your AK-47 to villagers in Sierra Leone. Blacksmiths and steelworkers will transform the weapon into farming instruments. A "Kalach" helps to create hoes and axes, while a rocket-launcher (55 pounds) will turn into picks and sickles. Are you in funding? Offer a tank. For 1000 pounds, you will give five blacksmiths a year's worth of work. With a pilot chart, they will have enough to make 3000 tools. Before recycling, the weapons are neutralized by the U.N. peacekeeping forces. Look for yourself at http://goodgifts.org.

- The Sunday Independent, Johannesburg

Buddha, the return
Ram Bahadur Bamkjan, 15, had a drink not eaten for six months. He has not drunk either, nor has he moved a hair. For a semester, Bamkjan has meditated beneath a tree, in the lotus position. Thousands of pilgrims who have gathered to see the adolescent are convinced: the prodigy is a reincarnation of Buddha. Local authorities are more skeptical, suspecting Bamkjan of indulging at nighttime, after his followers place a screen in front of his retreat. The Nepalese Royal Academy of Sciences and Technologies will send scientists to examine him. The police have investigated; the reincarnated Buddha has not spoken a word. Since he has entered meditation, only snake bites seem to have loosened his teeth.

- BBC news Online, London