Burmese junta threatens "extreme action", fires on demonstrators, as protests grow; Georgia accuses Russia of interference in Abkhazia...

27 September :: Reports emerge from Rangoon military junta has raided monasteries in effort to end pro-democracy rallies; UN Security Council has urged regime to meet with special envoy, China says it views Burma crisis as "internal affair"; reports suggest 70 monks were abducted from one monastery alone by security forces; junta has warned demonstrators to cease protests or face "extreme action"; today, on 10th day of demonstrations, reports from Rangoon suggest thousands of "very angry" ordinary citizens "spontaneously" began gathering to demand end to violence against monks; security forces have again opened fire on protesters in Rangoon... China, Russia have blocked UN Seceurity Concuil actions to condemn violence against civilians; Russia reportedly suggested it would use the logic of western powers to bring France before the Security Council next time there are riots or police violence there... Georgian pres. accuses Russian military of direct involvement in Abkhazia independence movement, says Russian officer was among militants killed in firefight in Abkhazia; Georgian gov't spokesman broadcast on BBC saying "Is there not enough territory in Russia, are there not enough forests in Russia for Russian officers to die in Russian territory and Russian forests?"... US defense sec. Gates says he is not pleased with regulation of private security firms in Iraq, has ordered a comprehensive investigation of their activities in Iraq... Bush to host 2-day meeting with world's most prolific carbon emitters (China, India, western Europe) to discuss possible terms for future greenhouse-gas controls; opponents warn they believe Bush may be seeking to stall global emissions regime or ensure that major powers support only voluntary limits; China, Russia have called for all future global regimes to be constructed through the UN... According to the NY Times, in an apparent move to stop pro-choice group communicating with its membership, "Last week, Verizon rejected a request from the abortion rights group Naral Pro-Choice America for a five-digit 'short code.' Such codes allow people interested in hearing from businesses, politicians and advocacy groups to sign up to receive text messages"; Verizon has since apologized, calling the refusal "incorrect", and granted the request...