Our World in 7 Headlines: Aug. 31

A look at the world on Aug. 31, 2013, through local media headlines—from rape-preventing fashion accessories in India to a contemplation of what it means to be Welsh in Wales.
Our World in 7 Headlines: Aug. 31
Earthquake victims line up for food at evacuation shelter in Fukushima City, Japan, on April 9, 2011. Researchers have developed a device that can determine radioactive content levels in fish and other food products without having to destroy them first in order to test them, reported Asahi on Aug. 31, 2013.
Tara MacIsaac
Updated:

India: Now, fashion accessories designed to prevent rape

AHMEDABAD, India—As nationwide protests are ramping up after gang rapes, some grassroots innovators from remote villages of the country are quietly coming up with anti-rape gadgets, unique accessories and innovative clothing to deter assaults. These innovators, mostly women, have designed the futuristic innovations in such a way that women can wear them as fashion accessories. ...

Times of India

 

Japan: New device tests food for radioactive content more efficiently

ISHINOMAKI, Miyagi Prefecture—Researchers have developed a device that can determine radioactive content levels in fish and other food products without having to destroy them first in order to test them.

The device could prove a possible savior for fishermen and farmers who are suffering due to concern their produce may be contaminated by radioactive fallout from the Fukushima nuclear disaster. ...

Asahi

 

Mexico: Mexico ships first load of premium tequila to China

GUADALAJARA, Mexico—Mexico sent its first shipment of 100 percent blue agave tequila to China, hoping to finally break into what sellers say could soon be their second biggest market.The shipment consisted of more than 70,000 bottles of the highest quality tequila, with a total value of more than $400,000, according to the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT).“It’s the beginning of a great opportunity for the development, expansion and positioning of our national drink, tequila, to conquer this great market,” CRT head Miguel Angel Dominguez said during a speech at the event in the western ...

Mexico Star, AFP

 

Middle East: Media on the frontlines

Caught in the crosshairs of conflict, what challenges do journalists working in the Middle East and North Africa face?

We feature a documentary that first aired on Al Jazeera Arabic by Palestinian Jordanian filmmaker Bashar Hamdan.

The documentary, called Targeting Journalism, caught our attention because of what it highlights about the dangers facing journalists in the Middle East.
In many parts of the world, journalism is a profession under fire. Nowhere has this been more true than in the Middle East in recent years. ...

Al Jazeera

 

Canada: The Toronto of tomorrow: Skyscraper City

Like knitting, creating renderings of future city skylines is meditative. At least it is for Scott Dickson, who spent more than 100 hours working on an image of what Toronto’s skyline will look like in 10 years.

The designer has a decade of experience producing skylines using Photoshop to amuse what he calls wannabe urban planners. ...

The Globe and Mail

 

Korea: Samsung’s dog-loving chairman: Man behind growing canine companionship in Korea

It all started with one man’s wish to share his joy of companionship with dogs. 

In 1993 Samsung Group launched Korea’s first training school for dogs for guiding the blind, search and rescue, and therapy assistance. Behind the endeavor is its chairman, Lee Kun-hee, 71, renowned for his love of dogs. ...

“It was hard for me to get along with school life after I came back from Japan, due to high anti-Japanese sentiment at that time. So I became more attached to dogs,” he wrote. 

Lee himself led efforts to promote international recognition of Korea’s native Jindo dogs in the 1970s. ...

Lee’s affection for dogs may have played a part in shaking off Korea’s controversial image as a “dog-eating country.” …

Korea Herald

 

Wales: Cerys Matthews asks the Welsh nation to tell her what Wales means to them

What is Wales to you? Ask each of Wales’ three million residents and you’ll probably get as many answers.

Yet there are likely be a cluster of things that many will agree upon.

It might be a song, a moment in history, a person, a word, poetry, a place, a flavour, a view, a saying or a story.

With some 2,500 world music aficionados arriving in Cardiff in late October for world music market WOMEX 13, Cerys Matthews, artistic director of the opening concert, hatched the idea of asking the nation “what is Wales?” so that she and the team hosting the event can give delegates a sense of place. ...

 

Wales Online