A Chinese student injured at a shooting at Michigan State University intends to sue, MLive.com reports. Yukai “John” Hao alleges that the school “acted with gross negligence and failed to take reasonable steps to protect students and visitors on its campus from harm,” the site reports. The shooting left him paralyzed from the chest down,…
‘Barbie’ Movie Rekindles China-Vietnam Territorial Dispute
Vietnam’s move to ban the Warner Bros. film “Barbie” from domestic distribution over a scene showing China’s claimed territory in the South China Sea encapsulates an age-old territorial dispute between the two countries, experts said. A nine-dash line encompassing about 90% of the South China Sea has appeared on Chinese maps since the 1950s. More…
Svitolina Thinks of Family, Ukraine as She Beats No. 1 at Wimbledon
The last time Elina Svitolina was a Grand Slam semifinalist — twice, actually, in 2019 — she was pursuing the usual trappings of success in professional sports: trophies, money, fame, etc. Now Svitolina plays for more important reasons. For her daughter, Skaï, who was born in October. For her country, Ukraine, where a war that…
Applying to US Universities: What You Need to Know
The Teen Mag has a guide for international students considering applying to U.S. schools. The article says it “aims to provide a comprehensive overview of key considerations for international students applying to U.S. universities.” Topics covered include scholarships, safety on campus and immigration and visa regulations. Read it here. (June 2023) …
Olympic Champion Caster Semenya Wins Appeal Against Testosterone Rules at Human Rights Court
Double Olympic champion runner Caster Semenya won an appeal against track and field’s testosterone rules on Tuesday when the European Court of Human Rights ruled she was discriminated against and there were “serious questions” about the rules’ validity. World Athletics, which enforces the regulations, said in reaction to the decision that its rules would remain…
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ms. Lauryn Hill to Headline Global Citizen Festival to Fight Inequality
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ms. Lauryn Hill and Megan Thee Stallion will headline this year’s Global Citizen Festival as the anti-poverty nonprofit looks to focus attention on increasing inequality for girls and young women around the world. Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans said the Sept. 23 event at New York’s Central Park will be the…
Indonesia Welcomes Return of Jewels, Temple Carvings as Important Step in Global Restitution Effort
The Netherlands and Indonesia on Monday hailed the return of hundreds of cultural artifacts taken — sometimes by force — during colonial times as a major step forward in restitution efforts worldwide. The items, ranging from valuable jewels to 13th-century temple carvings, were officially handed back to Indonesia at a ceremony at the Museum Volkenkunde…
Are the Humanities Really Dying?
The U.S. media has run several stories recently on the “death of the humanities,” with undergraduate enrollments dropping by more than 50% at some schools. But Karin Beck, an associate dean at Lehman College in New York City, says this is misleading. Elite schools’ humanities programs are declining – but her school, which mostly serves…
‘Insidious 5’ Topples ‘Indiana Jones’ Before ‘Mission: Impossible’ Launches
Indiana Jones’ reign atop the box office was short-lived. In its second weekend in theaters, the Disney release was usurped by another franchise fifth – ” Insidious: The Red Door.” The horror film starring and directed by Patrick Wilson scared up $32.7 million in ticket sales from 3,188 theaters, according to studio estimates on Sunday.…
Elton John Hails Fans in Sweden at Emotional Farewell Concert
STOCKHOLM – Surrounded by emotional fans from around the globe, Elton John hailed them as his “lifeblood” as he gave his final farewell concert in Stockholm after more than 50 years of live performances. “You know how much I like to play live. It’s been my lifeblood to play for you guys, and you’ve been absolutely…
No Barbie Girl in Vietnam’s World
Two very different films are set to come out on July 21. One is about the development of the world’s first nuclear weapons. The other is about Barbie. Which one has proved to be contentious on the global stage? Surprisingly, it’s not the Oppenheimer biopic. Instead, the much-anticipated “Barbie” has stoked controversy in both Vietnam…
Will a ‘Side Hustle’ Help Me Through My International Degree?
Students can pay tuition, build their resumes and pursue their passions with “passive income” generated without a formal job. (Work requirements vary by country, so double-check before you start.) Ashreena Kaur of Study International lays out several options, from freelance translation to stock photography. (June 2023) …
Can Technology Connect International Students Across Campuses?
