August 20, 2009

News
Environment
Deaths, Lung Damage Linked to Nanoparticles in China
Reuters (via Yahoo! News), August 19, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090819/hl_nm/us_china_nanoparticles

Law
人大法工委副主任:"出现社会矛盾慎用刑事手段" (NPC Legislative Affairs Commission Vice Chairman Encourages Cautious Use of Criminal Penalties Where There Are Social Conflicts)
Southern Metropolis News, August 20, 2009
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/nfjx/200908200012.asp

中国律师执业存在三大难 (Three Major Obstacles in China's Legal Practitioners' Way)
Radio Free Asia, August 19, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/falv-08192009143836.html

中国行政强制法草案即将进入三审 (Third Review on the Law on Administrative Enforcement to soon Commence)
Radio Free Asia, August 19, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/xingzheng-08192009143256.html

Media
Web Tools Help Protect Human Rights Activists
Reuters, August 19, 2009
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE57I4IE20090819

Public Health
Children Sickened by Lead, Again
China Daily, August 20, 2009
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-08/20/content_8590382.htm

Lead Poisoning Stokes Tensions in Chinese Town
Associated Press (via Yahoo! News), August 19, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090820/ap_on_re_as/as_china_lead_poisoning/print

Related news:
湖南省武冈市文坪镇一家锰矿厂也出现铅污染事件 (Another Lead Poisoning Incident in Hunan)
Radio Free Asia, August 19, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/qianwuran-08192009153018.html

Protests and Petitions
Spy Camera Monitors Family, Woman Says
South China Morning Post, August 20, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=2960a1ca55333210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

China Bans Petitioners in Beijing
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 19, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8210047.stm

Related news:
中政委就加强和改进涉法涉诉信访工作意见答记者问 (CPC Central Political and Legislative Affairs Committee Representative Responds to Questions on the Opinions on Strengthening and Improving Petitioning Work Related to Law and Suits)
Xinhua News Agency, August 18, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2009-08/18/content_11904544.htm

中央政法委通知:各级政府采取措施 方便群众信访案件 (CPC Central Political and Legislative Affairs Committee: All Levels of Government to Take Measures to Facilitate Petition Cases)
Radio Free Asia, August 19, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/xinfang-08192009142736.html

State Security
Laigang Official Investigated in Rio Case
China Daily, August 19, 2009
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-08/19/content_8589672.htm