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How to refresh SA’s jaded democracy

We should look to the Philippines, where barangays, or neighbourhood governments, help to empower communities

The ‘Enemy’: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the help of his henchman, the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, has pushed through the Citizenship Amendment Act that discriminates against Muslims.  (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Democracy and charisma: A dangerous liaison

In India and the Philippines, strongmen have consolidated immense power through democratic means. How do we explain this?

Diplomatic ties: Ambassador Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro agreed with his immigration officer’s decision, but was instructed to  overturn it.

Immigration visa row in Vietnam

A South African official has found herself in trouble after denying a visa to a would-be teacher, despite the application being riddled with errors

The drug war is Duterte’s signature initiative and is heavily supported by many Filipinos, however the nightly killings by police have provoked international condemnation. (Dondi Tawatao/Reuters)

Duterte tightens grip on power in Philippine polls

Duterte has pitched constitutional reform to turn the country into a decentralised federal republic where regions would have the power to fix problems

Maria Ressa, an executive of online news platform Rappler, leaves the Rappler office after being served an arrest warrant in Pasig City, Philippines. (Reuters/Eloisa Lopez)

Philippines arrests Duterte critic journalist Maria Ressa

Ressa, whose news site has clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested on a charge of "cyber libel" at her Manila office on Wednesday

20 dead in Philippine church bombing, ISIS claims responsibility

ISIS-linked group Abu Sayyaf has reportedly claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing of a church on the island of Jolo in the Philippines

Duterte provoked fury in 2016 when during an election campaign speech he said he had wanted to rape a ‘beautiful’ Australian missionary who had been murdered in a Philippine prison riot. (Reuters)

Philippines’ Duterte under fire for saying he ‘touched’ maid

Women’s rights political party Gabriela denounced Duterte’s ‘repulsive’ comments and called for him to resign

The drug war is Duterte’s signature initiative and is heavily supported by many Filipinos, however the nightly killings by police have provoked international condemnation. (Dondi Tawatao/Reuters)

Duterte: ‘Kill those useless bishops’

Provocative president intensifies attack on the Catholic Church, which opposes his deadly war on drugs

The arraignment of one of the tax evasion cases against Ressa and Rappler is set on Friday (Ted Aljibe/AFP)

Rappler CEO vows to report on Duterte drug war amid arrest threat

Maria Ressa vows to fight tax evasion charges and calls out Duterte administration for weaponising laws against critics

Rescuers search for people trapped in a landslide caused by Typhoon Mangkhut at a small-scale mining camp in Itogon, Benguet, in the Philippines, September 17 2018. (Erik De Castro/Reuters)

Frantic dig for Philippine victims of typhoon landslide

Mangkhut pounded the Philippines at the weekend with torrential rain and violent winds that snapped utility poles and sheared roofs off homes

Gauteng premier David Makhura. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Massive clean-up in Hong Kong after typhoon chaos

The storm, with gusts of more than 230 kilometres per hour, sent buildings swaying and waters surging into homes and shopping malls in Hong Kong

Alexander Lubigan

Philippines probe spate of brazen politician murders

At least 10 mayors including Antonio Halili and Ferdinand Bote have been killed since Duterte took office

Philippine mayor on Duterte’s ‘narco-list’ shot by sniper

Antonio Halili had compared himself to Duterte as he publicly shared the president’s hardline position against crime and illegal drugs

Duterte said The Hague-based organisation “has no jurisdiction nor will it acquire jurisdiction” over him.

Duterte announces Philippines’ ‘immediate’ withdrawal from ICC

Philippine president’s decision follows The Hague tribunal probe on his drug war that left as many as 20 000 dead.

Socialism on the streets: Metalworkers’ union Numsa during a recent march to Parliament in Cape Town.

China’s activity on reclaimed reef threatens to raise regional tensions

Beijing has been turning reefs and islets into islands and installing military facilities such as runways and equipment on them

Duterte provoked fury in 2016 when during an election campaign speech he said he had wanted to rape a ‘beautiful’ Australian missionary who had been murdered in a Philippine prison riot. (Reuters)

Philippine Congress starts debate that may extend Duterte term

Under the proposed draft, Duterte, whose single six-year term ends in mid-2022, would again be eligible to run for two more five-year terms.

Lazarus Chitondwe

After five months of battle with IS supporters, peace returns to Philippine city

​Residents returned home on Tuesday, but gunfire greeted them as soldiers scoured devastated neighbourhoods for remaining IS militants.

Residents hold lighted candles and placards at the wake of Kian Loyd delos Santos

Slow justice in Philippines as drug war rages

"Extrajudicial killings are justified for Filipinos because of the failure of the criminal justice system. It becomes a vicious cycle."

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte: I threw a man from a helicopter

The Philippine leader says he will throw corrupt officials from a helicopter midair, adding that he did it to a man before.

Scores dead in Philippines factory fire

Fuming loved ones blame the factory’s disregard for their workers and poor safety standards for the rising death toll, currently at 72.