Stories about Governance from August, 2013
Crowdsourcing Malaysia’s 2014 Budget
Through the #bajet2014 website, Malaysians can give specific ideas in drafting the government's 2014 budget. They can also use the special page to approve or reject a particular proposal
Iran: Facebook Diplomacy
Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, posted a short piece with six questions about Syria on his Facebook page which received 1,100 comments as of Friday, August 30. Some called Zarif on the hypocrisy of criticizing Western intervention as intervention, when Iran has its own presence on the ground.
Justice Goes Mobile for Residents of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
A fleet of buses painted in the colors of the Pakistani flag have been converted into traveling courtrooms.
VIDEO: Angolan Prison Authorities Crack Down on Prisoners
A video showing what appears to be prison guards and firefighters beating a group of prisoners in Luanda (warning: graphic) has been widely shared on Angolan social media. Amnesty International reacted saying that the footage “is shocking and must be investigated,” The footage, recorded on a mobile phone and distributed...
The Politics of Moscow's Migrant Crime Statistics
Moscow's next mayor will have little influence over domestic immigration policy, but that doesn't stop candidates from weighing in on the topic.
Ghana's Supreme Court Tosses Case Challenging President's Legitimacy
The landmark decision dismissed a lawsuit from the opposition who argued that there were gross and widespread irregularities at more than 10,000 polling stations during presidential elections in December 2012.
Serbian National Parachuter Ejected from Team for Disgruntled Facebook Comments
Aleksandar Cvetković described on his Facebook how the Serbian parachuting team traveled to Russia to participate in the European championships only to find that Serbian officials hadn't paid for anything.
Campaigning for a Smoke-Free Southeast Asia
Review of several anti-smoking campaigns in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Plus an advisory from Philippine health authorities against the dangers of promoting e-cigarettes
Russia's Unpopular but “Necessary” Illegal Immigrant Camps
At the end of July, Moscow's Governor proposed a new detention center for illegal immigrants on a former military base near the Yegoryevsky district. Not everyone is thrilled.
Strike in Colombia Gains Momentum
Colombia's national strike, which began with an agrarian strike on August 19, is “gaining momentum with shows of support from the citizenry”, as Steven Cohen writes in Colombia Reports: More than 10,000 people participated in “cacerolazos” — protests in which participants bang on kitchen pots and pans — held throughout...
‘Million People March’ Against Corruption in the Philippines
Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos gathered in Manila and several cities in the Philippines to denounce rampant corruption in the government.
Online Reporting of Bribery in Thailand
Bribespot Thailand encourages Thais to report cases of bribery and corruption in the country. Through an interactive map, the website also identifies bribery hotspots in Thailand.
A Brick in the Wall of Tertiary Education in Barbados?
The government plans to cut subsidies for students at the University of the West Indies in Barbados. Some call it "political treason" while others say the move has public support.
Chinese Social Web Shines Spotlight on Illegal Rooftop Structures
Authorities have been slow to do anything about the elaborate and illegal constructions, including one rooftop villa in Beijing that resembles a lush green mountaintop.
Prison Overcrowding in Indonesia
Leopold Sudaryono tackles the problem of prison overcrowding in Indonesia. In 2011, there were 144,000 prisoners in the country. Prisons were reported to be overcrowded by 45 per cent on average. Among the factors contributing to the problem are lack of alternative sentencing options at trial and delays in the...
Are Female Vigilantes The Answer To Stop Rapes In India?
India, reeling from the news of another woman gang-raped in Mumbai, is searching for a way to stop these sexual crimes.
Leaked Chinese Document Warns Against the Evils of Western Values
The directive reaffirms President Xi Jinping's political conservatism despite his economic reforms and tough stance on corruption.
Citizens Concerned as Agrarian Strike Escalates in Colombia
The government and farmers have not reached an agreement following four days of protest. Citizens meanwhile show their concern and call for action.
Navalny's Montenegrin Kryptonite or Russia's Invulnerable Candidate?
Information has emerged showing Navalny’s ownership of an active real estate company in Montenegro, established in 2007 and undeclared when he registered as a candidate for Moscow's mayor’s race.
Women Barred From Voting in By-elections in Some Parts of Pakistan
An undercover monitor for Pak Votes, an organization that monitors electoral fairness, succeeded in convincing polling officials at one location to not allow any women to vote.
Kyrgyz Press: Shocking Titles, Latest Tattle
Kyrgyz newspapers are hotbeds of hearsay. Thanks to Gezitter.org, a blog translating their pages into Russian, non-Kyrgyz readers can also enjoy - or endure - the barrage of gossip.
