New Zealand: William and Kate confirm NZ tour
Kensington Palace has confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will tour New Zealand and Australia in April next year, most likely accompanied by Prince George.
The visit, rumoured for several months, will be the first New Zealand and Australian tour for Kate Middleton.
It’s expected the couple will bring their son, Prince George, Royal Central reported. He will be nine months old and it will be the first time he has left England.
Prince William and Kate will spend between a week and 10 days on official engagements in both countries, beginning in New Zealand. But with rest days and travel, the entire trip will take the best part of a month, UK newspaper The Express reports. ...
The New Zealand Herald
Rwanda: Mani Martin, the Voice of African Orphans
Growing up as an orphan Rwandan singer Mani Martin often felt lonely and voiceless. Now an adult and a successful musician, he tries to use his talent to give other orphans a voice and act as an ambassador for those who grow up without parents.
It has been a busy year for Mani Martin. The 24-year-old Rwandan singer received international recognition, which gave his career a big boost. Earlier this year he won the RFI Discoveries Award from French broadcaster RFI, and his song ‘My destiny’ ended up in the Top 50 of African songs about Africa, compiled by the BBC. ...
All Africa
Argentina: Temperatures may hit 40° in Buenos Aires
A new report released today by the national weather service informed “a new and progressive increase of maximum and minimum temperature marks is expected in the region from Friday 20 to Tuesday 24.”
Minimum temperatures will reach from 20 to 25 degrees while maximum marks could rise to 40, the report warned adding afternoon breezes in the coastal area may bring relief to Buenos Aires citizens. ...
Buenos Aires Herald
Japan: Kyoto Goes Kawaii - Traditional Nishijin-ori textiles get modern twist
For centuries Hosoo Co. has specialized in Nishijin-ori textiles for kimono and “obi” sashes, but now the company is exploring less traditional uses that suit the modern lifestyle.
Several years ago the company opened the Hosoo Kyoto shop to offer interior goods, bags and other items made using brocade.
One of its signature products is the macaroon-inspired, one-of-a-kind and handmade brooch designed by a Japanese jewelry designer. Bags, meanwhile, are in the hands of an Italian designer. ...
The Asahi Shinbum
Czech Republic: Christmas means it’s time for ‘pohádky’
A national tradition (almost) as fundamental a part of the country’s cultural identity as Christmas carp is the fairy tale, known in Czech as pohádka. The former Czechoslovakia’s output of stories of this genre was prolific, and even after the fall of communism the push to produce films following the formula of Christmas happiness has continued.
The television lineup of the week leading up to Dec. 24, and beyond, usually comprises all of the famous pohádky of years past and sometimes includes a new film that may exploit the advances in technology but never strays too far from the tried-and-tested plotlines of its elder siblings. ...
Prague Post
Maldives: World’s largest floating book fair docks in Malé
The Logos Hope – dubbed the “world’s largest floating book fair” – operated by the German Christian charitable organization GBA Ships is currently visiting the Maldives as part of the vessel’s tour around the world.
According to the Logos Hope website, the original Logos had visited the country forty years ago – in 1973.
“Many in the Maldives still remember stepping on board Logos as children in 1973 or the visit of Doulos in 1998,” read a statement released on the group’s website. ...
Minivan News
Brazil: Rio Government Installs Signs Announcing Beach Restrictions
One sign announces that the presence of dogs on the sand is prohibited. Another indicates that the practice of sports by the water’s edge must not occur between 8am and 5pm.
The two signs, created by the Secretary of Public Order of the Rio City Government, have been present on the city’s waterfront since December 3. This date marks the state of Operation Summer 2014, which aims to “bring order to the city’s beaches.” ...
Folha de S. Paulo
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