UN expresses concern about Suu Kyi; EU adopts more sanctions

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday expressed "serious concern" over the conviction of Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi while the European Union adopted additional sanctions against the nation. “The members of the Security Council express serious concern at the conviction and sentencing of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and its political impact,” John Sawers of Britain, Security Council president for the month of August, told reporters

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Senate confirms Sotomayor for Supreme Court

Judge Sonia Sotomayor, who rose from the housing projects of the Bronx to the top of the legal profession, made history Thursday when the Senate confirmed her to become the nation’s first Hispanic Supreme Court justice. Sotomayor was easily confirmed in a 68-31 vote.

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What’s Behind Japan’s Love Affair with Robots?

If Japanese engineers had their way, we might soon be cheering on a robotic World Series. Every year or two, Japanese researchers roll out a new robotic invention — the latest to grab headlines earlier this month was a mechanized baseball duo of a batter and pitcher that can throw 90% of its pitches in the strike zone

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China has more than 13 million abortions a year

The number of abortions performed in China each year tops 13 million, with inadequate knowledge of contraception playing a major role in the annual tally, state-run media reported. “Sex education needs to be strengthened, with universities and our society giving more guidance,” Li Ying, a professor at Peking University, told China Daily.

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Iran’s supreme leader issues warning to opposition

Iran’s supreme leader warned the political opposition Monday not to "direct the society toward insecurity." “You are being tested. And failing this test will not only mean your failure, it would also mean your fall,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in his remarks to leaders, according to text released by the government-run Islamic Republic News Agency.

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Money pours back into China; GDP rises

China moved closer to its goal of 8 percent annual growth, as the nation recorded a record jump in foreign currency reserves. China’s foreign exchange reserves hit a record $2.13 trillion at the end of June, according to the People’s Bank of China. The world’s largest holder of foreign cash — mostly U.S

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