IV National Science and Technology Contest held in December TEGUCIGALPA — Between December 16 - 20, the Salon Cultural of Banco Atlantida, exhibited the twelve best projects presented at the IV National Science and Technology Contest, organized by the Honduran Council for Science and Technology. Under the motto “Improving Development of Knowledge”, the institution calls for participants in the Professional, Student, Children and Free categories to submit original, innovative and creative scientific or technological projects. This year 24 entrants proposed ideas in areas such as physics, energy, math, computer science, chemistry, biology, environment, agriculture, agro-industry, engineering, health and education. Full article by Carolina Alduvin

Christmas in Honduras, it’s just different ROATAN – You’re sitting in a pulperia having a banana smoothie when a loud series of explosions fill the air. Heavy smoke wafts over to your area and a just as your recovering, a few random late shots go off. Where are you - in Afghanistan, in Israel? No, in Los Fuertes on Roatan. It’s Christmas in the Caribbean. Somehow they have blended in the Fourth of July with Christmas and everyone seems to enjoy the noise. Full article by Don Pearly

Community Technology Centers A government official recently stated that textile manufacturing was the only form of industry that could settle down in Honduras because it’s the one that requires the least educated workers. She stated this after receiving a group of investors who came, saw and left with their business elsewhere. More recently, a newspaper story reported the start-up of a new textile plant in East Asia that uses only hi-tech machinery. Full article by JORGE GALLARDO RUIS

Christmas bird counting at Lancetilla Gardens in Tela

A group of bird watchers in the middle of Lancetilla Botanical Gardens near Tela.

TELA -- Every year, the north coast city of Tela is visited by thousands of tourists; they come from all over Honduras and many other countries attracted by its magnificent Caribbean beaches. December has an extra attraction, the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere brings all kinds of migratory birds to our latitude in search of warmer weather and food. Lancetilla Botanical Garden, located just three miles from downtown Tela, is a permanent attraction that becomes the scenario for the yearly Christmas Bird Counting attended by bird watchers from all over Honduras, the United States and the world. Full article by Carolina Alduvin

Good news for Hondurans residing abroad. The Honduran National Congress has tentatively approved a reform to the Constitution, which will enable Hondurans who reside abroad as citizens of another country to retain their Honduran citizenship and passport as well. The measure will only apply to Hondurans that were born in Honduras. It is expected that the measure will be formally enacted after a vote in Congress early next year. The new double nationality provision will make it easier for Hondurans residing abroad, especially in the United States to return to Honduras as Hondurans, which translates to a lot less paperwork and other hassles. Full Update