Full Coverage: Governance

30.09.2005 The so-called "partial birth abortion ban" has been successfully challenged in three state courts, but an appeal from Nebraska could put that issue in front of the newly constituted Supreme Court within months. The new court may also hear a case on a controversial parental notification law.

30.09.2005 Synthetic ingredients in "organic" food? It doesn't seem very logical, but if Kraft and other members of the corporate food industry get their way, the word "organic" is going to take on unfortunate new meaning, says the Pesticide Action Network.

30.09.2005 Some or all funding for the "bunker buster" nuclear warhead has been cut by four Congressional committees so far, but this new, "usable" nuclear weapon could still become a reality. Write your senator to ensure that the funding continues to be denied, asks Council for a Livable World.

29.09.2005 Iraqi women's rights--particularly those of dress and movement--are in danger of disappearing, say several of the country's prominent activists.

29.09.2005 Peasant farmer families in Tanah Awuk, Indonesia, who gathered on September 18 to air their longstanding grievances over the proposed construction of an airport on their farm lands, were violently dispersed by Indonesian police forces, and their planned discussion with local and international land rights groups prevented.

29.09.2005 A report published by World Bank in Prishtina on Tuesday, September 27, points out that poverty in Kosovo is a widespread phenomenon, but direct actions can be taken.

29.09.2005 The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) has launched a mobile summons printing and warrant faxing system that will enable traffic officers to re-issue summonses and produce warrant copies to traffic offenders on the road.

29.09.2005 At a cost of just 4 paise per litre, rural India can now have access to safe drinking water without the use of electricity.A high-technology membrane filter, developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), can remove bacteria as well as viruses from water.

28.09.2005 “Në rast se mungon vullneti i kryeshefit Sahit Krasniqi për dorëheqje, kërkojmë që kryetari i KK-së të thërrasë një mbledhje të jashtëzakonshme për të kërkuar votëbesimin ndaj tij”, thuhet në kërkesën e OJQ-ve.

28.09.2005 Ravinder Kaur says in The Indian Express that the government has come out with a slew of measures to improve women’s conditions — a bill against domestic violence, reform of property rights for Hindu women and, most recently, enabling measures for the girl child. All these are welcome and much-needed interventions to improve the lives of women. But the government may also consider leaving family planning to the family.

28.09.2005 Subir Roy of Rediff.com profiles an economist and a management expert who is currently fighting for better governance in India. Dr Samuel Paul is the doughty fighter whose Citizens's Report Card scheme - that assesses institutions and services - is being implemented by a number of Indian states.

28.09.2005 Data on pattadar passbooks in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh will be computerised by November 15, said Collector, G. Asok Kumar.

28.09.2005 Ruchika Negi of the Women's Feature Service finds that five community groups in the north Indian mountain villages of Garhwal and Kumaon are helping people to access government schemes, fight corruption and discuss their everyday problems via the community radio. These five groups are working to create knowledge network societies in remote villages, where both newspapers and television have no reach.

28.09.2005 Since President Bush entered office slashing taxes for the wealthy, vital community development and infrastructure programs have been shortchanged. Many federal and state officials in both parties have been predicting disaster for years, says progressive strategist David Sirota.

27.09.2005 Head of the European Commission Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Michael Humphreys, Head of the BiH Civil Service Agency, Mr Jakob Finci, and UNDP Resident Representative, Mr Jens Toyberg-Frandzen today signed a Memorandum of Understanding for joint support to a training programme for civil servants in the state and entity administrations.

27.09.2005 The Central Right to Information Act 2005 was passed by the
parliament this year and subsequently government of India(GoI) has gazetted the act.The act will be fully enforced by the 12th Oct 2005.

27.09.2005 Even after 57 years of independence, one has to dream of a ‘‘strong, capable and confident India’’ that is yet to come true. This requires, on one hand, people standing united at whatever level they work together, beyond caste-class and gender divisions, with a deep faith in human equity, commitment to national integrity and the required tolerance to attain and maintain unity. Medha Patkar, noted activist, shares her vision of an empowered India.

27.09.2005 The Department of Information and Technology has sought the Swedish Government's technological expertise to take up e-governance in 100,000 villages by 2006.

27.09.2005 Over 1,500 have been arrested in Nepal's capital over the last two weeks as political parties and their student supporters hold their most sustained protests since King Gyanendra's February takeover of the country's political machinery. In rural areas, a unilateral ceasefire called by Maoist rebels earlier this month has improved life, villagers say, wishing the government would follow suit.

27.09.2005 Federal contractors involved in Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts have been exempted from requirements that ensure employment opportunities for women and minorities. "The exemption could hurt the very people most affected by Hurricane Katrina, effectively shutting them out from the opportunity to participate in rebuilding their own neighborhoods," civil rights advocates said.