http://www.voanews.com/archive/on-assignment/latest/672/1435.html en-US VOA BaseRssPage.ChanelCopyright> "On Assignment" is a weekly behind-the-scenes look at the VOA reporters and producers reporting the news from around the world. "On Assignment" is a weekly behind-the-scenes look at the VOA reporters and producers reporting the news from around the world. VOA webdesk@voanews.com no VOA Digital Frontiers blogger and On Assignment producer Doug Bernard talks with Alex Villarreal about the controversies surrounding the news that the U.S. National Security Administration has been collecting the phone records of millions of Americans. But that's not all. Doug tells us how NSA data tracking programs also affect people outside the United States. VOA VOA Digital Frontiers blogger and On Assignment producer Doug Bernard talks with Alex Villarreal about the controversies surrounding the news that the U.S. National Security Administration has been collecting the phone records of millions of Americans. But that's not all. Doug tells us how NSA data tracking programs also affect people outside the United States. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1681935.html Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:11:00 -0400 290.00 On Assignment's Philip Alexiou interviews VOA correspondent Suzanne Presto about the rise of the popular fundraising website Kickstarter. Suzanne profiled a Washington-area woman using the crowdsourcing tool to fund her bakery business. And as Suzanne reports, even Hollywood has gotten in on the trend. VOA On Assignment's Philip Alexiou interviews VOA correspondent Suzanne Presto about the rise of the popular fundraising website Kickstarter. Suzanne profiled a Washington-area woman using the crowdsourcing tool to fund her bakery business. And as Suzanne reports, even Hollywood has gotten in on the trend. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1681900.html Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:00:54 -0400 300.00 VOA's Jerusalem-based correspondent Scott Bobb joins On Assignment's Alex Villarreal to discuss the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah's involvement in Syria's civil war. Thousands of fighters from the Shi'ite group have been supporting the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Sunni fighters from Lebanon and elsewhere have joined the side of the Syrian rebels. VOA VOA's Jerusalem-based correspondent Scott Bobb joins On Assignment's Alex Villarreal to discuss the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah's involvement in Syria's civil war. Thousands of fighters from the Shi'ite group have been supporting the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Sunni fighters from Lebanon and elsewhere have joined the side of the Syrian rebels. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1681886.html Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:46:40 -0400 304.00 VOA Cambodian Service reporter Mony Say tells On Assignment's Alex Villarreal about concerns surrounding the building of a massive hydropower dam in Cambodia -- a joint project with China and Vietnam. Mony says many fear the dam will harm both the environment and their lives. VOA VOA Cambodian Service reporter Mony Say tells On Assignment's Alex Villarreal about concerns surrounding the building of a massive hydropower dam in Cambodia -- a joint project with China and Vietnam. Mony says many fear the dam will harm both the environment and their lives. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1681874.html Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:37:40 -0400 264.00 Segments: War in Syria: Is Hezbollah a Game Changer? 0:46, How Far Does US Phone, Web Tracking Really Go? (Hint: It Affects Everyone) 6:14, Cambodians Slam China-Backed Dam 11:28, Russia Wants Tourism, not Terrorism, for Embattled Caucasus 15:56, From Cake Baking to Movie Making: How Kickstarter Is Changing Business 18:36 VOA Segments: War in Syria: Is Hezbollah a Game Changer? 0:46, How Far Does US Phone, Web Tracking Really Go? (Hint: It Affects Everyone) 6:14, Cambodians Slam China-Backed Dam 11:28, Russia Wants Tourism, not Terrorism, for Embattled Caucasus 15:56, From Cake Baking to Movie Making: How Kickstarter Is Changing Business 18:36 http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1681778.html Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:59:39 -0400 1469.00 On Assignment's Rebecca Ward talks to Milena Djurdjic of the VOA Serbian service about her exclusive interview with U.S. author Khaled Hosseini, world-famous for his best-selling novel The Kite Runner. Hosseini has a new book out, And the Mountains Echoed, also set in his birth country of Afghanistan. Hosseini says his books focus on Afghanistan but draw interest because their themes are universal. VOA On Assignment's Rebecca Ward talks to Milena Djurdjic of the VOA Serbian service about her exclusive interview with U.S. author Khaled Hosseini, world-famous for his best-selling novel The Kite Runner. Hosseini has a new book out, And the Mountains Echoed, also set in his birth country of Afghanistan. Hosseini says his books focus on Afghanistan but draw interest because their themes are universal. