June 2024 - Bean watcher

Jun

30

2024

Iran votes in presidential elections despite low turnout

More news - News 24 hours Iran’s presidential election on Friday saw a remarkably low turnout, with initial estimates suggesting only about 25 percent of eligible voters participated. That was a significant drop from the 70 percent turnout seen in previous elections and fell short of the 50 percent target set by ruling clerics, who view voter turnout as a measure of their legitimacy. Years of economic hardship and harsh social restrictions have left many Iranians disillusioned with politicians' broken promises. For some, abstaining from voting is a way of expressing their rejection of the government. Reports from Tehran indicated…

Jun

30

2024

By Lily Chang

A paradise for birdwatchers was born from Colombia’s peace agreement

Social Responsibility

Related media - Breaking news The 2016 peace treaty that ended decades of civil conflict in Colombia has transformed the country into a paradise for birdwatchers. The deal freed up vast swathes of forest previously dominated by armed groups, making them accessible to wildlife enthusiasts and researchers alike. For years, Colombia’s rich biodiversity was hidden behind the barriers of a long-running civil war. The nation’s forests, home to an astonishing array of bird species, were largely off-limits due to the presence of guerrillas and the associated dangers. However, the peace agreement has opened up these once-inaccessible areas, revealing a treasure…

Jun

30

2024

By Lily Chang

South Florida Heat and Panthers chase NBA and NHL titles

Politics

Related media - Latest news Longtime friends Martin Schwartz and Matthew Mandel enjoy a rare sports moment as the Miami teams battle for the championship. Martin Schwartz and Matthew Mandel are living a dream come true. The lifelong friends and residents of South Florida hit the sports jackpot with the Miami Heat and Florida Panthers both making it to the finals, competing for the NBA and NHL titles simultaneously. Schwartz and Mandel, who have shared season tickets with both teams for years, have seen their fair share of ups and downs. They’ve endured tough seasons, like the Heat’s 15-win campaign…

Jun

30

2024

By Lily Chang

How to Make Digital Photos Look Old on Your Smartphone

Science and Technology

Related media - Recent news Like the allure of vinyl records, classic video games, and even the early Internet, the fascination with old photographic standards like point-and-shoot cameras and 35-millimeter film endures, even among people too young to remember when that equipment was cutting-edge art. The allure of “vintage” photography goes beyond nostalgia and Instagram filters, judging by the huge number of apps designed to emulate the film stock, lenses, and visual quirks of pre-digital photos and films. Despite the irony of using a high-end smartphone camera to produce imperfect images that look oversaturated, shaky, low-contrast, unfiltered, or otherwise analog,…