That’s the bet global education group INTO University Partnerships is making. The company is rolling out an online platform for students at its member schools to talk to one another, meet faculty from other institutions and get personalized help with visas and housing. Arrman Kyaw of Diverse Issues in Higher Education has more. (June 2023) …
Triumph for South Africa’s First Black Hot Air Balloon Pilot
Apartheid ended in South Africa three decades ago, but Black people still struggle to enter luxury sports like hot air ballooning. Komane Harold Tjiane, 44, is in the process of breaking through that ceiling, training to become the country’s first black hot air balloon pilot. Zaheer Cassim reports from Johannesburg. Camera: Zaheer Cassim …
Ukraine’s Art Treasures Sent to Poland for Safekeeping
UNESCO says in the first year of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the cost of the damage to Ukraine’s tourism and culture sectors reached more than $2.5 billion. From Warsaw, Lesia Bakalets reports on efforts to preserve art treasures and exhibit them abroad. Camera: Daniil Batushchak. …
Environmental Activists Arrested at Wimbledon After Disrupting Match
Two environmental activists were arrested at Wimbledon on Wednesday after getting on court and disrupting a match by scattering orange confetti and puzzle pieces on the grass. A woman and a man wearing T-shirts from Just Stop Oil — a protest group that wants the British government to stop new oil, gas and coal projects…
Which Colleges Does Your School Think Are Its Equal?
The U.S. Department of Education asks colleges this question every year, and Jacquelyn Elias of the Chronicle of Higher Education has visualized the data. (June 2023) …
Hollywood Is Making More Movies, TV Shows About Asian Americans
In recent years, there have been more prominent TV shows and movies featuring Asians and Chinese Americans, with many of them targeting younger audiences. The increase in media showing Asian Americans is more than just a product of the streaming era. For summer camp director C.C. Hsu and her students, it is also a step toward more accurate representations of…
From Iranian Jail to Wimbledon Royal Box, Thanks to Andy Murray
Andy Murray said he had an emotional meeting with Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who spent six years in an Iranian jail cell, after inviting her to watch him from the royal box at Wimbledon on Tuesday. British-Iranian Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Murray became friends after she said in an interview last year that watching the Scot win Wimbledon on…
What’s It Like to Find a Job Using OPT?
The United States gives international students the option to work for a year after graduating, without receiving a work visa. But the process to apply is long, difficult and carries risks. Sarah Dittenber of Idaho Ed News profiled undergraduates who are beginning new jobs and contributing to Idaho’s economy, using the Optional Practical Training (OPT)…
Former Refugee Upcycles Life Jackets to Raise Awareness
Founded by a former refugee, Minnesota-based company Epimonía turns material from life jackets worn by refugees into fashion accessories and other items of clothing. VOA’s Kahli Abdu has the story. …
Why Is Hollywood Making More Movies About Chinese Americans?
In recent years, TV shows and movies featuring Asians, including Chinese Americans, have been on the rise, with many of them aimed at younger audiences. Students at a Taiwanese School summer camp in Washington share their thoughts on this trend. Elizabeth Lee and Graham Kanwit report. …
Russians, Belarusians Back at Wimbledon as War in Ukraine Continues
WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND — When Victoria Azarenka walked into Court 15 Monday morning for her first Wimbledon match in two years, she was greeted by polite clapping. When the two-time Grand Slam champion from Belarus finished off a three-set victory more than 2½ hours later, Azarenka shook her racket with her right hand and pumped her…
US Refusing More Student Visas, Report Says
ICEF Monitor, a dedicated market intelligence resource for the international education industry, has worrying news for international students seeking visas to study in the U.S. It says student visa refusals soared for 2022, with more than 1 in 3 students failing to get a visa. “This is both a notable increase in the overall refusal…
Vietnam Bans ‘Barbie’ Movie Because of ‘Nine-Dash-Line’ in Map of South China Sea
HANOI, July 3 (Reuters) – Vietnam has banned Warner Bros’ highly anticipated film “Barbie” from domestic distribution over a scene featuring a map that shows China’s unilaterally claimed territory in the South China Sea, state media reported on Monday. The U-shaped “nine-dash line” is used on Chinese maps to illustrate its claims over vast areas…
Indiana Jones’ Box Office Destiny? A Lukewarm No. 1 Debut
Indiana Jones, and executives at the Walt Disney Co. and Lucasfilm, made a somewhat dispiriting discovery this weekend. Moviegoers didn’t rush to the theater in significant numbers to see “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and say goodbye to Harrison Ford as the iconic archaeologist. The film, reportedly budgeted north of $250 million, came…
China Ends Japan’s Long Reign to Win Women’s Basketball Asia Cup Title
SYDNEY — China rallied to claim its first women’s basketball Asia Cup title since 2012 as it beat five-time defending champion Japan 73-71 in an epic final on Sunday. Trailing at halftime it appeared China may fall for a third consecutive time in a title game as reigning champion Japan scored the last 14 points…
Tokyo Restaurant Serves Up Ukrainian Food With Japanese Twist
A Japanese actor, artist and designer has opened a Ukrainian restaurant in Tokyo called Smachnogo. Her one and only goal: to provide jobs to Ukrainian evacuees arriving in Japan after the start of Russia’s invasion. Iuliia Iarmolenko has the story. Camera: Susumu Miyazu, Justyna Feicht. Video editing: Oleksii Osyka, Anna Rice. …