Kazakhstan: Lace underwear ban sparks protests

[The Straight Story]

The authorities in Kazakhstan have detained several women protesting against a ban on lace underwear, it's been reported.

One of the seven women held at the demonstration in Almaty, was waving what she said was the last pair of lace knickers she had left, Vlast.kz website reports. Another demonstrator told Russia's independent Rain TV that local residents have been receiving messages on their phones urging them to stay at home.

Production, import and sale of lace underwear will stop in July 2014 in Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus under a Moscow-led Customs Union. Officials say lace does not absorb enough moisture. The regulation was approved back in 2011, but has not been enforced until now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-26227943

[pampango]

1. There have been earlier protests about currency devaluation in Kazakhstan.

Protesters arrested in Kazakhstan after demonstration against currency devaluation

Police in Kazakhstan have clamped down on a protest against the devaluation of the country’s currency. ... They had gathered close to the Independence Monument in central Almaty. Public protest is unusual in Kazakhstan, but this is the seventh protest in Almaty within 10 days.

There is anger nationwide after the Government devalued the tenge last week by around one-fifth against the dollar with immediate effect, meaning overnight peoples salaries and savings were worth a fifth less and the price of imports is set to go up.

The government said it had to be devalued because of uncertainty over the exchange rate of the Russian ruble.

President Nazarbayev has been in power since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Kazakhstan has never held an election recognised as free and fair by the West.

http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/16/protesters-arrested-in-kazakhstan-after-demonstration-against-currency-/

Sounds like another dictator is having to learn to adjust to unhappy people demonstrating in his previously 'peaceful' streets.

[dipsydoodle]

3. meaning overnight peoples salaries and savings were worth a fifth less

That's not on home produced goods - devaluation don't affect those. Yes - price of imports is set to go up cross matched by increase exports in theory : oils , metals, and grain .................China being the biggest customer.

[pangaia]

2. I just started having my morning double espresso.

and I see this-- "Kazakhstan: Lace underwear ban sparks protests."

HUH? How does Kazakhstan, whoever he is, know if someone is wearing lace underwear?

" Officials say lace does not absorb enough moisture. "

Is this really a sneak attack from The Onion?

Is this Kazakhstan fellow actually running for the U S Senate from somewhere in the U S South? Or maybe running for President?

Granted and confession.. I did NOT read the article at the link. Not 'till I finish my espresso....