Stories about War & Conflict from February, 2014
“Now is the Time for Men of Goodwill to Stand Up” in the Central African Republic
Andrew Harding on Africa Review reports on the courageous acts of a congregation in the shabby town of Boali, Central African Republic and notably one Father Xavier Fagba. The St Peter's Parish church has sheltered Muslims seeking sanctuary from ethnic cleansing perpetrated by anti balaka gangs: “Now is the time for men of...
To Hell with the Games: Russians Turn from Sochi to Ukraine
Today, after a relative lull, violence returned to Kiev’s streets, causing a dramatic shift in RuNet activity. Indeed, the images coming out of Ukraine depict something like a civil war.
“Bring All the Culprits of Ethnic Cleansing to Justice” Says a CAR Citizen of Muslim and Christian Descent
Here is Moussa Tanko–Tchaibou's take on the ethnic cleansing that is underway in his country, the Central African Republic and what should be done to stop it [fr]: Je suis centrafricain de confession musulmane avec cette particularité illustrative de la cohésion sociale, celle d’avoir un père de confession musulmane et une...
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.
Reflections Amid Protests and Chaos in Venezuela
Contradictory information, extreme opinions, and fears expressed by both sides continue to circulate amid hashtags, tweets, and blogs. Bloggers reflect on the ongoing protests and the government's response.
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.
An “Increasingly Uncertain” Future for Central Asia's Fergana Valley
On the Caravanistan blog, Cycloscope writes about radioactive landfill sites in the Fergana Valley, a region “absurdly divided between Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan”: Unaware of the dangers of radioactivity, the locals take the equipment in the old abandoned mines and sell them as scrap, risking not only their own lives...
Russia's Patriotic Overdrive in Sochi?
The Soviet Union may have defeated Hitler, but modern-day Russia’s war against fascism wages on. And the Sochi Olympics have amplified the fight.
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.
Iran: Five Soldiers Abducted near Iran-Pakistan Border
Five Iranian soldiers were kidnapped on Friday, near Iran-Pakistan border by Sunni extremists. Iranians launched a tweet campaign to support abducted soldiers.Amin Sabeti tweeted Iranians have started a @Twitter campaign for 5 Iranian soldiers who are abducted by a terrorist group Jaish al-ado #FreeIranianSoldiers — Amin Sabeti (@AminSabeti) February 9,...
“I Am Alive” App Allows Lebanese to Reassure Each Other After Explosions
The Lebanese seem to have gotten so used to bombs that an app dedicated to letting your loved ones know you're alive seems inevitable.
Veteran Sri Lankan Journalist Murdered in Her Home
Mel Gunasekera was the founding editor of the Lanka Business Online, an online financial news service website, and a former reporter for French news agency Agence France-Presse.
Change From the Ground Up in War-Torn Central African Republic
Second part of the interview with Michel Besse and the ATD Fourth World Team in Bangui about how to support Central Africa.
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...
Pakistani Journalists on Taliban Hit-List
The Taliban have issued a fatwa against some Pakistani media houses and prepared a hit list with the names of two dozen journalists and publishers.
British Mother Yells at Syrian Officials: “Why Did You Kill My Son?”
“Why did you kill my son?” yells Fatima Khan, the grieving mother of British doctor Abbas Khan who was killed in Syria, at regime officials who were in Geneva for peace talks aimed at ending the country's civil war. Dr Khan had traveled to Syria to provide humanitarian aid in...
Youth Orchestra ‘Jafraa’ a Bright Spot in War-Torn Syria
Shakespeare once said, "If music be the food of love, play on." But what if this "food" risks the player's life? Meet the young musicians of Jafraa orchestra in Homs.
Do You Have What it Takes to be a Mexican Newspaper Editor?
On PBS.org you can take “The Reportero Challenge”, a game inspired by the documentary Reportero which presents various scenarios that journalists and editors face in Mexico: You have been offered the position of Editor-in-Chief at El Centinela-Investigador. Since its inception, the paper has stood up to the drug cartels and a...
Saudi King Outlaws Religious Groups
The Saudi monarch outlawed Saudis from fighting in other countries and belonging to religious and extremist groups. Netizens react to the new royal decree.
Lessons of Peace from the Central African Republic's Most Disadvantaged
Interview with Michel Besse and the ATD-4th world in Bangui on the CAR Crisis
Taliban Play Trump with Peace Talks in Pakistan
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said regardless of the recent deadly attacks by the Taliban, Pakistan hopes that its talks-first approach will help end the violence in the country.
