Germany: The Price of Eggs – How to save male chicks
Germans consume about ten billion eggs – and that poses an ethical problem. Modern farming methods use hens that are bred to achieve high egg yields. Male chicks are virtually worthless to the industry, and are killed immediately after hatching. But consumers in Germany are mainly concerned with keeping prices low, so there is little pressure for change.
Now, a court in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia has found that it’s not legal in Germany to kill the chickens. According to German law, no vertebrate can be killed “without a good reason.” So the state government has said it will not allow it any more. …
DW
New Zealand: Marlborough wines reign at NZ Wine Awards
Marlborough wine makers have reaffirmed their status as industry heavyweights – scooping a heap of top prizes at this year’s Air New Zealand Wine Awards.
Nautilus Cuve Brut NV – a sparkling wine from the region – won top honours at the annual award’s last night, receiving the prestigious Air New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show prize. …
The New Zealand Herald
Rwanda: African Fashion on Show in Kigali
Photo Essay
At this year’s Kigali Fashion Week, which took place in November, designers as Injonge Karangwa, Suhaa Schmitz or Colombe Ituze Ndutiye show their creations and ideas. Displays on show included men’s fashions as well, and South African Shaldon Kopman was among the models who appeared. …
AllAfrica
Wales: Clare’s Law – Scheme to protect women from domestic violence to be extended
Clare’s Law was trialled for 12 months and allows women to check police records to see if a partner has a violent past.
A pilot scheme to protect women from domestic violence by a partner is to be extended across the country.
Clare’s Law was trialled for 12 months in force areas including Gwent.
It enables women to check police records to see if a partner has a violent past. …
WalesOnline
Chile: Artisans from around globe arrive to Santiago
Some of the finest artisan work from around the world has come to Santiago.
At this year’s Muestra de Artesanía UC, Chile’s largest annual gathering of artisan workers, craftsmen and women from eleven countries have come to Santiago to display and sell their work. From brightly colored Mexican talavera to meticulously crafted wood boats modeled after those found in Southern Chile to traditional Indian clothing, this crafts fair is a sight to see.
Denise Sánchez Aparicio, a 32-year-old artist from Lima, Peru, who works primarily with clay, told The Santiago Times that the fair’s goal is to help keep alive the art which reflects humanity’s heritage.
“The reason we’re here — and the reason the fair is here — is to rescue traditional art,” she said. “It helps highlight the importance of traditional art.” …
The Santiago Times
Malaysia: Volunteering in the wild
Instead of treating themselves to a cushy vacation, some choose the challenging but rewarding task of volunteer work.
When Mandy Lee Yu-Ming told people around her that she was going to sign up for a volunteer project, she got mixed responses of admiration and apprehension.
“Most thought it sounded really cool but they didn’t think they could do it because they didn’t want to get their hands dirty. They thought I was really brave to do it,” says Lee, a Taiwanese English teacher who signed up for a volunteer programme organised by APE Malaysia in September. …
The Star
Czech Republic: Czech Press Photo Awards capture year’s highlights and low points
The 11 member jury consisted of professionals from international publications including UK-based Sunday Times, news agency Reuters and National Geographic Magazine. They picked the best photo as well as first-, second- and third-place winners in eight categories and eight honorable mentions. Other prizes were given out by contest partners, including Nikon, Canon, Trigema and energy company ČEZ. The City of Prague also gave a grant to one winner, who will have a separate exhibition.
The photographer of the winning shot described the impossible situation, with a police escort rushing the accused politician past the press every day. “The photographer’s interest in taking more of the same pictures was diminishing each time David Rath walked through the corridor. I took advantage of the small melee by the lift door,” Komaryt said. “Before the arrival of the lift with the former [governor] I leaned over the rope so that my camera pointed straight into the small window of the lift door,” he added. …
Prague Post
