Thursday, August 1, 2013

World News Briefs -- August 1, 2013


Snowden Granted 1-Year Asylum In Russia, Leaves Airport -- RT

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has been granted temporary asylum in Russia and is allowed to enter the country’s territory.

The whistleblower has been granted temporary political asylum in Russia, Snowden's legal representative Anatoly Kucherena said.

“I have just handed over to him papers from the Russian Immigration Service. They are what he needs to leave the transit zone,” he added.

Kucherena showed a photocopy of the document to the press. According to it, Snowden is free to stay in Russia until at least July 31, 2014. His asylum status may be extended annually upon request.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iraq death toll 'tops 1,000' in July, highest in years. UN: July deadliest month in Iraq since 2008.

Syria conflict: Assad says he is confident of victory. Assad says sure he will defeat Syrian rebels.

Al Nusrah Front launches joint assaults with numerous Syrian rebel groups

Formal mideast peace negotiations to begin by mid-August.

US sends tough sanctions message to Rouhani.

Kurd rebels set September peace deadline for Turkey: report.

ASIA

US decreasing not withdrawing forces from Afghanistan: Kerry.

Karzai backers seek delay in Afghan vote.

China military urges vigilance over Japan's defense plan.

Lawyer: Pakistani court to indict ex-president Musharraf in Bhutto killing.

Australia moves first asylum-seekers to PNG after policy shift.

India holds off on gold imports.

Japan Deputy PM Taro Aso retracts Nazi comments.

AFRICA

Egypt protests continue despite state warning.

Egypt's military keeps Morsi's whereabouts secret.

Egypt: Pro-Morsi demos 'unacceptable threats' to national security.

Mugabe rivals condemn Zimbabwe election as 'illegal and unfair'. Tsvangirai denounces Zimbabwe vote as 'huge farce'.

Jihadis threaten Tunisia's Arab spring transition.

DRC rebels dismiss UN deadline to disarm.

'Oil threat' to DR Congo's Virunga National Park.

EUROPE

Edward Snowden leaves airport and enters Russia after authorities grant him temporary asylum.

Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy admits 'mistake' over scandal. Rajoy rejects calls for resignation from opposition.

Signs indicate Europe economic crisis may me ending.

First fall in euro zone unemployment points to muted recovery.

Berlusconi lawyers ask supreme court to acquit him of tax fraud.

Serbia woos Ex-IMF head Strauss-Kahn for advisory role.

AMERICAS

U.S. government requests for Twitter users' data on the rise.

Bradley Manning hurt Afghanistan operations, US general tells court.

Panama postpones UN weaponry review of seized ship.

Russia boosts Cuba ties.

Cuba reports highest outflow of citizens since 1994.

Uruguay's lower house votes to legalize marijuana.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Hunger strike at Guantanamo Bay shows signs of weakening.

Jihadists focus on prison breaks.

Senate measure would shut down Pentagon counterterrorism websites.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Big California corporations parking $262 billion offshore.

Air France to slash thousands of jobs.

Facebook shares soar 40% in a week on mobile ad revenue increase.

Netflix adds personalized profiles to streaming service.

Drug makers fear short-term 'turmoil' as China probes widen.

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