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Team Anna breaks fast, announces political party

Indicating steps towards forming a political party, Team Anna Friday announced launching of a ‘movement’ and putting up candidates in the 2014 elections. ‘This is not a party. It will be a movement from the street to Parliament. Full story

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Sudan, S Sudan must strike ‘compromise’ deal: Hillary

The two Sudans must strike an urgent compromise deal to end bitter disputes and resume oil production, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said Friday, warning the newly separated nations they ‘remain inextricably linked.’ Full story

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West ‘did not want Annan to succeed’: Iran

The West, especially the United States, is to blame for the failure of the Syria peace plan worked out by Kofi Annan, Iranian foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Friday, state media reported. Full story

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N Korea’s Kim tells China, economy a priority

North Korea’s new young leader has told chief backer China that his priority is to develop the decaying economy and improve living standards in one of the world’s poorest states, the latest sign that he may... Full story

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Scientists treat ulcers with ‘spray-on skin’

Scientists said Friday they had developed a revolutionary ‘spray-on skin’ treatment for venous leg ulcers — a common ailment involving a shallow, open and stubborn wound on the ankle or lower leg. Full story

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Obama slams Romney’s ‘fairy dust’ tax cut

The US president, Barack Obama, slammed Mitt Romney’s ‘fairy dust’ tax cuts Thursday, claiming his millionaire Republican foe would swell his own wealth while sticking the middle class with the bill. Romney hit back as he roared onto the campaign... Full story

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O’Neill re-elected Papua New Guinea PM

Peter O’Neill was Friday re-elected the next leader of Papua New Guinea, ending a turbulent period in the nation’s politics which at one point saw it with two rival prime ministers. O’Neill won the vote on the floor... Full story

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Former Mongolian president jailed

A Mongolian court has jailed former president Nambaryn Enkhbayar for four years for corruption, a move that could threaten the government’s fragile coalition and increase uncertainties for foreign investors. Full story

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Jailed Indonesia cleric threatens Myanmar over Rohingyas

Jailed Islamist cleric Abu Bakar Bashir threatened to wage war if Myanmar continues to harm Muslim Rohingyas, in a letter to the country’s president Thein Sein seen on a website Friday. Full story

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US criticises new China garrison in tense sea

The United States on Friday criticized China’s establishment of a new military garrison in the South China Sea as it called on all sides to lower tensions in the hotly contested waters. Full story

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Four dead in ambush on Philippine mayor

Gunmen ambushed a mayor’s convoy in a troubled part of the southern Philippines, killing three police escorts and a civilian, officials said Friday. The town official was unhurt in the attack on Jolo island on Thursday... Full story

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Iran, EU agree to talk again on nuclear dispute

Chief negotiators for the EU and Iran agreed on Thursday to hold more talks about Tehran’s nuclear work, but the European Union gave no sign progress was imminent in the decade-long dispute. Full story

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Attacks on Egypt Christians on rise: bishop

A senior Egyptian Coptic bishop said on Friday attacks on Christians are on the rise and criticised the inclusion of only one Copt in Islamist president Mohamed Morsi’s government. ‘The general climate is turning... Full story

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Thousands in Japan stage anti-nuclear rally

Thousands of people staged a rally in front of the Japanese prime minister’s office Friday, maintaining anti-nuclear sentiment triggered by last year’s atomic crisis at Fukushima. It was the latest in a string of protests in Japan... Full story

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Attacks on Iraq security forces kill eight

A bombing and a shooting killed four soldiers and four police on Friday, security and medical officials said a day after 33 people were killed in attacks mainly targeting the security forces. Full story

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