German Policeman Unmasked as Stasi Spy

When Benno Ohnesorg was shot on June 2, 1967, by a policeman in West Berlin during a demonstration against the Shah of Iran, the young German student became a martyr for a generation of left-wing activists. The killing triggered the radicalization of the mass protest movement in West Germany, which directed its anger against the police, the government and the conservative establishment.

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A Brief History of Multiple Births

Cecile Dionne learned to say the word “doctor” before she did the word “mother.” As one of the Dionne girls — the first set of quintuplets to survive infancy, born 75 years ago May 28 — Cecile spent her first nine years under medical care in “Quintland,” a hospital that essentially doubled as a government-run theme park. Born in Ontario to a pair of devout Catholics , the Dionne quintuplets were an immediate media sensation, a Depression-era precursor to today’s Octomoms and Jon and Kates. Two months premature, weighing about two pounds each, Cecile, Annette, Yvonne, Marie, and Emilie were quickly made wards of the state by authorities who feared that their father would exploit them for his own financial benefit

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Online campaign gathers support for Myanmar’s Suu Kyi

The global drumbeat against what is widely considered the unlawful detention of Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar grew louder Wednesday with the launch of an online campaign to let supporters leave 64-word messages of support for her. The site, 64 for Aung San Suu Kyi (http://64forsuu.com), aims to collect as many messages as it can by June 19, when the pro-democracy advocate turns 64.

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Pakistan: Taliban near defeat in major city

The Pakistani military said Wednesday it hopes to clear Taliban militants from Mingora, a major Swat Valley city, in the next two to three days. “Security forces have made considerable progress in Mingora town,” the military said in its daily war roundup, making reference to the largest city in the Swat Valley. “House to house search is in progress in most of the areas.” The military said Saturday its push to clear militants from Mingora is the “most important phase” of its offensive against the Taliban.

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Myanmar junta: We can legally extend Suu Kyi’s arrest

Myanmar’s military junta said Tuesday that the house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi does not expire for six more months. And though the government considered releasing her at the end of the term, it said it did not have a choice but to put her on trial after she met with an American visitor in her home.

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Ahmadinejad denies calling for Facebook ban

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday he did not call for a ban on Facebook during the country’s presidential election. “I should make an inquiry and ask about this,” he said when asked about reports that his government blocked access to the online social networking site. He added, “I believe in maximum freedom of expression.” The hardline Iranian president made the comment in response to a question from CNN at a news conference

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