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1677234.html Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:27:28 -0400 334.00 London Hacking Murder Raises Terrorism Fears (VOA On Assignment June 7) VOA London reporter Henry Ridgwell joins On Assignment's Doug Bernard to discuss last month's brutal murder of a British soldier on a London street. Two men are accused of hacking the 25-year-old soldier, Lee Rigby, to death after running him over with a car. Both suspects are British citizens of Nigerian descent, who were raised Christian, but converted to Islam. VOA London Hacking Murder Raises Terrorism Fears (VOA On Assignment June 7) VOA London reporter Henry Ridgwell joins On Assignment's Doug Bernard to discuss last month's brutal murder of a British soldier on a London street. Two men are accused of hacking the 25-year-old soldier, Lee Rigby, to death after running him over with a car. Both suspects are British citizens of Nigerian descent, who were raised Christian, but converted to Islam. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1677228.html Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:17:36 -0400 319.00 On Assignment's Alex Villarreal chats with Arash Arabasadi and Tala Hadavi of VOA's Persian News Network about their adventure web series "Inside America." The fearless hosts have challenged each other to climb rock walls, scuba dive, roll with a roller derby and even get in the cage with a professional mixed martial arts fighter. What would you like to see them do next? Tell them on Facebook on their page "Inside America VOA"! VOA On Assignment's Alex Villarreal chats with Arash Arabasadi and Tala Hadavi of VOA's Persian News Network about their adventure web series "Inside America." The fearless hosts have challenged each other to climb rock walls, scuba dive, roll with a roller derby and even get in the cage with a professional mixed martial arts fighter. What would you like to see them do next? Tell them on Facebook on their page "Inside America VOA"! http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1677217.html Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:02:03 -0400 276.00 VOA economics reporter Jim Randle talks to On Assignment's Imran Siddiqui about the digital revolution in higher education. Jim says the growth of online classes could be a game changer for universities. VOA VOA economics reporter Jim Randle talks to On Assignment's Imran Siddiqui about the digital revolution in higher education. Jim says the growth of online classes could be a game changer for universities. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1677207.html Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:55:07 -0400 224.00 Segments: London Hacking Murder Raises Terrorism Fears 0:55, Is the Internet the Classroom of the Future? 6:37, 'Kite Runner' Author's New Book Takes Flight 10:42, No Fear! VOA's Bravest Hosts Rock (Climb) and Roll 'Inside America' 16:17, Development Threaten Burmese Lake Renowned for Its Beauty 20:54 VOA Segments: London Hacking Murder Raises Terrorism Fears 0:55, Is the Internet the Classroom of the Future? 6:37, 'Kite Runner' Author's New Book Takes Flight 10:42, No Fear! VOA's Bravest Hosts Rock (Climb) and Roll 'Inside America' 16:17, Development Threaten Burmese Lake Renowned for Its Beauty 20:54 http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1677192.html Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:33:59 -0400 1465.00 Since April 15 Boston Marathon bombing attack, authorities have questioned some Chechens living in the United States who may have ties to the suspects, the Tsarnaev brothers. VOA Russian Service reporter and North Caucasus expert Fatima Tlisova talked with one former Chechen rebel who says he met with Tamerlan Tsarnaev about a month before the attack. On Assignement’s Alex Villarreal talked with Fatima about that exclusive interview and other details about the lives of the Tsarnaev brothers. VOA Since April 15 Boston Marathon bombing attack, authorities have questioned some Chechens living in the United States who may have ties to the suspects, the Tsarnaev brothers. VOA Russian Service reporter and North Caucasus expert Fatima Tlisova talked with one former Chechen rebel who says he met with Tamerlan Tsarnaev about a month before the attack. On Assignement’s Alex Villarreal talked with Fatima about that exclusive interview and other details about the lives of the Tsarnaev brothers. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1672189.html Fri, 31 May 2013 10:56:16 -0400 340.00 Indian-born filmmaker Mira Nair makes movies about ethnic identity, mixed marriages and tolerance. Her most recent film, "The Reluctant Fundamentalist," based on a novel, deals with the alienation of a young Pakistani in a post-9/11 world. Imran Siddiqui talks about it with VOA film reporter Penelope Poulou. VOA Indian-born filmmaker Mira Nair makes movies about ethnic identity, mixed marriages and tolerance. Her most recent film, "The Reluctant Fundamentalist," based on a novel, deals with the alienation of a young Pakistani in a post-9/11 world. Imran Siddiqui talks about it with VOA film reporter Penelope Poulou. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1672180.html Fri, 31 May 2013 10:50:49 -0400 309.00 Joining a long list of his predecessors who encountered scandals in their second term, President Barack Obama finds himself on the defensive over three controversies. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone tells us that of the scandals currently dogging the Obama administration, the Internal Revenue Service controversy is perhaps the most serious and potentially damaging. VOA Joining a long list of his predecessors who encountered scandals in their second term, President Barack Obama finds himself on the defensive over three controversies. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone tells us that of the scandals currently dogging the Obama administration, the Internal Revenue Service controversy is perhaps the most serious and potentially damaging. