| US, NKorea nuclear envoys set to meet
(AP) |
 AP - U.S. and North Korea envoys reopen nuclear talks Thursday, seeking ways for Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear programs in return for much-needed aid.
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| Japan royal heir suggests easier load for emperor
(AP) |
AP - Japan's crown prince believes efforts should be made to reduce the burden on his ailing father, Emperor Akihito, as the 78-year-old monarch recovers from heart bypass surgery. |
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| Philippines' Arroyo pleads not guilty to fraud
(AP) |
AP - Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pleaded not guilty to an electoral fraud charge Thursday at the opening of a landmark trial that is a key test for her reformist successor. |
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| Australian PM calls party vote as challenger rises
(AP) |
AP - Prime Minister Julia Gillard put her job on the line Thursday, announcing a leadership ballot in hopes of quashing a comeback by the premier she ousted in a Labor Party coup. But Kevin Rudd's supporters said that even if Gillard survives Monday's vote, the turmoil surrounding her unpopular government will continue until she is out. |
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| Japan cuts in Iran crude imports could be over 20 percent
(Reuters) |
Reuters - Japan is in final talks with Washington on an agreement on cuts in Iranian crude oil imports that could amount to more than 20 percent a year, the Nikkei business daily reported on Thursday, as Tokyo seeks to win waivers from U.S. sanctions. |
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| SEC files fraud charges against 2 Chinese execs
(AP) |
AP - Federal regulators have filed civil fraud charges against the chairman and the former CEO of a Chinese company, accusing them of duping people to invest in a coal company that was an empty shell. |
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| Australian PM calls party leadership ballot
(AP) |
AP - Prime Minister Julia Gillard is announcing that her party will vote next week on its leadership. |
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| U.S pushed ahead with drone strikes despite Pakistani resistance
(Reuters) |
Reuters - Shortly before the United States ended a two-month pause in missile strikes on militants in Pakistan last month, senior U.S. officials telephoned their Pakistani counterparts and told them Washington would be resuming its covert drone program despite mounting objections in Islamabad. |
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| (AP) |
AP - Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces party leadership ballot next week. |
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| Karzai urges calm as six die in Afghan Koran protests
(Reuters) |
Reuters - Afghan President Hamid Karzai appealed for calm Wednesday after officials said six people were shot dead and dozens wounded in protests over the burning of copies of the Koran, Islam's holy book, at NATO's main base in the country. |
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| Quran burning incites deadly riots in Afghanistan
(AP) |
 AP - Clashes between Afghan troops and protesters angry over the burning of Muslim holy books at a U.S. military base left at least seven people dead and dozens wounded Wednesday as anger spread despite U.S. apologies over what it said was a mistake.
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| Commonwealth urges early election in Maldives
(AP) |
AP - The Commonwealth called Wednesday for early presidential elections in the Maldives, along with an international investigation into the ouster of the Indian Ocean archipelago's president earlier this month. |
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