>><!--top1-->China<!--top1End--> - <!--top1Content-->Speaking in Thailand yesterday, President Bush denounced China's treatment of political dissidents and limitations put on the press and religion hours ahead of his arrival in Beijing. President Bush is in the middle of a seven-day trip to Asia, which also included a stop in South Korea and will culminate with his attendance at the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in China on Friday.<!--top1ContentEnd-->

>><!--top2-->Pakistan<!--top2End--> - <!--top2Content-->Pakistan's ruling coalition today agreed to initiated impeachment proceedings against President Musharraf, expected to begin next week in the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly. It is expected that Musharraf will be asked to call a vote of confidence, and, if he refuses, the impeachment will begin. In order to be impeached two-thirds of both the upper and lower houses would need to approve; Musharraf would be the first. It was also announced today that Prime Minister Yousaf Gilani will attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics Games, not Musharraf as previously planned.<!--top2ContentEnd-->

>><!--top3-->Mauritania<!--top3End--> - <!--top3Content-->A bloodless coup d'etat was executed in Mauritania on Wednesday by a group of senior military officers who arrested the president and the prime minister, the first democratically elected government in two decades. The coup directly followed the president's firing of the officers, some of whom were instrumental in the 2005 coup that led to President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi's election and were his supporters. The officers have committed to holding elections soon. The UN, U.S., EU, and AU all condemned the coup.<!--top3ContentEnd-->

• On the lighter side...
• Myanmar Three Months Later
• Tapping the diplomatic reservoir
• Day 4 @ Bellagio: Commitments to mHealth & the Magic of Bellagio
• UNMIL Action Photos

• http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4476593.ece#cid=...

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