World
Transparency International release CPI 2012
The anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency International (TI), has released their latest global Corruption Perception Index. The Index rates 176 countries based on citizens’ perceived corruption in the public sector. The least corrupt country by small margins is New Zealand, with Somalia, Afghanistan and North Korea ranking as most corrupt. Although TI discourages the ‘ranking’ or ‘direct comparisons’ of states, the index is able to highlight comparative differences in regions with high levels of corruption. The Index has been criticised in the past for being perception, not empirical, based. For example, The UK scored poorly in 2010, due to the ‘expenses scandal’.
North Africa & Middle East
Egyptian army deploy tanks in Cairo
Tanks have descended onto Egypt’s capital’s streets in response to clashes outside the Presidential Palace. The clashes are between supporters and opponents of President Mohammed Morsi’s administration who are in disagreement over the draft of a new constitution. The fighting has seen at least 640 injured and five dead since protests started on November 23rd. Protests have included broadcast stations and media outlets closing down, as well as crowds gathering in Tahrir Square. The government has promised a referendum on the constitutional matter.
North America
Washington Stage Legalise cannabis
The possession and private use of cannabis has been decriminalised in the US state of Washington, 14 years since it’s became medicinally legal. The law comes in effect tomorrow and means that anyone from the age of 21 upwards can carry up to 1oz of cannabis in public. Public use remains illegal. It is unclear how the federal amendments will be treated by the national legislature; spectators suspect that states with liberal drug laws could be penalised financially. It also seams evident that there are potential problems with drug tourism, as previously seen in parts of Europe.
Asia
Philipines typhoon: 300+ dead
Typhoon Bopha has now killed more than 300 people, with hundreds missing as it devastated the southern regions. The worst hit region, Compostela Valley province, saw over 180 people killed as flash flooding destroyed refuge centres. The civil defence chief Benito Ramos said in a statement, “We have 325 dead and this is expected to rise because many more are missing”. He added, “Communications are bogged down, there is no electricity, roads and bridges have been destroyed […]. We’re still on a search-and-rescue mode.”
Latin America
McAfee software creator arrested on murder probe
The billionaire businessman, John Mcafee has been arrested in Guatemala after being on the run from Belize police following the death of his neighbour. The Guatemalan police have charged him with entering the country illegally despite claiming political asylum. His neighbour was found dead on 11th November, and has since been on the run. Belize police say he is a ‘person of interest’ following the death of his dogs after an argument with his now dead neighbour. He buried himself in sand and put a cardboard box on is head to breath as well as using bubblegum to disguise his face. He protests his innocence and claims the police are harassing him. The Belize police will still be able to give him asylum as there is currently no international arrest warrant for the fugitive.
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