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West Asia
A gateway for Syria solution
The Homs truce could be the gateway for a solution in Syria, despite some skepticism expressed by some people as opposition fighters make their way out of the troubled city following the deal brokered under United Nations sponsorship. Most skepticisms are fueled by questions about what is going to happen…
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West Asia
Qatar to end sponsorship system for expat workers – Doha unveils labor reforms but no timetable
DOHA: Qatar, host of the 2022 football World Cup, said yesterday it will abolish its controversial sponsorship system for foreign workers, whose treatment in the energy-rich state has stirred mounting international criticism. FIFA chief Sepp Blatter described the move as a “significant step,” but Amnesty International said it lacked substance…
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West Asia
President renames excellence award; VP says march towards Vision 2021 will continue
The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has ordered that the Emirates Government Service Excellence Award be renamed the Mohammed bin Rashid Government Excellence Award as a tribute to the outstanding role played by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of…
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West Asia
Yemen’s dire need for WOMENOMICS
In his speech at the 68th session of the U.N. General Assembly, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talked about many key issues that matter to the world, but what was more interesting for me personally was the interest he showed in empowering women in the economic sector―let’s call it, “womenomics.”…
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West Asia
Saudi Arabia’s desire to hold talks with Iran
Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal made an important announcement Tuesday when he said that he invited his Iranian counterpart and that he is ready to negotiate with him. This announcement signaled a change in Saudi Arabia’s policy toward Iran and came during US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s…
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East Asia
[Asia Round-up] It pays to be cautious about digital cash
The collapse of the bitcoin exchange MtGox tells a lot about both entrepreneurs and cyber buyers. Some US$450 million is said to have been lost from the debacle. The vision of inflation-less currency that can move easily and without cost between sender and receiver is an attractive one. But, one…
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South Asia
Love of the Arts: From Mumbai to Kuwait!
Director and writer Arif Kazi A few years ago, when I started my TV program “The Other,” which hosts non-Arab cultural figures to be introduced to an Arab audience, I met Mr. Arif Kazi for the first time. A mutual friend suggested him to be my guest for our new…
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South Asia
IMF says Pakistan economy on track but inflation looms
ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund said Saturday that Pakistan’s economic reform program remained broadly on track, but warned over rising inflation. Pakistan received a $6.7 billion IMF bailout package last year to help the country achieve economic reforms, particularly in its troubled energy sector. “The IMF is encouraged by the…
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West Asia
Graffiti in Jeddah, traditional Islamic city
A man walks by a graffiti on a wall in the old city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Friday, May 9, 2014. Jeddah has been a traditional hub for commerce along the Red Sea and the port of entry for many Muslims traveling to Mecca to perform the religious obligations for…
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East Asia
High Goals on Big Screens
Though soccer is considered the most famous sport around the globe, it’s still not presented well in movies. American football stole the spotlight, and it’s either documentaries or comedy movies like “She’s The Man” or “Shaolin Soccer”. Only recently those studios really started to do some real soccer movies. Recently,…
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