Stories about Governance from January, 2014
A Growing Job Market for Young People in Senegal: The Fishing Sector
To combat rampant youth unemployment in Senegal, a new initiative geared toward job creation in the fishing industry was created. Ibrahima Lô, one of the lead on the project, explains [fr] : Nous avons un déficit de personnel. Tous les deux ans, il peut y avoir un recrutement de volontaires....
East Timor: ‘Australia Spied on Us for Oil Secrets’
East Timor is battling Australia in The Hague over Australia's alleged spying and violation of East Timor's sovereignty in a dispute over an oil and gas treaty between the two.
China Arrests Ilham Tohti, Peaceful Advocate for Uyghur Minority
Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece Global Times accused university professor Ilham Tohti of being a separatist. His supporters maintain he opposes violence and independence for the Uyghur people.
Who Bears the Cost of Russia's Olympics?
Accusations of corruption continue to plague Sochi Olympic preparations.
How Protecting the Environment and Fighting Poverty Are Linked in Madagascar
Madagascar's disappearing ecosystem cannot sustain its population any longer. But solutions do exist.
The Worrisome Job Market Projection in Burkina Faso
The AFDB published its country report for Burkina Faso in which it highlights the worrisome job market trend [fr] for the next decade : Sept burkinabè sur dix ont moins de 30 ans. Le nombre de jeunes (15-24 ans), primo demandeurs d’emplois, doublera entre 2010 et 2030, passant de trois à six millions...
Political Propaganda in the New Panamanian Passports?
The new electronic passports issued by Panama carry in its pages images of accomplishments by the government of Ricardo Martinelli. The move has generated irritation and reactions.
Cartoon Character ‘Meena’ Changes South Asian Attitudes Towards Girls
"Since her inception 14 years ago she has shown millions of women and girls what can be achieved."
Iran:Tehran Welcomes China's Help to Launch the National Internet
Iranian authorities in the Ministry of Information recently met with their Chinese counterparts and said they welcome China's experience to launch Iran's national internet.” Amin Sabeti tweeted: #China will help #Iran to launch the National Information Network or the National Internet http://t.co/nhLSmQRMnv @Liberationtech @lorenzoFB — Amin Sabeti (@AminSabeti) January 20,...
Malaysian Prime Minister Sparks Water Spinach Meme Over Rising Prices
Reacting to protests against rising food prices, Malaysia's prime minister reminded the public that the price of kangkung or water spinach has gone down. This remark unleashed a kangkung meme
Who Actually Lives in the Houses Built After Haiti's Earthquake?
Expensive yet poorly constructed, squatters reign in homes that were intended for Haiti's earthquake victims.
Chinese Civil Servants Demand Higher Salaries
People's Congress representative from Guangdong province suggested the government to increase civil servants’ salaries. Indeed their basic salaries are low, but they enjoy huge benefits and subsidies. The proposal immediately stirred up hot reactions from netizens. ChinaSMACK curates the story in English.
Philippine Typhoon Haiyan Victims Complain of Slow Relief and Substandard Shelters
Dead bodies are still being retrieved in the Visayas two months after typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines. Temporary shelters were also exposed to be overpriced and substandard
Self Defense Against Drug Cartels or the Mexican Government in Michoacán?
In an effort to bring peace to the state of Michoacán, the government has sent the military to disarm citizen self-defense groups who have taken up arms against organized crime.
European Citizens Call for the Protection of Media Pluralism
“European institutions should safeguard the right to free, independent and pluralistic information”. The quote, from the Media Initiative website, summarizes the main idea behind a pan-European campaign that aims at urging the European Commission to draft a Directive to protect Media Pluralism and Press Freedom. The Media Initiative is running a European Citizens’ Initiative – a tool...
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back for China's Stock Market Reforms
After only two weeks of letting market forces set companies' initial public offerings, China's stock market authorities rolled back some of their reforms.
Enforced Disappearances in Sri Lanka: 2006-2013
Groundviews highlights a report (pdf), which aims to facilitate the criminalization of enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka during 2006-2013, recognize and uphold the rights of the victims families.
Ukraine Stifles Freedom of Speech, Peaceful Protest With New Law
The Ukrainian parliament has passed a law that openly restricts free speech, peaceful protest and free communications in the country, leaving citizens and journalists outraged.
The Sad Fate of Multimillionaire Marriages in Russian Officialdom
Russia’s leading anti-corruption blogger, Alexey Navalny, is making waves again with his latest online work, a series of allegations against Maxim Liksutov, the head of Moscow’s department of transportation.
Mauritius Tops Index of Economic Freedom Ranking in Africa
The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal published the latest Index of Economic Freedom and Mauritius ranks highest among African nations [fr]. It also ranks in the top ten worldwide. The index cites the following reasons for Mauritius high ranking: Efficient and transparent regulations underpin a dynamic entrepreneurial environment and...
Is Pakistan's Much-Needed Gas Pipeline a Pipe Dream?
In early December, Iran cancelled a 500 million US dollar loan to help Pakistan finance its part of a gas pipeline that authorities hope will combat Pakistan's dire energy crisis.