AP-INTACT

A United Nations representative says corruption is one of the reasons why Papua New Guinea's large wealth from its resources has not improved the country's human development. Read the story in Radio New Zealand International. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/269768/corruption-stalling-png-wealth,-says-un-rep

Agricultural Minister Matia Chowdhury says poverty is the main cause of corruption in Bangladesh. Read the story in bdnew24. http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/03/28/focus-on-alleviating-poverty-to-eradicate-corruption-says-matia

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will maintain a zero-tolerance stance against corruption, said Jin Liqun, secretary general of the interim multilateral secretariat of the China-proposed institution, which has over 35 prospective founding members. Read the story by Xinhua in Xinhua Net. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-03/22/c_134087672.htm

Self-reporting to authorities of suspected foreign bribery and corruption by Australian companies is failing to occur, with top accounting firm Deloitte revealing it has investigated at least 100 potentially illegal acts involving local firms in the past two years. Read the story by Nick McKenzie and Richard Baker, in The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/business/australian-companies-failing-to-report-suspected-corruption-20150325-1m7fqo.html

Researchers in Melbourne have linked antibiotic resistance with poor governance and corruption around the world. Read the story by the Press Trust of India, in Zee News. http://zeenews.india.com/news/health/health-news/antibiotic-resistance-linked-to-corruption-study_1565202.html

The Myanmar Center for Responsible Business says it will broaden its scope to begin systematically seeking public feedback about specific grievances regarding companies’ operations, as it launches the research phase for its 2015 transparency in Myanmar Enterprises report. Read the story by Ko Ko Aung, in Myanmar Times. http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/13644-responsible-business-center-expands-scope.html

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has made it clear that the government has zero tolerance towards corruption, and any official found involved in it at any level would be dealt with an iron hand. Read the story by Saleh Zaafir and Shoaib A Raja, in The News International. http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-36537-Govt-has-zero-tolerance-against-corruption-PM

Two organisations hope a new award, which includes cash prizes and entry into an international corruptionr-reporting conference, will encourage Cambodian journalists to up their game in reporting on corruption issues. Read the story by Sean Teehan, in The Phnom Penh Post. http://www.phnompenhpost.com/prize-seeks-stymie-corruption

[Facilitator’s note: Thank you to Victoria Martin, Program Officer, Asia Division, American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, Washington, DC, for sharing this information.] On 8 April 2015, the American Bar Association (ABA) is hosting a teleconference on the effects of kleptocracy and other forms of corruption on local communities, with a focus on problems associated with mining, logging, and fishing.  Speakers will describe powerful capacity building measures to promote rule of law and sustainable management of resources to benefit local communities.  Attached is the agenda for your reference. Registration is free. Participants must register on the ABA’s website: http://shop.americanbar.org/ebus/ABAEventsCalendar/EventDetails.aspx?productId=187486053

[Facilitator's note: Thank you to Shabnam Siddiqui, Project Director, Global Compact Network India, for sharing this information.] Global Compact Network India (GCNI), under the UK Prosperity Fund India Programme, is organising a Consultation on Strengthening Ethical Corporate Governance in Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Sector in India & Off Shoreon 31 March 2015, in New Delhi. The Consultation aims to better understand the existing compliance practices of oil and gas companies with a view to identifying ways in which oil and gas companies operating out of India can fully implement the Global Compact 10th Principle on Anti-Corruption. For further details please contact – Ms. Shabnam Siddiqui, Project Director, GCNI at < gcnicoe@gmail.com >

[Facilitator’s note: Thank you to Annika Wythes, Luisa Senibulu, and Samita Singh of the joint UNDP-UNODC Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project for sharing these updates.] Fiji: Revenue and customs workers charged with bribery related offences . Two Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority workers have been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.for bribery related offences. http://fijivillage.com/news/2-FRCA-workers-charged-with-bribery-related-offences-rk2s59/ Fiji: Two more identified in relation to alleged fraud scam . Two more people have been identified in relation to an alleged scam which involved a businessman and two former workers of the then Department of National Roads involving more than $3 million. http://fijivillage.com/news/2-more-identified-in-relation-to-alleged-fraud-scam-295ksr Fiji: Revenue and Customs Authority intercepts smuggled tobacco . Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority officers have intercepted processed tobacco in tea bags conceale...

