International

From Local Rink to International Stage: Los Alamos High School Alum Meg Hilko Soars as Figure Skating Judge

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M. – Meg Hilko, a Los Alamos High School graduate, has achieved international recognition as a figure skating judge, with recent appearances at prestigious championships around the world. However, her love for the ice and the sport began in her hometown of Los Alamos. Hilko reminisces about learning to skate at the local open-air rink and taking lessons from Maureen Hudson. She recalls a deep-rooted passion for figure skating that has stayed with her throughout her life. Although her own competitive days as a figure skater concluded before college, Hilko’s admiration for the … Read more

Ethiopian Government Uses State of Emergency as a Tool for Silencing Dissent and Violating Human Rights, says Amnesty International

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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Ethiopian government has come under fire for using the state of emergency as a means to suppress dissent and silence opposition voices. Amnesty International has accused authorities of arbitrarily detaining politicians critical of the government and journalists, while also highlighting the lack of transparency and violation of basic rights. The state of emergency was initially implemented in August 2023 amidst escalating violence in the Amhara region between government forces and the Fano militia. The emergency measures granted authorities broad powers, including the ability to arrest suspects without a court warrant, … Read more

Santa Barbara International Film Festival Announces Stunning Winners, Showcasing Global Stories and Originality

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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) closed its 39th edition with an awards ceremony held at El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel. The festival celebrated remarkable films from across the globe, recognizing their storytelling prowess and originality. Claudia Puig, SBIFF’s Programming Director, expressed gratitude towards the jurors for their fine selections and congratulated this year’s award winners. Among the winners, “Transmexico” directed by Claudia Sanchez received the Audience Choice Award sponsored by The Santa Barbara Independent. Sophia Sabella and Pablo Feldman’s “Edge of Everything” won the Panavision Spirit Award for Independent … Read more

Transcendent Films Win Big: Highlights from the 39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival

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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The winners of the 39th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) have been announced, featuring acclaimed films such as “TransMexico,” “Edge of Everything,” and “Andragogy.” Recognized for their excellence in independent and international cinema, these films were selected by a panel of esteemed jury members. The SBIFF has become a prominent film festival in the United States, drawing in approximately 100,000 attendees over its packed week of screenings, with more than 200 films showcased. The festival’s mission is to discover and showcase the best in independent and international cinema. The … Read more