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West Asia
Israel frees 26 Palestinian prisoners before long-stalled Mideast peace talks
A newly released Palestinian prisoner is greeted by his relatives and friends after his arrival at the presidential headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah on August 14, 2013. Twenty-six Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrived in the West Bank City of Ramallah and the Gaza Strip early Wednesday. <Xinhua/NEWSis>…
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East Asia
The Silk Road re-invented
Arabs – among other nations – travelled to the East in the past, by way of exploration. They were merchants in search of raw materials to earn their living, scholars in pursuit of knowledge, conquerors to spread religion and extend the boundaries of the emerging Islamic empire, or, as a…
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South Asia
Israel publishes name of 26 men to be freed before Israel-Palestine peace talks
Mustafa al-Haj expected to die in an Israeli prison for killing an American-born settler hiking in the West Bank in 1989. Now lights decorate his home to celebrate the planned release of the 45-year-old and more than 100 other Palestinian convicts in a deal that revived Mideast peace talks. While…
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South East Asia
Typhoon Utor, strongest globally this year slams northern Philippines
A powerful typhoon battered the northern Philippines on Monday, toppling power lines and dumping heavy rain across cities and food-growing plains. The storm left at least two people dead and 44 missing. Typhoon Utor, described as the strongest globally this year, slammed ashore in mountainous eastern Aurora province with sustained…
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South East Asia
Final but unratified Cambodian election results reaffirm victory of ruling party
Final but unratified Cambodian election results released Monday reaffirmed the victory of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, though the opposition said it would not accept the figures without an impartial probe of alleged electoral irregularities. The new figures announced by the National Election Committee are final pending any complaints filed…
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Central Asia
World’s first orbiting work of art etched into satellite to be launched on Oct 29
Officials in Glasgow, Scotland, pose in this recent photo with a satellite that will carry artwork created by Los Angeles artists Jon Gibson and Amanda White, not shown, in British company Clyde Space facility in Glasgow. Posing from left are Craig Clark of Clyde Space, Serkey Krutikov, consul general of…
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South Asia
India-Pakistan clashes along Kashmir border continue amid mounting tension
Pakistan accused Indian troops of shelling its territory along the disputed Kashmir border on Monday and killing a civilian, the latest in a series of allegations of cross-border attacks made by both sides over the past week. The resumption of violence along the border threatens to sabotage recent overtures by…
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South Asia
India launches first home-built aircraft carrier, bolstering naval capabilities
India has launched its first home-built aircraft carrier, marking another milestone in its efforts to bolster its maritime presence. Defense Minister A.K. Antony said Monday that India needs a strong navy to defend itself, and that it will press ahead with developing its maritime capabilities. India joins the U.S., Russia,…
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East Asia
Orange alert for severe flood issued in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province
Worst flood in two decades to hit NE China province HARBIN, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) — Worst flood in two decades is predicted to hit northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, authorities with the provincial hydrology bureau said Sunday. Orange alert for severe flood was issued on Saturday night as the water level…
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South Asia
Indian Hindu devotees attend ‘worship of snakes’ Nag Panchami festival
Indian Hindu devotees queue up to offer prayers at the Nag Vasuki Temple during the annual Nag Panchami festival, in Allahabad, India, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013. The festival is dedicated to the worship of snakes. <AP/NEWSis>
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