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West Asia
Iranian President appoints reformist politician Jahangiri as first Vice President
Iran’s new President Hassan Rouhani appointed reformist politician Eshaq Jahangiri as his first vice president, Press TV reported Monday. Jahangiri, 56, was Iran’s former minister of industries and mines in the administration of ex-reformist President Mohammad Khatami from 1997 to 2005. Rouhani referred to Jahangiri’s “competence and his successful track…
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West Asia
Israel cabinet approves expansion of 600 ‘National Priority Area’ list
The Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved a list of more than 600 communities to receive preferential treatment and economic benefits, including nine settlements in the West Bank territories, a statement from prime minister’s office said. The list of “National Priority Area,” declared by the government, is a list of communities…
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South East Asia
Thousands of Thai people protest against Yingluck government’s ‘Thaksin rule’
Thailand’s capital braced Sunday for possible unrest in the week ahead, with street protests expected over moves in parliament that could eventually lead to a pardon for ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. As many as 2,000 protesters calling themselves the People’s Army Against the Thaksin Regime turned up Sunday for…
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East Asia
Yi ethnic group celebrates Torch Festival in southwest China’s Baoshang Village
A man of Yi ethnic group attends an activity celebrating the Torch Festival in Baoshang Village of Longlin Autonomous County of All Nationalities, southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, July 31, 2013. The Torch Festival, which falls around the 24th day of the sixth Chinese lunar month every year, is…
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Politics
Defying US, Russia grants whistleblower Snowden temporary asylum
Defying the United States, Russia granted Edward Snowden temporary asylum on Thursday, allowing the National Security Agency leaker to slip out of the Moscow airport where he has been holed up for weeks in hopes of evading espionage charges back home. The 30-year-old former NSA contractor now has plenty of…
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South East Asia
Thailand’s 85-year-old King Bhumibol leaves hospital and returns to palace
Thailand’s 85-year-old king on Thursday left the Bangkok hospital where he lived for the past four years and returned to his seaside palace with the queen. King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit traveled by car to Klai Kangwon Palace in the town of Hua Hin, where they lived before the…
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South Asia
“Over our dead bodies!” Morsi supporters defy to police warning to end sit-ins
Egypt’s military-backed government offered protection Thursday to supporters of deposed President Mohammed Morsi who end their two sit-ins – widely seen as a first step toward dispersing the vigils on opposite sides of Cairo. But the protesters responded defiantly: “Over our dead bodies!” The standoff underscored the ongoing political crisis…
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China-Malaysia vow to boost cooperation on basis of bilateral achievements
China, Malaysia hail cooperation, pledge deeper ties China and Malaysia vowed to further boost relations and cooperation on the basis of bilateral achievements made in recent years. During his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said despite progress in all-round cooperation, bilateral…
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South Asia
Pakistani PM Sharif asks US Secretary of State Kerry to stop drone strikes
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (R) meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan. Pakistan on Thursday asked the visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to stop drone strikes in the country’s tribal regions. ISLAMABAD, Aug. 1, 2013 <Xinhua/NEWSis> Secretary of…
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Recent democratic developments in Georgia
*Editor’s Note: In view of democracy and human rights, Georgia has made considerable progress since the ‘Rose Revolution.’ The political system in Georgia is in transition to a well-formed, crystalized society, with frequent adjustments to the balance of power between the President and Parliament. The following article on the recent…
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