The violence in Mexico between drug cartel and federal troops shows no signs of easing.
Last week, a shootout in the border town of Tijuana once again demonstrated the violence that is occurring on a daily basis.
From the AP (via the Washing Post):
Even in Mexico’s most violent city, jaded residents feel caught in the crossfire between [...]
According to a video news report from National Geographic, Mexicans spent $2.58 billion in bribes in 2007.
Based on a report from Transparencia Mexican (the Mexico Chapter of Transparency International), Mexicans paid 197 million bribes in 2007, up from the 115 million bribes paid in 2005.
See the video report from National Geographic here.
[Passport]
The Chinese Government seized 4,112 counterfeit military vehicles and 6,373 fake car number plates since July 2006 in its campaign to crack down on the illicit trade.
From the official government news agency Xinhua:
Ninety-five criminal groups and illegal manufacturing workshops involving over 5,000 people have been seized for stealing and counterfeiting military number plates since the [...]
The New York Times has a story about sexual blackmail committed by US immigration agents.
No problems so far, the immigration agent told the American citizen and his 22-year-old Colombian wife at her green card interview in December. After he stapled one of their wedding photos to her application for legal permanent residency, he had just [...]
In a continuing sign of the worsening drug trade in Mexico, a police chief is seeking asylum in the United States due to the lack of safety he feels in the country.
From the AP:
Emilio Perez, the chief of Palomas, Mexico, showed up at the international port of entry in Columbus, N.M., late Tuesday, saying his [...]
Lee Myuang Bak, President of South Korea, was inaugurated into office on February 25, 2008.
Less than two weeks later, Lee is involved in a corruption scandal involving electronic giant Samsung.
From the IHT:
A corruption scandal at Samsung spread to the government of the new South Korean president, Lee Myung Bak, on Wednesday as a group of [...]
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo is facing public demands to resign in the wake of a government inquiry into corruption.
From the AP:
Thousands of Filipinos took to the streets and flocked to churches Monday in a fresh wave of nationwide protests on the anniversary of a 1986 grass-roots revolt, calling for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to resign.Left-wing [...]
Due to severe restrictions imposed by the Russian government, the European Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said that it will not send observers to monitor the upcoming presidential elections.The restrictions placed by the Russian government seems to have come directly out of the Foreign Policy article highlighted by our post, How to [...]
Foreign Policy magazine has a list of 6 ways to rig elections to ensure that your favorite candidate continues to send international aid money and government contracts your way.
Among the tactics:
Manipulate the media
How it’s done: In countries with little or no independent media outlets, opportunities are rife for leaders to use state-controlled media to broadcast [...]
Reuters is reporting that an internal investigation into fraud and corruption within the United Nations has found a wide variety of possible cases.
A U.N. internal investigative unit has found an unexpected amount of fraud and abuse in some 250 cases currently underway, including alleged sexual and financial offenses.
“Our caseload has been very steady over the [...]
