Brown-nosing, or rubbing it in?
A brand of toilet paper is causing a stink in Crimea because its name has the same initials as Russia's President, it's been reported. The "V.V." brand toilet paper has been criticised by customers in Simferopol because it alludes to "Vladimir Vladimirovich", the first two names of President Vladimir Putin. Crimea's Russian majority are fiercely loyal to Moscow, and customers found the perceived link to Putin's name difficult to take, RFE reported. One user was "outraged" at the fact that the maker of the product had included an outline of the Crimean peninsula on the roll, the implication being that the map would be put to a potentially disrespectful purpose. However, the toilet roll may just be the result of local patriotism - the packing also says "Buy Crimean!" in large letters. (Source: BBC.com)
A real page-turner
If you are looking for a book that's not an All Black bio or a cookbook for a seasonal stocking stuffer, New Travels by veteran news reporter Bob McNeil could be the answer. Here's a sampler: "The man at the gate asked us if we wanted to see the bull elephant. He told us the poor beast was blind, his eyes having been taken out by poachers with shotguns. As we went closer, [the elephant] lifted his head and charged straight at us! I couldn't believe this was happening, being chased by a bull elephant. It was like something out of those Tarzan movies and all I could think of doing was to shout, 'Run!' and turn and take off in the opposite direction. Chris didn't need to be told by me what to do. He was already running up a hill into some trees, clutching his camera to his chest. It was at this stage that I began to think this time we were really in trouble. The gunboat, the suicide bomb - they had been nothing; this time we were for it. Suddenly I heard the mahout shout just one word. It pulled the elephant up in his tracks immediately." (You can buy the book at bobmcneil.co.nz.)
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Got a Sideswipe? Send your pictures, links and anecdotes to Ana at ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz
