Putin shakes up govt, promotes Finance Minister
Russian acting President Vladimir Putin promoted Finance Minister Mikhail Kasyanov to the crucial cabinet position of first Deputy Prime Minister on Monday, the Kremlin said.



Israel no to refugee demand
Israel has rejected Palestinian demands that it allow the return of refugees or pay them compensation, a Palestinian official said after a meeting between negotiators on final status issues.



Leading Iran reformers barred from polls
Jailed former interior minister Abdollah Nuri and a host of other Iranian reformers, including sitting MPs, have been barred from standing for key parliamentary elections next month, newspapers and the Opposition said on Monday.



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