censorship
or to deny people opportunities.
World News from the BBC
State television in Syria has reported that the authorities have reached an agreement with the Arab League over ending violence in the suppression of anti-government protests, but the claim has been denied by the Arab League. Jon Leyne reports.
The Arab League has been proposing a plan under which the Syrian government would withdraw its forces from the streets and start a new dialogue with the opposition in an attempt to end months of violence. Syrian state TV says agreement has been reached on the plan, though it has not confirmed the details. But the Arab League has
categorically
denied that. The Deputy Secretary General Ahmed Ben Helli said Syria's response was still awaited and most probably would be presented in Cairo on Wednesday. Syrian opposition activists are deeply sceptical. They believe that without tanks on the streets President Assad would rapidly lose control of his country.
Three Pakistani cricketers - the former captain Salman Butt, and the fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir - have been convicted of involvement in a betting
scam
. A court in London found they had arranged for
no-balls
to be bowled at certain times during a Test match in England last year. A former head of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Shahryar Khan, said he felt mortified by the players' behaviour.
"It has left me very humiliated because Pakistan, as you know, cricket represents Pakistan in a very major way. And it reflects so badly not only on the cricket but on our society."