Stories about Governance from August, 2014
12 Deaths and 27,000 Displaced Nigeriens Because of Floods
Heavy rains and flooding in Niger have killed 12 people and left thousands without homes. Rivers in Niamey and the extended regions have risen and destroyed thousands of houses. In the region, land degradation and cultivation of marginal land increase the risk that extreme events can develop into natural disasters. Some solutions...
Russia Just Doubled Its Internet Surveillance Program
At first glance, "SORM 2.0" seems redundant, but the reform of police surveillance online could vastly expand the reach of the Kremlin.
Zambia's Cabinet Should Probe President's Health
In view of widespread rumors regarding the health of Zambia's president, Michael Sata, Gershom Ndhlovu argues that the constitution mandates the cabinet to probe his health: The last time Zambia’s President Michael Sata was seen publicly was on or around June 20 when he hosted a Chinese government delegation led...
The Worst Explosion in Taiwan's History Has Set Off a Major Political Debate
A recent gas-line explosion killed 30 people in Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s second largest city, setting off a debate about the the underground pipelines that serve the nation's petrochemical industry.
Hundreds Join a Grieving Father's Silent Protest of Slow Hit-and-Run Investigation in Serbia
Luka Jovanović, 21, was killed while he was fixing his own car on Branko Bridge in Belgrade with several friends.
Islamabad on Lockdown as Politicians Launch Massive Anti-Government Marches on Pakistan's Independence Day
The Pakistani government is taking extraordinary measures to prevent two opposition parties led by populist politicians from launching massive anti-government marches to the capital on August 14.
Can President Obama Change African Dictators’ Ways? Not Likely, Says Chadian Blogger
"The fundamental question remained: What steps can the American president take to change things around?"
What Gardening Has Taught Me About Civic Responsibility
Our Trinidad-based Caribbean editor has learned a lot of things in her garden. She shares eight seeds that germinated into her civic consciousness here.
Investment Deal with China Leaves Jamaicans With More Questions Than Answers
I AM SO FLABBERGASTED: WHO gives a FOREIGN government the RIGHT to CHOOSE WHICH LAND IT WANTS? As part of an investment exchange, the Jamaican government has agreed to give 1,200 acres of land to the Chinese government – wherever it wants. Cucumber Juice has critical questions that she feels...
Some See a Political Ploy in Trinidad & Tobago's Proposed Constitutional Reform
Given labour strikes, corruption scandals, escalating crime and police state concerns, this sudden interest in reforming the country's constitution reads to some like an act of desperation.
Caribbean Court of Justice Mired in Controversy
Barbados Free Press says that few people realise “that the vaunted Caribbean Court of Justice carries no actual power or authority”, partly because compliance with the court's decisions is apparently voluntary. Comparing the institution to a toothless bulldog, the post went on to provide links to reports on several incidents...
A Man's Fatal Beating Puts Police Brutality Back on the Front Burner in Jamaica
Mario Deane was beaten while in police custody for marijuana possession. This type of violence has plagued the country's political culture from as far back as the 1970s.
3 Years in Prison for Spray-Painting a Fence? Now's Your Chance to Say ‘No.’
This summer, activists launched a "Free Vitishko" signature drive through the global civic organization "Avaaz." The petition demands the environmentalist's immediate and unconditional release from Russian prison.
A Weibo Spat Hints at the Battle Brewing Over Journalism's Future in China
Lin Zhibo's appointment as dean of journalism school at Lanzhou University pitted the country's leftist nationalists against liberals pressing for more media freedom.
Shut Your Mouth, Russian Bureaucrat
Russia's government won’t be keeping a promise about restoring certain pension deposits, and one high-ranking economic official is already out of a job thanks to a bizarre online apology.
A Terrifying Experience at A Mumbai Train Station
Blogger Antarik Anwesan recalls an alarming experience at Goregaon train Station in Mumbai, India. A local train started from the platform without notice and the crowd hurried to get on board. As the train gathered speed quickly, some people fell from the door and two persons were miraculously saved from...
Forgot Your Password? Don't Worry, the Kremlin Has It.
The Russian government is inviting bloggers to share something every Internet user learns never to divulge: their logins and passwords.
Watch 3 Flamenco Singers Interrupt Andalusia's Parliament to Protest in Booming Song
The economic crisis has hit Spain's southern region of Andalusia especially hard, with two-thirds of its people out of work.
Trinidad & Tobago Sports Minister Resigns Amid Alleged Corruption in a Programme for Disadvantaged Kids
Trinidad and Tobago's minister of sport resigned after his LifeSport programme is alleged to be funding criminals. Learn why some have called his resignation "tears of a clown."
Trinidad & Tobago's Minister of Sport Resigns Under Duress
Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Sport has been forced to resign following public dissatisfaction surrounding the corrupt LifeSport programme, in which millions of dollars were allegedly funneled out to fund criminal activities and contractors were reportedly paid huge sums of money without actually doing any work. Wired868 republishes the full...
Did Someone from the U.S. Congress Just Call Putin a “Dickwad” on Wikipedia?
Yesterday, someone using a congressional IP address replaced the musical notation of Russia's real national anthem with the lyrics and arrangement of a popular Ukrainian chant mocking Vladimir Putin.
