-The United Nations   The active participation of women in public protests witnessed in many parts of the world recently reflect their strong desire to promote social change, including a yearning for the rule of law and human rights, the United Nations independent expert on violence against women said today. “Moments of political transition provide a unique opportunity to ensure that women participate equally in public life and that their rights in legal...

-The Economic Times   US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday said at the Ministerial Conference on Internet Freedom at The Hague in Netherlands that a regulation on internet in some countries has made an environment where ideas are being blocked and conversations are being stifled.  Clinton cited the examples of Syria, Iran and recently Russia where bloggers and internet Activists are being targeted. Without naming India, she said that some governments...

-PTI In a reference to the people's revolutionary movements against corruption in West Asia and countries like India, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has asked nations to join forces in fighting the "cancer of corruption" which he says breeds inequality and injustice. Ban, in his message on the occasion of 'International Anti-Corruption Day', observed annually on December 9, said the poor and vulnerable sections of society may be "marginalised" by corruption, but...

-PTI Two days ahead of Anna Hazare's fast for a strong Lok Pal Bill, his team today stepped up attack on government questioning the "credibility" of the Standing Committee report on the issue saying it has only the support of 12 members. Team Anna also said they will oppose "tooth and nail" the Standing Committee proposals on the ombudsman which they claimed is taking the anti-corruption systems in the country two steps...

A Lakhisarai-bases RTI Activist, who had filed dozens of RTI applications on hoarding, black marketing, appointment of panchayat teachers and aanganwadi workers and status of development schemes in villages, was shot dead on Thursday morning at his native village, barely five km from the district town. The RTI Activist, Ramvilas Singh (56), also Amhara panchayat samiti member, is suspected to have been killed because of political rivalry with a person whose...