To Be or Not to Be...? Someone’s grief, and someone’s drinking party

Traditions of the Kyrgyz people were being formed with the help of economic, trade, domestic and other relations with kindred and other tribes that were closely related to the geography of their ha...

Iran of the 60s: unsuccessful attempt to reform

After the coup of 19 March 1953 in the socio-political history of Iran there were fundamental changes: the powers of parliament were limited and the absolute power of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was...

Topic: Regional rivalry in the Middle East.

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran are two countries that claim to leadership in the region. With a powerful resources and political potential these countries are the...

Culture & Living

At least 33 dead, 12 missing as storms hit south China
17.05.2013
China|Culture & Living|Far East

Storms and torrential rain caused widespread flooding and landslides that left at least 33 people dead and 12 missing in southern China, the government said on Friday, dpa reported.

At least 19 died and 11 were missing in the worst-hit province of Guangdong after rainstorms swept across most parts of southern China from Tuesday, the Ministry of Civil Affairs reported.

The storms, floods and landslides destroyed 2,675 houses and affected some 650,000 people in Guangdong, provincial officials said.

Tehran Mayor: Iranian nation needs social, economic justice
17.05.2013
Culture & Living|Iran|Middle East

A president must obey the law and act according to the country's constitution, Iran's presidential candidate Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said, Shafaf News Website reported.

Qalibaf also said the Iranian nation needs social and economic justice to achieve progress in all areas.

The Tehran mayor added that social opportunities should be distributed equally and among all groups of people.

Qalibaf, who's running as a Principlist hopeful, said he does not make empty promises that he won't be able to keep.

Iran's presidential election will be held on June 14.

‘Air Astana’ aircraft flying from Tashkent makes emergency landing in Shymkent
13.05.2013
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Uzbekistan

A Boeing 757-200 aircraft of Kazakh airline "Air Astana" carrying out Tashkent-Almaty flight, made an unplanned technical landing at the airport of the Shymkent city, the airline reported.

"The aircraft flew from Tashkent at 13:15 local time on Friday, and at 14:10 local time landed in Shymkent in connection with the problems in one of the air conditioning systems. None of the 136 passengers on board of the aircraft was injured," the statement said.

The passengers of the flight were sent from Shymkent to Almaty by a Airbus A321

Iran to release treatment against multiple sclerosis on markets in October
13.05.2013
Culture & Living|Iran|Middle East

A new treatment against MS (Multiple Sclerosis) will be released on Iranian markets in October of this year, Fars news agency reported.

Deputy chairman of the Iran Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mohammad Ali Saraian said that this particular treatment method is done orally.

He also mentioned that the treatment has been developed by Iranian doctors, adding that the method is currently being tested on real patients, before being released to the local open markets.

Kazakhstan celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day
07.05.2013
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Kazakhstan

Defender of the Fatherland Day is celebrated in Kazakhstan today.

In October, 2012, President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the Law 'On Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan 'On Holidays in the Republic of Kazakhstan'' introducing a new national holiday, Defender of the Fatherland Day, to be celebrated on May 7. This year, for the first time this day is celebrated as a national holiday.

First reformist candidate registers for Iran’s presidential elections
07.05.2013
Culture & Living|Iran|Middle East

The first reformist political figure registered for the upcoming presidential elections on May 7, Mehr reported.

The Secretary General of the Democratic Party (Mardomsalari) Mostafa Kavakebian said during registration that the reformist parties should unite around one candidate. Green is his supporters' symbol.

Previously, during the 2009 presidential elections, reformist candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi who now are under house arrest named green as their campaign colour.

Kavakebian's rival Hassan Rouhani who registered on May 7 chose violet as his campaign colour.

As of yet 58 people submitted registrations for presidential elections in Iran
07.05.2013
Culture & Living|Iran|Middle East

So far 58 people have submitted their registratons for the upcoming presidential elections in Iran, deputy head of the electoral headquarters, Hassan Ali Nouri said, IRINN reported.

He added that only 4 of those 58 people are politicians.

Official registration of candidates for Iran's upcoming presidential elections started on May 7, and will last until May 11.

From May 12-16, Iran's Guardian Council will look into the each candidate, and determine whether a candidate is eligible for participating.

Karzai urges Taliban to turn guns against Afghanistan's enemies
06.05.2013
Afghanistan|Culture & Living|Middle East

President Hamid Karzai on Saturday urged Taliban insurgents to fight Afghanistan's enemies, an apparent reference to Pakistan after an Afghan soldier died in border clashes with the Pakistani army, dpa reported.

"Instead of killing their own people and destroying their own country, they must point their guns against places where plots are being made against Afghan prosperity and progress," Karzai told journalists in Kabul.

An Afghan soldier died this week in clashes with the Pakistani army in the east of Afghanistan, sparking anti-Pakistan protests.

Iran's Kaki city hit with another earthquake
06.05.2013
Culture & Living|Iran|Middle East

Iran's city of Kaki in the Bushehr province that suffered a 4,0 Richter scale quake a few days ago, has been hit with a stronger quake earlier this morning, ISNA reported.

According to reports, this time the earthquake, which occured approximately at 7 o'clock in the morning (local time), reached 5,1 on the Richter scale.

Thus far there are no reports of possible victims or damages.

Bushehr's Kaki city was hit by an earthquake on Saturday, May 4, with a 4,0 magnitude earthquake, according to Iran's Seismography Center.

Iran to unveil domestically made unmanned drone at tomorrow's ceremony
06.05.2013
Culture & Living|Iran|Middle East

Iran will unveil its new domestically made unmanned drone at tomorrow's ceremony, country's Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said, ISNA reported.

Vahidi noted that the drone has been manufactured by Iranian experts, and it has been given the name "Hamaseh".

The minister also said that in the near future Iran will present country's new missile launching complex.

In April 2013, Vahidi said that new ballistic and cruise missiles will be presented in the first six months of the current Iranian calendar year, which started on March 21.