Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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Pro-democracy protesters watch a broadcast of the negotiations between representatives of government and student protesters beamed on a screen during an Occupy Central demonstration in the Mong Kok District of Hong Kong, China, 21 October 2014.

Hong Kong students, officials talk but don’t agree

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Oct 21, 2014 | World

Hong Kong, AP—Hong Kong student leaders and government officials talked but agreed on little Tuesday as the city’s Beijing-backed leader reaffirmed his unwillingness to compromise on the key demand of activists camped in the streets now for a fourth week. Chief...

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South Sudan President Salva Kiir (L), Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete (C) and South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar (R) pose as they met for talks on October 20, 2014 in the northern Tanzanian tourist town of Arusha. (AFP Photo)

South Sudanese factions make progress on political agreement: sources

by Mustafa Sirri | Oct 21, 2014 | Middle East

London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Rival South Sudan’s political factions agreed on Tuesday that the country should adopt a federal system of government, one day after signing a framework agreement in the Tanzanian city of Arusha which aims to resolve the political crisis...

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People wait to buy fuel at a petrol station in Cairo, on July 6, 2014. (REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

Egypt plans cash benefits in early 2015 to offset subsidy cuts: minister

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Oct 21, 2014 | Business

Cairo, Reuters—Egypt will introduce two new cash benefits early next year as part of government efforts to minimize the impact of subsidy cuts on the poor, a government minister said. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s government raised fuel prices by up to 78...

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A Houthi Shi’ite rebel mans a machine gun mounted on a military truck in Sana’a, Yemen, on October 20, 2014.
(AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Saudi Arabia calls for restraint in Yemen as Houthis continue advance

by Arafat Madabish | Oct 21, 2014 | Middle East

Jeddah and Sana’a, Asharq Al-Awsat—Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers on Monday urged Yemen’s warring factions to work towards reconciliation, as the Shi’ite Houthi movement continued its push across the country, taking control of Hajjah Governorate on...

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The late Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani speaks during a biannual meeting of Iran’s Assembly of Experts in Tehran, on MArch 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

Iranian cleric’s death leaves gap in key power body

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Oct 21, 2014 | Middle East

Ankara, Reuters—The head of Iran’s top clerical body has died after lying in a coma for months, leaving a gap in the only institution that has the authority to elect and dismiss the country’s Supreme Leader. The death of 83-year-old Ayatollah Mohammad Reza...