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1672174.html Fri, 31 May 2013 10:43:50 -0400 302.00 In Venezuela, the law of supply and demand is colliding with the socialist revolution of the late president Hugo Chavez. Since Mr. Chavez’s handpicked successor Nicolas Maduro narrowly won the nation's presidential election in April, high inflation and a shortage of staples are leading many to wonder if the country's economic course is sustainable. VOA’s Brian Padden talks with Imran Siddiqui. VOA In Venezuela, the law of supply and demand is colliding with the socialist revolution of the late president Hugo Chavez. Since Mr. Chavez’s handpicked successor Nicolas Maduro narrowly won the nation's presidential election in April, high inflation and a shortage of staples are leading many to wonder if the country's economic course is sustainable. VOA’s Brian Padden talks with Imran Siddiqui. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1672165.html Fri, 31 May 2013 10:37:50 -0400 227.00 Segments: Boston Marathon Bombings’ Chechen Connection 0:53, Venezuela's Economic Problems Worsen 6:59, Scandals Threaten Obama’s Agenda 11:09, A Life Turned Upside Down by 9/11 16:12, The Secret Life of Egyptian Pigs 21:21 VOA Segments: Boston Marathon Bombings’ Chechen Connection 0:53, Venezuela's Economic Problems Worsen 6:59, Scandals Threaten Obama’s Agenda 11:09, A Life Turned Upside Down by 9/11 16:12, The Secret Life of Egyptian Pigs 21:21 http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1672161.html Fri, 31 May 2013 10:22:00 -0400 1468.00 VOA health reporter Linord Moudou joins On Assignment's Alex Villarreal to talk about Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie's shocking revelation that she underwent a double mastectomy after discovering she had a high risk of breast cancer. Linord says breast removal is one option for women who suffer from the same condition, but there are other alternatives. VOA VOA health reporter Linord Moudou joins On Assignment's Alex Villarreal to talk about Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie's shocking revelation that she underwent a double mastectomy after discovering she had a high risk of breast cancer. Linord says breast removal is one option for women who suffer from the same condition, but there are other alternatives. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1667609.html Fri, 24 May 2013 09:05:16 -0400 192.00 VOA London Correspondent Al Pessin shares insights from his interview with recently-retired NATO commander Admiral James Stavridis. As Al tells On Assignment's Doug Bernard, the alliance's former top military commander left his successor with clear advice: focus on cybersecurity. Admiral Stavridis ranked cyber attacks as NATO's number one future threat. VOA VOA London Correspondent Al Pessin shares insights from his interview with recently-retired NATO commander Admiral James Stavridis. As Al tells On Assignment's Doug Bernard, the alliance's former top military commander left his successor with clear advice: focus on cybersecurity. Admiral Stavridis ranked cyber attacks as NATO's number one future threat. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1667608.html Fri, 24 May 2013 08:58:04 -0400 303.00 On Assignment's Rebecca Ward talks to VOA's Roseanne Skirble about a long-standing science challenge: build the world's first minimally capable human-powered helicopter. The challenge has been around since 1980, with the prize still unclaimed. But as Roseanne reports, one group of U.S. university students say they are close to winning. VOA On Assignment's Rebecca Ward talks to VOA's Roseanne Skirble about a long-standing science challenge: build the world's first minimally capable human-powered helicopter. The challenge has been around since 1980, with the prize still unclaimed. But as Roseanne reports, one group of U.S. university students say they are close to winning. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1667602.html Fri, 24 May 2013 08:43:48 -0400 293.00 VOA's Anita Powell joins On Assignment's Todd Grosshans to discuss the rise of South Africa's black middle class. The group's growth has helped boost the nation's economy. But as Anita reports, many differences remain between the emerging class and the white middle class -- differences members of the emerging class say should be addressed in the commercial marketplace. VOA VOA's Anita Powell joins On Assignment's Todd Grosshans to discuss the rise of South Africa's black middle class. The group's growth has helped boost the nation's economy. But as Anita reports, many differences remain between the emerging class and the white middle class -- differences members of the emerging class say should be addressed in the commercial marketplace. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1667601.html Fri, 24 May 2013 08:35:47 -0400 321.00 Segments: Cyber Attacks: the 'Number One' Threat 0:50, Angelina's Cancer Choice 6:13, Decades After Apartheid, Race Still Divides South Africa 9:47,Who Needs Engines? Fly This Helicopter with Your Feet 15:10, Green Card Lottery Faces Elimination Under U.S. Immigration Reform 20:03 VOA Segments: Cyber Attacks: the 'Number One' Threat 0:50, Angelina's Cancer Choice 6:13, Decades After Apartheid, Race Still Divides South Africa 9:47,Who Needs Engines? Fly This Helicopter with Your Feet 15:10, Green Card Lottery Faces Elimination Under U.S. Immigration Reform 20:03 http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1667617.html Fri, 24 May 2013 08:33:00 -0400 1457.00