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Cyprus seeks divine intervention to end drought
NICOSIA (Reuters) - Cyprus's ancient Orthodox Church called on Monday for prayers to end a crippling drought threatening to sap reservoirs dry of water by the end of the year.
Cyprus, which is heavily reliant on rainfall for water supplies, is suffering one of the worst droughts of the past 100 years. The Mediterranean island's reservoirs are only 8.1 percent full, according to the most recent data.
Authorities say Cyprus's largest dam will run dry in the next 30 days, and they will soon start emergency drilling to tap underground water deposits.
Prayers for rain are rare, and the last occurred in 1998, when there was a comparably critical water shortage. NICOSIA (Reuters) - Cyprus's ancient Orthodox Church called on Monday for prayers to end a crippling drought threatening to sap reser... more -
Traditional Jewelry Making: Cypriot Filigree Designs
In this short documentary, we see the making of fully handmade filigree jewelry. Filigree is a method which includes the twisting of very fine wires of gold or silver. An important aspect of the artistic and cultural heritage of Cyprus and one which reveals Greek, Etruscan and Middle-Eastern influences, all connected with the history of the island and the many conquerors who passed by through the centuries. However for multiple reasons, this is a dying form of art.
As an independent filmmaker, I wanted to showcase this unique art form as I think its one of my country's cultural traditions that should not die away. Within this effort I am showcasing some of the very few artists who continue to practice this art in the hopes of raising awareness and appreciation toward the talent and workmanship that goes into each one of these pieces. In this short documentary, we see the making of fully handmade filigree jewelry. Filigree is a method which includes the twisting of v... more -
Divided Cypriots come together to save endangered donkeys
"Greek and Turkish Cypriots have teamed up on their divided island to save endangered wild donkeys.
The initiative was launched on the social networking website Facebook after 10 of the donkeys were found shot dead at the end of March.
"Let's stop the massacre of Karpas donkeys!" says a message from the group, which has attracted more than 2,000 members. "
The donkey, international unifier. "Greek and Turkish Cypriots have teamed up on their divided island to save endangered wild donkeys. ... more -
First Turkish Cypriot leader crosses border in 30 years, buys ice cream.
Mehmet Ali Talat became the first Turkish Cypriot leader to cross the UN-controlled green zone since the island was split in 1974. A new border crossing opened last month in the middle of a street shopping hub. Accompanied by bodyguards, the leader of the Turkish north got three scoops of vanilla at an ice cream parlor that he used to visit as a child.
"I was told that this is the best ice cream in Cyprus. I'm not sure about that claim, but it is very good ice cream," said a jovial Talat.
He was greeted by applause and handshakes from Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Mehmet Ali Talat became the first Turkish Cypriot leader to cross the UN-controlled green zone since the island was split in 1974. A n... more -
Passing down the Byzantine tradition
A short segment of a documentary on the making of Greek, Byzantine style, silver icons. Originally made as a student film, this documentary explored the role of the icon within the Greek Orthodox culture and how the artistic know-how required for making such items is passed down from generation to generation. A short segment of a documentary on the making of Greek, Byzantine style, silver icons. Originally made as a student film, this docume... more
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Ecclesiastic Art
A short documentary that showcases the making of ecclesiastic art and the symbolism behind each item as part of the Christian, Greek Orthodox liturgy. A short documentary that showcases the making of ecclesiastic art and the symbolism behind each item as part of the Christian, Greek O... more
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Cyprus Divided
A 30-year military stand-off on the island of Cyprus continues to divide its people to this day. The city of Nicosia is literally split down the middle as Greek and Turkish Cypriots live on in entirely separate lives. A 30-year military stand-off on the island of Cyprus continues to divide its people to this day. The city of Nicosia is literally spli... more
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USING SKYPE WITH ONLINE VOLUNTEERS - A POWERFUL TOOL FOR A NON-PROFIT
Winnipeg, Canada, November 15, 2006: In working with online volunteers, there are certain types of tasks where real time voice communication can be an efficient way to solve a problem quickly. When Canadian-based charitable organization Macdonald Youth Services’(MYS) encounters these types of situations, they reach for Skype, a free cross-platform computer application that allows them to talk to their online volunteer Skype users anywhere in the world for free.
MYS’s Online Volunteer Program developer Randy Tyler highlights how the clarity of a real-time Skype voice conversation helped him advance their video production.
“We are currently working on the production of a Youth Care Worker recruitment video and during an hour long Skype conversation with the Indiana-based online volunteer producer, I was able to move the project forward very quickly, commented Tyler. Working out the video direction via e-mail would have been possible but would have taken much longer,” continued Tyler.
“Skype is a cost-effective tool that lends itself to conditions that are best served by real-time communications across all points of the globe,” stated Indiana-based online volunteer video producer, Kibben Miller.
“In media development, Brainstorming is a critical element to insure objectives are addressed and creative solutions are explored. The give and take between collaborators is vital to a project’s success and Skype is a tool that allows this interaction without technology or a colleague’s location presenting additional barriers” Miller added.
