CORRUPTION-SOUTH AFRICA: Arms Deal Probe Worries Ruling Party

After months of investigations, South Africans are no nearer to the truth behind accusations that the country’s deputy-president, Jacob Zuma, was part of alleged corruption in the government’s multi-billion-dollar arms acquisition deal.

POLITICS-LIBERIA: Women Appeal for Peace

Women in Liberia, tired of carrying the burden of war, have appealed for peace in the strife-torn West African country.

ECUADOR: Ex-President Finds Refuge from Corruption Charges

The Dominican Republic granted former Ecuadorian president Gustavo Noboa asylum Wednesday, adding another link to the long chain of politicians who have opted to leave the country to avoid trial on corruption charges.

RIGHTS-MEXICO: The Lost Cause of Court-Appointed Lawyers

A defendant in the hands of a court-appointed lawyer facing trial in the courts of the Mexican capital can practically be assured of losing the case, as well as a great deal of money and patience.

POLITICS-SUDAN: Church Asks Mediators to Ensure Lasting Peace

The church has appealed to the mediators of Sudanese peace talks not to abandon the process even after a final deal is signed in August or later this year.

THAILAND: Despite Crackdown, ‘King of Commercial Sex’ Thrives

''The reason I like 'Emmanuelle' is because all around service is the best,'' a man writing as 'ABC' says about a place here in the Thai capital that fronts as a 'massage parlour' but caters to the sexual fantasies of men.

CORRUPTION-PARAGUAY: Incoming Gov’t Plans Clean-Up Coup

Hopes run high that Paraguay's president-elect, Nicanor Duarte Frutos, will make good on his promise to fight corruption - which costs this impoverished country 5.0 billion dollars annually - as changes occur in the leadership posts at key government ministries.

POLITICS-SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: Nigeria, UN Condemn Military Coup

Nigeria and the United Nations have condemned the military coup in the tiny West African island state of Sao Tome and Principe, which toppled President Fandique de Menezes this week.

BANGLADESH: Latest Ferry Deaths Point to Old Problems

A week after the worst ferry disaster in Bangladesh's living memory this month, grief-stricken family members and relatives of the hundreds still missing pace the banks of swollen rivers, clutching on to any hope.

CORRUPTION: French Find an Italian Connection

It was an unfortunate coincidence for French President Jacques Chirac that his government announced a constitutional amendment to reinforce his immunity as head of state at the very time that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was being given similar protection.

FINANCE: ‘Transparency’ Pleads for a Strong Anti-Corruption UN Convention

Transparency International has called upon governments around the world to commit themselves to signing the UN Convention against Corruption and ensure that forthcoming Vienna negotiations lend it sufficient clout.

INDONESIA: Drive vs Trafficking Means Fighting Poverty, Corruption

Thirteen-year-old Yati was robbed of her childhood when she was sold into bonded labour and now, she sells both tea and her body.

ARGENTINA: Putting An End to “Justice Made to Order"

The overhauling of Argentina's unpopular Supreme Court is putting the new government of Néstor Kirchner to the test, presenting it with the opportunity to make good on the president's campaign pledges of change by showing unconditional respect for the independence of the different branches of the state.

CORRUPTION: Presidents, Beware

Il Cavaliere Silvio Berlusconi is off the hook for the time being. Last week, the Italian Parliament approved an immunity bill that will freeze a trial in Milan where the Italian Prime Minister is charged with bribing judges over a 1985 business deal involving a corporate takeover battle.

POLITICS-MALAYSIA: Disquiet Rises as End of Mahathir Era Nears

Behind the praise and euphoria that attended Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's final appearance before the ruling party he had led for 22 years lurks general disquiet over the country's future and keen anticipation of a political re-alignment after his era.

CORRUPTION-FRANCE: Politicians Not Keen to Clean Up

An ambitious anti-corruption plan proposed in Paris by 14 international prosecutors Thursday is unlikely to find political backing.

MEXICO: Transparency Law – a Vaccine Against Corruption

The Mexican government's traditional culture of secrecy was dealt a direct blow Thursday when a new ''transparency law'' making information available to the public, which observers say will also act as a vaccine against corruption, went fully into effect.

AFRICA: Economic Elite Rank Corruption, Ignore Own Role – Critics

A leading global business group has issued a ''corruption index'' for African countries, but corporate governance watchdogs say the World Economic Forum (WEF) ignored the role that its members play in corrupting poor countries.

DEVELOPMENT: Do the Watchdogs Need Watching?

Now heading a U.N. panel on relations with civil society, former Brazilian president Henrique Cardoso was asked here last week how he viewed the role of non-state actors in global governance.

POLITICS-CUBA: Gov’t Celebrates UN Anti-Embargo Triumph

The Cuban government applauded the United Nations (UN) General Assembly's approval Tuesday of a resolution that condemns the United States economic embargo against the island, calling the resolution "a new victory."