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Morsi, judges to hold Egypt crisis talks

Egyptian protesters clash with security forces, not pictured, near Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012. President Mohammed Morsi edicts, which were announced on Thursday, place him above oversight of any kind, including that of the courts. AP

CAIRO: Egypt’s Islamist President Mohamed Morsi was to meet with senior judges on Monday in a bid to defuse a crisis that erupted after he assumed sweeping new powers, sparking strikes and deadly protests. The crisis talks, on the eve of rival rallies which threaten to deepen the country’s divisions, come a day after a member of his party was killed in …

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Israel Defense Minister Barak quits politics

Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak speaks during a news conference in Tel Aviv November 26, 2012. Barak, a main architect of israel's policy towards Iran's nuclear programme, said in a surprise announcement on Monday that he was quitting politics and would not run in the January 22 national election. REUTERS/Nir Elias

JERUSALEM: Israel’s Defence Minister Ehud Barak said on Monday he was quitting politics, a surprise decision that deepens uncertainty over how Israel will confront Iran’s nuclear programme. Barak’s political fortunes appeared to be on the rise after Israel’s eight-day offensive in the Gaza Strip ended in a truce, but polls predicted his centrist party, a junior partner in right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, would win …

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Beirut Marathon runners set off despite downpour

The 2011 marathon, in warmer conditions.

BEIRUT: Rain fell in waves and thunder cracked as the annual Beirut Marathon got under way early Sunday, with a slightly depressed turnout thanks to the weather. Those who did show up for the marathon or other races were undeterred, however. Over 33,000 people registered for the race, but the rain and rivers of water they caused in the streets clearly kept …

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Pedrosa wins pole at Valencia GP in record time

MotoGP Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedrosa from Spain rides his motorbike during the qualifying practice session for Sunday's Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Cheste near Valencia, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (AP Photo/ Fernando Hernandez)

VALENCIA, Spain: Dani Pedrosa of Spain won pole position at the Valencia Grand Prix on Saturday, setting a track record for qualifying with a fastest lap of 1 minute, 30.844 seconds. Pedrosa steered his Honda around the 4-kilometer (2.48-mile) Comunitat Valenciana circuit with a last flying lap to claim his 24th career pole in MotoGP. Recently crowned world MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo will start Sunday’s race from second place, with retiring two-time …

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No blasphemy clause in new Tunisia constitution: speaker

No blasphemy clause in new Tunisia constitution: speaker

TUNIS: A key proposal by Tunisia’s ruling Islamist party to outlaw blasphemy in the new constitution, which stoked fears of creeping Islamisation, is to be dropped from the final text, Assembly speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar told AFP. The agreement to drop the clause follows negotiations between the three parties in the ruling coalition and must still be approved by the …

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Jordan’s King Abdullah sets up constitutional court

Jordan's King Abdullah sets up constitutional court

AMMAN: King Abdullah II of Jordan has as part of his reform initiatives set up a constitutional court comprising nine members, according to a royal decree published on Sunday. The court, the first of its kind in the kingdom, will be the only one authorised to verify that laws comply with the constitution, the decree states. It is chaired by …

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Israeli, Palestinian leaders to make rival U.N. pitches

Palestine's President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 66th United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York, September 23, 2011. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)

UNITED NATIONS: Israeli and Palestinian leaders will address the United Nations on Thursday, one warning of a dire threat from Iran and the other seeking limited recognition in the absence of a peace process. On a more optimistic note, the U.N. General Assembly will also hear from Myanmar leader Thein Sein, who has presided over historic reforms after decades of …

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U.S. actress sues anti-Islam filmmaker, YouTube in federal court

Cindy Lee Garcia attends a news conference outside her attorney's office after a court hearing in Los Angeles, California September 20, 2012. (Reuters/Bret Hartman)

LOS ANGELES: An actress who said she was duped into appearing in an anti-Islam film that stoked violent protests across the Muslim world took her legal bid to federal court on Wednesday in a renewed effort to force it off YouTube. The lawsuit filed by Cindy Lee Garcia names the popular online video site YouTube and its parent company Google …

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Watch: Knives Out 3 Teaser Trailer: Daniel Craig Tackles the Impossible Crime

Audiences have now been given a preview of the highly anticipated third installment of the Knives Out series, with Daniel Craig confirmed to return as detective Benoit Blanc. The upcoming film, once again helmed by writer-director Rian Johnson, continues the franchise’s tradition of centering around intricate mystery narratives and ensemble casts. In this new chapter, Craig reprises his role as …

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Paris Erupts as PSG Clinch First-Ever Champions League Title

Supporters of Paris Saint-Germain filled the streets of the French capital on Saturday evening following the club’s decisive 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final held in Munich. The win, marking PSG’s first-ever European title, sparked massive gatherings across Paris, particularly around iconic locations such as the Champs-Élysées and the Parc des Princes stadium, where around …

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Operation “Web”: Ukraine Claims 40 Russian Jets Hit, Nearly 400 Drones Downed – What we know?

On Sunday, June 1, Ukraine launched a coordinated aerial operation aimed at crippling Russian long-range aviation capabilities, striking multiple air bases across Russia in one of the war’s most extensive drone campaigns to date. The operation, known as Operation Spider’s Web, was carried out by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and comes just ahead of ceasefire discussions scheduled in Istanbul for …

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Saudi Foreign Minister to Make Historic Visit to West Bank

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan is set to make a landmark visit to the occupied West Bank on Sunday, marking the first official trip to the Palestinian territory by a Saudi foreign minister since its occupation by Israel in 1967. According to diplomatic sources, Prince Faisal will lead a delegation to Ramallah, reflecting an increased push from Riyadh …

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Iranian Foreign Minister Set for Lebanon Visit on Monday

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to arrive in Lebanon on Monday, according to a statement issued by Iran’s foreign ministry. The visit marks a high-level diplomatic engagement at a time when internal Lebanese debates and international negotiations involving Iran are drawing increased attention. The timing of Araghchi’s visit is notable as it aligns with intensifying political discourse within …

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At Least 22 Killed, 120 Injured by Israeli Fire Near US-Backed Gaza Aid Hub

At least 22 people were killed and more than 120 others were injured on Sunday when Israeli fire struck near an aid distribution center in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. The attack took place close to a U.S.-supported aid hub, which had been operating to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced civilians in the …

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