http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/archive/1879 en_GB OneWorld South Asia - OneWorld South Asia/English/Topics/Politics/Governance Iraq Veterans Describe Atrocities to Lawmakers http://us.oneworld.net/article/view/160567/1/1879 WASHINGTON, May 16 (OneWorld) - Antiwar veterans of the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan took their case to Capitol Hill Thursday, baring their souls with stories of killings of innocent civilians, torture, and wrongful detentions. California Legalizes Gay Marriage http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotolink/addhit/83732 The California Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a law barring same-sex couples from getting married is unconstitutional, said a human rights monitor, welcoming the new law as an important precedent for equal rights around the world. From: Human Rights Watch Advice for Burma Giving http://us.oneworld.net/article/view/160578/1/1879 Both humanitarian aid and political aid is needed in Myanmar (formerly Burma) now, says a board member of a U.S. group active on Burmese issues. From: U.S. Campaign for Burma Nubians Push for Recognition in Kenya [photoessay] http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotolink/addhit/83733 The approximately 100,000 ethnic Nubians living in Kenya continue to demand official recognition -- notably citizenship -- although they face less political discrimination than in previous years. Washed away by apathy http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/160575/1/1879 Floods in Bihar, a state in eastern India, have devastating impact on women, children, the landless and dalits. Waters Of Despair, a documentary film dives deep to reveal how administrative negligence is an even bigger culprit. It finds holes in disaster preparedness, relief distribution and beneficiary identification. A saga of unending conflicts in South Asia http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/160574/1/1879 South Asia has been a hotspot of the most stubborn conflicts. While many other societies have managed to resolve their discords, the conflicts in this region remain unresolved because of the inflexibility and dogmatism of the contending parties, says historian and columnist Ramachandra Guha. Myanmar: NGOs Fill In Where UN, U.S. Can't Go http://us.oneworld.net/article/view/160565/1/1879 WASHINGTON, May 15 (OneWorld) - As UN estimates of the number of Burmese affected by Cyclone Nargis rose from 1.5 to 2.5 million and the United States and United Nations continued to wrangle with Myanmar's rulers over visas for aid workers, Atlanta-based CARE received a $1 million donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to deliver humanitarian relief in Myanmar. Surplus Rice in Japan 'Could End Rice Crisis' http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotolink/addhit/83727 Selling excess rice held in Japan and imported from the United States would incite a rapid drop in the global price of rice but requires immediate action from Tokyo and Washington, write former editor of The Rice Trader, Tom Slayton, and policy analyst, Peter Timmer. 'Crushed' by Climate Change http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotolink/addhit/83729 Indigenous peoples in Nicaragua are increasingly threatened by climate change despite their minimal ecological footprint, writes a Nicaraguan advocate for indigenous peoples' autonomy and development. Women's groups want end to gender bias in world economies http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/160551/1/1879 Ever since it was first introduced in 1984 by the Australian government, the concept of gender-sensitive budget has spread far and wide with more than 50 countries embracing it, including India and Bangladesh. Women’s groups now want it to be extended to more countries. Asian Leaders Urged to Pressure Myanmar into Action http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotolink/addhit/83724 Asian governments -- seen to have greater leverage with Myanmar authorities -- are being asked to increase the pressure on the military junta to effectively address the humanitarian crisis caused by Cyclone Nargis. A 'Landmark' Win for South Africans http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotolink/addhit/83722 A South African High Court judge took "a brave step forward" when he recently ruled that the state's public water distribution system denies people their constitutional right to "a dignified life," blogs Rebecca Brown. Pedaling Toward Cleaner Cities http://us.oneworld.net/article/view/160534/1/1879 WASHINGTON, May 13 (OneWorld) - What single silver bullet is simultaneously reducing air pollution and oil dependency, rolling back urban congestion, and fighting obesity? Uzbekistan Still Persecuting Andijaners http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotolink/addhit/83720 The Uzbek government continues to persecute people believed to have ties to the 2005 Andijan massacre, when state security forces killed hundreds in an attempt to quell anti-government protests, says a new report from a human rights monitor. The Cuban Struggle Continues http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotolink/addhit/83721 Historically, the Cuban revolution was "a success," writes scholar Saul Landau. But can Cuba today overcome the economic hardships -- and the resulting social changes -- the country endured after the collapse of the Soviet Union?