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Scotland
U.S.A
The Scottish National Party, which campaigns for the independence of Scotland from the UK, won a historic victory last month in local Scottish elections. As a result they have promised to hold a referendum on full independence. Whether or not Scots want independence after 300 years of union with England is open to debate many people voted SNP as a protest against budget cuts implemented by the Conservative government in London. Some say Scotland would struggle without financial help from its larger neighbour, although the SNP point out that most of the UK’s (diminishing) oil reserves lie within Scottish waters. With a referendum due in the next five years the nationalists could achieve their dream of a “free” Scotland, over 700 years since the death of William ‘Braveheart’ Wallace at the hands of the English.
Battle of the “Whoopie Pies” Now that Osama bin Laden has been dealt with, people can now move on to more pressing issues. Pennsylvania and Maine are entrenched in a legal battle over the origins and rights to the whoopie pie. Maine is attempting to make the vanilla cream-filled chocolate cake sandwich the official state “treat.” PA claims that the Amish are the original creators. Rallies are being held to raise the whoopie to new levels of history, honor, and inspire new flavors. PA residents argue that Maine can keep its “lobster claws” off the renowned, delectable dessert. Source: www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2011-03-01whoopie-pies_N.htm By Aisha Hobbs
By Rob Clark
India
Canada They say that good things come to those who wait, which rang true for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on May 2, as he finally won a majority government after two unsuccessful attempts. Harper's Conservative party garnered just under 40 percent of the popular vote to secure 167 of 308 seats in the House of Commons, ensuring four years of uninterrupted rule along with a chance to pass legislation without the support of the other parties. The result was a bit of a surprise, considering the election had been called after the Conservatives had been held in contempt of Parliament. But Canadians' unhappiness with minority governments, coupled with the decline of the Conservatives' greatest traditional rival, the Liberals, led to Harper's historic win. By Kreeco
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Gwangju News June 2011
As a developing country, India has to play its cards right to make sure it is headed in the right direction. Every move counts. Instead, the country has been hit by a list of corruption scandals. Who is eligible to play this game: Every government official who handles public money. Time duration: Until you get caught. The Telecommunications Minister sold mobile phone frequency licenses on a “first come, first serve” basis. A yard sale. It cost the country US$40 billion. Ashok Chavan, the chief minister of Maharashtra (a state in India) is allegedly involved in a scam involving homes for war widows. Suresh Kalmadi, the 2010 Commonwealth Games organizing committee chief has been under investigation over claims of corruption. To top everything, the head of India's anti-corruption unit PJ Thomas himself faces corruption charges. Game. Set. Match. We have a winner. By Mano Samuel