Asia and Europe

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World's largest jet to be delivered to China

A Ukraine company said Wednesday it may deliver the world's largest jet — originally developed for the Soviet Union's abandoned space shuttle program — to China within the next five years.

World's largest jet to be delivered to China
Training Cafe

Kazakhstan cafe uses employment to fight disability stigma

Kazakhstan cafe uses employment to fight disability stigma
Activists in Turkey are silhouetted against a screen showing President Tayyip Erdogan during a pro-government demonstration in Ankara, Turkey, July 17, 2016.

Turkish authorities owe their very survival to the free press they attempt to throttle

Turkish authorities owe their very survival to the free press they attempt to throttle
Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan shout slogans and wave Turkish national flags during a pro-government demonstration in Sarachane park in Istanbul, Turkey, July 19, 2016.

Twenty minutes and one lie may have saved Turkish president's life

Twenty minutes and one lie may have saved Turkish president's life
A damaged window is pictured at the police headquarters in Ankara, Turkey, July 18, 2016.

Power finally restored at Turkey's key air base for US operations

Power finally restored at Turkey's key air base for US operations
The fake KFC in West Tehran thought it had obtained approval from the country's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Mines.

Iranians tussle over a KFC outlet, but the clash is actually about so much more

A fake Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise was shuttered in Tehran this week, but that doesn't mean Iranians aren't preparing to work with western companies.

Iranians tussle over a KFC outlet, but the clash is actually about so much more
lesbos3

The cemeteries on Lesbos are full. But refugee families still need to bury their dead.

The Greek island of Lesbos has been struggling to care for the Syrian refugees who've reached its shores. Now, it's struggling to find space to bury the ones who haven't.

The cemeteries on Lesbos are full. But refugee families still need to bury their dead.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad meet at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia.

Putin makes Assad an offer he can't refuse

The embattled Syrian leader, Bashar al-Assad, appeared in Moscow on Tuesday night, for his first trip outside of his country since the uprising against him began in 2011. It’s a sign of his dependence on Russian military assistance. And it seems Vladimir Putin summoned Assad to get a sense of how flexible he is on his role in any political settlement or transition in Syria. Syria's secular elite shares a deep comfort level with the arrival of Russian forces.

Putin makes Assad an offer he can't refuse
In Salman Rushdie's fantastical new novel, shape-shifting genies lay siege to humanity.

Salman Rushdie's new novel is a fantastical portrait of beguiling genies who threaten humanity. So, yeah, it's pretty much today's world.

In Salman Rushdie's latest book, a modern Scheherazade blends fairy tales and fanaticism.

Salman Rushdie's new novel is a fantastical portrait of beguiling genies who threaten humanity. So, yeah, it's pretty much today's world.
 Free Syrian Army fighters snap a picture of an elderly man using a mobile phone in Old Aleppo, Syria.

In Aleppo, cell phones are helping some desperate Syrians find clean water

Technology is changing life in war zones, and for some in Syria it can mean vital access to clean water.

In Aleppo, cell phones are helping some desperate Syrians find clean water
A Kremlin spokesman — and a watch

Kremlin Watch: How does a Russian public servant afford a $620,000 watch?

Vladimir Putin's press secretary just got married in the Russian resort, Sochi. And some opposition activists noticed one of the wedding photos showed him wearing a very expensive watch, estimated at more than $600,000. And it's not the first time that a Russian authority has gotten into some trouble for an expensive timepiece.

Kremlin Watch: How does a Russian public servant afford a $620,000 watch?
Residents of Erbil buy groceries in a local market.

Just 60 miles from ISIS, youth bowl, swim, see George Clooney in 'Tomorrowland'

ISIS-controlled Mosul is just two hours away from the Iraqi city of Erbil. But youth in the Kurdish capital aren't cowering. Instead they are swimming, bowling and enjoying new movies and Chinese restaurants.

Just 60 miles from ISIS, youth bowl, swim, see George Clooney in 'Tomorrowland'