However, there are major gaps in access to relevant information, especially in rural areas, where nearly 68 percent of the world’s poor live. Likewise, citizens need information about politicians’ mandates and performance, if electoral incentives are to work. Given these information gaps, political leaders often overlook the needs of rural citizens — especially those who are uneducated and politically disengaged. Despite relatively high levels of system uptake and enthusiasm among district officials, the program failed to bring about durable improvements in service delivery. Most of the information users provided was too vague to be actionable, and they were often discouraged by officials’ responses.

AFP, LONDONBritish authorities on Friday charged the wife of a US diplomat who left the country after being involved in a traffic accident that killed a teenager. The case of Anna Sacoolas has been a thorn in London’s close relations with Washington, stirring up debates over the limits of diplomatic immunity in cases unrelated to national security. The US Department of State said it was “disappointed” by Friday’s development, reasserting that in Washington’s view Sacoolas enjoys diplomatic immunity in the case. The Crown Prosecution Service said it has authorized police in Northamptonshire to charge Sacoolas in absentia with causing death by dangerous driving. British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Dominic Raab called the charges “an important step” that should prompt Sacoolas to return to the UK.

At the end of an Islamic summit in Malaysia, Mahathir praised Iran and Qatar for withstanding economic embargoes and said that it was important for the Muslim world to be self-reliant to face future threats. “I have suggested that we revisit the idea of trading using the gold dinar and barter trade among us,” Mahathir said, referring to the Islamic medieval gold coin. The summit, which was snubbed by Saudi Arabia, was criticized for undermining the Saudi Arabia-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which represents 57 Muslim-majority nations. All OIC members were invited to the Kuala Lumpur Summit, but only about 20 showed up, Malaysia said. Without naming any country, Mahathir said that there is concern that Muslims in non-Muslim countries are being forced to undergo assimilation.

Eva is among the thousands of human trafficking victims targeted and exploited in the US every year, of whom only 10 percent are ever identified. However, while Native Americans make up about 11 percent of the state’s population, they account for nearly a quarter of trafficking victims, according to data compiled from service organizations. A 16-month investigation by Searchlight New Mexico has found that when it comes to human trafficking, indigenous women and girls are the least recognized and least protected population in a state that struggles to address the problem. However, despite multiple brushes with law enforcement agencies and healthcare institutions, she was not once questioned or screened for human trafficking. Lea entered the girls in child beauty pageants in the big cities of Gallup, Albuquerque and Las Cruces.

The legislation passed the lower house of parliament with 233 votes in favor, 205 against and 10 abstentions. We’re not sure which ruling was handed down, because every ruling can be challenged. Public interests count for nothing because what matters are the interests of a special caste [of judges],” he added. After it was introduced, critics said the bill put judicial independence at risk and it triggered street protests across the country. Judicial experts in parliament also called the legislation into question.

On the battlefield, politicians of every shade — blue, green, white and orange — wave their political banners and shout their slogans. The one thing that makes me uneasy are the non-governmental organizations (NGO) that continue to maintain an air of neutrality. Is it that Taiwan’s democracy still is not mature enough or that NGOs do not want to offend the die-hard fans of any candidate? I still remember how NGOs or civic organizations failed to be liberated, despite martial law being lifted in 1987. The good thing is that several young leaders of civic groups have entered the fray ahead of the legislative elections next month.

Special previews of the long-awaited Star Wars film in Beijing this week drew just a handful of fans. The 35-year-old Shanghai resident only became curious about the space saga by accident after stumbling across a pre-installed Star Wars game on his first computer. Chen now runs one of China’s biggest online Star Wars fan groups, debating lightsaber physics on the online message board Zhihu and managing a Weibo account with 30,000 followers. He loves the Star Wars world for its vast scale and rich detail that fans can piece together through movies, books and games. A Beijing bar hosted a screening on Tuesday of previous Star Wars films ahead of Friday’s China release — but the special room was mostly empty.

The police then launched a six-month program to buy the newly banned weapons from owners. The buyback ended at midnight on Friday, with gun collection events staying open late as police reported a surge in last-minute returns. Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement thanked gun owners for doing the right thing. The ban on assault weapons was strongly backed by lawmakers in an historic 119-1 vote after the mosque attacks. Police figures indicate that the government paid out just more than NZ$100 million (US$66.04 million) to compensate owners during the buyback.

