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South East Asia
Myanmar releases nearly 70 political prisoners as promised by President Sein
Myanmar started releasing nearly 70 political prisoners Tuesday, just days after the president promised during a European tour to free all who remain behind bars for opposing the government by the year’s end. The continued incarceration of prisoners of conscience in Myanmar, which is in the process of opening up…
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South East Asia
A bus and truck collision on busiest highway in Thailand kills 19 people
A double-decker passenger bus caught fire after colliding with a truck on one of Thailand’s busiest highways early Tuesday, killing 19 people and injuring 23, authorities said. The bus drivers and most of the passengers were stuck in the bus when it caught fire, police Lt. Assavathep Chantanaree said. The…
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South Asia
US Vice President Biden visits India to boost trade and regional security ties
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks in the Indian capital Tuesday as part of a renewed effort to strengthen ties between the two countries. The meeting came just weeks after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry came to India to lead a strategic…
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East Asia
At least 94 killed from 6.6-magnitude quake in China’s Gansu Province
An official from a provincial seismological bureau has called for accelerating the construction of quake-proof housing in northwest China’s Gansu Province, where a recent earthquake has killed at least 94 people. Most of the collapsed houses in Minxian County, which was hit hard by the quake, were earthen homes that could not withstand strong quakes,…
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East Asia
Japan joins US-led TPP negotiation as 12th member at trade talk held in Malaysia
Japan became the 12th member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations on Tuesday as it officially joined the ongoing free trade talks in Malaysia. The Japanese delegation of more than 100 officials was only able to join the 18th round of negotiations in Malaysia’s resort city of Kota Kinabalu after…
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South East Asia
Cambodian national election body rejects opposition leader’s bid to vote and run
Cambodia’s national election body on Monday rejected a late bid by the country’s opposition leader to register as a candidate and vote in the general election this coming weekend. The National Election Committee said in a letter to Sam Rainsy, head of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, that he had…
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West Asia
Supporters and opponents of Egypt’s ousted President Morsi clash in Cairo
Continued clashes between supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi killed at least four people on Monday, while interim leader Adli Mansour called for reconciliation among all Egyptians and a new beginning to the country’s future. “In Tahrir Square in Cairo, one was killed and 26 were injured…
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South East Asia
Thai people celebrate arrival of three-month retreat ‘Vassa’ with candles
Boats decorated with flowers sail on a canal in Ayutthaya province, Thailand, July 22, 2013. People celebrated the arrival of Vassa with candles and flowers on Monday in Thailand. This day is also called “Candle Festival” in English by foreigners. Vassa is the three-month annual retreat observed by monks and…
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South East Asia
Myanmarese devotees pour water on Buddha statue to celebrate Full Moon day
Buddhist devotees pour water on a Buddha statue at Shwedagon Pagoda during celebrations of the Full Moon day of Warso, the fourth month of Myanmar calendar, Monday, July 22, 2013, in Yangon, Myanmar. <AP Photo/NEWSis/Khin Maung Win> Buddhist devotees visit Shwedagon Pagoda during celebrations of the Full Moon day of…
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South East Asia
Philippine President Aquino III urges Congress to pass economic reform bills
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III urged Monday the Congress to immediately pass a number of economic bills that will help further improve the economy and continue with the reforms in the government. In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Aquino called on the Congress to pass the proposed…
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