Democracy, Politics and Judiciary

• A Council for Social Development and Oxford University Press report found that Indian population control programs are inefficient because they place "overwhelming responsibility" on women. It said that while women faced all the responsibilities, they were "not equipped to make decisions or control their own bodies and sexualities." Over a period of time, the budget allocations for these programs also dwindled such that crucial ministries such as education, agriculture, textiles, tribal affairs, and social justice and empowerment had less than 1% of their total expenditure for women-specific programs. Compared to this spending pattern, the Department of Family welfare spends 30% of its budget on women-related programs such as reproductive and child health. This biological emphasis and lack of overall empowerment of the women, despite increasing literacy levels, is the root cause for this failure.

Environment, Health and Education

• Italy and Greece reported the outbreak of dreaded H5N1 bird flue virus in wild birds. Non-migratory swans in Sicily, Italy and three migratory swans in Greece were found to have died due to the virus. Concern over bird flu is causing heavy damages on the poultry business in Italy leading to 30,000 layoffs and Euro 550 million in financial loses. It is unusual for swans to migrate from the South. It is speculated that migratory patterns may have shifted to the south due to exceptionally cold weather in the Balkans. 

Terrorism, Defense and Security

• Almost after a month after a CIA unmanned drone fired missiles to kill alleged Taliban activists, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf confirmed that foreign terrorists were present and killed on that site. He said that he was "95% sure" that 5 foreign terrorists, including "very important" ones, were killed. Not revealing the identity, he said a close relative of Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed; analysts think that this could be al Qaeda bomb expert Abdur Rehman al-Maghribi, al-Zawahiri's son-in-law, was killed.  

• After his first review of the Indian Navy, President Abdul Kalam said that the Navy needs to be prepared for more responsibilities other than maritime protection and surveillance. He pointed out that the exclusive economic zone would increase by 2 million square kilometers and it was important for the navy to participate in protecting economic and environmental interests. The navy's responsibilities have grown substantially to protect oil transportation expressways, high-value cargo, oil exploration and rigs, and securing the narrow lanes of Straits of Malacca. He applauded the navy's deep water chartering in the Gulf of Kutch enabling the faster transportation of oil to Gujarat. He asked the navy to think beyond sea, undersea, and airborne surveillance and operation; he wanted them to use the space to enhance its effectiveness. Through space technologies, it could monitor ecological disasters, detect surface and sub-surface oil slicks, and provide real time information to marine biologists on living and non-living resources of the sea.  Kalam said that, in the near future, all submarines would be fitted by the BrahMos cruise missiles; INS Rajput is the first ship to be fitted by this missile. Signifying its increasing role, the navy was recently allocated Rs. 250 billion budget for the year.

• The Federal Government has apparently ordered a survey of Muslims in the Indian defense establishment through the Justice (Retd.) Rajendera Sachar committee. While the objective of this exercise is not known, the Army has communicated its strongest reservations to the Government but it appears its opinion has been overruled. The Army had argued that the defense forces is a secular, apolitical organization and that such survey demanding numbers, ranks, and operational involvement of Muslims will create disquiet in the professional force. According to initial estimates, there are 29,093 Muslims in the Army in 2004. More than 29 battalions had a sizeable number of the community with the Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry with over 50% Muslims. Spurred by the book "Khaki and Ethnic Violence in India" by Omar Khalidi, the Government has asked for specific information on operations. Khalidi says that 700 Muslim soldiers deserted in 1948 Hyderabad action and entire Muslim villages in Leh were cleared during Operation Vijay in 1999. Unlike other Governmental departments, the Army does not maintain caste, community, or religious information of its recruits. The Navy and Air Force has already supplied the information to the Government.

Neighbors

• Leading research institution Chinese Academy of Sciences published a China Modernization Report 2006, which predicted that with 9% GDP growth, China would challenge US scientifically and militarily. It said that 2050, China would have move 80 million of poverty, raised life expectancy to 80, relocated 500 peasants to cities, and increased average income to USD 1,300 a month. In a separate report, the State Council (China's Cabinet) announced plans to boost investments in clean energy, nuclear power, and 14 other areas of scientific research. It recommends 2.5% of GDP investment in research and development by 2020.