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Renewed North-South Face-off in Climate Negotiations

The climate negotiations at Copenhangen appear to have set the trend for future climate talks in more senses than one. One is of course very much aware of the Copenhagen Accord, the product of a last-minute face-off between the United States and the major developing countries at the highest political level. We are also aware that despite its not being an official UNFCCC resolution, the text of the Copenhagen accord nevertheless casts a shadow over the future of climate negotiations.

Learning from Bhopal

The Bhopal verdict has exposed the soft ugly underbelly of the entire Indian judicial, regulatory, administrative and corporate governance systems, not to mention the scandalous behaviour of the US government and US-based MNCs. The judgment is only one piece in a sordid saga going back 26 years, one which will continue to unfold, not just in this case but in other spheres too.

Bhopal Judgment: An Insult to the Memory of Thousands Who Died

26 years after the world’s worst industrial disaster in the city of Bhopal killed over 20,000 people and caused serious disability to hundreds of thousands of others, a Bhopal Court on 7th June 2010 finally found Union Carbide Corporation of India (UCIL) and 7 senior officials of UCIL guilty of criminal negligence. The convicted include the venerable Keshub Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra and Mahindra conglomerate and one of the doyens of Indian industry. All of whom were sentenced to a mere 2 years imprisonment, the maximum permissible for this crime, and a fine of a paltry Rs.100,000. To the horror of victims and activists gathered outside the courtroom, all the convicted walked out on bail minutes afterwards the sentencing.

India EU Free Trade Agreement

The ongoing India EU FTA has far reaching consequences for the agricultural sector and its production for both the partners. To better understand the scenario, a brief overview of the background is necessary.

The ongoing India EU FTA has far reaching consequences for the agricultural sector and its production for both the partners. To better understand the scenario, a brief overview of the background is necessary.

Assault on Gaza Flotilla, Massacare at Dawn

The Gaza Freedom Flotilla of 6 ships carrying 700 international activists and 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid was attacked by Israel, killing at least 19 and injuring dozens. The attack was launched on early hours of 31st morning and in international waters, 65 miles from Gaza coast. One of the ships in the convoy is named after 23 year old Rachel Corrie who was killed in West Bank while trying to stop Israeli bulldozers demolishing Palestinian homes.

Israel attacks Gaza aid fleet

Israeli forces have attacked a flotilla of aid-carrying ships aiming to break the country's siege on Gaza.

More than 10 people were killed and dozens injured when troops intercepted the convoy of ships dubbed the Freedom Flotilla early on Monday, the Israeli military said.

The Israeli Army Radio had earlier said that up to 16 people had been killed.

The EU India FTA – Free Trade or Re-inventing Colonialism?

The difference between the FTAs and the earlier trade talks under the WTO regime is that while the multilateral talks under WTO are relatively open with texts in the public domain, the FTA talks are shrouded in secrecy.

Secretive Free Trade Agreements -- Implications for the Country

The Free Trade Agreements that India is negotiating has serious implications for Indian agriculture, food and access to medicines and industry. If proper protection is not taken, FTAs through exceptions, it will act as the floor in all trade negotiations, effectively subverting our position in WTO.

Hot Steel and a Cold Government

11 people were hospitalised, one among whom died later on, due to radioactive exposure in a Scrap Market in Mayapuri, New Delhi. Prabir Purkayastha examines the issue of unsafe and radioactive scrap and the larger issue of monitoring and tracking radioactive sources by regulatory agencies in India.

GM Crops: The Societal Context of Technologies

The Bt Brinjal debate has featured technological worries relating to genetically modified crops which appear relatively minor in comparison to the critical issue of who controls Indian agriculture and therefore food security in India. While there cannot be a mere technological fix to the problems of Indian agriculture, technology – and therefore GM will be part of the solutions. The article is an extract from a larger manuscript to be published in the EPW.