Nepal Earthquake: Official Mourning Declared for Victims

Just recently, Nepal had experienced a terrible 7.8 magnitude earthquake killing about five thousand people and injuring ten thousand. There is a lot of issues with bring aid to remote Himalayan areas but they are doing the best they can. The government is overwhelmed but try their best as well to save those affected by this terrible catastrophe. The UN states that about eight million people, more than a quarter of the population, have been affected by the earthquake. Rescue teams are currently helping those in mountainous areas which experienced the aftershock and landslips caused by the quake. Many of the residents want to leave, afraid if another quake will occur or just the fact that their home was destroyed that they wish to move on. With the terrible effects of the earthquake, Nepal has declared to mourn three days for the victims. Unfortunately Nepal has experienced a terrible catastrophe that has affected everyone in that area. With the help and aid of many supporters we hope that Nepal will be able to overcome from this incident.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32502944

Dehli's First Woman Bus Driver Takes the Wheel

A woman by the name of Vankadarath Saritha is now the first woman bus driver in Dehli, India's capital. She had worked as a private chauffeur to provide for her family and hopes that with the income she is now earning as a bus driver she can help even more. Officials hope that Saritha will inspire other women to take on the transportation business. Saritha unfortunately was hired in a time where there are numerous cases involving women being raped on public transportations and they hope that with more women drivers, the transportation environment will be safer. Specifically in Dehli where a woman was gang raped in a bus just in 2012 and another woman raped as well in an uber last December. There have been women driver's in India but this is the first time Dehli has had hired one. Saritha is receiving a lot of good attention and hopes to provide a less threatening and dangerous transportation for women. By hiring Saritha, one can hope that there will be changes to protect the lives of women who need to take public transportation for work, their home, etc. 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-32380152 

Singapore Is Keeping An Eye On Its Migrant Workers

The Tuas View Dormitory is a new complex in Singapore's industrial far west. Living in the dormitories are thousands of migrant workers. The article states that the dormitory have 16,800 beds for men which may mean that the dormitories are only offered to male workers. Along with beds and lockers, the dormitories include a small market, food court, and a medical clinic. With such resources being available close by, there is not much need for these workers to go into the city. The living standards may be comfortable but the privacy is not. For instance each time a worker arrives to the dormitory, they must give a fingerprint right away. There are a lot of surveillance cameras throughout the dormitory in case a crime were to occur, there is evidence to provide to the police. Some say that the reason why these dormitories are located far from society is to be able to contain as much violence as possible if an outbreak were to occur. Because they are migrant workers, Singaporeans are not very welcoming which can lead to outbreaks that will eventually corrupt their society. Privacy may seem as a problem, but surprisingly the workers do not complain much if any about it. About twelve beds are in each room along with paying about $220 a month. They can leave whenever they decide to. Since the monthly cost may be too expensive for some workers which is why their dormitory is less than half full. The dormitories are essentially beneficial for migrant workers and along with the resources they are provided, it wouldn't be surprising if they began to fill up very quickly in the next months.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32297860

China Corruption: Nanjing Mayor Jailed for 15 Years

Just recently, the former mayor of Nanjing, Ji Jianye,  was found guilty for accepting 11.3 yuan in bribes when he was dismissed. So far he is the highest official to be arrested under President Xi Jingping's to corruption crackdown. The president had launched his anti-corruption drive in 2012 which helped catch Jianye for the corruption he caused.  The former mayor has earned the nickname the "bulldozer" for reconstructing and redeveloping Nanjing, the home of about seven million people. In 2013, the mayor was investigated for because of suspicion of "severe violations of disciplines and laws." He had received a lot of money in return for favorable deals and contracts. The court was held in Shandong, far from his support base and home. He admitted his faults and showed repentance in the court which is why he received a lenient punishment, even though fifteen years doesn't seem so lenient. The Presdient will not stop with just Jianye, there are other powerful people being investigated and imprisoned for their secrets and corruption in China.

Thousands On Strike In Vietnam Over Insurance Law

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam's largest city had thousands of shoe factory workers protesting over this new insurance law that will take place next year. The strike is currently on its sixth day and happens to be the longest strike that has ever taken place in Vietnam. The government in Vietnam doesn't tolerate protesting because of its threat to national security but so far the protest has been peaceful although there is fear that it could possibly get out of control for its large amount of people involved. It is quite rare that the reason why these people are protesting is for the labour policy rather than their working conditions or pay. The insurance law will have workers receive payouts until their retirement rather than unemployment. And the amount will be given monthly instead of all at once as the old policy had it. A small minority will be the only ones able for unemployment payouts but people prefer to receive money when unemployed because they will still be able to survive while looking for another job. It is good to see that so far the protest has been peaceful and efficient but with low tolerance from the government, there can possibly be some altercations if the protest is still ongoing.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32142635

Big Lives, Small Feet: Photographing China's Bound Women

A photographer by the name of Jo Farrell will be publishing a book in Hong Kong some of the last women who had followed the practices of foot binding in China. Farrell was able to meet about 50 women and one by the name of Su Xi Rong had been renowned for her beautiful small feet. Foot binding was a tradition that empowered women and showed their ability to tolerate pain and be a good wife who will not complain. What was very interesting was that about 40 percent of the women were not forced to bind their feet as a young girl, instead they wanted to. They felt outcasted if not and most knew how to do it themselves since it was so common to see. Foot binding happened over a period of the bones in the toes breaking beneath the weight causing the arch to lift high and the heel will then touch the metatarsals. It wasn't until 1949, Communist power would scorn the foot binding method leading some of the women feeling ashamed. Now some of the women agree that if they could go back in time, they would not bind their feet since there isn't much worth to it anymore. The book will tell the remarkable stories these women had and their courage to share them. It will be interesting to learn about the last few who had practiced this method and their experiences doing so.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-31964279

Myanmar Court Finds Trio Guilty of Insulting Religion

Three men were arrested in December and just recently found guilty for insulting Buddhism in Myanmar. The men are two Burmese and a New Zealander who work at a bar in Yangon and promoted a poster that advertised cheap drinks night with Buddha surrounded by psychedelic colors and headphones. Philip Blackwood was said to be the actual one who posted this advertisement on Facebook and the other two colleagues had nothing to do with it. Blackwood had apologized numerous times but was still sentences along with the other men, two and a half years in prison which is the maximum sentence. Since Burmese law make it illegal to insult or damage any religion, it will be difficult for these mean to appeal and win the case. Although free speech is in Myanmar, Buddhist nationalism is on the rise which targets the minority of the population who are not following Buddhism. Ninety percent of the population are Buddhist while others such as Muslims within Myanmar are constantly being target which make living standards difficult for minorities. Blackwood will be appealing but it will be interesting how successful it will actually be. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31918269