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East Asia
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sends special envoy to China
After months of ignoring Chinese warnings to give up nuclear weapons, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a high-level confidant to Beijing on Wednesday, in a possible effort to mend strained ties with his country’s most important ally and a sign that he may be giving diplomacy a chance.…
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West Asia
‘Friends of Syria’ meeting: US, allies to increase support to Syrian rebels
The United States and its European and Arab allies on Wednesday said they would increase support to rebels until the formation of a transitional government in Syria. In a communique issued by “Friends of Syria” meeting, the foreign ministers of the United States, several Arab and European states said that…
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North Korea sanctions threaten humanitarian aid group
Aid agencies helping millions of people in North Korea could be forced to pull out after a Chinese bank cut ties with main foreign exchange bank, a humanitarian group said on May 22. The freeze – imposed amid growing concern over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions – has made it impossible…
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South Asia
Afghan President meets Indian counterpart to seek military aid
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, right, listens to Afghan President Hamid Karzai during a meeting at the Indian Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Karzai is meeting with Indian leaders and is expected to seek increased military aid from India. India has invested more than $2 billion…
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West Asia
US Secretary of State Kerry meets Omani Sultan to discuss Syria plan
Secretary of State John Kerry headed back to the Middle East on Monday to press his case for peace talks between Syrian rebels and President Bashar Assad’s regime amid increasing signs the new U.S. strategy to halt the war is being undermined by Russia. Kerry will first have discussions with…
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West Asia
8 candidates determined for June 14 Iranian presidential election
Iran’s election overseers removed potential wild-card candidates from the presidential race Tuesday, blocking a top aide of outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and a former president who revived hopes of reformers. Their exclusion from the June 14 presidential ballot gives establishment-friendly candidates a clear path to succeed Ahmadinejad, who has lost…
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Politics
Asia-Pacific leaders warn of water conflict threat
Fierce competition for water could trigger conflict unless nations cooperate to share the diminishing resource, leaders from Asia-Pacific nations warned on May 20 at a regional water security forum. From Central to Southeast Asia, regional efforts to secure water have sparked tensions between neighbors reliant on rivers to sustain booming…
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South East Asia
Cambodia’s opposition demands reforms ahead of July election
Kem Sokha (1st L Front), vice-president of Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), the kingdom’s main opposition party, attends a protest rally in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 20, 2013. CNRP held a peaceful protest on Monday to demand election reforms ahead of a general election in July. <Xinhua/Li Hong> Cambodia’s main…
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South East Asia
President Obama vows US support as Myanmar’s President Sein visits
President Barack Obama told Myanmar’s president during a long-awaited White House visit that he appreciates the leader’s efforts to lead the Asian country on its long, and sometimes difficult, path to democracy and assured him of U.S. support. Former general Thein Sein was the first president of Myanmar to visit…
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East Asia
China and India to make new engine of world economy
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits India and meets with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh China and India are both willing and able to foster new highlights in cooperation among Asian countries and make new engine of the world economy, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday. “The two countries…
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