PHILIPPINES: Deforestation – MNCs, Militants, Soldiers, Farmers Blamed

Outside the office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Compostela Valley province sits a pile of confiscated, milled hardwood - a monument to the deforestation caused mainly by parties to a festering armed conflict.

MIDEAST: Another Corruption Scandal Pursues Olmert

Badly tarnished by his management of the Lebanon war in the summer of 2006, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had begun, in recent months, to resurrect his public image. But a new corruption scandal in which he is being questioned by police has again undermined his credibility, and raised questions about his ability to govern effectively.

POLITICS-US: The Mutual Investigation Society?

In one of the more ironic episodes of the George W. Bush administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation last week raided the office and home of the senior official in charge of protecting federal whistleblowers on suspicion of whistleblower retaliation within his own agency - while he was investigating possible criminal acts within the White House.

EUROPE: Stealth Lobbyists Creep In

The often cosy relationship between corporate lobbyists and the Brussels bureaucracy was illustrated in the past few weeks as several members of the European Parliament (MEPs) prepared to visit Peru.

MEXICO: Pemex Oozes Corruption

Funds belonging to the Mexican state oil monopoly, Pemex, have paid in recent years for liposuction treatment for the wife of the company’s chief executive, a presidential candidate’s campaign, contracts with firms facing legal action, and the whims of trade union leaders who are not required to account for their expenses.

HONDURAS: Prosecutors on Hunger Strike against Corruption

Prosecutors in Honduras are on hunger strike to demand the dismissal of the attorney general and his deputy, for failure to investigate cases of corruption. Tension mounted when the president of Congress warned of possible intentions to break with the "constitutional order."

PARAGUAY: Torture Victim Still Fears Colorado Party ‘Mafia’

The Colorado Party has become a "criminal mafia" during its 61 years in government in Paraguay, and it will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in spite of its defeat in last month’s elections, says Anuncio Martí, a Paraguayan citizen living in exile in Brazil.

KOSOVO: No Freedom from Corruption

The new government in Kosovo has failed so far to live up to its promise of fighting corruption.

IRAQ: Corruption Eats Into Food Rations

Amidst unemployment and impoverishment, Iraqis now face a cutting down of their monthly food ration – much of it already eaten away by official corruption.

BANGLADESH: Amnesty for Tainted Tycoons as Economy Flags

Bangladesh’s military-backed interim government hopes that a ‘truth commission’ it plans to set up will give tainted businessmen an opportunity to revive their businesses and help put a badly flagging economy back on the rails.

EUROPE: Tax Havens Cheating the Poor

Tax havens in Europe are depriving poor countries of more money than they receive in development aid, it has been alleged.

BURMA: US Oil Major Complicit in Abuses – Rights Lobby

An environmental group is warning U.S. energy giant Chevron to clean up its act in Burma or face legal proceedings where the multinational’s links to gross human rights violations in the military-ruled country could be exposed.

FINANCE: Oil Majors Rapped Over Secrecy, Corruption

Leading oil firms impede efforts to stamp out poverty and corruption by shrouding their financial dealings in secrecy, says a global watchdog.

BULGARIA: Criminal Networks Extend Into Government

Bulgarian minister of interior Roumen Petkov announced his resignation Sunday, in the midst of a row about connections between high-level Bulgarian officials - especially from the Ministry of Interior - and corrupt businessmen linked to organised crime.

POLITICS-MALAYSIA: Two-Party System Taking Shape

Following its big gains in the Mar. 8 polls, Malaysia's once disparate opposition, led by the charismatic former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, has forged a formal coalition capable of taking on the ruling 14-party National Front (NF) coalition.

FINANCE: U.S. Lawmakers Invested in Iraq, Afghanistan Wars

U.S. lawmakers have a financial interest in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, a review of their accounts has revealed.

RIGHTS-CAMBODIA: Property Boom Forces Evictions of Urban Poor

Sitting in a wooden house in the urban poor community of Dei Krohome, Touch Ratha recounted a tale of intimidation, secrecy and the blurred line between police, government officials and the private company that she says has been trying to evict her and her neighbours.

SLOVAKIA: Corruption Haunts Governing Coalition

Slovakia's left-wing government continues to survive media and opposition attacks over a series of corruption scandals. The scandals have not, however, diminished the government's popularity.

BURMA: Junta Split May Hasten Civilian Rule

By promising to hand over power to a civilian government within two years, Burma’s top general has sparked speculation on the future of the junta that has ruled this country since a military coup in 1962.

AFGHANISTAN: Disappointed With Karzai, NATO

The Shahr-e-now park in the centre of Kabul has seen better days. "It used to be really beautiful," Kabul resident Torialay says, "back during the early-90s. But after the Mujahiddin war (a civil war between warlords and commanders in the mid-90s that destroyed much of the city) it has never been restored."

EUROPE: Kosovo Shadow Falls on Moldova

Moldova and its separatist region Transdniester, engaged for 16 years in a conflict over the latter's independence, each had reasons to believe the spring of 2008 would bring a settlement favourable to their side. But Moscow, crucial to any resolution, has already signalled it is not in a hurry to reach a resolution.