Tuesday, July 15, 2008

CHINA

Hundreds of migrant workers attacked a police station in eastern China after one was allegedly beaten while trying to get a residence permit, highlighting enduring tensions between temporary workers and authorities.

The three days of unrest in coastal Zhejiang province began Thursday when a crowd gathered in front of the Kanmen town police station to protest the treatment of the beaten worker, with some demonstrators throwing rocks at officers, the official New China News Agency said Monday.

Malaysian police locked down Parliament with roadblocks and heavy security Monday to prevent opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and his supporters from attending a key debate.

Political tensions heightened as Anwar refused to allow himself to be questioned by police over accusations that he sodomized a male aide. Anwar, who had offered to meet the police voluntarily, said he will now submit himself to interrogation only if served with a legal order.

President Nicolas Sarkozy pinned the Legion of Honor -- France's highest award -- on former hostage Ingrid Betancourt on Monday, praising her courage and saying, "We love you."

The 46-year-old Betancourt, who holds Colombian-French nationality, spent six years in the hands of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebel group. Colombian soldiers freed her and 14 other hostages in a daring operation July 2.

Sarkozy presented the award on Bastille Day at a garden party at the presidential Elysee Palace to mark France's national day. "We're happy to have found you again," the French leader said.

From News Services