Philippines: Gabriela condemns AFP and PNP harassment, disenfranchisement of voters

MANILA – Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Liza Maza condemned one of the first reported cases of harassment by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police against Gabriela and progressive partylist groups, and the opposition in polling centers in Batangas and Laguna.

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In Thailand, legislation allows censorship of online news

New York, May 14, 2007?The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned that new legislation in Thailand will further weaken press freedom guarantees. On Thursday, the military-appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA) passed legislation granting the government the power to censor critical online news reports.

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Thailand at a Crossroads: After a military coup, community radio stations bear the brunt of official repression

New York, May 15, 2007?Broadcast news outlets in Thailand have been heavily censored by the military junta that took power in September 2006, the Committee to Protect Journalists has found in a new report, ?Thailand at a Crossroads.?

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In Buhangin, Missing Names, Low Turnout


Narito Prevendido Sr., 75, of Buhangin district, checks his tattered Comelec registration affidavit as he tries to find his name on the voters’ list. He eventuall got tired of looking. (davaotoday.com photo by Medel Hernani)

By Marietta Baste-Hernani
davaotoday.com

BUHANGIN, Davao City — As with other areas around the city, the missing names of voters was also a common complaint today at the Buhangin Elementary School and at the Dumanlas Elementary Schools, all in the second district.

In the 2004 elections, Jane Brave, 50, her husband Benedicto and their daughter Jenny were able to vote. But in today?s elections, only Benedicto?s name was on the voters? list at Precinct 1598-A.
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Asia Must Respond Immediately to Needs of Ageing Populations

TOKYO, JAPAN – Critical reform measures need to be taken soon before the impact of ageing populations takes its toll in developing countries in Asia, the Asian Development Bank Institute?s Dean, Masahiro Kawai, said during a recent seminar on ageing in Asia.

?For far too long we have tended to focus on high-income economies in the region like Japan, and the newly-industrialized economies — Republic of Korea; Hong Kong, China; Taipei,China; and Singapore — that are far advanced in the ageing curve,? said Mr. Kawai. ?But many of the middle-income developing countries and a few low-income developing countries in the region are on the same demographic path.?
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