Green MSP Robin Harper's amended motion, which said Grameen-type banking could provide an opportunity to tackle the growing problem of unemployment among 16 to 19-year-olds with the establishment of a microcredit scheme for young people in Scotland, was unanimously backed by the parliament.

BBC: Decision time

The early release scheme has been one of the most criticised aspects of the peace accord which paved the way for the establishment of a power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland.

BBC: News Online

In the most radical break with the party establishment so far, John Norquist, the mayor of Milwaukee, has thrown his weight behind a scheme that allows poor parents to send their children to private schools (see box).

ECONOMIST: Behind-the-scenes politics