Stories about Governance from January, 2016
Raising the Roof on Trinidad & Tobago's Housing Scandal
Trinidad and Tobago's state housing allocations are allegedly fraught with corruption, leaving the most economically vulnerable, which the Housing Development Corporation is meant to prioritise, without places to call home.
Court Ruling Reignites Hope That White Collar Crime Could Actually Be Punished in Trinidad & Tobago
"With respect to the recent ruling at the Privy Council, the simple outcome is that persons who are charged with criminal offences will be made to face a trial."
Childrearing Traditions and Weak Policing Are Failing Armenia’s Abused Children
Domestic violence against children continues to be overlooked and underreported in Armenia. One group of activists is doing what it can to raise awareness.
Is ISIS Trying To Manipulate the Crypto Debate? Tech Experts Debunk Encrypted Email Video
ISIS releases a new video that aims to play into fears over encrypted communication.
Meet the Thai Facebook User Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Insulting the Monarchy
"It made me question why Thailand is still so poor, and why the poor in Thailand are so repressed.”
The Russian Government ‘Embraces’ Transparency
Russia is finally embracing transparency—so long as it poses no threat to political stability, writes Andrei Jvirblis in this openDemocracy Russia overview of the Kremlin's open government efforts.
Salt and Loathing in St. Petersburg
What has in the past helped defeat French legions and German divisions is also an ordinary concern for Russians. Usually, there's little cause for celebration, when considering the Russian winter.
The Only Hero in Russia Who Isn't Named Putin
While Ramzan Kadyrov isn’t Russia’s president, he is far more than a mere regional figure, and the past few weeks have offered only the latest evidence of his “talents.”
‘Hands Off Our Privacy': Polish Citizens Speak Out Against Surveillance Law
Poland's parliament adopted a surveillance law that would give authorities fast access to citizens' Internet and telecommunication usage data, without prior approval from a judge.
A New Wave of Protests Sweeps São Paulo Against Public Transportation Fare Hikes
One study found that public transport in 21 Brazilian cities are among the most costly in the world in relation to average salary, outranking London, Tokyo and New York.
An AIDS Epidemic is Decimating the Indigenous Warao Community in Venezuela
The figures are clear evidence that what is happening in Venezuela’s Orinoco Delta is an epidemic—an epidemic that is threatening the survival of an entire indigenous people.
Warlords to the Lebanese People: Let’s Forgive and Forget!
25 years after the end of the civil war Lebanon remains a deeply divided country, and attempts by former warlords to paper over the past can only worsen the situation.
How a Weapons Trafficking Case Brought Puerto Rico's Political Status Before the US Supreme Court
The US attorney general's position on Puerto Rico's status has probably turned the issue into fodder for the upcoming election season.
The Strongmen of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan Don't Want to Leave Office Anytime Soon
"Why trifle? Better to directly announce yourself immortals and ban death from coming for them."
Taxicab Confessions, Kyrgyz Style: Lawmakers Get Behind the Wheel to Chat With Voters
A public relations move, probably, but it's significant in the context of Central Asia, a region characterized by authoritarian politics.
A China-Financed Economic Corridor Brings Promise and Discord to Pakistan
Can Pakistan's regions and political parties come to a consensus over who should benefit most from the mega-project? That seems unlikely for the moment.
These Calendars Can Get You Into Trouble in Thailand and Myanmar
"Who would've thought that mere act of taking photo with calendar could be an act of resistance?"
‘Orwellian Dystopia’ or Trustworthy Nation? Get the Facts on China's Social Credit System
Combining individuals' financial records, online shopping data, social media behaviors and employment history, China will now produce a combined "social credit" score for each citizen.
In Kyrgyzstan, a Foreigner’s ‘Horse Penis’ Faux Pas Exposes Cultural Rift
"At the root of the story is a profound problem [...] the fundamental lack of mutual understanding between Kyrgyz- and Russian-speaking sections of the population."
Netizens Smell Arson in ‘Convenient’ Fire at Trinidad & Tobago's Water Authority
As the headquarters of Trinidad & Tobago's Water and Sewerage Authority go up in flames, netizens worry about records that may allegedly reveal a paper trail of corrupt practices.
The Finer Details of Trinidad & Tobago’s Whistleblower Bill Could Use Some Work
Trinidad and Tobago's Whistleblower Protection Bill was submitted to Parliament in November 2015. One anti-corruption blogger discusses the proposed legislation and urges netizens to get involved.
