"Because of the regional disparities in administrative rules, the floating families of migrant workers in PRC are often unable to enjoy the same access to public services in their host cities as the local dwellers. The potentials of public schools have been tapped so that they could accept more students, especially those from the floating population.

New schools were planned and built in communities where the floating families are concentrated. Financial support and direction and training in education practices were given to private schools absorbing children from floating families. All these practices should be lauded for their substantial results. Yet, the question remains whether these kids are being educated properly."

"Most of Manila's public transport vehicles are second-hand, poorly maintained and in many other countries, would never be allowed on the road let alone to carry passengers. The Philippine National Railway is old and dirty and during peak hours it is not uncommon to see people sitting on the roof or hanging off the sides of railway carriages and diesel engines.

The only modern part of the city's public transport system is the overhead Light Rail Transit and the Metro Rail Transit. But they have reached maximum capacity and trains are said to be dangerously overcrowded. And on the back of high fuel prices, the minimum jeepney fare, the backbone of the local public transport system, has gone up twice since May and may rise again."

"The latest example of the Pakistan government's acceptance of its inability to fulfill its functions is the formation of the Infrastructure Project Development Facility (IPDF). The newly minted head of the IPDF recently suggested that the government transfer over twenty public-sector development projects to the IPDF. In doing so, the IPDF claims it will save the government a large sum of money, and ensure that infrastructure actually gets built.

The theory is simple. Government processes are cumbersome, inefficient and ineffective. Enter the private sector -- which is of course, all-easy, all-efficient, and all-effective. By indulging the IPDF, the Pakistani state is openly accepting that it is fundamentally incapable of doing the most basic of things -- building roads, highways, sewers and power plants."

"With a mobile price war just starting to be felt in Indonesia, driving down prices to levels previously unimagined, subscribers now face new difficulties -- initiating calls in over busy networks, constantly dropped calls and poor reception -- which will probably become increasingly severe. The importance and role of mobile phones in today's society and economy is undisputed; it increases and simplifies communication throughout the country and the world.

Price reductions will further increase mobile phone penetration in Indonesia, bringing immeasurable benefits to the public and the economy. More affordable communication costs and increased usage benefit the customer, but customer dissatisfaction will most likely increase. Reckless price undercutting may lead to the reduction of infrastructure improvements and maintenance as operators try to maintain their overall bottom line."

"Demand for saffron bulbs has soared among farmers in Herat and neighboring provinces in Afghanistan over the past two years, according to a provincial department of agriculture. One hectare of land in Herat Province can yield about 12kg of saffron and each kilo of it can be sold for $1,500 on the local market.

Farmers cultivate saffron bulbs in late August and reap the purple flowers in mid October. The red filaments of saffron are then collected from each flower by hand, often by women at home. Donors have funded projects to promote saffron production in Afghanistan. A handful of entrepreneurs have also invested in the packaging, branding and export of Afghan-made saffron to regional and European markets."

"The income data of employees in all sectors in the last three decades suggested that the income gap between different industries was widening, especially after 2002. And such a gap is believed to be casting its shadow on economic growth. In 2006, the industry of information transfer, computer services and software gave the best pay to its employees, which was 4.69 times of the income for people in agriculture.

Authorities should adopt more policies to ensure fair income distribution. Schemes should be established to ensure the average income earners, especially those of middle and low income groups, can see a regular rise in their income. And the government should also increase its fund allocations in social security, employment promotion and in assisting the lives of disadvantaged groups."

"With food crises looming in all eight member states, the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is to establish a regional food bank. The joint projects would augment food production, invest in agriculture and related industries, conduct agricultural research, share technology, assist in procurement and distribution, as well as manage climatic and disease-related risks.

Under the terms of the agreement, the bank would act as a regional food security reserve for SAARC member countries during food shortages and emergencies, as well as provide regional support to national food security efforts, foster inter-country partnerships and regional integration, and solve regional food shortages through collective action."

"Indonesia boasts a huge geothermal energy potential, with an estimated capacity of up to 27,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity, or equal to around 40 percent of the world's geothermal reserves. Currently, Indonesia's 18 operation geothermal fields produce a combined 1,050 MW. But investment in the clean energy source is being threatened by an unexpected pricing plan.

Private investors developing geothermal sites in Indonesia must sell all electricity produced to state power firm PT PLN. Under regulations issued recently by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, the ceiling price for geothermal-based power is based on the average cost PLN spends producing one kilowatt of electricity (BPP) at oil, gas, coal and hydro-electrical power stations."

"Commercial development and housing projects have contributed to a loss of mangrove forests near Bangkok. When natural buffers vanished, the district's coastline rapidly became submerged in seawater. Saving these seashore districts is crucial to Bangkok since the area is the capital's first line of defense against rising sea levels.

Different coastal protection structures such as jetties, groins, breakwaters and sea walls have been used to combat severe erosion in coastal provinces that face the Gulf of Thailand. Efforts are underway to build breakers to stem the heavy waves and erosion so that new mangrove forests can be planted."

"Poverty in rural areas in Pakistan is inextricably linked to the land tenure arrangements that prevail there. A significant proportion of the agricultural labor force resides on properties of large landowners. These poor tenants do not only rely on their landlord for access to land, but also for agricultural inputs.

It is unfortunate that despite considerable changes in the factors of production, which have led to the introduction of high yielding varieties, increased irrigation, and adoption of mechanized farming implements, landlord and tenant relations in rural Pakistan continue to exhibit traditionally feudal dynamics."

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