As a local energy official, Ms Rousseff kept the lights on after a drought in 2001 led to electricity rationing.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's new president

Director Cordray, who previously served as Franklin County Ohio Treasurer, Ohio State Representative, Ohio State Treasurer and Ohio State Attorney General, spoke about his experiences as a state and local official and the importance of the CFPB partnering with local enforcement organizations to prevent predatory lenders from taking advantage of the American people.

WHITEHOUSE: Director Richard Cordray Invites Local Leaders to Partner with CFPB in Protecting Consumers | The White House

Mr Rajoelina was sacked by the government on Tuesday and replaced as mayor by Guy Randrianarisoa, a local city official.

BBC: Police 'kill many' in Madagascar

One man asked if Akeal and his group were members of a local gang known as the "Loot Crew, " the official said.

WSJ: Teen Brain-Dead After Shooting in Brooklyn

The profit motive has never been a comfortable bed fellow with government, either central or local, as the official blog of the University of Birmingham's Institute for Local Government Studies (INLOGOV) points out.

BBC: Midlands councils go into business to offset grant cuts

Oddly enough, it was the conservatives who first called for local elections two years ago, as a means of getting rid of an official they did not like, and Mr Khatami later adopted the idea in the hope of strengthening his democratic base and decentralising authority.

ECONOMIST: Iran

As proof, they have to show identity cards, or an affidavit signed by a priest or local official.

ECONOMIST: East Timor

Earlier this year, a local elections official issued news releases to Virginia Tech students that incorrectly listed negative consequences, such as the potential loss of financial aid, for those who registered to vote on campus.

WSJ: At Campuses, Obama Camp Helps Young Voters Get to Polls