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Severely tortured Guantánamo detainee makes case for freedom at board hearing
Mohamedou Slahi, author of bestselling memoir Guantánamo Diary, contends he would reunite with his children and write books if released after 14 years in prison. His attorneys view the hearing that took place yesterday with cautious optimism. The simple fact that the military is holding a Periodic Review Board hearing for Slahi has raised expectations that he will go free. THE GUARDIAN

Journalists assaulted covering food protests in downtown Caracas
At least 19 journalists were attacked while covering food protests in downtown Caracas on Thursday, according to Espacio Publico, a non-governmental organization that monitors freedom of expression in the Venezuelan capital. BLOOMBERG

UK surveillance bill “too broadly drafted,” says human rights committee
Another parliamentary committee that has been scrutinizing UK surveillance legislation currently before parliament says changes are needed to remove concerns the Investigatory Powers Bill would afford state security agencies powers that are too broad. TECH CRUNCH

France concerned by threats against AFP Burundi reporter
France voiced “serious concern” Wednesday over threats made against Agence France-Presse’s Burundi correspondent, accused by authorities in Bujumbura of inciting violence in his coverage of the African country’s crisis. The French foreign ministry also called for Bujumbura to ensure the respect of press freedom after the threats against Esdras Ndikumana, journalist for AFP and Radio France Internationale (RFI). YAHOO

Lebanon police arrest lawyer over sex ring allegations
Lebanese police have arrested a prominent lawyer Nabeel Al Halabi after he accused government officials of possible complicity in a sex trafficking ring broken up in March. Police detained him in a dawn raid on his home on Sunday after Interior Minister Nuhad Mashnouq and a senior adviser filed separate suits for libel and slander of a public official, both criminal rather than civil offences in Lebanon. AL ARABIYA

Disturbing police violence against journalists during demonstrations in France
According to a representative from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), members of the media have been subject to police violence when covering demonstrations and public protests in a number of different incidents in France during the spring. OSCE