Meanwhile... the first international cricket match in eight years took place in Pakistan
In Lahore, Pakistan, cricket fans stood in line for hours to see the first international cricket match in their country in eight years.听
In 2009, the Sri Lankan national cricket team was attacked by terrorists while in Lahore for a match. Eight players were killed and seven wounded. Since then, no major national cricket team has played a Test match (a form of cricket recognized by the International Cricket Council) in Pakistan.
That is, until last month, when a match was scheduled between Pakistan and Sri Lanka 鈥� in Lahore. Most of Sri Lanka鈥檚 first-string players refused to go. But Sri Lankan cricket star Thisara Perera and the second-string Sri Lankan team agreed to attend.
When the Sri Lankan players entered the stadium, Pakistani spectators were on their feet cheering, displaying Sri Lankan flags and posters with welcoming messages. 鈥淲hat can one say to Sri Lanka except a huge 鈥榯hank you鈥�?鈥� Pakistani cricket fan Afia Salaam told Al Jazeera.
In Kenya,听some consider the country鈥檚 new ban on plastic bags a hardship or an inconvenience. But for some women, it鈥檚 an economic opportunity.听
Members of Kerio Women, a group in Turkana County in northern Kenya, have been using palm leaves to weave eco-friendly baskets. The women told Kenya鈥檚 Daily Nation that demand is rising daily. 鈥淲e are receiving a lot of orders from cereal and fruit vendors who are switching from plastic to biodegradable bags,鈥� said Mary Erakai, leader of the group.听
In Peru, American trekker Nick Stanziano is urging people to walk the historical Great Inca Trail.听
The 15th-century road was an Incan trade conduit, stretching more than 1,700 miles from Ingapirca, Ecuador, to Cuzco, Peru. But today the trail is disappearing from lack of use. So Mr. Stanziano and other trekkers 鈥� with 10 llamas 鈥� walked the whole trail in 130 days, hoping to inspire others to follow.
鈥淲e want to start bringing hikers to experience sections of this ancient trail through the beautiful mountains of Peru,鈥� Stanziano told Lonely Planet. 鈥淭ourism development can actually help preserve this piece of history.鈥�
