This Week in Pictures: November 29 – December 05, 2016

Last week the headlines came thick and fast so we’ll take a few moments to look at some of the big stories that swirled around the globe over the last seven days.

In Austria the far right Freedom Party candidate, Norbert Hofer, was soundly thrashed by the pro-European Alexander Van der Bellen, an independent candidate in the much touted re-run of May’s presidential election that was annulled by the constitutional court following voting irregularities. The victorious Van der Bellen said his win was a “red-white-and-red beacon of hope and change to all the capitals in Europe.” The defeated Hofer confirmed he would be running for President in six years time.

In Italy a referendum held on constitutional reform proved to be a devastating defeat for incumbent Prime Minister Matteo Renzi who submitted his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella following a result that saw approximately 60% of Italians vote against his proposals. “My experience in government ends here.” Said Renzi going on to call the high turn out, some 68% of eligible voters, “a feast of democracy”. The surge in support for populist parties is thought responsible for his loss.

In New Zealand Prime Minister John Key took the nation by surprise and left many off balance when he took the opportunity to resign last week. “Sometimes you’ve got to make hard decisions to make right decisions.” Said the decade long leader of the National Party, “On a family basis, I don’t think I could commit much longer than the next election.” Mr. Key said he would support his deputy Bill English if the finance minister stood for election, and that his resignation would be effective Dec. 12th.

In sports fans mourned the loss of the Chapecoense team from Brazil which was all but wiped out when the team and staff were among 71 killed in an air crash in the Medellin area of Colombia. Their charter plane ran out of fuel having less than the required amount in reserve in case of delays. The Chapecoense team were on their way to their biggest ever game in the Copa Sudamericana and their deaths, and the severe injuries to those that survived have shocked football the world over.

1. GamingZion takes a look at the top 3 underdogs you can bet on to win the Super Bowl.

2. The top online sports betting websites you can access in Finland are revealed.

3. After her recent win in Bellator, Anastasia Yankova could be Russia’s next major MMA star.

4. GamingZion takes a look at the betting lines for the upcoming Ice Hockey World Championship.

5. Despite his claims of retirement, you can bet on Nico Rosberg returning to F1 sometime soon.

6. Japan’s Lower House Cabinet Committee passes a new gambling legislation bill.

7. GamingZion takes a look at the betting favorites to win the 2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Meanwhile Nico Rosberg decided that having won the Formula One world championship his career in F1 had reached a zenith from which it was all down-hill and five days into his reign as champion promptly retired. Saving the sport from having a leading exponent with all the personality of a plank, Nico’s retirement leaves some room at the top and it remains to be seen if the young Max Verstappen will be able to take advantage to challenge the ever speedy Lewis Hamilton for the title in 2018.