 |  | The French and German economies unexpectedly grew by 0.3% in the second quarter of 2009, ending their recessions. |
| Taiwan calls for international technical help as it struggles to rescue thousands of people stranded after a typhoon. | | Hurricanes in the Atlantic are more frequent than at any time in the last 1,000 years, according to research. |
![[insert caption here]](http://www.voanews.com/english/images/photosdotcomeurocurrencyeconomybusinesseuros210.jpg)
Recession Eases in Europe; Germany, France Resume Growth
GDP grew three-tenths of a percent during second quarter in Germany and France - a sharp improvement over earlier declines
Roadside Bombs Kill At least 14 in Afghanistan
One bomb ripped through a vehicle in the Gereshk district of Helmand province, killing 11 members of one family
Taiwan Sends More Soldiers to Rescue Typhoon Survivors
Dozens of helicopters have been deployed to the region to airlift the survivors, who have been stranded since roads and bridges were destroyed by floods and mudslides
India Steps Up Measures to Control Spread of Swine Flu 
Government warns against hoarding face masks, flu drugs as death toll from H1N1 virus reaches 20
Obama Tries to Regain Momentum in Health Care Debate
Polls show public support for Mr. Obama's push for health-care reform has weakened in recent weeks
| QUOTE OF THE DAY | |
 |  I deplore the ongoing persecution of a democratically elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, for almost a quarter of a century.  — Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. |
10,000 Villagers Forcibly Relocated in Shan State: Rights Groups |
| By WAI MOE |
| The Burmese army has recently forced 10,000 people in central Shan State to leave their villages and torched more than 500 homes, according to rights groups. |
Tension Mounts at Three Pagodas Pass |
| By LAWI WENG |
| Junta troops prepare to attack the Karen National Liberation Army at Three Pagodas Pass. |
Suu Kyi Verdict: Reaction Divided |
| By SIMON ROUGHNEEN |
| The reaction of Western and Asean countries to the further detention of Aung San Suu Kyi follows the general positions established in the run-up to the verdict. |
India Urges Burma to ‘Expedite’ Political Reform |
| By ARKAR MOE |
| India has reacted to the conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi with a statement urging the Burmese regime to “expedite” political reform and the process of national reconciliation. |
Indonesia Bans Meeting of Exiled Burmese Activists |
| By ANTHONY DEUTSCH |
| Indonesia's government has stopped a group of exiled Burmese opposition activists from holding a conference in the country, a day after the president voiced support for "credible" elections in the military dictatorship. |
Did Black Magic Play a Role in Suu Kyi Trial Verdict? |
| By THE IRRAWADDY |
| Reporters and some diplomats who followed the Aung San Suu Kyi trial and attended the final session are asking—and not only in jest— whether the ruling generals used voodoo or black magic to influence the verdict. |
NLD protests court verdict on Aung San Suu Kyi
The National League for Democracy (NLD) reacted sharply in a statement on Wednesday to the court’s sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi to three years in prison with hard labour......Radio Australia to launch new Burmese service
In an attempt to promote Freedom of the Press and provide Burmese people with information, Radio Australia will launch a Burmese service programme. Mark Hemetsberger, Marketing...Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada
11 August 2009
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the Burmese regime’s decision to sentence Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to 18 months house arrest:
“Canada strongly condemns the Burmese regime’s decision to sentence Aung San Suu Kyi to a further 18 months house arrest.
“This decision is clearly not in accordance with the rule of law: the charges laid against her were baseless and her trial did not come close to meeting international standards of due process. Her continued detention is unwarranted, unjustified, and vindictive.
“Canada believes the Burmese regime has manufactured an excuse to keep Aung San Suu Kyi in detention to ensure she will not be able to participate in the proposed 2010 elections. This is just the latest evidence that this regime is not serious about pursuing legitimate democratic elections in Burma. Canada calls for the regime to unconditionally free all political prisoners and allow all citizens, including opposition groups, to freely participate in the electoral process.
“Canada is appalled by the ongoing repressive actions of the Burmese regime and its continued disregard for the fundamental freedoms and basic human rights of the people of Burma. We have imposed the toughest sanctions in the entire world against the regime to protest its treatment of its people. We are proud to have conferred honorary Canadian citizenship on Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition of her ongoing struggle to promote freedom and democracy in Burma.
“We will continue to stand with the people of Burma and insist that their human rights be respected and their voices heard.”
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