Tyler also develops and maintains MYS’s Web site. Highly-skilled online volunteers are an invaluable resource MYS uses to assist them to enhance their charitable organization’s Web site. However, when using e-mail, testing changes in software can be a protracted process. For MYS’s Tyler, Skype was an effective and efficient tool in quickly arriving at a solution when working with Online Volunteer software developer Eugen Bodolak, who is based in the Middle East (Cyprus).
“Instead of exchanging a number of e-mail messages, testing and replying, we connected via Skype,” said Tyler. “Along with Skype’s voice communication, we also used the application’s chat feature to exchange code snippets and its file transfer ability to transfer finals, which resulted in a quick fix to the Perl-based script,” added Tyler.
“Information is the key word, ‘information is power’, if the power comes free, why not to take advantage of it,” stated MYS’s Middle East Online Volunteer Eugen Bodolak. “In comparison with other softs, that serves the same purpose, the rate of used system resource and quality since to be in the advantage of the Skype,” added Bodolak.
As SkypeOut (meaning a call from a computer to a landline or mobile) is currently free throughout North America to the end of December, Tyler also uses Skipe to call MYS online volunteers located in the US or Canada. To ensure that online volunteers can connect with him or so that he can leave a voice message for other MYS online volunteers using Skype, Tyler also subscribes to Skype Voicemail. Although not free (it is about $20.00 Canadian a Year), Tyler find the service invaluable.
“With Skype Voicemail, because my computer doesn’t have to left on, I do not miss any messages,’ stated Tyler. “Moreover, I can leave a five or ten minute voicemail message (and communicate my message more effectivelty) for an online volunteer Skype user that would take me an hour or more to type.” commented Tyler.
To subscribe or unsubscribe from MYS’s Virtual Volunteering News E-Mail List, please see the URL below:
http://www.mys.ca/cgi-bin/media/mail_list.pl
For Further Information:
Randy Tyler
Webmaster/Online Volunteer Program Developer
Macdonald Youth Services
Winnipeg, MB Canada
W: http://www.mys.ca/aov
W: http://www.mys.ca/volunter
E: http://www.mys.ca/cgi-bin/randy_email.cgi
Skype: randytyler_canada
Video Mail: http://www.mys.ca/vm
PGP Key: http://www.mys.ca/pgp Winnipeg, Canada, November 15, 2006: In working with online volunteers, there are certain types of tasks where real time voice communi... more -
Showcasing 10,000 years of civilization.
The Cyprus exhibits at the 'Metropolitan Museum' in New York, the 'British Museum' in London and the other museums across the world, are only but a few places where one can begin to understand the incredible history that this small island of the Mediterranean has to exhibit. Also it is perhaps a way in which one may begin to understand why it has been an island which all the major powers in history wanted to have under their command. From the Acheans and Ancient Greeks, to the Roman Empire, the Crusaders and up to today where half of its territory is still occupied by the Turkish army.
This short documentary, featuring the 'Pierides Museum' in Larnaca, showcases from the very heart of Cyprus, a sample of this history and civilization for a different view of Cyprus. Not the one of drunken summer parties with young holiday goers, but one of art and culture. The Cyprus exhibits at the 'Metropolitan Museum' in New York, the 'British Museum' in London and the other museums across the world, a... more -
Adam Fish: Global Emergent Democracies
On camera moments in nine short documentaries from around the world.
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Fishbone Records
A look into the music and recording industry of Cyprus. The issues faced by artists and how one person is determined to make a difference.
Shot in: HD1080i / 25p / 16:9
Featuring: Fishbone Records and Death Habit.
Please note that this is not an advertisement. I found out about the contribution that this studio is making in my local community and I offered to do a short feature on them. Given the circumstances, I found this to be an interesting story especially when considering how difficult it is for the music industry in a small place like Cyprus yet alone for young talent, most of whom need to move abroad in order to be able to develop a music career. - MK A look into the music and recording industry of Cyprus. The issues faced by artists and how one person is determined to make a differe... more -
Turkish Troops fire on Kurds in Iraq
The Turkish government has said it has inflicted "heavy losses" on the PKK separatist group in Kurdistan, Northern Iraq.
This is not good news. The U.S have been "applying pressure" on Turkey to show restraint following many deadly attacks by the PKK on Turkish civilian and military targets.
Turkey have shelled northern Iraq before and have occasionally chased PKK members across the border, but significantly, in a landslide vote, the Turkish parliament has now given permission for a full scale "incursion" if necessary.
De-stabilization of the north of Iraq and the involvement of yet another sovereign country is just about the worst thing that could happen after the good news that many Iraqis are reportedly moving back home. The Turkish government has said it has inflicted "heavy losses" on the PKK separatist group in Kurdistan, Northern Iraq. ... more -
Split/Cyprus
A 30-year military stand-off between Cyprus and Turkey leaves a country and a people split.
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Secular Iraqi Refugees
Secular Iraqi refugees in Cyprus discuss the rise of Islamic extremism after the 2003 US-led invasion.
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