Multimedia


Part I: Cancer’s Lonely Soldier

Dr. Jackson Orem, director of the Uganda Cancer Institute.

Dr. Jackson Orem heads the Uganda Cancer Institute. Until recently, he was the only oncologist in a country of more than 30 million people. He argues that cancer deserves the same attention given to other afflictions in the developing world, such as AIDS and malaria.

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Aquamarine Gem Sparkles in Smithsonian

The Dom Pedro aquamarine; 10,363 cts; Pedra Azul, Minas Gerais, Brazil (Photo: Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History)

An extraordinary aquamarine gem, the largest cut piece of aquamarine ever known, will soon take its place near the Hope Diamond in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

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Japanese Composer Asuka Kakitani Committed to Jazz Orchestras

Asuka Kakitani. (Photo: asukakakitani.com)

Jazz orchestras are rare creatures nowadays: it’s hard to find the money or the venues to support them. But new jazz artists, such as Japanese composer Asuka Kakitani, are committed to the format, arguing that it offers a palette of sounds like no other.

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Climate Change’s Growing Threats

Arctic sea ice reached a new record low in the summer of 2012, raising concerns that arctic methane emissions could accelerate as a result of warmer ocean temperatures. (Photo: USGS)

“Superstorm” Sandy might’ve been the loudest, but the warnings about the growing threats from climate change having been coming fast and furious this fall. As part of our collaboration with the PBS program NOVA, Sam Eaton files this series of three reports examining some of the latest research and most pressing concerns.

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Dance Floor Politics in Tijuana with the Band Los Macuanos

Ruben Torres, Moisés Lopez and Moisés Horta use computers and synthesizers to perform their distinctive sound (Photo: Jesus Vasquez)

Musicians in Tijuana are speaking out about violence, corruption and Mexico’s incoming president. Valerie Hamilton talked to Tijuana’s Los Macuanos about the political party on the dance floor.

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Restoring Urban India’s Riverbanks

This artificial pond now draws a range of birds, rarely seen together in such numbers in the city. (Photo: Rhitu Chatterjee)

A new biodiversity park along a stretch of the river is starting to restore some of the natural services the landscape used to provide.

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Colorado River Agreement to Help Restore Vanished Wetlands in Mexico

Colorado River at its delta. (Photo: Peter McBride)

A new agreement between the US and Mexico to manage water from the Colorado River has been applauded as a breakthrough for cross-border cooperation on water rights. And it’s also being applauded by environmental groups working in Mexico.

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Extremism Law Curbs Religious Freedom in Russia

Sixty eight publications by Jehovah's Witnesses are banned in Russia. (Photo: Matthew Brunwasser)

Russia’s Center for Combating Extremism has come under criticism for focusing mainly on political opponents of the Kremlin.

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Singing the Song of the Nubian Diaspora

A 1964 image showing a drowned mosque in the Nubian city of Wadi Halfa. (Photo taken from the book "The Nubian Exodus" by Hassan Dafallah)

Many of the sons, daughters and grandchildren of the displaced Nubian generation are scattered around the world. Recently, some told their cultural story at a Nubian arts revival in the US.

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No Independence Fever Among French Catalans

Catalan flags are a common sight in the French region of Catalonia, though there's no serious movement toward independence. Most French Catalans feel French first. (Photo: Gerry Hadden)

Spain’s northeast region of Catalonia holds elections Sunday. Its regional president, Artur Mas, says if he wins a majority, he’ll hold a referendum on independence from Spain.

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The History of Hashima, the Island in Bond Film ‘Skyfall’

Hashima Island

The island lair of the latest Bond villain, Raoul Silva, looks too creepy to be real. Except it is real. It’s a Japanese island called Hashima, and its true history is even creepier.

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Hüsnü Şenlendirici: Turkish Clarinetist Crosses Musicial Borders

Hüsnü Şenlendirici and the Al Bustan Takht Ensemble at the Trinity Center for Urban Life in Philadelphia (Photo Credit: Bruce Wallace)

Clarinetist Hüsnü Şenlendirici is famous in his native Turkey for connecting different musical styles. Recently, he’s been exploring the connection between Turkish and Arabic music.

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Restoring Cherished Photographs After A Natural Disaster

Fire-ravaged baby photo found in the rubble of a destroyed home in Belle Harbor, Queens, where a block of homes burned down. Note the skilled reconstruction of the baby's hand. (Restored by: Martin Rigby; Photo courtesy: CARE for Sandy)

After a natural disaster, volunteers often come from far and wide to help survivors cope. Some of these volunteers focus on helping disaster victims reclaim damaged family snapshots.

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Miracles Questioned in South India

Pilgrims on their return from prayers at the temple. (Photo: Ashley Cleek)

Every year, millions of pilgrims travel to a temple in southern India to witness miracles. Rationalists protest that the miracles are fake.

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A Journey into the Tunnels of Gaza

The Tunnels of Gaza. National Geographic, December 2012

Hundreds of tunnels connect Gaza with Egypt. They are used to smuggle in everything from livestock, to construction material, to car parts. James Verini writes about the tunnel system in the December 2012 issue of National Geographic.

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