Stories from 18 March 2013
A Look Inside the Indigenous University of Venezuela
What is it like to be a student at the Indigenous University of Venezuela? Three students from the department of edu-communication recently took part in a workshop led by Rising Voices in order to learn how to take better digital photographs and how to upload and share them on the internet.
Video: Crisis Engenders Greek Documentary Boom
The 15th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival includes five crisis-themed Greek films in its lineup. As the Festival, and Greece at large, continues to labor under the mounting debt and austerity crisis, fiction and documentary filmmakers alike are increasingly focusing their work on its effects on society.
Hello Spring, Goodbye Evil Eye
Μάρτης [el], мартеница [bg], мартинка [mk], mărțișor [ru]…however you call it, an ancient tradition [el] with multiple variations that takes place in the Balkans. So, weave your red-and-white threads for protection against the “evil eye” or to welcome Spring!
#Followme: Greek Documentary Explores Twitter
@andriotakis: Στο τρέιλερ του #followme οι @jeffjarvis @evgenymorozov @drandakis @vatraxokoritso @Urfurslaag @constantnos @asteris http://youtu.be/5OD_9oZXlH8 Videographer and author Manolis Andriotakis namechecks Greek tweeps and acclaimed critics he interviewed for his documentary on Twitter, prior to its’ screening at the 15th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.
Philippines: Forced to Leave School Due to Unpaid Fees, Student Commits Suicide
A 16-year old college freshman in the University of the Philippines Manila committed suicide after she was forced by the school administration to stop attending her classes because of unpaid tuition. Grief and sympathy poured all over social networking sites over her untimely passing. Many also expressed outrage over the highly commercialized system of education in the country
Indonesian ISPs Accused of Illegal Surveillance
The Indonesian government is investigating allegations that the country's major internet service providers – Telkom, Biznet, and Matrixnet Global – are conducting an illegal surveillance of internet users through the use of a spying software. The companies have denied the charge but if found guilty, they can face a 15-year...
East Timor a “Failed State-in-Waiting”?
The La'o Hamutuk NGO links to an editorial of the influential Petroleum Economist which discusses the problems faced by East Timor's economy: Timor-Leste was once seen as the poster child for developing nations. It had natural resources, a comprehensive legal framework covering their extraction and an oil fund. Now, almost...
Learning Computer Science in Vietnam
Neil Fraser visited a Vietnamese elementary school and was quite impressed with the computer science curriculum for young students: I had walked into that class prepared to help them in any way that I could. But instead of the school learning from my experience, I learned from them. They showed...
Argentina: San Lorenzo Celebrates Pope Francis, its Most Sacred Fan
Pope Francis is an active fan and member of Argentina's San Lorenzo football club. The club released a new shirt during a match on March 16 against Colón de Santa Fe to commemorate the new Pope.
China: Where Doctors Are the Bad Guys
Mary Ann O'Donnell explains why doctors occupy the same hated position in China that lawyers occupy in the United States. The explanation interestingly is related to the role of the governments of the two countries.
Myanmar: ‘Save Our Zoo’ Campaign
Arguing that it is already a health threat, the government of Myanmar wants to relocate the Yangon Zoological Gardens which has been a city landmark since 1906. Residents and netizens are opposing the proposal and they suspect that the relocation is being pursued to build hotels in the area.
12,000 Dead Pigs, But Shanghai's Quiet
The number of dead pigs found in the Huangpu River has reached over 12,000, yet there have been no protests in Shanghai. Seeing Red in China explores why Shanghai's citizens remain calm about their polluted river.
Peru: Exit Polls Say Villarán Remains Lima's Mayor
Even though the first official results of Sunday's recall referendum have not been published, exit poll results [es] indicate that mayor Susana Villarán will not be revoked. According to Ipsos Apoyo the ‘No’ received 52.6% of the votes and the ‘Yes’ 47.4%. Datum reports that the ‘No’ got 53.2% of...
