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Mexico: Ethanol Boom Inspires Protest and Hope

David Sasaki · 18:34 · Americas

“For the Corn!” by Cadeva - A protester against rising corn prices in Mexico City's Chapultepec Park.

As old as sin, I mean, alcohol

Today's hemispheric rundown of all things Latin American is a collection of posts all wrapped in the common husk of corn. That's right, the elongated staple of summer barbecues, movie matinees (in its popped form, of course), and taco tortillas is ~~husking~~ basking in some rare media limelight thanks to every politician's new favorite buzz word, ethanol. Though its newfound popularity is firmly based in 21st century petrol politics, ethanol itself has been the intoxicating ingredient of diverse cocktails since Persian alchemists first came up with distillation (for which I am still indebted) around 800 AD. According to Wikipedia, “Dried residues on 9000-year-old pottery found in northern mainland China imply the use of alcoholic beverages even among Neolithic peoples.” And who said they didn't get down in the stone age?

Even though ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, was known for millennia throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, its production was mostly dependent on sugar, grains, and rice. Unbeknownst to the so-called “old world”, across the ocean throughout what would soon be called the Americas, corn was king. Called maize in much of the world, the spanish word maíz derives from the original Arawak term for the plant. Its seeds were brought back to Europe, and beyond, by the Spanish Conquistadores and, in testament to its popularity, eventually came to be called “corn,” the original English word for any cereal grain.

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South Asia: unemployment, congregation, cricket, richest beggar and extra bed for bloggers

Rezwan · 04:52 · South Asia

South Asia is one of the poorest regions in the world. Unemployment is one of the major problems for all the countries in this region. South Asia Biz writes a series on the employment situation in South Asia. The biz blog reviews online job portals from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Now we have more South Asian blogs in review:

Bangladesh:

Blogger News Network writes an article on the Biswa Ijtema, an annual global Islamic meet, on the banks of river Turag on the outskirts of the Bangladesh capital Dhaka. Around three million devotees attended the closing prayers this Sunday, many walking miles as traffic was suspended to give way. This is the second biggest Muslim congregation after hajj.

People returning from Ijtema

In less then a month of the state of emergency the traffic jams and chaos in Bangladesh had diminished. There are no demonstrations in the streets, traffic jams are more regulated, people have space to walk on the curbs as illegal encroachments were demolished. The government is cracking on corrupted ‘big fish' political leaders and feudal political activities are suspended. Chhayalin comments that people thought these changes would be impossible some days ago. The caretaker government with the support of army could achieve it in days what an elected democratic government could not do in five years. Meanwhile Drishtipat Group Blog is vocal for rights of the thousands of detainees arrested without charge sheet. Bangladesh Watchdog posts a roadmap to achieve good governance in Bangladesh.

Bhutan:

Cricket is very popular in South Asia. Although its tough to play cricket in a high altitude, the mountainous Bhutan has no short of enthusiasm for this game. Ugyen Dorji of Bhutan cricket weblog compiles a two part history of Bhutan cricket (1,2).

The phallus is the integral part of Bhutanese paintings. For those who did not know this Ugeent of Kuzu Bhutan Weblog provides a Bhutanese (more…)

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