David Leveille
Adotta Una Guglia – Adopt a Spire
Milan, Italy’s 14th century cathedral is one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Europe. But the cultural landmark is in need of some renovation and a major cleaning. Air pollution and foggy weather have taken a toll on the white marble. So cathedral authorities have come up with a clever way to hopefully raise thirty million dollars for the renovation. Adotta una guglia or “Adopt a spire.”
Uruguay’s ‘Poor’ President
For our Geo Quiz Thursday we travel to the capital of Uruguay. BBC Mundo’s Vladimir Hernandez profiles Uruguay’s president Jose Mujica, who’s been called the world’s “poorest” president. He gives away most of his salary, and lives on a ramshackle farm just outside Uruguay’s capital instead of a presidential palace.
Bicycle Innovation on Display in Taiwan
Our Geo Quiz takes us to an international bicycle trade show going on in one of East Asia’s bike manufacturing hubs. The World checks in with Nicole Formosa who’s covering the event for Bicycle Retailer and Industry News to hear more about the innovative technology on exhibit including disc brakes, eBikes, and electronic cabling that’s generating a buzz.
Copper Mining Threatens Afghan Buddhas
A Chinese company is set to begin mining one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper deposits. Cash strapped Afghanistan could potentially reap billions of dollars in revenue from the deal. But there’s a hitch. There’s an ancient Buddhist monastery there and the site is full of old Buddha statues and artifacts.
Dali’s Mad Tristan On View in Quebec
A spectacular surrealist painting called Mad Tristan by the Spanish artist Salvador Dali is being exhibited for the first time in more than six decades. Art historian Jennifer Whisper has seen “Mad Tristan” up close in the first public exhibit since Dali created it for New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1944.
New South African Currency Honors Mandela
South Africa has introduced some brand new banknotes. For the first time, the country is honoring former president Nelson Mandela by putting his picture on the currency. The Governor of the South African Reserve Bank spent some of crisp new Rand bills at a local market in the South African city where the national Reserve Bank is headquartered.
NHL Lockout: Realtor and Amateur Goalie Sees Action in Toronto to Fill Shortage
The National Hockey League lockout has left some Toronto Maple Leaf pros with time to practice at local rinks. But there’s a shortage of goalies for all the practice sessions so some amateurs are stepping in to fill the void. Greg Partchenko is a 40-something, Toronto real estate agent, who’s had the chance to fill in as goalie for Toronto’s pros.
North Korea’s Ryugyong ‘Hotel of Doom’
Our Geo Quiz today takes us to North Korea’s capital where construction of the Ryugyong skyscraper hotel has been underway for 25 years. Rumor has it the spaceship-like, pyramid-shaped, and, according to some, “hideously ugly” hotel won’t be ready for a few more years. Hannah Barraclough leads tour groups to North Korea and recently had the chance to take a tour herself of the Ryugyong Hotel.
Medieval Feasting Hall Discovered Under English Village Green
Archaeologists have discovered remnants of a 1,300-year-old Anglo Saxon feasting hall just inches below a village green in the south-eastern corner of England. The team found evidence that suggests elite Anglo Saxons gathered there to enjoy food and drink in what’s described as “a pretty lively gathering probably fueled by lots of meade (& wine) probably drunk from colorful and prestigious glass vessels.”
Cruise Ship Waits Out Sandy in Canadian Port
For our Geo Quiz — we’re looking for a Canadian city getting a boost from Sandy. The storm brought some unexpectedly good fortune to a city in Northern Quebec. The city is known for its protected, deep water harbor on a tributary of the St Lawrence River. Can you name this Canadian city?
Tracking Hurricanes from the Caribbean
Meteorologist Kathy Ann Caesar of the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology in Barbados says the islands along the southern rim of the Caribbean rarely experience direct hits by hurricanes, due to their proximity to the equator, and to the way tropical storms form. But she adds, these islands still need to be vigilant.
Cyberattack on Saudi Oil Company Aramco Reverberates
Geo Quiz: We’re looking for a city that’s a major oil port in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. It’s home base for the Saudi oil and natural gas company Saudi Aramco. The company owns several massive oil fields, including the world’s largest, the Ghawar Field. Can you name the Saudi city where Aramco is headquartered?
Vatican Declares First Ever Native American Saint
Kateri Tekakwitha, the first ever Native American to be declared a saint, figures in today’s Geo Quiz. Pope Benedict XVI conducted a special mass to canonize seven new saints including Tekakwitha at St. Peter’s square in Vatican City. Where is the tomb of the the 17th century spiritual icon located?
Measuring the Impact of Bhutan’s Melting Glaciers
Can you name the 1,800 mile long river that originates in Tibet, high in the Himalayas, then winds its way south through India and Bangladesh before it finally empties into the Bay of Bengal?
Argentina’s Ship Libertad Seized In Dispute Over Debt Repayment
A financial dispute between a New York based financial services company and Argentina has led to the seizure of an Argentine naval ship, the Libertad in a seaport of the West African nation Ghana.
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