Stories from 7 December 2012
Review of South Korea's First Presidential Debate
South Korea's presidential election is just right around the corner and three top contenders had their first heated TV presidential debate. The Marmot's Hole blog wrote a review of the...
Italy: Staying in Venetian Monasteries
Olia and Claude Barrère, two French expatriates in Venice, Italy, write on their blog, “Olia i Klod” [fr]: Today, as in the past, monasteries offer the possibility of accommodation. They...
‘Fuleco’ the Mascot Divides Brazil
After a public vote, it was decided that the FIFA World Cup's mascot in Brazil will be called "Fuleco". But many Brazilian internet users are now claiming it is an inappropriate choice, since fuleco in Brazilian slang also means "anus". More than 39,000 signatures have already been gathered in a petition.
Striker's ‘Scorpion Kick’ Goal Makes Bolivian Football History
Gastón Mealla, a 24 year-old Bolivian striker, made an improbable heel volley, a 'scorpion kick', scoring from outside the box during a local first-division match. FIFA nominated the goal to the 2012 Puskás Award. Despite not making the top 3 goals of the year, Gastón Mealla's astonishing scorpion kick will remain as one of the most spectacular goals of Bolivian football history.
Ecuador Launches Oil Auction Amid Indigenous Protests
On Wednesday November 28, 2012, Ecuador began an international licensing round for 13 oil blocks - nearly ten million acres - of untouched south-central Amazonian territory as indigenous leaders took to the streets in Quito to protest petroleum concessions on their lands.
Ghana Election 2012, From the Ballot Box
Ghanaian voters went to the polls today to elect a new president and parliament. The main presidential contenders are the current president John Dramani Mahama representing the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Nana Akufo-Addo of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Pardon Granted to Police Officers Convicted of Torture in Spain
The sentence of police officers found guilty of torturing a Romanian citizen in 2006 has been commuted and they have been fined instead. This development has reignited the debate on Spain's system of granting 'pardon,' which has been used to benefit those in closest proximity to power for years.
Top 10 Chinese Internet Memes of 2012
As the year comes to an end, we've picked China's 10 most memorable Internet memes of 2012. They cover scandal, celebrity, humour and buzzwords.
New Twists in the Political Crisis in São Tomé & Príncipe
One week after a censure measure by opposition parties passed in Parliament against the minority government of São Tomé and Principe, the President formally removed the government. Online reactions took no time at all, in the midst of the storm that threatens the political stability of the country.
Brazil Bids Farewell to Niemeyer, Revolutionary of Modern Architecture
Remembered primarily as the architect who designed Brazil's capital city, Brasília, and for having remained faithful to his communist ideals throughout his entire adult life, Oscar Niemeyer passed away on the night of December 5 in Rio de Janeiro after succumbing to a respiratory infection. He was 104 years old.
Day 2 of Developing Latin America 2012
Last Sunday December 2 saw the completion of day 2 of the regional hackathon Developing Latin America 2012, organised by the Ciudadano Inteligente Foundation in eight Latin American countries. After 36 hours of intense and continuous work, the teams participating in the various headquarters began the presentations of their projects in order to later find out the jurys' decision. Here we present the winners from the different headquarters.
World Heritage Site Djemila, Algeria in Jeopardy
Algerian historian Nacéra Benseddik warns that the construction underway on the site of UNESCO World Heritage Site Djamila is endangering the archaeological ruins [fr]. Djamila is famous for for its...
Sri Lanka: The Rise Of The Classified Portals
Nandasiri Wanninayaka sold his Motorbike through a free online classified portal in Sri Lanka and writes about his experience and the potentials of such platforms.
Journalism and Technology Scholarships for U.S. Students
The Online News Association is accepting applications for the AP-Google Journalism and Technology Scholarship, which awards six $20,000 scholarships for the 2013-14 academic year to undergrad and grad students doing...
Why Are Rich Chinese Entrepreneurs Leaving China?
Chinese entrepreneurs are leaving China. According a survey, conducted by China Merchants Bank and Bain & Co., 27% of entrepreneurs worth over 100 million RMB have already emigrated and 47% of them are considering moving abroad. The growing trend is nurturing resentment among Chinese citizens.
