News of the Day (July 26)

From the China Support Network: The parent org praises Congress for passing three anti-Communist resolutions, then calls on the legislature to move past symbolism to concrete measures for freedom in China.

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Between Heaven and Earth notes the filing of criminal complaints against two Communist doctors for torture. The Korea Liberator calls for the confirmation of Ambassador John Bolton (which this corner also endorses), reviews the candidates for the next Chair of the House Int'l Relations Committee (this quarter would prefer Ros-Lehtinen or Smith), has the latest on three Korean refugees in Shenyang, and finds that South Korean dovishness may be reaching its limits.

More on the Communists' Korean colony: The idea that upcoming ASEAN talks "can kick-start negotiations on the North Korean nuclear stand-off" (BBC) is growing stale. Daily NK reveals a Stalinist "life education" propaganda session.

Enlightened Comment of the Day: William R. Hawkins wins again, this time with his Washington Times column on how Communist China uses the United Nations to stymie the U.S. in the Middle East.

Communist observer killed in Lebanon: An Israeli air strike accidentally hit a U.N. observation post in Lebanon, killing four U.N. observers, including one from Communist China. Israel expressed "deep sorrow" (Voice of America via Epoch Times) over the deaths; Communist China issued some vituperative rhetoric (BBC).

More on Communist China and the Middle East: Israeli Major General Amos Yadlin "told Israeli lawmakers that Syria was funneling payments of $100 million per year to Hezbollah that originated from Iran" (Newsmax). While Israel contemplates expanding the war to Syria (or to be precise, how to avoid doing so), the other Communist ally supporting Hezbollah - the Iranian mullahcracy - threatens "a hurricane" for Israel (Newsmax). Meanwhile, Macleans reports a very promising development - U.S. support for anti-mullah forces in Iran.

More on Communist China and the United States: The Communist China-Communist Cuba oil drilling venture off the Florida coast (fifth item) is underway (Newsmax). Tom Pickering and Frank Wisner, both former U.S. ambassadors to India, joins this quarter in endorsing the U.S.-India nuclear deal (Washington Times). Meanwhile, the Indian people are looking at Israel's response to terrorism with envy (The New Republic).

Guizhou reporter beaten to death by Communist police: Police in Guizhou province beat Anshun reporter Xiao Guopeng to death last week (Boxun), a murder condemned by Reporters Without Borders.

Zhao Yan verdict delayed again: The trial of New York Times researcher Zhao Yan - who had charges against him dropped, then new charges brought against him (see second, sixth, tenth, and ninth items) - continues to be in a holding pattern. Zhao's attorney, Mo Shaoping, was told there would be no verdict any time soon (Washington Post).