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‘Islam fund’ to be launched for SMEs
The government plans to join hands with sovereign wealth funds from the Middle East to launch private equity funds (PEF) to support small Korean companies seeking to advance into the rapidly-growing market. To that end, industry sources said the Korea Finance Corporation (KoFC), the state-run lender, is now in talks…
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East Asia
Afghan student builds up dream to be Korean diplomat
Fahim Nezam, 24, is pursuing an unusual dream: joining the Korean foreign service. Born in Afghanistan, Nezam arrived in Korea eight years ago. He followed his father, who was sent to work as a cook for the Afghan Embassy in Seoul. He now has a student visa, and is studying…
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West Asia
Tripartite Talks To Bring Peace In Syria Among Russia, UN, Arab League Ended In Disagreement
In this Sunday Nov. 4, 2012 photo, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, Arab League Secretary General Nabil Alaraby, center, and Lakhdar Brahimi, the U.N.-Arab League envoy to Syria, right, hold a late-night joint press conference, but they differed in their assessments, after talks in Cairo, Egypt. Brahimi called the…
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West Asia
An Afghan Worker Puts Finishing Touch On Carpet Which Used To Be Column Of Its Economy
An Afghan worker cuts carpet at a carpet factory in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Nov. 3, 2012. Carpet production is the column of Afghan economy. However, the export of carpet has significantly declined over the past couple of year due to lack of machinery and raw materials, according to the officials.…
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South Asia
Pakistani Students Attend Class Amid Gov’t Effort To Raise Literacy Rate To 60 Percent By 2015
Pakistani students attend a class at a public school in southwest Pakistan’s Quetta on Nov. 5, 2012. Pakistan ranks 113th among 120 countries regarding literacy rate, which is projected to reach 60 percent till 2015 from the existing 55 percent. <Xinhua/Iqbal Hussain>
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West Asia
Emirates Formula One Grand Prix Held At Yas Marina Racetrack In Abu Dhabi, UAE
McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain leads Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland, Williams driver Pastor Maldonado of Venezuela and Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain, during the Emirates Formula One Grand Prix, at the Yas Marina racetrack, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. <AP…
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West Asia
Kuwaiti Oppositionists Stage Violent Protest Against Gov’t Move To Amend Election Law
Opposition demonstrators gather in Mishref, Kuwait on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. Thousands of protestors marched on the 6th Ring Road Highway protesting a decree by the emir that amends the election law. Kuwait riot police used stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the crowds. Kuwait could bring further questions…
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West Asia
Election To Choose New Pope Of Egypt’s Ancient Christian Church Held In Cairo
In this Monday, Oct. 29, 2012 photo, Coptic Bishops pray prior to a press conference held to announce the three finalist candidates for the new Coptic Pope in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt’s ancient Coptic Christian church named a new pope on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 to spiritually guide the community through…
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West Asia
Italian PM Welcomed By Afghan President Upon His Arrival At Presidential Palace In Kabul
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, right, welcomes Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti after his arrival at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. Italy’s prime minister has pledged not to abandon Afghanistan in 2014, saying his country will “transform” its support but not leave altogether as foreign troops…
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West Asia
Syrians In Exile In Turkey Form National Council To Rule Syrian Areas Under Their Control
Mohammad al-Haj Ali (R), defected general from Syrian government army, addresses a press conference in Istanbul, Turkey, Oct. 31, 2012. More than 200 members of Syrian opposition groups issued a declaration Wednesday in Istanbul, promising “a general assembly” to rule the areas of Syria under their control. 121101) — ISTANBUL,…
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