20 August 2011

Stories from 20 August 2011

Nepal: Salary Hike For The VVIPs

  20 August 2011

Guffadi reacts to the salary increase of Central Assembly members, Ministers and Heads of the State by saying that they should not get more than the average income of the Nepalis since they have a lot of perks and amenities.

India: Yet Another Name Change

  20 August 2011

The West Bengal state government has decided to change the name of the state to Paschimbanga (in Bangla). Anirban explains why he doesn't support the name change.

Spain: Brutal Police Repression Against Journalists Covering “Secular March”

  20 August 2011

Pope Benedicto XVI's recent visit to Spain sparked a civil "Secular March" in protest against the use of public funds for religious acts in a secular state. The encounters between secular and religious individuals resulted in a wave of police repression against the journalists covering the events. Global Voices presents a selection of videos of the protests.

North Korea: Kim Jong-il's Yachting Holiday

  20 August 2011

Michael Madden from the North Korean Leadership Watch published a post on North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il's lavish lifestyle in the impoverished nation. It is believed Kim’s fancy life has not changed despite international sanctions banning the sale of yachts and other luxury goods to North Korea.

North Korea: Speculation Looms over Kim Jong-il's Visit to Russia

  20 August 2011

Net user 100gf from Politics and Computers blog posted a brief summary on North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's visit to Russia, a rare official visit for the first time in nine years. As Kim is expected to hold talks with President Dmitry Medvedev regarding energy and denuclearization issues, speculations have...

Brazil: Construction Starts on Controversial Belo Monte Dam

  20 August 2011

Despite the protesting voices of indigenous populations and traditional settlers of Volta Grande do Xingu region, construction on Brazil's Belo Monte hydroelectric plant has begun. Protests against the project will take place in 10 Brazilian cities and 16 countries on August 20.

Filmcamp Laos 2011

  20 August 2011

The Filmcamp Laos 2011 will take place on October 1 at Vientiane College. According to the organizer, it will be the first grassroot un-conference for people in the filmbusiness in Laos and neighbouring countries

We survived a day in China

  20 August 2011

Victor H. Mair, Professor of Chinese Language and Literature at the University of Pennsylvania translated an internet cartoon to show how Chinese social criticism and black humor at work. (via DANWEI)

East Timor: Changing Family Ties

  20 August 2011

According to Maria Domingas Fernandes Alves, the rapid modernization in Dili, East Timor has affected traditional family relationships which should force the government to prepare for the breakdown of ‘solidarity bond’ in society.

Indonesia: Prison Situation

  20 August 2011

Leo Sudaryono identifies chronic corruption, threat of gang violence, over-crowding, poor quality water and sanitation, and an absence of basic health and education services as among the main problems facing Indonesia's prisons.