World News: Canberra, Moscow, Singapore, Vancouver, Tokyo, Islamabad

Australia's government moved last week to make the law more accessible to ordinary citizens without the benefit an enormous set of shelves. A new Web site, Window on the Law, provides an overview of the constitution and a database of Australian legislation and case law. An idea worth emulating in this country - although, of course, Britain will need a constitution first.

Moscow, Russia
An Internet consultant describes in the Moscow Times an unusual visit from farmer Vladimir Ivanovich of the Smolenskaya region. Despite probably never using a computer before, Vladimir demanded to use the Internet so he could order agricultural equipment from the US, which he duly did. The moral of the story, the writer concludes, is that Russia need substantial investment to provide Internet access in public libraries. A case for another $400m from Mr Gates perhaps?

Singapore
Singapore has set up its first certification authority - a body that allows individuals to electronically identify each other. Netrust is a joint initiative between the National Computer Board and a group of local banks. The government will also follow in Malaysia's footsteps in May by launching legislation to legitimise digital signatures - an initiative we are still waiting for in the UK, as arguments continue to rage about licensing trusted third parties.

Islamabad, Pakistan
Problems abound with the British High Commission's computer system for visa processing - preventing Pakistanis from visiting the UK. Work to improve its data handling have caused the system to repeatedly crash, leaving the commission unable to process visa applications. Only compassionate cases will be handled until a new service is installed, which will happen 'within a few weeks', according to the Foreign Office.

Vancouver, Canada
'Direct marketing is now a law enforcement tool, at least in Vancouver,' Canada's Financial Post reports. Local police have a new tool in their arsenal - Orion, a program that links GIS data with a range of information from other electronic sources. It can help identify the area where an offender is likely to live, and allow the police to send a mail-shot asking local residents for information. It also helps focus searches in target areas, and allows police to optimise the location of squad cars.

Tokyo, Japan
Japan's National Police Agency announced it would amend an adult entertainment business law to crack down on Internet pornography. Japan has frequently come under fire from around the world for its lax regulation of Internet pornography, and particularly paedophile material. An amendment will be drafted later this year.