-The United Nations Communities in developing countries are facing increasing health and environmental risks linked to exposure to mercury, according to new studies by the United Nations environmental agency. Produced by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the studies note how parts of Africa, Asia and South America could see increasing emissions of mercury into the environment, due mainly to the use of the toxic element in small-scale Gold mining, and through the...

-The Guardian The global application of a fraudulent economic theory brought the west to its knees. Yet for those in power, it offers riches How they must bleed for us. In 2012, the world's 100 richest people became $241 billion richer. They are now worth $1.9 trillion: just a little less than the entire output of the United Kingdom. This is not the result of chance. The rise in the fortunes of the...

The total expenditure on central schemes for the poor and on the major subsidies exceeds the states' share of central taxes. These schemes are chronic bad performers due to a culture of immunity in public administration and weakened local governments. Arguing that the poor should be trusted to use these resources better than the state, a radical redirection with substantial direct transfers to individuals and complementary decentralisation to local governments...

-The Indian Express Patna: Fifteen out of 29 Bihar ministers, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi, are crorepatis. As a part of their anti-graft measures, started in 2011, the CM and his ministerial colleagues declared their moveable and immoveable assets this New Year. Four new entrants have joined the crorepati club this year. Thy are Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Shyam Rajak, Bhim Singh and Bijay Choudhary. Parveen Amanullah is...

-The Hindustan Times Jaipur: Indian women are speaking out against violence, enraged by the gangrape of a 23-year-old inside a moving bus in Delhi. But past records show that women – especially in the hinterlands – who dare to speak up usually fight a lone battle against the system. Hindustan Times profiles a few courageous rape victims in Rajasthan, who are still awaiting justice. Bhanwari Devi (Bhateri, Jaipur district) Bhanwari Devi was gangraped in...