Belgium tied Iraq on Tuesday for a very special world record: Number of days without a new government. (It’s been 289 days since the inconclusive June 13, 2010, election.) Has living without a government made any difference to the Belgian people?

Not really. It’s not quite accurate to say the country is without a government. In parliamentary systems like that of Belgium or the United Kingdom, the existing ministers remain in office when Parliament is dissolved in anticipation of an election. In the event that the elections are inconclusive, the ministers continue to perform their functions. They can’t undertake controversial new initiatives, because they don’t have a parliamentary majority to approve it, but they can accomplish administrative tasks.

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Take a look at a dozen of the most beautiful castles in Canada. Some are government buildings, some were built to attract tourists, and some are private creations by some of Canada’s wealthiest citizens. Best of all, some are open to the public, so you can go see them for yourself! Shown is Château Frontenac in Quebec City.

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(image credit: Bernard Gagnon)

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by hemlcok.

Security staff and aides from the ruling party stood guard outside the room to keep opposition lawmakers away after the committee’s GNP-affiliated chairman invoked his right to use force to "keep order" in parliamentary proceedings.

Scuffles broke out as dozens of opposition members and their aides attempted to push their way into the office. TV footage showed people from both sides shoving, pushing and shouting in a crowded hall at the National Assembly building amid a barrage of flashing cameras.

Opponents later used a sledgehammer and other construction tools to tear open the room’s wooden doors, only to find barricades of furniture set up inside as a second line of defence.

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