Ivory Update

EBay has announced a worldwide ban on the sale of ivory products on its auction websites from 2009.

Useful links:
www.ebay.com
www.ifaw.org
www.hsus.org
www.cites.org

EBay's decision is commendable.

African Economies + Credit Crisis

Martin Plaut's opinion piece in the BBC News + other viewpoints @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7682724.stm was insightful.

Useful links:
www.aureos.com
www.imf.org

Better economic management/regulations? Good luck, Africa!

Random Thoughts

Good judgment is usually the result of experience, and experience frequently the result of bad judgment.

- Robert Lovett

How true!

Latin America's First Diamond Exchange

The Panama Diamond Exchange will mark its official launch on October 24, 2008. Go to www.pde.com.pa for further info.

Europe's Monastery And Convent Guesthouses

Europe's Monastery and Convent Guesthouses by Kevin J. Wright is an interesting guide book geared to the Christian traveler.

Useful links:
www.religioustravelassociation.com
www.go-to-italy.com
www.monasterystays.com
www.guiasmonasterios.com
www.valamo.fi
www.santasusanna.org
www.slowtrav.com
www.orden.de
www.brigidine.org

Nikon Small World 2008

Michael Stringer from the United Kingdom took first place with a photo of Pleurosigma (marine diatoms), in the 2008 Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition. It was beautiful. Congratulations Michael!

Useful link:
www.nikonsmallworld.com

Designers Accord

Valerie Casey's project Designers Accord, also known as the Kyoto Treaty of Design, is an innovative approach to greening where designers from all disciplines collaborate with one another. Simply brilliant!

Useful links:
www.designersaccord.org
www.valcasey.com

The Museum Of American Finance

So what exactly happened on Wall Street? Even Oliver Stone who first chronicled Wall Street excess to an international audience can hardly believe what has happened. Perhaps a visit to the Museum of American Finance isn't a bad idea. Go to www.moaf.org for further info.