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Azerbaijani journalist’s suspended custody term shortened
Azerbaijan has shortened a sentence that was handed down to RFE/RL journalist Khadija Ismayilova. Her initial seven and a half year sentence was seen as retaliation for her investigative reporting linking the family of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to corruption. RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY

Iran executes nuclear scientist who returned to country from US
Shahram Amiri, an Iranian nuclear scientist, has been hanged in his home country, the Iranian judiciary confirmed, claiming he had given away state secrets. THE GUARDIAN

Zimbabwe journalists under siege amid escalating protests
At least five Zimbabwe journalists sustained serious injuries from an assault by anti-riot police during protests last week. This most recent round of aggression brings the total number of media personnel who have been assaulted, arrested, or harassed by police to 26 in the past two months alone. OKAY AFRICA

Voters in Thailand endorsed military’s proposed Constitution
Thailand’s military government won overwhelming approval Sunday of a new Constitution that aims to reduce the power of political parties and extend the influence of the military.  THE NEW YORK TIMES

‘Seeds of hate’ sown as Tanzania starts LGBT crackdown
Tanzania’s justice minister has announced controversial new plans to suspend the registration of any charity or NGO that supports homosexuality, claiming he was protecting the “culture of Tanzanians.”  THE GUARDIAN

U.S. journalist reportedly escapes Al-Qaeda in Syria, then is arrested by Turkey
Conflicting reports are emerging this morning about an American journalist, Lindsey Snell, who reportedly escaped al-Qaeda custody—or was possibly rescued—in Syria two days ago, but was arrested yesterday by Turkish authorities, who accused her of being a CIA spy. PJ MEDIA