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West Asia
US readies limited, unilateral military action on Syria as Britain opts out
President Barack Obama on Thursday prepared for the possibility of launching unilateral American military action against Syria within days as Britain opted out in a stunning vote by Parliament. Facing skepticism at home, too, the administration shared intelligence with lawmakers aimed at convincing them the Syrian government used chemical weapons…
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West Asia
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood leader denies ‘terrorism’ accusations
A fugitive leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood has denied accusations his group is committing acts of “terrorism” following the coup that toppled the country’s president. Mohammed el-Beltagy’s address, which aired Tuesday, comes as the Brotherhood plans new demonstrations to defy a crippling security crackdown that has put most of its…
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East Asia
US, allies ready to launch strikes on Syrian military assets within days
The Obama administration tried to bolster its case Tuesday for possible military action against Syria within days, with intelligence agencies preparing to release intercepted communications aimed at proving Bashar Assad perpetrated a large-scale chemical weapons attack on civilians. “There’s no doubt who is responsible for this heinous use of chemical…
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East Asia
Chinese President Xi visits Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries
Chinese President Xi Jinping will expound China’s foreign policy towards Central Asia in a speech he is scheduled to deliver in Kazakhstan. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping on Tuesday told a press briefing that Xi’s upcoming Central Asia visit, his first since taking office, is of great importance. Xi will pay state…
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South East Asia
Cambodian opposition calls for investigation of election irregularities
Cambodia opposition leader Sam Rainsy told thousands of supporters Monday that his party will stage massive protests around the country unless an independent committee begins investigating alleged irregularities in last month’s election. The rally of more than 10,000 people in the capital Phnom Penh took place as time is beginning…
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West Asia
UN investigates chemical attacks in Syria as US’s military action imminent
U.N. experts collected samples and testimony from Syrian doctors and victims of an alleged chemical weapons attack Monday following a treacherous journey through government and rebel-held territory, where their convoy was hit by snipers. As U.S. officials said there was very little doubt that Syria used chemical weapons and Western…
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East Asia
Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong visits China, meets with President Xi Jinping
Premier Li Keqiang said Monday that China and Singapore should strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields and bolster communication and coordination on international and regional issues. The development of bilateral relations and cooperation has brought about important benefits for both countries since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Li said…
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East Asia
Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong to make official visit to China next week
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will make an official visit to China from Sunday till next Saturday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Besides Beijing, Lee will also visit China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Liaoning Province, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. In Beijing, Prime Minister…
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West Asia
Syrian gov’t agrees to UN investigation on last week’s chemical weapons attack
Syria agreed Sunday to a U.N. investigation into last week’s alleged chemical weapons attack outside Damascus – a deal a senior White House official dismissed as “too late to be credible,” saying the United States has “very little doubt” President Bashar Assad’s forces used such weapons. The hardening of the…
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East Asia
Disgraced politician Bo Xilai stands on trial accused of power abuse, bribery
Trial resumed Friday for disgraced politician Bo Xilai a day after he fiercely denied taking $3.5 million in bribes from businessmen and cross-examined one of them with a lawyer’s precision. His unexpectedly spirited defense at the proceedings aimed at capping China’s biggest scandal in decades appeared to be a last-ditch…
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