Stories about Governance from March, 2014
Teenage Bloggers in Bangladesh Arrested For ‘Blasphemous’ Facebook Posts
Fellow bloggers accuse an Islamist student organization of distributing false propaganda that rallied a mob against the two bloggers and led to their arrest.
The ‘Woman Who Was Dragged’ and Killed by Brazil's Military Police
Claudia Silva Ferreira was shot during a military police operation in a Rio de Janeiro slum, then dragged along the road behind their car as they drove to the hospital.
‘Sleeping Lion’ China Awakened, Says President Xi Jinping
Evoking Napoleon during his visit to France, Chinese President Xi Jinping said his country is an awakened lion that is “peaceful, pleasant and civilized”
South Korea: Royal Gate Restoration, Corruption and Suicide
In recent months, particularly murky allegations over the royal gate restoration have unfolded in South Korea. The project's ‘chief carpenter’ is accused not only of using substandard wood, but stealing donated wood. Moreover, several government officials involved in the project were also indicted on charges of bribery [ko], and a civilian investigator who...
Global Voices Author Raza Rumi Attacked By Unknown Gunmen In Lahore
Notable Pakistani, columnist, TV anchor and blogger (also a Global Voices author) Raza Rumi was attacked by unidentified gunmen near Raja market on Ferozpur road in Lahore, Pakistan. At 8:55PM tonight he tweeted: Was fired at near Raja Market. My driver is wounded. I was dreading this day — Raza...
‘Anonymous International’ Leaks Kremlin's Instructions to Russian TV
A Russian Internet group called “Anonymous International” has leaked what it claims is a “tyomnik”—a list of prepackaged news stories prepared by the Kremlin for Russia’s central television news stations.
Blogging about Russia's Crimea Annexation? You Could Be an Extremist!
Russian lawmakers are toying with the idea of levying extremism charges against bloggers who “incite xenophobic attitudes” when writing about the Crimea.
After One Death, Pleas to Free Remaining Abducted Iranian Soldiers
Insurgents near the Iran-Pakistan border abducted five soldiers in February and have reportedly killed one of their prisoners, Jamshid Danaeifard. #FreeIranianSoldiers say Iranians on Twitter.
Women Still Harassed on Delhi's Metro Despite Measures
Four seats are designated as women's only in every train compartment, and trains now feature special women's compartments. But harassment from men remains a problem for women on the Metro.
South Korea Singles Out Elderly Drives With ‘Silver Mark’
Seniors must place a special sticker on the back of their car to signify that they are elderly. Rates of fatal crashes involving seniors is on the rise.
The Night the Lights Went Out in Jamaica: Politician Freed of Corruption Charges
The dropping of charges against a former minister of Parliament in a corruption scandal involving the distribution of light bulbs, has Jamaicans discussing whether the judicial system has a bias.
Corruption in Nepal: Is It Becoming Socially Acceptable?
People are angry and tired, and media houses often publish news about the connection between political leaders and goons but no one takes to the streets to protest corruption – an anomaly for a country where people have Nepal Bandhs, country-wide strikes for every distress. Siromani Dhungana posts an analysis...
Paraguayan President Faces First Major Test as Citizens Prepare for a General Strike
Paraguay will live its first general strike after two decades. Workers, peasants, teacher unions and students will give Horacio Cartes his first major test as president.
Obama Meets the Chinese President in Netherlands as the US First Lady Continues Her Soft Diplomacy in China
US First Lady Michelle Obama paid a visit to China roughly at the same time her husband traveled to the Netherlands for a nuclear summit, also attended by China's president.
Jose Dos Santos, the 1.8-Billion-Dollar President of Angola
Meanwhile, 70 percent of Angolans live on less than two dollars a day.
Dear #CongressOccupied Protesters, ‘Don't Let Taiwan Become the Next Hong Kong’
Since protests in Taiwan began March 18 against a trade deal with China, many Hongkongers have sent many messages of encouragement and of warning to the Taiwanese.
Malaysia's Water Shortage is a Natural and Man-Made Disaster
Water shortage has been reported in Selangor, Johor, Negri Sembilan, and Kedah in Malaysia. The Sin Chew Daily explains the cause of the problem: …the drought and water shortage in the Peninsula are both natural and human-induced disasters. The government as well as the people have an inescapable responsibility. Over-emphasising...
South Korea Moves to Restrict Young People's Online Overseas Shopping
Young South Koreans are getting their hands on foreign products not available in their country as well as Korean products at cheaper prices by buying from international sellers.
Russia's No. 1 Separatist Dead, Again
Doku Umarov was declared dead by the official propaganda arm of the Caucasus Emirate, an armed separatist movement in Russia's south.
Smog Insurance China's Latest Air Pollution Band-Aid
Smog insurance, the first of its kind, is targeting travelers and local residents of seven cities in China. Some cities have been plagued by smog for years.
Taiwan's #CongressOccupied Protest, Translated
Hundreds of translators have organized themselves through Facebook to translate stories about protesters' occupation of Taiwan's legislature following the ruling party's passage of a controversial trade agreement with China.