7 December 2012

Stories from 7 December 2012

Review of South Korea's First Presidential Debate

  7 December 2012

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 debate with some background information.

Italy: Staying in Venetian Monasteries

  7 December 2012

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 are places of peace, places rich in culture, very well managed, and offer moments of serenity. In Venice, many of...

‘Fuleco’ the Mascot Divides Brazil

  7 December 2012

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

  7 December 2012

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

  7 December 2012

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

  7 December 2012

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

  7 December 2012

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.

New Twists in the Political Crisis in São Tomé & Príncipe

  7 December 2012

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

  7 December 2012

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

  7 December 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

  7 December 2012

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 unique adaptation of Roman architecture highlighted by an impressive arch.

Journalism and Technology Scholarships for U.S. Students

  7 December 2012

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 great work in digital news. Deadline to apply is February 8, 2013.

Why Are Rich Chinese Entrepreneurs Leaving China?

  7 December 2012

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.