Stories about Governance from August, 2009
India: Ladli Scheme
Mr. Singh at Kudimaari blog analyzes the good bad and ugly sides of the positive change in the sex-ratio in Delhi. The turnaround is believed to be a fruit of the local government’s incentive program for girl child called the Ladli scheme.
Iran: “United for Baha'i Human Rights”
The Muslim Network for Bahai's Rights share with us a short animation video about Bahais’ problems in Iran since 1979.
Myanmar: Cooking oil ban removed
According to The Irrawaddy News, seven brands of cooking oil that had been banned for health reasons in Myanmar are now on sale again in Yangon after government authorities recommended their sale in the market.
Malaysia: Muslims can’t watch “immoral” concerts
The political party which banned the concerts of Beyonce, Avril Lavigne and Gwen Stefani in Malaysia is now proposing to ban the "sinful" Michael Learns to Rock concert. Malaysian Muslims can't also watch a Black Eyed Peas concert because the show is sponsored by an alcohol company.
Afghanistan: Voting Day in Photos
On the nation's second-ever election day, Afghan photo bloggers shared pictures from the polls showing military presence as well as voter enthusiasm.
Russia: Satellite Pics of Traffic Jam Caused by Officials
LJ user travel_hunter (RUS) re-posts images of Yandex.ru maps showing an impressive amount of cars forced to wait until some high-ranking Russian officials pass an intersection in Moscow. LJ user dolboeb posts these images, too, and writes (RUS): “When you just get stuck in traffic caused by the passing of...
Russia: Two Photos of Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam
LJ user drugoi visits Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric dam, posts two photos and writes (RUS) about the colossal damage done to the facility on Aug. 17: “It seems that it's easier to build a new power plant than to clear up the huge amount of deformed metal and restore the turbine hall.”
Japan: Marines and Okinawa
Peter Ennis at NBR Forum explains [en] the “role” of the U.S. Marines in Okinawa. “The US Marines are so heavily based on Okinawa for one reason:Budget. Japan picks up most of the bill. War plans for the Korean Peninsula virtually do not include the US Marines.” [via Tobias Harris,...
India: We Are Also Indians
Partha Pratim writes an open letter to fellow Indians venting frustrations that the people of the seven states in the north-eastern part of India and their issues are often ignored and overlooked by the majority Indians.
Nepal: Taking Oath In Hindi
Parmananda Jha, the new Vice President (VP) of Nepal stirred controversy when he took his oath in Hindi language. According to a latest court order “Mr. Jha has still some days to correct himself by retaking oath in Nepali or resign if he can not speak Nepali in front of...
Anguilla: Discussing Freedom of Information
“Writing the law is the easy part. Getting it to work is another matter. But, even discussing it is a really important step if we are really serious about accountability and transparency…”: Corruption-free Anguilla examines the issue of Freedom of Information.
Bahamas: Economic Priorities?
“Rumour has it that cash flow is hard to come by for the government…yet the country opens a consulate office in Atlanta, Georgia”: Rick Lowe at Weblog Bahamas wonders what on earth the government could be thinking.
Pakistan: Sugar Crisis Turns Ramadan Bitter
This year shortage of sugar supplies in Pakistan and the rise of price has affected the consumers and put a halt to the increased consumptions during the month of Ramadan. Pakistani bloggers analyze the situation.
Brazil: Outrage at violent São Paulo eviction
On Monday, 240 police went to evict 800 families from the Olga Benário squatter settlement in São Paulo. Bloggers and photojournalists report on the violence, despair and lack of social justice.
Maldives: Defense Arrangement With India
Mohamed Nasheed, a Member of Parliament, writes in his blog how and why he initiated a motion in the Maldives parliament pointing out the need to make sure that the recently proposed Defense arrangement with India conforms to the Maldivian constitution and has the prior approval of the parliament.
Sri Lanka: Video Evidence Of Extra-Judicial Killings Sparks Debate
Prathapa Madhav posts the controversial video clip which was first uploaded in YouTube by the Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS) and was subsequently removed by YouTube for violating the terms of use. The gruesome video evidences the way extra-judicial killings were executed by the Sri Lanka’s army during...
Russia: August 1991 – 18 Years On
Scraps of Moscow writes about the August 1991 coup and how it is remembered 18 years later.
Taiwan: Post-typhoon reconstruction attracts criticism
After Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan earlier this month claiming hundreds of lives and making thousands homeless, the government is pushing forward a recovery plan. Michael Turton writes that the Ma government's post-typhoon reconstruction plan is a shock doctrine.
Brazil: Photos of an outrageous squatter settlement eviction
Freelance photographer Anderson Barbosa took chilling photos of the eviction of 800 families from the Olga Benário squatter settlement in São Paulo after a court order. The property had been occupied for two years by hundreds of families who watched their houses burn and be demolished last Monday.
Cambodia's new prison center
The Cambodian government plans to build the country's biggest prison center which can house more than 2,500 inmates.
Cambodia: Traffic protest
Motorists and tuk tuk drivers in Cambodia staged a protest against the traffic police for confiscating the motorbikes of those who violate traffic laws.
