January, 2008

• 3 January

  Leader urges active participation in legislative elections

  Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called for the full participation of Iranians in the parliamentary elections, advising them to choose the most qualified nominees with careful attention.

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• 3 January

  Khans of Central Asia

  Uzbek President Islam Karimov won the December 23 national election, which was not unexpected. However, it is quite unusual that this will be his third term in office, despite the fact that the Uzbek Constitution limits presidents to two terms.  The Karimov administration made no attempt to amend the constitution …

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• 2 January

  At least 16 Taliban killed in Afghanistan: officials

  HERAT, Afghanistan (AFP) — At least 16 Taliban rebels including a suspected would-be suicide bomber were killed in US-led and Afghan operations across insurgency-plagued Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday.

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• 1 January

  Abbas urges Hamas to agree to early elections

  RAMALLAH – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged Hamas Islamists on Monday to agree to early elections and to open a “new page” by ceding control of the Gaza Strip and holding reconciliation talks with his Fatah faction.

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• 1 January

  Death toll rises in Gaza faction fighting

  GAZA – Hamas and Fatah fighters waged gun battles in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday that raised to seven the number of people killed in the deadliest clashes between the rival Palestinian factions in months.

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• 1 January

  Palestinians stranded in Egypt to return to Gaza

  ISMAILIA, Egypt – Israel has agreed to allow 550 Palestinians who have been stranded in Egypt for roughly four months to cross into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday via the Jewish state, Egyptian security and border sources said.

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• 1 January

  Pakistani stocks slide again amid poll uncertainty

  KARACHI – Pakistan’s share market tumbled for a second straight day on Tuesday as investors waited for a clearer picture to emerge of the country’s political crisis.

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• 1 January

  U.S. presses Pakistan to go ahead with January 8 vote

  WASHINGTON – The United States expressed concern on Monday about any indefinite postponement of elections in Pakistan after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and encouraged Islamabad to go ahead with the vote.

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• 1 January

  Olmert curbs West Bank construction

  JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has barred new construction work, building planning and occupancy tenders at West Bank settlements without his approval, documents show.

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• 1 January

  Iran, Comoros Presidents Discuss Expansion of Ties

  TEHRAN (Fars News Agency) Presidents of Iran and Comoros in a phone conversation on Tuesday stressed development of mutual relations.

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