Hong Kong protests dwindle
Businesses are reopening, schools are back in session, and the once tens of thousands of protesters in Hong Kong are now only a few. Pro-democracy demonstrators say some talks over political reforms have been planned, but so far none have taken place. The scene was casual at the previously occupied government headquarters Monday morning. Still, some activists remain committed to the cause, wanting proof that the talks will, indeed, happen. And others believe protesters will come back after a rest. Or they will move to new areas. Either way, protests are expected to continue. [Source: National Post]
Canadian media monopoly in the works
The company behind the National Post, and a handful of other papers across Canada, Postmedia, announced plans to purchase Quebecor’s string of newspapers, which includes the Sun tabloids. For some Canadian cities, this move means one company will control the flow and dissemination of the print news. This will be true of Ottawa, as both of its major dailies will soon be owned by the same company. And the same for Calgary and Edmonton, as well. The bundle will cost Postmedia $316-million, but the deal still requires regulator approval from the Competition Bureau and others. [Source: Huffington Post]
Presidential election in Brazil goes to runoff
The presidential race in Brazil is headed to a second round after Dilma Rousseff, the incumbent, failed to receive enough support during Sunday’s election to defeat rival Aecio Neves outright. The results were 42 per cent to 34 per cent, respectively. Analysts predict a tight contest between the two. “I clearly understood the message from the streets and from the ballot boxes,” said Rousseff, who came to power from the left-wing Workers’ Party. “The majority of Brazilians want us to speed up the Brazil we are building.” The election also dealt a blow to environmentalist Marina Silva, pushing her out of the running. She was favoured to do well. Voting is mandatory for those between 18 and 70 in Brazil, and more than 80 per cent turned out on Sunday in an election that also dealt with congress and regional governors. The runoff vote will take place three weeks from now. [Source: BBC]
Crowdfunding campaign aims to ban Nickelback from London
Craig Mandell, God bless his soul, has launched a Kickstarter to ban the well-marketed, Canadian, douchebag supergroup Nickelback from playing London. From the page: “We are attempting to ensure that Canadian ‘rockers’ Nickelback do not come to London, England to play a gig. With your help, we can ensure that the band do not schedule any gigs here, do not attempt to come here – nor even phone here.” For the slim pledge goal of $1,000.00, Mandell will ban the band from even contacting London. “Just imagine, thousands – perhaps tens of thousands of music lovers – all not witnessing an exclusive concert by Nickelback in London. It will be glorious.” Here are the kickbacks for contributing:
Rewards
$1
Email on your behalf Your donation will result in an email, written on your behalf, to the management of Nickelback, kindly requesting that they do not play in London, England for the foreseeable future. You also get the added bonus of not seeing Nickelback. Estimated Delivery: the foreseeable future 0 claimed
$5
Slightly more forceful email Your donation will result in an email, written on your behalf, to the management of Nickelback, forecfully insisting that they do not play in London, England for the foreseeable future. You also get the added bonus of not seeing Nickelback. Estimated Delivery: the foreseeable future 0 claimed
$10
Somewhat explicit email Your donation will result in an email, written on your behalf, to the management of Nickelback, full of explicit phrases and lots of capital letters and maybe even a rude emoticon or two, imploring that they do not play in London, England – ever again. You also get the added bonus of not seeing Nickelback. Ever again. Estimated Delivery: eternity 0 claimed
$50
Sending Nickelback’s music to Nickelback Your donation will result in an email to Nickleback with an attached mp3 of Nickelback’s music. This way, the band will hear their own music, and likely retire immediately, thereby ensuring the success of our campaign. You also get the added bonus of not seeing Nickelback. And perhaps helping to ensure no one ever does again. Estimated Delivery: eternity [Source: Death and Taxes]
Inner-GPS discovered in human brain
Norwegian scientists May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser, as well as British scientist John O’Keefe have won the Nobel Prize in medicine for their discovery of the GPS-like component that helps the brain chart and navigate the world around it. Their work, first, of course, conducted on rats, represents big gains in understanding how cells contribute to cognitive function. This advancement could help scientists and researchers better understand processes like memory, thinking, and planning, and do important work on diseases of the mind such as Alzheimer’s. “Thanks to our grid and place cells, we don’t have to walk around with a map to find our way each time we visit a city because we have that map in our head,” said chair of the medicine prize committee Juleen Zierath. “I think without these cells we would have a really hard time to survive.” [Source: Mashable]
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