'New law should ensure social security for mentally-challenged'
Shimla, Sep 2 (IANS) The new disability law should ensure social security cover for the mentally-challenged in the country, the apex

federation representing the parents of persons with mental retardation demanded here Thursday.

"The new law should have a provision of a monthly pension of Rs. 1,000 for the family members of all the categories of disabled, including the mentally-challenged," J.P. Gadkari, president of Bangalore-based Parivaar, told reporters. Parivaar is the apex federation of associations ... Read More

Women get equal rights to become guardians, adopt children
New Delhi, Sep 2 (IANS) President Pratibha Patil has signed into law a bill giving Indian women equal rights as men in adopting children and becoming guardians of minors, including their own children, it was announced Thursday.

The president removed the age-old gender discrimination against women by giving her assent to the Personal Laws Amendment Bill, 2010, which was passed by parliament in its monsoon session which concluded last week, according to a law ministry press ... Read More

Amnesty promotes human rights
Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement that promotes and defends human rights.

Campaign for Individuals at Risk
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE, 5th fl.
Washington DC 20003 USA

Email: iar@aiusa.org
www.amnestyusa.org/iar/
Phone: 202 544 0200 (ask for Individuals at Risk)
Fax: 202 675 8566 ... Read More

Australian academic asked foreign students for sex: Probe
Sydney, Sep 2 (IANS) A former university tutor in Perth pressured a Chinese girl student and three other foreigners for sex in exchange of higher marks, Australia's corruption watchdog has said.

The former Curtin University tutor invited a vulnerable foreign student to his house and asked her to "satisfy him" for higher marks, Australian new agency AAP reported Thursday citing the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC).

The CCC, in its report tabled in parliament Thursday, said ... Read More

Indian student visas fall by half in Australia
Melbourne, Sep 2 (IANS) The number of Indians granted student visas in Australia during the last financial year has fallen to 29,721, less than half of the number in 2008-09.

Overall, the number of international student visas dropped more than 16 percent. The results follow a year of turmoil in the education sector, with legislative changes, the global financial crisis and student security issues putting pressure on student numbers, The Age newspaper reported Thursday.

In 2008-09, ... Read More