Singapore opens first graft trial in half a century for minister who accepted 10 bottles of whisky, 12 bottles of wine gifts
Singapore ministers are among the most well-paid in the world. Although the amount involved in Iswaran’s case appeared to be relatively minor, his indictment is an embarrassment to the PAP, which prides itself on a clean image. The last cabinet minister charged with graft was Wee Toon Boon, who was found guilty in 1975 and jailed for accepting gifts in exchange for helping a businessperson. Another cabinet minister was investigated for graft in 1986, but died before charges were filed.
Ghana’s former president John Dramani leads nationwide opposition protests over alleged voter roll
Ghana has held peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections for nearly two decades. The general election on December 7 will be the ninth consecutive election since the country’s return to multi-party democracy in 1992.
How seeing neighbour die during childbirth pushed South Sudanese to train as midwife to save many
South Sudan’s health system continues to suffer. The government allocates less than two per cent of the national budget to the health ministry, whose system is propped up by aid groups and the international community. Many health centres outside the capital still have a desperate, wartime feel.
