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Hong Kong restricts election candidates, renewing fears of lost rights
Since Saturday, Hong Kong election officers have blocked at least five candidates from balloting for seats on the city’s Legislative Council over questions about whether they acknowledge the city as an “inalienable part” of China. THE NEW YORK TIMES

Ukrainian official resigns, citing attacks on journalists
Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Information Policy Tetyana Popova has announced her resignation, citing what she described as attacks on journalists and freedom of speech.
RADIO FREE EUROPE

Chinese lawyer who exposed baby milk scandal jailed for subversion
Chinese lawyer Zhou Shifeng, director of Beijing’s Fengrui law firm, has been sentenced to seven years in prison in a series of subversion trials that reveal the Communist party’s determination to shut down independent human rights activists. THE GUARDIAN

South Sudan’s government forces committed violations in July fighting
United Nations investigations into the recent fighting in South Sudan reveal that government forces carried out killings and rapes. SPLA soldiers reportedly shot four Nuer civilians during house searches, and shot and killed a Nuer journalist. UN NEWS CENTRE

Junta’s control ensures Thai referendum will be no exercise in democracy
Negative comments about the upcoming constitutional referendum in Thailand are being treated as illegal. Campaigns against the draft are forbidden, selling “Vote No” t-shirts is prohibited, and students have been arrested for protesting the junta.
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

Police condemned as MP, journalists beaten during demonstration in Harare
Police have come under heavy attack in Zimbabwe after their brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators on Wednesday left an MDC-T Party parliament member hospitalized and journalists nursing injuries sustained during the thorough beating. ALL AFRICA