Myanmar: 153 Chinese Get Life in Prison

CRACKDOWN

Updated Apr. 14, 2017 10:27AM EDT / Published Jul. 23, 2015 12:17AM EDT

Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters

A Myanmar court sentenced 153 Chinese nationals to life in prison for illegal logging, officials said Wednesday. A woman was also given an additional 15 years for drug possession and two 17-year-old boys were sentenced to 10-year jail terms. The Chinese nationals were arrested in January in a crackdown on illegal logging near the Chinese border. The group contends they were tricked by criminals into the logging. Beijing is "highly concerned" over the severe sentences, asking Myanmar to "take every factor into account and properly handle the case," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said. Life sentences in Myanmar typically last about 20 years, the AP reported.

Read it at Radio Free Asia

R.F.K. Jr.’s Old Environmental Pals Tell Him to Get Lost

“His actions are a betrayal to our environment,” the candidate’s former mentor said of him.

Iconic Hotel From ‘The Shining’ Goes Up in Flames

Crews responded late Thursday night to an attic fire at the famous Oregon lodge.

John Cleese Cancels His Own Cancel Culture Show

The “Monty Python” star has stalled the show for three years.

Susan Sarandon Joins Protesters at Columbia University

“Especially in a place of education, and supposedly higher thought, to be attacked with racism and intolerance is not acceptable,” the actress said.

New Deets Surface on Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer’s Beef

Despite the two being bitter rivals, Sawyer also conceded, “We spent a lot of time laughing and forging a real friendship.”

Stock Slips After Netflix Stops Sharing Subscriber Numbers

Despite a strong first quarter, investors were seemingly rattled by the company’s decision to stop reporting their favorite metric.

A D.C. ‘Skinny’ Home Is Listed for $600K—It’s 6 Feet Wide

A change in zoning laws forced the owners to put their building plans on a serious diet.

Ethics Panel Wants to Know if Gaetz Got High at Parties: ABC

The House committee has reportedly obtained a woman’s statement claiming the Republican attended an event where drugs were present.

Myanmar: 153 Chinese Get Life in Prison

Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters