potholes

A screengrab from the “Make the Politicians Work” video on Youtube

TI head: freedom of speech, press ‘essential’ to fighting corruption

Putrajaya: Press freedom and freedom of expression are important elements in the fight against corruption, said Transparency International president Jose Ugaz.”Press freedom and freedom of expression are the pillars of democratic societies and journalists must be able to work without fear,” he said. – The Star Online

Dozens of German business execs are trying to escape prosecution for corruption in Greece

Athens: Siemens, Daimler, Rheinmetall — the cream of German industry — have been mired in cases of alleged corruption in Greece, the country that Berlin has repeatedly admonished for the parlous state of its economy. – Business Insider UK

Corruption eats Russia-annexed Crimea from within

A top Russian security official was very clear about the dangers Crimea is facing. “Terrorism and corruption threaten Crimea,” Nikolai Patrushev, head of the security council and a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, reportedly said in the southern city of Sevastopol in early August, during a meeting with local officials. – Al Jazeera

More women on sports boards would reduce corruption, doping

More women on sporting boards is likely to lead to less corruption, doping and match-fixing, sports researcher Catherine Ordway says – but not, she argues, because women are more ethical. – theage.com

Satire: The best way to expose corruption or injustice?

The citizens in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg were fed up. Deep potholes remained in the streets, despite months of repeated promises by local officials for repairs. One night, street artists painted comical images of the officials’ faces over three potholes, leaving the gaping holes as mouths, along with spray-painted quotes of their unmet promises. – share.america.gov

Brazil mayor who ran town via WhatsApp wanted for corruption

A mayor in Brazil is on the run after she was accused of siphoning off funds from the school system and running the town remotely through WhatsApp. Lidiane Leite (25) lived a life of luxury in the capital of Maranhao state, prosecutors said. They say her only contact with her town, Bom Jardim, was through daily WhatsApp messages to her cabinet. – bbc.com

Nigeria’s poster boy for good governance caught up in corruption allegations

The much celebrated former Lagos governor, Babutunde Fashola, is facing a series of allegations. But is a political falling out behind the controversy? Once hailed by the UK’s Telegraph as “The man who tamed Nigeria’s most lawless city”, Babatunde Fashola has now found himself in turbulent political waters. – allafrica.com

Governance for development

BLOG: Without public sector partners, how can international organizations like the World Bank combat corruption? When it comes to engagement in the fight against corruption, developing country governments span a wide range. Some are willing to investigate and prosecute corruption; others are more reluctant. – worldbank.org

Pakistan corruption lets militants get national ID cards

Foreign Islamic militants have been able to secure Pakistani national identity cards for years in exchange for bribes as low as $100, giving them vastly greater freedom to operate, according to a report by Pakistan’s top intelligence agency. – associated press

Anti-corruption reform in a setting of widespread corruption: the case of Malaysia

Top-down anticorruption reform measures in Malaysia are unlikely to be genuine as they undermine the basis of the ruling party’s access and control of patronage and power. This is compounded by the majority of Malaysians ambivalence towards patronage and corruption. – forbes.com

China graft busters on alert for pricey mooncakes

Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned officials not to spend public funds on extravagant banquets or gifts as the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches. – fcpa blog