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Twin blasts kill 12, wound 120 in Russia’s Dagestan

At least 12 people were killed and more than 120 wounded in a double car bombing in Russia’s North Caucasus, the deadliest militant strike for months in the troubled region, officials said on Friday. The massive blasts late on Thursday outside Dagestan’s main city, which... Full story

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Teenage suicide bomber kills 20 in Pakistan

A teenage suicide bomber targeted police in a bustling Pakistan town square on Friday, killing at least 20 people and wounding dozens in the tribal area near the Afghan border, officials said. Among the dead were the local chief and deputy of a tribal police force recruited... Full story

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Iran refuses to close nuclear bunker

Iran said on Friday it would never suspend its uranium enrichment programme and sees no reason to close the Fordow underground site, making clear Tehran’s red lines in nuclear talks with world powers... Full story

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Obama wants to fix immigration laws

President Barack Obama told Hispanic voters on Thursday he was ready to sign a broad-based immigration fix, blaming his political rivals in Washington for blocking one of his major unmet campaign... Full story

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China permits Chen to apply for study abroad

China said on Friday that blind activist Chen Guangcheng can apply to study abroad, offering a possible resolution to a crisis that erupted when he escaped house arrest and fled to the US embassy. Full story

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Heat heats up debate over Bangkok mega-city plan

Five months after the worst floods in half a century, the Thai capital is facing a near record heat wave with temperatures at three-decade highs, stoking debate over the often chaotic urban planning in one of... Full story

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Turkey clashes kill 3 soldiers, 2 Kurds

Turkish security forces fought with Kurdish militants in clashes that killed three soldiers and two separatist fighters in eastern Turkey, security officials said on Friday. The soldiers were killed when... Full story

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Kiev warns Berlin of economic consequences

A senior ally of Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych warned Germany of economic consequences in an interview Friday, amid an increasingly tense standoff over jailed ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Full story

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Nonagenarian becomes ‘world’s oldest graduate’

A 97-year-old retired Australian dentist was to receive his Master’s degree in clinical science on Friday in what Southern Cross University said could make him the world’s oldest new graduate. Full story

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Afghan refugees on hunger strike

More than 160 Afghan asylum seekers held in Indonesia have been on hunger strike for almost four days demanding transfer to Australia, with some needing hospital treatment, an official said on Friday. Full story

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Philippines slated for ‘hiding’ poor

Rights groups and unions slammed the Philippines on Friday after it erected advertising hoardings that hid slum housing from delegates attending a conference on solving poverty in Asia. Full story

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US willing to work with N Korea: Hillary

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said on Friday the United States was ready to work with North Korea if it changed course, but she voiced doubts about the regime’s intentions amid fears of a nuclear test. On a visit to North Korea’s primary ally China, Clinton reiterated... Full story

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Myanmar rebels suffer ‘heavy losses’

Dozens of ethnic minority rebels and two government troops have been killed in clashes in northern Myanmar, state media said Friday, as fighting rages despite international calls for a ceasefire. Full story

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China urges US to respect differences

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao on Friday asked US secretary of state Hillary Clinton to respect differences between the two countries, as US officials scrambled to resolve a row over a dissident. Full story

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Haiti’s FM approved as premier

Haitian lawmakers approved the nomination of a close adviser to president Michel Martelly as prime minister on Thursday, raising hopes of ending a political stalemate. The lower house of parliament... Full story

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