Chinese Dissent Sentenced

A leading dissident in China, Liu Xiaobo, a literary critic and former professor, has been sentenced to prison for 11 years for “inciting subversion of state power.” Liu is co-author of Charter 08 which calls for China to reform its human rights abuses and to introduce competing political parties to reform the current one-party Communist [...]

Woman Stoned for Adultery in Somalia

A woman in Somali has been stoned to death for adultery. The 20 year-old woman had previously been married and was divorced but a strict reading of Sharia law does not allow even a divorced woman to have sex with another man. The woman’s boyfriend was given 100 lashes. Al-Shabab, the hard line Islamic group [...]

Obama Speaks to Chinese Students

U.S. President Barack Obama led a town hall meeting with 400 students in Shanghai, China earlier today. Obama chose his words carefully to avoid controversy but he did criticize China for restricting internet access, Christian Science Monitor.
4 civilians were killed today in Afghanistan after militants fired 2 rockets into a crowded marketplace northeast of Kabul. [...]

China’s Ties with Africa Grow Deeper

Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana has declared a state of emergency before the arrival of Hurricane Ida, which is expected to hit land in the next 36 hours. The declaration allows the state to use federal funds to prepare for the hurricane. Ida is currently a Category 2 hurricane, but expected to weaken, CNN.
91 people [...]

China’s Billionaires Bounce Back From Economic Crisis

China now boasts 130 individuals worth more than $1 billion U.S. At the top of the list is auto entrepreneur Huang Guangyu, Reuters.
Pakistan has started its military offensive in South Waziristan. Pakistani officials say that 80 percent of militants attacks are planned in the region. Bombers destroyed 15 houses in the Makeen, Ladha and Barwand [...]

Protesters Shot in Guinea

58 people are dead after security forces fired on protesters in the African nation of Guinea today. They were protesting the current military government (which took power last December) and the expected announcement that the military leader currently in charge, Moussa Dadis Camara, will run in national elections in January 2010. Leaders of the opposition [...]

Yemen President Urges Ceasefire in War Against Shia Rebels

At least 50 people have been killed in the Philippines after flooding from Tropical Storm Ketsana. 21 people remain missing, but the rain has slowed down and the worst is believed to be over, for now, CNN.
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh says government forces may be fighting Shia rebels for years to come, but urged [...]

President Obama to Encourage Kids to Take Responsibility for Their Future

President Barack Obama will give a speech to shoolchildren throughout the United States today, Official Transcript. Obama’s school speech ignited a firestorm after conservatives complained that the president was trying to “indoctrinate” their children, BBC News. C-SPAN video: President George H. W. Bush spoke to schoolchildren in 1991 and President Ronald Reagan spoke to schoolchildren [...]