And the Oscar goes to… A look at the nominees for Best Documentary Feature

Feb 21, 2013

And the Oscar goes to… A look at the nominees for Best Documentary Feature

Stokely Baksh 0 Comment Entertainment, Video, World 5 Broken Cameras, Academy Awards, Documentary Film, How to Survive a Plague, Oscars, Searching for Sugar Man, The Gatekeepers, The Invisible War

5 Videos

Some would argue that documentary film deserve a place in the best picture category: A powerful portrait of real people and true stories, unraveling and revealing a mystery, unscripted. In most cases, these films bring an opporunity of hope and change, exposing the difficult truths of our society.

This year’s contenders include films about uprisings, a history of violence, women in service and a musical icon of the anti-apartheid movement.

Here’s a look at the documentaries nominated.

Feb 19, 2013

Home sweet home? Living in a tomb

Stokely Baksh 0 Comment World AFP, Nis, Sasa Djordjevic, Serbia

8 photos

Homeless and cold, would you choose to live with the dead? That’s what two Serbian men have chosen to do in the city of Nis. For nearly 20 years, both Bratislav Jovanovic and Aleksandar Dejic have lived in tombs beside the caskets of their descendants.

Photos taken by Sasa Djordjevic of AFP. You can read his account on AFP’s Eyewitness blog.

As horsemeat scandal widens in Europe, a visit to the Skaryszew horse fair

Feb 19, 2013

As horsemeat scandal widens in Europe, a visit to the Skaryszew horse fair

Stokely Baksh 0 Comment World Europe, horsemeat scandal, Peter Andrews, Poland, Reuters, Skaryszew horse fair

24 photos

Polish animal rights campaigners heckled traders at the Skaryszew horse fair, one of Europe’s biggest horse-trading fairs, in the wake of a horsemeat scandal in Europe. Horse breeders have been coming to the open-air fair on the same day every year for the past three centuries, but the tradition has come under pressure from activists. Photos taken by Peter Andrews of Reuters on Feb. 18.

Feb 18, 2013

56th World Press Photo Contest winners

Nick Tann 0 Comment World Paul Hansen, World Press Photo Contest

20 photos

The prize-winning entries of the World Press Photo Contest 2013, the world’s largest annual press photography contest, were announced on February 15, 2013. Taking home the top prize was photographer Paul Hansen from Sweden with a picture of men carrying the bodies of two dead children in Gaza City. (ATTENTION: Be advised that some photographs contain graphic content.)

Sky lanterns, now banned in Md., illuminate winter celebrations

Feb 16, 2013

Sky lanterns, now banned in Md., illuminate winter celebrations

Michael Gold 1 Comment World celebration, China, Chinese Lunar New Year, holidays, lanterns, sky lanterns, Valentine's Day

18 photos

Sky lanterns, essentially small paper hot air balloons, have grown in popularity recently after being used and made in Asia for years. In some festivals, hundreds of balloons float in the air, illuminating the night sky.

That won’t be the case in Maryland. Responding to increased use of the balloons, Maryland’s fire marshal has explicitly banned sky lanterns, citing their ability to start fires.

Meteorite hits central Russia, hundreds injured

Feb 15, 2013

Meteorite hits central Russia, hundreds injured

Michael Gold 0 Comment World meteor, meteorite, Russia

20 photos

More than 500 people were reportedly injured on Friday when a meteorite shot across the sky and exploded over central Russia. Debris from the explosion fell from the sky, damaging windows and buildings.

Feb 12, 2013

Carnival season around the world

Jerry Jackson 0 Comment Entertainment, World Brazil, carnival, Germany, Italy, Mardi Gras

229 photos

Before Lent begins, the festive season of Carnival is celebrated around the world. During January and early February parades and parties take to the streets of Germany, Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Bolivia and Brazil, to name a few. It’s Carnival time.

Year of the Snake: A look at celebrations kicking off the Chinese Lunar New Year

Feb 11, 2013

Year of the Snake: A look at celebrations kicking off the Chinese Lunar New Year

Stokely Baksh 0 Comment World Beijing, China, Chinese Lunar New Year, Manila, New Year, New York City, Paris, Shanghai, Year of the Snake

77 photos

From China to New York City, a look at celebrations around the world for the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Snake.

Feb 2, 2013

A man and his wolf pack

Stokely Baksh 0 Comment World Germany, Lisi Niesner, Werner Freund, wolf, Wolfspark Werner Freund, wolves

22 photos

German wolf researcher Werner Freund, 79, a former German paratrooper, established the Wolfspark Werner Freund, in Merzig in the German province of Saarland. Since 1972, the wolf sanctuary has raised more than 70 animals. The wolves, acquired as cubs from zoos or animal parks, were mostly hand-reared. Spread over 25 acres, Wolfspark is currently home to 29 wolves forming six packs from European, Siberian, Canadian, Artic and Mongolian regions. To become part of the pack, Freund must behave as the wolf alpha male to earn the other wolves respect and to be accepted. Photos taken by Lisi Niesner of Reuters.

Crisis in Syria: Violence continues between rebels and Syrian government forces [GRAPHIC CONTENT]

Jan 30, 2013

Crisis in Syria: Violence continues between rebels and Syrian government forces [GRAPHIC CONTENT]

Jerry Jackson 0 Comment World Syria

44 photos

The Syrian cities of Aleppo and Homs remain under siege as government forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad try to route out Syrian rebels. Record numbers of refugees are fleeing the violence and bombings in Syria, overwhelming refugee camps in neighboring Turkey and Jordan.
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