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Burma Frees 20 Political Prisoners in General Amnesty

Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 6:00 am (UTC-5)
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Burma has freed at least 20 political prisoners as part of a general amnesty the government says is aimed at promoting “national unity.” The state-run New Light of Myanmar says 46 prisoners were released Tuesday, under an order by President Thein Sein. It also says 34 foreign prisoners were deported. Activists say among those released […]

Tags: , , , Posted in East Asia Pacific

China to Ban Shark Fin Soup from Official Events

Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
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China plans to ban shark fin soup from being served at government banquets in an attempt to protect endangered shark populations and reduce spending on lavish state functions. The Communist Party-controlled Global Times said Tuesday it would take about three years to remove shark fins from the menus of official banquets and other government events. […]

Tags: , , , Posted in East Asia Pacific

Report: Assad Regrets Syria Downing of Turkish Jet

Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 4:40 am (UTC-5)
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A Turkish newspaper has quoted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad saying he regrets that his forces shot down a Turkish military jet last month. The Cumhuriyet newspaper published comments from Mr. Assad Tuesday in which the leader insisted the jet was flying in Syrian airspace that had been used by Israeli planes three times in the […]

Tags: Posted in Middle East

China Vows Crackdown on Environmental Protesters

Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 4:15 am (UTC-5)
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Chinese authorities are vowing to inflict what they call “severe punishment” on organizers of a two-day protest who are concerned about the environmental impact of a proposed heavy metal refinery in their town. Authorities say unrest broke out Monday when several thousand protesters clashed with police outside a government building in the small central city […]

Tags: , Posted in East Asia Pacific

Rights Group Urges Afghanistan to Protect Press Freedom

Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 3:25 am (UTC-5)
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Human Rights Watch is calling on Afghanistan to withdraw a draft media law the group says will increase government control over the press and “undermine free expression.” The New York-based group said in a statement Tuesday that the Afghan government has taken steps to undercut the work of journalists and that the draft law is […]

Tags: , Posted in South Asia

Burma Frees 46 Prisoners: State Media

Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
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Burmese state media say 46 prisoners have been freed as part of a general amnesty aimed at promoting “national unity.” The state-run New Light of Myanmar says 37 men and nine women were freed Tuesday, under an order by President Thein Sein. It also says 34 foreign prisoners were deported. But, it does not mention […]

China Coach Blames Bad Athletic Performance on Tainted Meat Fears

Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 1:40 am (UTC-5)
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Chinese athletes who hope to compete in next month’s London Olympics are blaming a series of humiliating performances on not being able to eat meat for fear of banned chemicals. The coach of China’s women’s national volleyball team says his players have not eaten any meat for three weeks out of fear they could test […]

Tags: , Posted in East Asia Pacific