Student Deported w/o Her Degree, October 31, 2009, CNN.com

Berlanty Azzam is a 21-year-old college senior studying business at Bethlehem University in Jerusalem. She went to Ramallah (the capital of the West Bank) for a job intervew but on her way back, was stopped at a checkpoint guarded by the Israeli Army. She was being deported from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip for illegally staying in the West Bank longer than her permit allowed. Now, she can’t go back and finish her studies and earn her degree. Check out the article for more details.

Dutch Girl Won’t Be Flying Solo Anytime Soon, October 30, 2009, CNN.com

Lauren Dekker, 14, wanted to fly around the world by herself. And when a Dutch court found out that her parents weren’t going to stop her, they put her under the care of the state. On Friday, the court decided that she wasn’t experienced enough to sail solo. Maybe next year, chica.

President of Chile Leaves HER Mark, October 28, 2009, The New York Times (NYT)

Michelle Bachelet became president of Chile in 2006, making her the first woman to do so. It was a big deal, especially because Chile is a conservative country and she didn’t have a famous husband backing her. Early in her presidency, there were lots of demonstrations and she wasn’t a popular president. But her work, especially her handling of the economy during the recent crisis, helped increase her popularity. With only five months left in office, the 58-year-old single mother of three, is expected to go down in history as one of Chile’s most popular presidents.

Trying to Stop Rapid Spread of H.I.V. in Russia, October 28, 2009, NYT /Associated Press (AP)

H.I.V. is spreading is Russia. According to The Times, “the number of Russians infected with H.I.V. has doubled in the past eight years.” So AIDS experts want the country to try new tactics to fight the disease. Russia favors an “abstinence-based strategy,” while experts are encouraging them to try things like needle exchange programs, methadone clinics (for heroin addicts), and free condoms. Some in Russia are wary of some of these programs because they don’t want to seem to “endorse” risky behavior. I say, you better do whatever works.

Tight Jeans Banned in Indonesia, October 28, 2009, The New York Times

So…apparently, some Muslim women in Indonesia (who live in a certain district of the Aceh Province) will no longer be allowed to rock tight jeans, courtesy of a dress code that goes into effect January 1. Why? “Wearing tight jeans exposes their bodies, which is strictly banned under Islam,” said one man quoted in the story. The law will be enforced by the Shariah police (police who enfore Islamic law). What will happen to the clothes? They will be shredded and the woman will have to wear government-issued skirts. Men are also forbidden from wearting shorts. (map of Indonesia that also explains more info. about religion in diff. parts of the country)

Death Penalty for Adulterers in Indonesia? October 27, 2009, NYT

So, in more Indonesian law news, adulterers can be stoned to death. Now, in addition to giving public canings for gambling, prostitution and affairs as punishment, the Shariah police will be enforcing religious morality more harshly than ever before. Not everyone agrees with these harsh laws or measures, but the country is clearly cracking down…literally.

Making a Better Dominican Baseball Player, October 24, 2009, NYT

There are lots of famous Dominican baseball players- Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramirez, A-Rod (although he was born in Washington Heights, not the DR).  And in the Dominican Republic, many are working to make sure that tradition continues, to the point of giving teenage boys injections, vitamins and painkillers to try to make them better players in hopes of getting them to play Major League Baseball (and to get more $ for the agent/trainer/coach). According to the article, “Dominican-born players make up about 17 percent of major league and minor league rosters in the United States and Latin America, but about 38 percent of the players who tested positive for steroids and other banned substances since 2005.”

Rural Wives “Sold” in India? October 23, 2009, CNN.com

So there’s an article on CNN.com reporting on the hardships of farming familes in rural parts of India, specifically that because of the severe drought and the bad economy, the farmers are in debt and desperate for money. According to the article, “to survive the bad years, some farmers say they turn to the “Paisawalla” — Hindi for the rich man who lends money. Farmers say the loans from these unofficial lenders usually come with very high interest.” And paying it back somes means selling whatever they have- including thier wives…say what now?!