AFP, ALGIERSAlgerian demonstrators on Friday rejected a call for dialogue by the country’s new president, insisting on a month-long protest movement’s demands for sweeping reforms in the North African country. Huge crowds flooded the streets of Algiers on the 44th consecutive Friday of anti-government protests, a day after Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, an establishment insider, was sworn in following his victory in last week’s presidential election. “I don’t accept this president ... and I am against the dialogue that the ruling establishment is offering,” said Amar Alileche, a 66-year-old pensioner protesting against Tebboune. “Negotiations must lead to the departure of the old regime.”Tebboune, 74, succeeds former Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who resigned in April in the face of huge demonstrations after two decades in office. A new constitution would reduce the authority of the president and “guarantee the separation and balance of powers,” he said.

By Huang Chia-lin, Hsu Li-chuan and Jake Chung / Staff reporters, with staff writerKaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) presidential candidate, yesterday urged supporters to vote for him in the Jan. 11 elections and give him the chance to serve Taiwanese and stimulate the economy. He thanked supporters and the city’s residents for electing him as mayor last year. “We have restored the honor of Kaohsiung” through the efforts of the Kaohsiung City Government and residents over the past year, he said. The city has also seen a twofold increase in produce exports and air pollution monitors have not once exceeded standards, he said. Chu called for people to support Han and the KMT in next month’s presidential and legislative elections.

11 next year is key to protecting democracy and freedom,” Tsai said at an event in Taoyuan for independent Legislator Chao Cheng-yu (趙正宇). The government hopes for seniors to receive the best service, whether at home, in their communities or at long-term care facilities, she said. At another campaign event in Hsinchu, Tsai said that under the previous Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) administration, the economy experienced negative growth. Lee, who at the time served as vice president and later became Taiwan’s first directly elected president, continued what Chiang did not finish, Soong added. Today, the PFP hosts a relay around the nation on electric scooters, with legislator-at-large nominees visiting social welfare facilities.

Tsai’s administration could be said to have handed in “a blank examination paper,” as it has only made a new trade agreement with Eswatini, while the KMT previously secured more trade deals, he said. In June last year, Taiwan and Eswatini signed an economic cooperation agreement (ECA), which came into force in December last year. Eswatini promotes e-commerce under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, so it can give Taiwanese businesses access to the African market, it said. Taiwan and Eswatini have had ties for 51 years, while the ally has repeatedly voiced support for Taiwan at global events, the ministry said, calling the ally a valuable and sincere friend. Eswatini Ambassador to Taiwan Thamie Dlamini yesterday issued a statement, saying that through a very vibrant ECA, bilateral trade has improved.

AFP, TOKYOIranian President Hassan Rouhani was yesterday to make the first visit to Japan by an Iranian head of state in two decades, as Tokyo seeks to mediate between Tehran and Washington amid spiraling nuclear tensions. The trip comes after violent protests last month over oil price hikes in Iran, as Washington-imposed sanctions over its nuclear program hit the Iranian economy. Abe in June traveled to Tehran to try to ease tension between the US and Iran in the Persian Gulf. Japan was formerly a major buyer of Iranian crude, but stopped purchases to comply with the US sanctions. Abe and Rouhani were expected to inspect a guard of honor before summit talks and a dinner.

Three protesters on Thursday were shot dead, taking the death toll to nine in the wave of anger that is emerging as a major challenge to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tens of thousands on Thursday filled the streets nationwide, with violence erupting in several places, including Lucknow, Mangaluru and Modi’s home state of Gujarat. In Mangaluru, security forces opened fire on a crowd of about 200 people after they ignored orders to disperse, killing two people, police spokesman Qadir Shah said. Fresh clashes erupted in Lucknow yesterday when police halted a few hundred people on their way to a planned protest, with security forces firing tear gas and charging with batons, a reporter said. The protests have in places seen demonstrators hurl rocks at security forces and set fire to vehicles, while alleged police brutality has fueled the anger.

AFP, BRUSSELSA Brussels court on Thursday found a former Rwandan official guilty of genocide after hearing of his role in the 1994 massacres in the country. The 71-year-old agricultural scientist was also convicted of “war crimes” for 11 killings in Rwanda, under Belgium’s code of universal jurisdiction for the most serious offenses. Belgium has already held four trials and condemned eight perpetrators of killings in its former colony, but Neretse is the first defendant to be specifically convicted of the most grave charge, genocide. The jury cleared him of two of the Kigali killings, but found him guilty of 11 war crimes. Under a 1993 law, Belgian courts enjoy universal jurisdiction to prosecute genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity regardless of where they take place.