Stories about Governance from September, 2020
Citizenship by investment in the Caribbean: Economic boon or diplomatic minefield?
Citizenship by Investment, dubbed the “golden passport”, offers the wealthy a second citizenship at a time when visa and COVID-19 restrictions are becoming more onerous.
BJP-led Assam state in India criticized for failed promises ahead of elections
The BJP was elected in the rural state in 2016 on promises to create jobs and clean up corruption. Four years on, the government faces shortcomings on both fronts.
Toward a cyberfeminist future: A new study centers African women as protagonists online
Over 3,000 women from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, and South Africa, were interviewed about their "perceptions of digital safety" and online gender-based violence in a new, large-scale study by Pollicy.
North Macedonia scraps ministerial post responsible for the diaspora
What will happen to the National Strategy for Cooperation with the Diaspora and who will follow up on the work—however minor—done by Minister Ademi?
It’s time to remove Sudan from the US’ state-sponsored terrorism list
Sudan landed on the US state sponsor of terrorism list in 1993, but none of the original reasons still hold now. It’s time to remove Sudan from the SST list.
#FreeMuay: Groups call for release of Laotian net idol and environment advocate
"Muay bravely stood up to protect the environment. Muay does not deserve to be let alone imprisoned from taking this stand."
Thai protesters submit petition for monarchy reforms, install ‘people’s plaque’
The plaque has this inscription: "People shall know, that this country belongs to the people, not the king as they lied."
Belizean Independence reminds me of the complicated legacy of colonization
My granny’s Blackness and her attachment to the British Crown provided me with some of my first lessons about the complexities and peculiarities of diasporic Blackness.
Journalists face sedition charges under cybercrime law in Pakistan
"The alarming increase in such actions against journalists confirms that the government is bent on muzzling freedom of expression."
Border row, trade turmoil and rising Chinese influence send Indo-Nepal ties to lowest ebbs
Nepal finds itself in the line of fire of the China-US trade war and the Indo-China border conflict.
How the world's six largest economies are faring amidst the global political economy of COVID-19
"The political economy of any one nation, however, is interlinked with the global economy, and because of this the scale of activities in the largest economies really does matter."
Millions of Indian students sit university entrance exams after government disregards protests to postpone them
Students protested throughout the entire month of August, citing concerns with COVID-19 transmission and reduced transportation in quarantined zones.
African Union turns to biosurveillance tech to curb COVID-19
PanaBIOS, an African Union-backed biosurveillance technology, can track the spread of COVID-19 and connect testing centers across the continent.
School children and their teacher kidnapped in Nigeria's Kaduna, as armed bandits run amok
The armed bandits who abducted four students and their teacher from Damba-Kasaya, Kaduna State, Nigeria are demanding a ransom to release their captives.
Website exposing military corruption blocked in Myanmar
"It shows the increased intolerance by the government on freedom of expression and that they are trying to cover up the crimes and corruption of the military."
Historic peace deal in Sudan signed during historic flooding
A historic peace deal with rebel groups in Sudan also comes during historic flooding that has ushered in a humanitarian disaster. What are the government’s plans to make life easier?
How churches became entangled in Belarus’ political crisis
As the crisis drags on, the leader of Belarus' Catholics was denied entry into the country and his Orthodox counterpart was replaced. Both had publicly criticised the crackdown on protesters.
What is Russia's endgame in Belarus?
Moscow has wearied of embattled President Alexander Lukashenka and is now concerned with protecting its interests in an eventual (and inevitable) transition of power, says Belarusian political scientist Yuri Tsarik.
Indian scientists pen letter against government slashing of environmental protections
The letter says the updates to the Environmental Impact Assessment norms will encourage projects with no prior clearance to commence operations and eventually get regularised by paying a fine.
Moderating harmful content online in Sudan: Policies and measures
In Sudan, social media platforms struggle to enforce guidelines and rules regarding content deemed harmful such as hate speech and disinformation.
What's happening in Thailand? Youth activists rally to protect democracy, freedom of speech
An explainer about the ongoing youth-led protests in Thailand.
