China’s princelings thwarted

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BEIJING – China will stop handing down labour camp sentences this year under a system that allowed police to lock up government critics and other defendants for up to four years without trial, the country’s top law enforcement official said Monday.

WEBSTER, N.Y. — Police have found human remains in the burned-out home of the Webster, N.Y., ex-con who killed two firefighters and believe the victim is the gunman’s sister. Police Chief Gerald Pickering said Tuesday the remains were found in the charred house that 62-year-old William Spengler shared with his 67-year-old sister, Cheryl. A medical examiner will need to determine the identity.

Focus turn to country’s all-powerful security chief, Zhou Yongkang, a key ally and defender of ousted Chinese leader Bo Xilai

By Modeled Behavior: By Karl Smith Andy Stern suggests that America should emulate China

Myanmar's military junta will pick all members of the country's new election commission, state media said Tuesday as the regime revealed the first details of long-awaited laws for polls this year.The government enacted five new laws on Monday ahead of elections by the generals promised later this year, which are expected in October or November although there is still no firm date.The move adds to international concerns about the fairness of the elections -- Myanmar's first for 20 years -- which critics say are a sham designed to legitimise the junta's grip on power.

In the weeks leading up to Chuck Hagel's nomination, the Pentagon announced plans to put specialized Army troops in 35 countries in Africa.