Land governance policies in Asia, especially concessions made to private companies, are leaving the region’s poorest vulnerable to human rights abuses, experts say.
Author: WHES
Afghanistan: How do you tackle widespread malnutrition in a poor, corrupt country at war?
Despite billions of dollars in aid over the last decade, Afghanistan’s malnutrition rates have soared, now well-past emergency thresholds, with one-fifth of children malnourished overall; one-third of children acutely malnourished in some conflict areas; and 60 percent of children under five stunted, according to a recent survey by the government’s Central Statistics Organization and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
In pictures: Sierra Leone’s cholera outbreak
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Land disputes in Cambodia focus ire on Chinese investors
HNOM PENH, Cambodia — When China’s President Hu Jintao visited Cambodia this year, Tep Vanny, a 32-year-old housewife fighting eviction from her family home in central Phnom Penh, set off down Mao Tse-Tung Boulevard to try to deliver a plea for help to the Chinese Embassy.
Romney calls for foreign aid overhaul at Clinton Global Initiative event
NEW YORK — President Obama and his Republican rival, Mitt Romney, appeared within hours of each other Tuesday at a global charitable gathering hosted by former president Bill Clinton, each focusing on how the United States can better promote prosperity and human rights abroad and at home.
In suburbia, a dizzying fall from middle-class grace
“It’s how I can buy her a dress like this,” explains Yemmy Fashoto, pointing to the turquoise confection her 9-year-old daughter had slipped on over her clothes, and tearing up a little when she talks about her new shopping habits.
America’s hidden unemployed: too discouraged to count
When Daniel McCune graduated from college three years ago, he was optimistic his good grades would earn him a job as an intelligence analyst with the government. With a Bachelor of Science degree from Liberty University in Virginia, majoring in government service and history, McCune applied for jobs at the National Security Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies.
Romney says 47 percent of Americans—those who back President Obama are victims who are “dependent upon government” and “pay no income tax.” (video)
On Monday and Tuesday Mother Jones published exclusive video that captured Mitt Romney speaking to donors at a May 17 fundraiser, which was held at the home of private equity mogul Mark Leder. Responding to a question about the “Palestinian problem,” Romney said peace in the Middle East is not possible and a Palestinian state is not feasible, telling donors that Palestinians have “no interest whatsoever in establishing peace and that the pathway to peace is almost unthinkable to accomplish.” At another point, the GOP presidential nominee told attendees of this $50,000-a-plate dinner that 47 percent of Americans—those who back President Obama—are “victims” who are “dependent upon government” and “pay no income tax.” He noted: “My job is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”
Coal lease scandal poses a riddle: will India ever be able to tackle corruption?
NEW DELHI — His business rivals never fully understood how Manoj Jayaswal got so rich so fast, except that he often seemed joined at the hip with powerful politicians. He hosted them at lavish parties, entertained them at his daughter’s opulent Thai wedding and stood among them at India’s presidential palace, where a year ago he was praised as a leader in the India growth story.
How corruption affects the poor children of India
MEENA DEVI is only 10 years old, but she’s the head of her household. She cooks, cleans and takes care of her 11-year-old brother, Sunil, while a 14-year-old brother, Anil, works at a faraway brick kiln in a neighboring state. The three have been orphans since their mother died of starvation three years ago. They have an aunt in their village, but the most she’s ever done is send over food to their mud hut.
