Stories from 14 February 2014
Trinidad and Tobago: The Soca Kings Play Songs of Anti-Love
Pity Valentine's Day for falling during Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival season, when infectious soca rhythms render human beings powerless against the forces of bad behaviour.
A Love Letter to Quito
The first time Juan Arellano visited Quito was quite by chance. After a fourth visit he realises he can't deny it: he's head-over-heels in love with Ecuador's capital.
Kazakhstan Gets Its First Medal in Sochi
Kazakhstan's Denis Ten finished third in men's figure skating tonight, bringing the country its first-ever Olympic medal in this sport.
Protests Erupt Against a TV Show in Iran
Demonstrators say the show was insulting to Bakhtiari people and the role its leaders played in Iran's Constitutional Revolution.
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.
Carnival Love Songs From the Caribbean
Valentine's Day in the Caribbean is usually overshadowed by Carnival, so GV's Caribbean team posts a few of its favourite soca songs in an effort to spread the love...
Chinese Singletons Snatch Up Cinema Seats to Sabotage Valentine's Day Dates
One of the organizers of the occupation said that many of those who participated did so wanting to meet new friends, hoping to turn a "prank" into a "blind date".
Despite Bans, Central Asians Observe Valentine's Day
Looking at how people in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan observed Valentine's Day.
As a Federal State, Yemen Marks the Third Anniversary of Its Revolution
February 11th marked the third anniversary of Yemen's revolution. Noon Arabia sums up reactions as the country is divided into a six-region federation state
“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.
St. Lucian Chef Nina Compton Still the People's Champ
Saint Lucian chef Nina Compton may not have won her bid to be crowned Top Chef, but she has won the hearts - and stomachs - of the Caribbean region.
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...
Crowdfunding Campaign to Restore Lebanon's Second Largest Library a Success
Sectarianism aside, 298 donors from all sects raised $35,000 online to help restore a Tripoli library burned down by Islamic fundamentalists in Lebanon.
“Celebrating Valentine's Day Is a Direct Way to Hell” in Tajikistan
Popular among younger people in cities, Valentine's Day struggles to gain broader acceptance in Tajikistan.
A Love Story With No Kissing? That's Cinema in Iran
Whether for romance or just a hug between family members, male and female characters in Iranian movies are not permitted to touch.
What Does Civil Society Engagement Really Mean?
Is civil society really being heard by inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) such as the United Nations, World Bank, or World Trade Organization? CIVICUS, the world alliance for citizen participation, is polling all civil society organizations (CSOs) who have ever engaged with an IGO to get a clear picture. Eventually they wish...
“Another Face of Africa”: Call for Photos, Stories
A group of young volunteers from southern Germany, many of whom have lived in Africa, are calling for photos, essays, videos, blog posts or poems by locals of five major African cities: Lagos, Addis Ababa, Gaborone, Kigali and Kinshasa. With a forthcoming exhibition called “Sichtwechsel,” their goal is to show...
Examining the Post-Colonial Evolution of Francophone and Anglophone Africa
The topic of the post-colonial evolution of francophone versus anglophone African states has always a fodder for intense debate. Cheidozié Dike, from Nigeria, brings a new perspective to the subject : While the French Loi Cadre system was mostly about integration, the British colonial system sought only exploitation. Creating an...
Ecuador Makes List of Countries Where Press Freedom Has Declined
Ecuador is the only Latin American country featured on the Committee to Project Journalists’ (CPJ) annual Risk List. CPJ explains: The list is based on the expertise of CPJ staff, but also takes into account press freedom indicators such as journalist fatalities and imprisonments, restrictive legislation, state censorship, impunity in anti-press...
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.
GV Face: This Valentine's Day, Love and Courtship Across Borders
Happy Valentine's Day! This February 14 we bring you GV's very own love story told by the beatiful couple Sylwia Presley and Dan Braghis.
