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South Asia
Indian women pray for longetivity of their husbands at Vat Savitri festival
Hindu married women perform rituals around a Banyan tree during the festival of Vat Savitri in Ahmadabad, India, Sunday, June 23, 2013. Vat Savitri is celebrated on a full moon day where women tie cotton threads around a banyan tree and pray for the longevity of their husbands. <AP Photo/NEWSis/Ajit…
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South Asia
Hundreds dead, 50 thousands still stranded from floods in northern India
Indian government Thursday intensified rescue and relief operations in the northern state of Uttarakhand, where hundreds are believed to have been killed by a massive flooding caused by an early monsoon, said government officials. Hundreds of pilgrims were evacuated by choppers from a 1,000- year-old old Hindu holy site, the…
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South Asia
Dissent follows Nepal’s election date announcement
Kathmandu – Almost three months after its formation, the election interim government of Nepal has decided to hold the Constituent Assembly (CA) election on November 19. The announcement of the poll date has ended the uncertainty about the second CA elections in this tiny Himalayan country. The key parties have already…
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South Asia
Death toll from Monsoon flooding in northern India surpasses 120
Monsoon flooding that has stranded thousands of people and caused landslides in northern India has killed almost 120 people, and the prime minister said the toll could rise substantially. The torrential rain and landslides since Sunday have stranded pilgrims at four revered Hindu shrines, washed away bridges and roads and…
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South Asia
UN special envoy Angelina Jolie speaks with Syrian refugee in Jordanian camp
Afghan refugee girls walk on a street on the eve of World Refugee Day in northwest Pakistan’s Peshawar, June 19, 2013. There are 1.65 million registered Afghans currently living in Pakistan. Since 2002, UNHCR’s voluntary repatriation program has assisted more than 3.8 million Afghan refugees to return home. <Xinhua/NEWSis/Umar Qayyum>…
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South Asia
Indian farmers protest against gov’t decision on Special Investment Region
An Indian farmer shouts slogans during a protest rally in Gandhinagar, 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Ahmadabad, India, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Protesters mainly farmers railed against the Gujarat government’s decision to develop Mandal-Becharaji as Special Investment Region (SIR). <AP Photo/NEWSis/Ajit Solanki> Indian women shout slogans during a protest…
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South Asia
Hindu devotees celebrate Ganga Dussehra, worship of River Ganges
An Indian Hindu devotee offers prayers at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna the mythical Saraswati, in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Hindus across the country are celebrating Ganga Dussehra, devoted to the worship of the River Ganges. <AP Photo/NEWSis/Rajesh Kumar Singh> Hindu devotees take holy dips…
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East Asia
Chinese film festival opens in New Delhi, India
Chinese Hollywood actor Jackie Chan talks during a press conference at the opening of the Chinese film festival, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. <AP Photo/NEWSis/Manish Swarup> Actor Jackie Chan attends the news conference of the Chinese film festival in New Delhi, India, on June. 18, 2013. The…
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South Asia
Bomb blast hits funeral gathering in Pakistan killing over 20
At least 29 people including a member of provincial assembly were killed and 57 others injured in a bomb blast that targeted a funeral gathering in Pakistan’s northwestern district of Mardan on Tuesday, local media and officials said. According to regional police chief Jaffar Khan, the incident took place when…
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South Asia
US-Taliban to hold talks on ending Afghan war
The Taliban and the U.S. said Tuesday they will hold talks on finding a political solution to ending nearly 12 years of war in Afghanistan, as the international coalition formally handed over control of the country’s security to the Afghan army and police. The Taliban met a key U.S. demand…
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