The latest forecasts show that central Asia and the Caucasus are the fastest-growing economies in the former Communist bloc, writes a leading analyst.
“Yet, given the low level of income and relatively high population growth of these countries, the numbers …
Fidel Castro called on the late President Hugo Chávez to stop holding elections, according to a recording of a telephone conversation between a pro-government TV host and a senior Cuban intelligence officer. The TV anchorman agrees with the former …
“Amid an intensifying crackdown on nongovernmental groups that receive foreign funding, Indian activists are accusing the government of stifling their right to dissent in the world’s largest democracy,” The Washington Post’s Rama Lakshmi, reports from New Delhi:
India …
Countries dependent on revenue from extractive industries are plagued by government mismanagement, lack of transparency and corruption, according to a new report.
A “striking governance deficit” prevents citizens of resource-rich states from enjoying the benefits of energy development and mining, …
Russia should revise a law that is having “obstructive, intimidating and stigmatizing effects” on the country’s non-governmental organizations, three United Nations experts said today. The report coincides with growing concern that a former Kremlin ideologue’s resignation signals that the regime …
“Pakistan is about to cross an important threshold: this weekend’s elections, if all goes to plan, will mark the country’s first transition between elected governments. But this is not a moment for triumphalism,” writes a prominent analyst.
Opinion surveys …
Some 228 civil society and human rights groups have signed an appeal calling for the release of several activists convicted for exposing corruption and mismanagement in the province of Bandundu.
The authorities should unconditionally free the twelve members of the …
“Four Saudi activists are under investigation after forming a human rights group on April 3, 2013, and could face prosecution for ‘establishing an illegal organization,’ Human Rights Watch said today:
Saudi authorities should immediately cease harassing the four founding …
“Thousands of people turned out Monday for a protest here that was intended to draw attention to what organizers said was the return of political prosecutions in the Russian courts,” The New York Times’ Andrew E. Kramer reports …
“Today marks two decades since the United Nations General Assembly designated May 3 as World Press Freedom Day to celebrate press freedom and raise awareness about threats to media independence around the world,” write Jill Moss and Mark Koenig from …