Philippines: USAID Helps Former Rebels in Mindanao Diversify into Banana Production

MANILA — The American people have introduced 400 former combatants of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) from North Cotabato, Central Mindanao to the production of cardaba bananas, a particular variety of bananas that are in demand by domestic and overseas markets, particularly for banana chips.

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Vietnam: Crackdown on activists must end

Yet another politically motivated trial in Viet Nam has turned citizens who have only peacefully expressed opinions into prisoner of conscience. Today, three leading members of the People?s Democratic Party (PDP) were sentenced to prison terms of between three and five years in what the prosecutor in the Ho Chi Minh City People?s Court described as a warning to other ?hostile forces.?
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IFJ Mourns the Death of Somalia Journalist

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the death of journalist Mohammed Abdullahi Khalif, shot while on assignment in Puntland, north-eastern Somalia on Saturday, 5 May.

?We express our solidarity with Mohamed?s family and colleagues,? said Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa office. ?Somalia is the most dangerous place for journalists in Africa.?
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Philippines’s exports up by 10.6% in March, exceed full-year targer

MANILA — Merchandise exports increased by 10.6 percent to $4.6 billion in March from the 7.8 percent growth the previous month. The upsurge brought total export revenues in the first quarter to 13.1 percent or US$12.3 billion, which is within the full-year target of 11 percent.

Data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) attributed that the increase to the growth of semiconductors (14.1%), machinery and transport equipment (8.7%) and mineral products (77.1%).
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