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China arrested more than 100 human-rights lawyers and activists over the weekend
Chinese law-enforcement officials detained more than a hundred lawyers and political activists over the weekend in what appears to be a state crackdown on amplifying public dissent in the country. TIME
New hearing begins in Iran for Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian
A third hearing in the espionage trial of Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post correspondent who has been imprisoned in Iran for nearly a year, was underway on Monday in Tehran, the state news agency IRNA reported. THE NEW YORK TIMES
Azerbaijan media reports Ismayilova trial will begin on July 22
The prepatory trial of Khadija Ismayilova will begin on July 22 which is Azerbaijan’s National Press Day, according to reports from Azerbaijani media outlets. CONTACT
China’s new Internet law introduces stricter censorship, surveillance powers
Powers to require online surveillance, remove content, block foreign web sites and shut down parts of the network are contained in the draft of a new Internet security law recently published by the Chinese government, which codifies and expands the country’s already robust internet regulations. ARS TECHNICA UK
Bangladesh activists have little faith in blogger murder investigations
There is concern among Bangladeshi activists that Law enforcement and the judiciary have failed to adequately investigate the recent killings of four secularist writers. GLOBAL VOICES ONLINE
Malaysian censorship board lays down stricter guidelines for local video productions
Malaysia’s Film Censorship Board (LPF), known in Malay as Lembaga Penapisan Filem, has issued much stricter guidelines when it comes to censoring TV content. MALAY MAIL ONLINE
White House to make public records more public for certain agencies
Starting this week, seven agencies — including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence — launched a new effort to put online the records they distribute to requesters under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). THE WASHINGTON POST