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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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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…
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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…
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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…
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