A long, sustained applause greeted blind Chinese legal activist Chen Guangcheng when he approached the dais at the tony New York City headquarters of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Assembled before him, awaiting his …
corruption
China: A Top Corruption Fighter Takes Mysterious ‘Stress’ Leave
A key deputy to Bo Xilai, the Chongqing Communist party secretary who has been tipped for a top position in China’s upcoming political transition, has been put on leave, the Chongqing government said Wednesday, prompting …
Prime Minister’s Supreme Court Appearance Pushes Pakistan Back from the Brink
Of late, Pakistani politicians could best be described as roulette players, betting the bank on singular gambits designed to win big political concessions, or at least the momentary attention of a rabid electronic media. But on …
Yet Another Fast by India’s Anti-Corruption Crusader
The Indian anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare began another public fast today to pressure Parliament to pass an anti-corruption law that meets the demands of his movement. While a similar fast this summer — a 13-day marathon …
Russia’s Dissidents: Opposition Figures Speak Out Against Putin
Recent protests in Russia underscored growing popular dissatisfaction in a country dominated for the past decade by the quasi-authoritarian rule of President (now Prime Minister) Vladimir Putin. TIME presents portraits of …
A New Iron Lady: Why Dilma Is Brazil’s Best Bet to Revive Its Economy
Brazil is widely regarded as the first Latin American country to win membership to the club of developed nations, or at least to get its foot in the door. For that, it can thank leadership. In the past two decades, from former …
Real Political Scandals Top France’s Autumn Entertainment Ratings
When a real life saga or news event involving a teeming cast of elite characters spins out of control in improbable directions—and with dramatic consequences–the French have a special expression to describe the situation: C’est du Dallas. That’s as in JR, Sue Ellen, Bobby, and the surprising twists and turns of the …
Can Philippine President’s Visit to China Ease Tensions?
After months of tension over their rival claims in the South China Sea, the Philippines and China are trying to smooth over some of their differences this week, and the chief salve appears to be money. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III arrived in Beijing Tuesday for his first visit to China since taking office last year. He …
Anna Hazare: How One Activist Brought the World’s Largest Democracy to Its Knees
The anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare agreed to step out of jail late last night, after reaching an agreement to hold a 15-day protest fast instead of the 30-day strike he originally planned. That compromise may not be enough, though, to restore the damaged credibility of the Indian government, which has struggled to answer …
Celebrity Yoga Guru Has Indian Politics Knotted Up in Twists
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Hunger strikes in India — a country, incidentally, where millions go hungry every day — are time-tested political tactics to get attention. They’re nothing new in the world’s largest democracy and remain frequently effective. But no fast in recent memory has been quite as …
Despite Corruption Outcry, FIFA Reelects Blatter to Run World Soccer
FIFA president Sepp Blatter may have survived the storm ravaging soccer’s global governing body, but don’t expect his reelection to quiet the growing challenges to the organization’s status quo. Nor will critics be placated by the procedural changes Blatter has outlined for the way FIFA will choose which countries host the 2026 …
Calling China? Corruption Taints the Lucrative Telecoms Business.
Another day, another corruption scandal. So goes life in China, where tales of official graft are so common that a newspaper wouldn’t be complete without a rundown of the sordid details. But even by Chinese standards, this one looks like a doozey. According to state media—and by the time it appears in the official press, chances are …
A Key Arrest in India’s Commonwealth Games Scandal — Big Change or Big Show?
Is India serious about getting rid of corruption? The government is certainly using a much heavier hand. Suresh Kalmadi, the chief of the scandal-ridden 2010 Commonwealth Games was arrested yesterday in New Delhi on charges of conspiracy. India’s Central Bureau of Investigation alleges that he manipulated the bidding process for the …