-
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
South East Asia
Cambodian opposition claims 1.3 million voters unable to vote on general election
Leaders of Cambodia’s main opposition party reiterated Wednesday that they did not recognize the results of Sunday’s general election, in which the ruling party of longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen won a slim majority. According to the initial unofficial results, the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) of Hun Sen won the…
Read More » -
West Asia
Egypt’s interim gov’t orders police to break up protests by Morsi supporters
Protesters holding sticks and wearing helmets and makeshift body armor stand behind mounds of sandbags, tires and brick walls. They change guards every two hours to ensure they stay alert. With Egypt’s military-backed government signaling a crackdown is imminent, supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi are taking no chances…
Read More » -
West Asia
UN experts to investigate three alleged chemical weapons attacks in Syria
U.N. experts will travel to Syria as soon as possible to investigate three alleged incidents of chemical weapons attacks, the United Nations announced Wednesday. U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said the green light for the investigation followed “the understanding reached with the government of Syria” during last week’s visit to Damascus…
Read More » -
South Asia
Ruling party-nominated Mamnoon Hussain elected as Pakistan’s new President
Pakistani lawmakers elected a textile businessman who briefly served as the governor of southern Sindh province as the country’s next president Tuesday, the election commission chief said, a result that was widely expected. The election of Mamnoon Hussain, nominated by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N party, followed a late night…
Read More »