Stories about Breaking News from February, 2014
Sudan: Blogger Remains in Detention for Criticizing Presidents
Tajeldin Arja Arja was arrested at a press conference last December, after he criticized the Sudanese and Chadian Presidents for their actions surrounding the conflict in Darfur.
Collecting Data About Possible Web Censorship in Venezuela
Marianne Díaz, lawyer, digital activist and Global Voices Advocacy author, has been making constant appeals from her Twitter account asking users to collaborate on collecting data related to access to some websites and online platforms from Internet service providers in Venezuela, due to growing reports of partial or total blockage...
Togolese Skier Petitjean, from Facebook to the 2014 Winter Olympics
Mathilde-Amivi Petitjean is a cross-country skier who competes for Togo at the 2014 Winter Olympics Game. The president of the Togolese Ski federation explained that they reached out to Togolese abroad via Facebook to recruit some athletes.After finishing her first olympian race, Mathilde-Amivi Petitjean said[fr]: Merci tout le monde pour...
Tourists Killed in Terrorist Attack in Sinai, Egypt
A bomb blast ripped through a bus carrying 30 tourists in Sinai, Egypt, today, killing at least two South Korean tourists and the Egyptian bus driver.
Blood on the Ice, Fury on the Tubes
Drama is never far behind when the Russian and the USA national hockey teams meet on the ice.
A Visitor Describes How it Feels to be Mugged by Bulgarian Police
Political scientist and blogger Anastas Vangeli used social networks to describe his experience of extortion by Bulgarian policemen on his way from Macedonia to Poland.
“They Didn't Drown. They Were Murdered!” Immigrant Deaths in Ceuta, Spain
The Civil Guard has been condemned by immigrants and civil society organisations alike that argue that the security forces failed to assist the immigrants at sea or alert the coastguard so they could be rescued.
Ending Illegal Logging and Launching Forest Carbon Credits in Madagascar
The new administration in Madagascar is seemingly making a concerted effort to curb down deforestation in Madagascar. First, new president Hery Rajaonarimampianina has made ending illegal logging of Madagascar rosewood a priority at his first executive meeting[fr]. Second, the Wildlife Conservation Society announced that the Government of Madagascar has approved...
Bosnian Protesters Demand Bread, Social Justice and Freedom of Speech
When the citizens of Bosnia’s second largest city, Tuzla, went out to protest on February 4, 2014, few expected to witness the countrywide unrest that erupted a week later.
Self-Censorship in Hong Kong Claims Another Popular Radio Host
In the past ten years, a large number of newspapers columnists, editors, radio and TV hosts have been sacked for their critical stance towards the Hong Kong and Beijing governments.
Another Journalist Dies in Mexico: Gregorio Jiménez de la Cruz
A clandestine grave was the final destination of the Mexican reporter Gregorio Jiménez de la Cruz. His assailants have not been brought to justice.
Remembering Dr Alison Jolly, Lemurs of Madagascar Expert
After leading a distinguished career as a primatologist at the Berenty Reserve of Madagascar, Dr. Alison Jolly has died at home in Lewes, East Sussex, aged 76. Dr. Jolly, a PhD researcher from Yale, made her name as the first scientist to do an in-depth account of the behaviour of the ring-tailed lemur, L. catta, beginning...
When Algeria's Police Fail to Act, Citizen Journalists Step in
After 21-year-old Babaousmail Azzedine was murdered in public and Algerian police failed to investigate, citizen journalists took matters into their own hands. Abdou Semmar reports.
Tokyo Snowfall Sends Voter Turnout Plunging in Governor Election
Only 46.16 percent of voters went to the polls to cast their ballots for governor, the third lowest in history.
Heavy Snowfall Brings Playtime to Tokyo
Heavy snowstorms hit Japan on Feb 8, 2014. Twenty seven centimeters of snow fell in central Tokyo, for the first time in 45 years. Moro Miya, a writer and a blogger who specializes in introducing Japanese culture to Chinese readers, collected the photos of snowmen and snow-animals that were posted...
Russian Commentator Mistakes Uzbekistan for Tajikistan at Olympics Opening Ceremony
A renowned Russian sports commentator mistook Uzbekistan's national team for that of Tajikistan in a live broadcast from the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
When Genocide is, apparently, a Laughing Matter
French humorist Nicolas Canteloup has come under fire for a sketch making light of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda [fr]. Following the outrage, Mr Canteloup has yet to apologize for the sketch. Audrey Kucinskas, a blogger for the Plus asks the logical question: “can anything be a laughing matter?” [fr]: Rire du...
Puerto Rico’s Debt Downgraded to “Junk” Status
While the government tries to inspire confidence in the public, citizens fear the worse.
Work on the Panama Canal Grinds to a Halt
The Panama Canal expansion project has taken a hit. The Canal Administrator says he will tolerate no blackmail, and Panamanians are using social media to show their support for him.
Moscow School Shooting: Firsthand Accounts and Mistaken Identities
"The MPs are thinking small. To avoid school shootings, you shouldn't ban guns, you should ban schools"
It Was Stinky for Days, but Cambodia's Garbage Strikers Won Their Battle
Workers are rising in Cambodia. After the garment workers, it is now the turn of garbage workers to launch a strike to demand a raise in their salaries