United States: Grandview business owner pleads guilty in $3 million extortion scheme Published on Mar 25, 2015 11:30 pm     Canada: Investigator of Bhardwaj bribery allegations leaves auto-industry watchdog Published on Mar 25, 2015 11:00 pm     Andorra: Andorra bank owners launch own probe into U.S. allegations Published on Mar 25, 2015 10:30 pm     United Kingdom: Former tax chief Hartnett expected more prosecutions Published on Mar 25, 2015 10:00 pm     Brazil: Brazil investigates Bilfinger over 2014 World Cup contracts Published on Mar 25, 2015 09:30 pm     United States: National Guardsman from Lebanon pleads guilty in Afghan bribery case Published on Mar 25, 2015 09:00 pm     Venezuela: Venezuela to probe possible corruption linked to offshore bank holdings Published on Mar 25, 2015 08:30 pm     Uzbekistan: How The President’s Daughter Controlled The Telecom Indust...

25 March 2015 Today's top story South Africa: South Africa corruption fears grow Financial Times (TI mention) When the call came from a senior official at a state-owned company, the South African businessman was nervous. More news Global: China gives list to US of 'corrupt' officials it would like sent back Reuters Australia: Australian companies failing to report suspected corruption Sydney Morning Herald (TI mention) Chile: Chile Transparente propone diversificación en fina...

Most Cambodians between the ages of 15 and 30 are prepared to pay bribes to get ahead and many believe they can engage in corruption without losing their integrity, according to the results of a survey released Wednesday by Transparency International Cambodia (TIC). Read the story by Zsombor Peter and Mech Dara, in The Cambodia Daily. https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/young-cambodians-embracing-graft-survey-says-80078/

Australia is one of the world's major money laundering countries and home to terrorist cells involved in fundraising, according to a US government report. However, Australia is also praised in the document - called the 2015 International Narcotics Control Strategy - because of the federal government's system to detect, prevent and prosecute money laundering. Read the Australian Associated Press story, in The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australia-named-major-money-launderer-in-us-government-report-20150318-1m2piw.html

"As [Lee Kwan Yew] often explained, Singapore's economic success was the consequence of three interrelated factors: total commitment to free enterprise; total commitment to a rules-driven society; and total commitment to a corruption-free system." Read the commentary by Pranay Gupte, in Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pranay-gupte/lee-kuan-yews-legacy-the-singapore-model-_b_6920146.html

By detaining a National People's Congress delegate, China’s anti-corruption body might be violating the country's Constitution, says a Wellington-based authority on Chinese elite politics. Read the commentary by Professor Bo Zhiyue, Director of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre and Professor of Political Science at Victoria University of Wellington, in The Diplomat. http://thediplomat.com/2015/03/is-chinas-anti-corruption-campaign-at-odds-with-the-rule-of-law/

President Park Geun-hye called for stern measures to root out endemic corruption across society, the latest in a series of calls to make South Korea a cleaner and more transparent country. Read the story in The Korea Herald. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150317000727

23 March 2015 Today's top story Senegal: Senegal former president's high-flying son jailed for graft Agence France-Presse Karim Wade, the high-flying son of former Senegal president Abdoulaye Wade bidding to follow his father to the top office, was sentenced Monday to six years in prison in a deeply divisive graft case. More news Global: Germany's Bilfinger announces probe into possible Brazil 2014 World Cup bribes Deutsche Welle China: China charges former senior energy executi...

United Kingdom: News Corp. Journalists Cleared of Corruption by London Jury Published on Mar 23, 2015 11:30 pm     Brazil: Bilfinger investigates bribe allegations around Brazil World Cup order Published on Mar 23, 2015 11:00 pm     Russia: Another Construction Boss Sacked at Russia’s Mega Cosmodrome Published on Mar 23, 2015 10:30 pm     Romania: Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors seek green light to arrest former finance minister Published on Mar 23, 2015 10:00 pm     United States: FBI Begins Investigation Of Congressman Aaron Schock Over Corruption Allegations Published on Mar 23, 2015 09:30 pm     Italy: Corruption in Italy ‘worse than ever’ as minister quits over links with gang accused of bribery Published on Mar 23, 2015 09:00 pm     Egypt: Mubarak’s Security Chief Found Not Guilty of Corruption Charges Published on Mar 23, 2015 08:30 pm     India: Former Union...