In Taiwan, Dalai Lama disputes China’s claims

The Dalai Lama — on a visit to Taiwan that includes prayers for recent typhoon victims — has rebutted China’s claims that he is there for political reasons. In a Monday interview with CNN’s Sara Sidner, the Tibetan spiritual leader said he was visiting the island to comfort victims of Typhoon Morakot

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Controversial figure in Iran moved from one key post into another

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has appointed Esfandyar Rahim Mashaie as his adviser, a day after the controversial political figure resigned as first vice president, Iran’s state-run news agency reported on Saturday. Ahmadinejad praised Mashaie as a pious, trustworthy, and self-sacrificing human being in his letter of appointment, the IRNA report stated

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Obama, al-Maliki cautiously optimistic about Iraq stability

President Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki voiced cautious optimism regarding the situation in Iraq Wednesday, noting greater stability and decreased violence as U.S. troops continue to cede control to their Iraqi counterparts. “I have no doubt that there will be some tough days ahead,” Obama said during a joint appearance of the leaders at the White House.

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U.S. airline apologizes for frisking ex-president

Continental Airlines Wednesday apologized to former Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam for frisking him before a recent flight to New York. The apology came a day after Indian civil aviation authorities lodged a police complaint against the U.S. carrier in New Delhi, accusing it of gross violation of Indian security protocols that forbid pre-embarkation body checks on a number of dignitaries, including former presidents.

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Copter crash kills 16 in Afghanistan, NATO says

A helicopter crashed during takeoff from Kandahar airfield in southern Afghanistan on Sunday, killing 16 people, NATO said. The aircraft was a “civilian contracted” helicopter, not a military one, NATO’s International Security Assistance Force said in a statement. The helicopter was not shot down, ISAF said, adding that the exact cause of the crash was not known.

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