Week in review
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This week: Russia stockpiles for safety; the Danish navy goes up against Greenpeace; And introducing Glamping … the new luxury way to camp.
Taming the flames
Fires surrounding Moscow and its neighbouring provinces continued to burn this week.
The wildfires are not only taking their toll on the country’s health and safety, but have now impacted the economy.
Russia is one of the world’s biggest producers of wheat, barley and rye. It exported a quarter of its 2009-grain output.
But in an effort to guarantee the supply of bread to domestic households, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has banned the export of grain, a move that will seriously damage the country’s balance of payments.
The ban will initially last until 31 December this year.
As for the fires, the media reported on Thursday that a cold front had hit Russia and would end the two-month spell of heat and smog.
Colder temperatures and rains are expected to help authorities put out the last of the wildfires.
Greenpeace versus the Danish Navy
On Tuesday, a Danish navy vessel was sent to the Faroe Islands to confront the Greenpeace ship - the Esperanza.
The environmental group embarked on a mission to highlight the dangers of deep sea oil drilling after setting sail from London last week.
Greenpeace refuses to say where it's heading, but has stated that it aims to confront the industry head-on over its dangerous pursuit of oil.
Danish authorities expect the ship to go to oilrigs near the Faroe Islands.
The Esperanza has 30 crewmembers onboard and is equipped with several months of supplies, boats and a helicopter.
Greenpeace's senior climate campaigner Ben Ayliff told Network Europe they didn't realise the Danish navy was pursuing them.
The latest glamorous trend … glamping!
For many, camping in the great outdoors offers exciting experiences like pitching tents, breathing in fresh air and frying beans at dawn.
But of course, there's the downside of unloading the equipment, sleeping in a small bag and locating the Swiss army knife in the dark.
A couple of smart entrepreneurs in the UK have managed to fuse their home comforts with their love of nature.
In lieu of sleeping bags, cans of sausages and a weak plastic tent, guests are treated to soft air mattresses, native-American Indian-style teepees and warm home-cooked meals.
It's called Glamping! And it's for those individuals who like the idea of roughing it … without actually roughing it.
