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West Asia
Egyptian gov’t demands ousted President supporters to end to pro-Morsi sit-ins
Egypt’s government on Wednesday demanded an end to sit-ins staged by supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi after foreign mediation failed. The government did not change its decision to end the sit-ins at the Rabia al-Adawiya Square in Cairo and Nahda Square in Giza, where Morsi’s supporters have been protesting…
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South Asia
Indian army says 5 Indian soldiers killed from Pakistani troops’ fire in Kashmir
India’s army says five of its soldiers were killed and another wounded when Pakistani troops fired at a patrol near the cease-fire line in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir on Tuesday. The incident could threaten recent overtures aimed at resuming peace talks between the nuclear-armed rivals. The military called…
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West Asia
Car bomb attacks targeting markets in and near Baghdad kills over 30
A wave of bombings, mainly targeting markets in and near Baghdad, killed 36 people on Tuesday, officials said, the latest in a surge of violence that has gripped Iraq. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, meanwhile, vowed to defeat “terrorists” behind the relentless attacks and chase them out of the battered country.…
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West Asia
Iran ready for serious and swift talks over nuclear program, President Rouhani says
Iran is ready for “serious” and swift talks with world powers over its controversial nuclear program, the country’s new president said Tuesday, echoing his own earlier calls for a better dialogue with the West. The remarks by Hasan Rouhani came at his first news conference as Iran’s president. The moderate…
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West Asia
Turkish former military chief and 18 politicians, journalists get life sentence
In a landmark trial, scores of people – including Turkey’s former military chief, politicians and journalists – were convicted on Monday of plotting to overthrow Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government soon after it came to power in 2002. Retired Gen. Ilker Basbug was the most prominent defendant among some…
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West Asia
Iranian President appoints reformist politician Jahangiri as first Vice President
Iran’s new President Hassan Rouhani appointed reformist politician Eshaq Jahangiri as his first vice president, Press TV reported Monday. Jahangiri, 56, was Iran’s former minister of industries and mines in the administration of ex-reformist President Mohammad Khatami from 1997 to 2005. Rouhani referred to Jahangiri’s “competence and his successful track…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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West Asia
[Novel] The Road to Shamawes ⑮
[23] When Hisham left the café he looked a different person. Omar’s amusing anecdotes and jokes, bold views and sarcastic words, Terter’s hookah smoke, cardamon-added coffee, the crowded café noise made Hisham forget or ignore the person he invited to see, Omar. He doesn’t regard himself as spoilt as he…
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