(March 14, 2007) U.K. legal expert Anita Esslinger compares British anti-corruption laws to pornography in terms of clarity. Drawing on a quote by former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart who once famously said that although he might not be able to define pornography, “I know it when I see it.” The same might be said for the definition of “corruption” under laws applicable in the United Kingdom, writes Esslinger.
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Unsafe water tops environment fear
(March 13, 2007) Beijing: Unsafe drinking water in rural areas topped last year’s environmental concerns, according to a report from a non-governmental organization based in Beijing.
Developing countries are amateurs in the corruption game
(March 13, 2007) Exporting countries are only paying lip service to the enforcement of anti-corruption laws, according to the results of a new Transparency International survey that rates the tendency of companies in the top 30 exporting countries to pay bribes abroad.
Dam has minimal impact on environment
(March 9, 2007) The environment in the Three Gorges Dam area has been stable since the water level reached 156 meters fours month ago, a chief project planner said.
Iraqi anti-corruption head says graft worse than in Saddam’s time
(March 8, 2007) Corruption in Iraq is now worse than it was during Saddam Hussein’s regime, the Chairman of Iraq’s Commission on Public Integrity (CPI), Radhi Hamza al-Radhi, said in an interview published by the Arabic-language Asharq Alawsat newspaper. "There are eight ministers and 40 general directors against whom corruption charges have been brought and they [have] all fled abroad," he said.
Steering clear of Chavez
(March 8, 2007) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is behind a growing Latin American economic challenge to the United States, foreign investors and multinational companies, claims a recent analysis of the president’s influence in the region.
China’s going down the drain
(March 7, 2007) China has launched an ambitious water-saving plan. But analysts say that if the plan is to be fully implemented, the central government must take effective measures to rein in rampant regional protectionism.
Nu River news
(March 6, 2007) The Nu River runs through southwest China’s Yunnan province — and the Three Parallel Rivers National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site — before flowing downstream to Burma and Thailand, where it is known as the Salween. It is Southeast Asia’s last major free-flowing river, but plans are under way to dam it in both China and Burma.
China officials vow stricter environmental curbs
(March 6, 2007) Chinese officials fanned out at the start of the annual session of parliament to pledge concrete steps to implement Premier Wen Jiabao’s demand that China do more to protect the environment while keeping the economy growing.
Fu Xiancai appeals to National People's Congress
Human Rights in China press release
Human Rights in China (HRIC) has learned that Three Gorges activist Fu Xiancai has appealed to the National People’s Congress (NPC) to intervene in his assault case. The Fifth Session of the Tenth NPC opened on March 5, while the Fifth Session of the Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) began on March 3.
Chinese Premier focuses on pollution and the poor
(March 5, 2007) Prime Minister Wen Jiabao conceded Monday that China was failing on important energy and pollution goals and declared that the country must become more energy-efficient and quickly improve environmental protection to safeguard the long-term health of its booming economy.
Paralysed China activist seeks justice in parliament
Beijing: A Chinese activist working to help villagers displaced by the giant Three Gorges Dam and left paralysed after a beating last June, has appealed to China’s parliament for redress, according to a rights group.
China mulls int’l input for energy law
(March 4, 2007) International input by leading experts will be considered in the drafting of China’s first energy law, industry executives told China Daily on Friday.
Sichuan water to ease Chongqing drought
Chengdu: The central government has ordered water facilities in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province to help the drought-stricken city of Chongqing, the largest municipality in China.
Pollution problem gets systematic help
(March 3, 2007) China will set up statistics, monitoring and accountability systems to cut emissions this year, its top environmental watchdog said in Beijing on Thursday.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
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Probe International 