Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Media ID: 55335068
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A handout picture released by the Egyptian Presidency shows Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi (R) meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt on August 3, 2014. (AFP Photo/Egyptian Presidency Handout)

Sisi to pay state visit to Russia: sources

by Ahmad Al-Ghamrawi | Aug 5, 2014 | Middle East

Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat—Preparations are currently underway for Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to pay a state visit to Moscow in the near future, sources told Asharq Al-Awsat Monday. Sources in Egypt with knowledge of the preparation, speaking on condition of...

Media ID: 55335066
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A column of Israeli tanks leave the Gaza Strip on 5 August, 2014. (EPA/Atef Safadi)

Israel withdraws troops, 72-hour Gaza truce begins

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Aug 5, 2014 | Middle East

Gaza/Cairo/Jerusalem, Reuters—Israel pulled its ground forces out of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday and began a 72-hour truce with Hamas mediated by Egypt as a first step towards negotiations on a more enduring end to the month-old war. Minutes before the ceasefire started...

Media ID: 55335059
Caption:

Turkish women laugh during a yoga session in a public garden in protest against Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc, in Ankara, on August 2, 2014. (AFP PHOTO/ADEM ALTAN)

Opinion: Turkish Laughter

by Diana Moukalled | Aug 5, 2014 | Opinion

There is an infection that has a positive effect on those who follow a particular hashtag—#direnkahkaha (resist laughter)—on Twitter. At least that is what happened to me. Searching for this hashtag leads to pages full of images of Turkish women, smiling and full of...