· August, 2011

Stories about Food from August, 2011

China and USA: Joe Biden's Noodle Meal

  30 August 2011

The United States Vice President Joe Biden ended his six-day official visit to China on 22 August, 2011. Most Chinese people do not know whether or not there there has been any diplomatic achievement during this trip, their attention is instead focused on the bowl of noodles Biden had in Beijing. Oiwan Lam explains more.

Trinidad & Tobago: Eating for Independence

  29 August 2011

“August 31st is Trinidad’s Independence Day”: TriniGourmet.com posts her menu for this year's celebrations, which she calls “a trifecta of the new, the old, and a new twist on an old favourite.”

China and Britain: how do they compare?

  27 August 2011

A British who has settled in China recounts his observations about the differences between the daily life in China and Britain, and how Britain has changed since he last visited there a year ago: “Great Britain is my home, and I love it, but it does feel like many of...

Somalia: Food Security Emergency Spreads Despite Aid

  25 August 2011

As the Horn of Africa deals with what the Food and Agriculture Organization is calling the “most severe food security emergency in the world today,” experts warn that conditions in famine-stricken Somalia are likely to further deteriorate. Juhie Bhatia examines the spread of the disaster.

Ethiopia: British Media Fuels Aid Apathy

  24 August 2011

According to Ethiopian blogger, Daniel Berhane, British media fuels aid apathy: “At a time when about 12 million people in the horn of Africa suffer from the worst drought in 60 years , British media is busy disenchanting private donations…Alas, at a time when only a third of the needed...

Russia: Intoxicating Economics

  24 August 2011

Streetwise Professor argues against the bad economics of promoting Russian wine production to turn consumption patterns from stronger to weaker alcoholic beverages in order to fight the country's rampant alcoholism.

Singapore’s Curry Solidarity

  24 August 2011

Netizens reacted strongly to the news that an Indian family in Singapore has agreed not to cook curry after their newly arrived neighbors from China complained to authorities about the smell. To show solidarity to all Singaporeans who love curry, a “Cook A Pot of Curry Day” event was organized last Sunday

Trinidad & Tobago: Meet Morvant

  16 August 2011

“As a true-blue, third-generation Morvant denizen, I realize that most people know not of the Morvant of which they speak”: Outlish fills us in about life in this Port of Spain suburb, which is all too often stigmatized.

Madagascar: Sanctions Result in Economic Decline and Food Insecurity

  16 August 2011

After two and a half years of transitional government, Madagascar has experienced a slow, seemingly unstoppable decline of its fragile economy that has put a strain on the lives of millions. With an economy ranked worst in the world and a food crisis looming, Malagasy citizens debate the merits and impacts of international sanctions

Haiti: Jobs Needed for Progress

  10 August 2011

Love Haiti suggests that “the hardships facing Haiti today may be compared to the Great Depression of the United States”, explaining: “The point of this analogy is simply to state that school/education should not be at the top of Haiti's agenda, a country confronted with a housing crisis, an unprecedented...

Guatemala: Police Kill Peasant With Tear Gas Canister

  9 August 2011

Indigenous peasants living on lands claimed by landowners in Guatemala are often violently evicted from their homes by policemen and soldiers. Last week, 31-year-old Sergio de León was killed when a policeman fired a tear gas canister at his chest during an eviction.

Ethiopia: Local Media Ignore Famine

  9 August 2011

Endalk wonders why Ethiopian media ignores famine in the country: “While there has been news after news on the issue of on the global press which was lead by the Guardian and other global newspapers. I have been desperately running from newspaper to newspaper but I have barely seen a...

The Balkans: Travel Blogs

  9 August 2011

At Balkan Travellers, Sarah Hucal writes about Yugo Yoga performance that took place on a makeshift stage at Belgrade's Museum of Yugoslav History in July 2011; more of Hucal's Balkan travel writing and photos are at her blog, Solo in the Balkans. Jana Orsolic's Istria Week travel photos and journal...

Trinidad & Tobago: Love, Freedom & Humanity

  8 August 2011

“The real tragedy is people who have no one to love them. I can hardly imagine how long it’s been since anyone has reassured them, you are real. You are important. You are loved. If you don’t have this then food and money and life mean nothing. That is why it...