World - Top Stories
S Africa withholds $48m in aid for Zimbabwe
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South Africa is withholding more than $48 million in aid from Zimbabwe in response to its failure to form a unity government.
Union to strike unless Thai Govt quits
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Thailand's public sector unions will begin a nationwide strike next week unless the Government quits, union leaders said, in a move likely to deepen the economic impact of a long-running political crisis.
US car makers told to submit new recovery plan
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United States congressional leaders have asked car manufacturers to submit a new recovery plan before their request for a multi-billion dollar bailout for the industry can be approved.
11 killed in Somali attack
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At least 11 insurgents have been killed in clashes with Somali Government forces in the capital, Mogadishu, witnesses say.
7 killed, 40 wounded at Pakistan funeral blast
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A bomb blast has killed at least seven people and wounded 40 at the funeral for a Shiite Muslim in the north-west Pakistani town of Dera Ismail Khan, a hospital doctor said.
Japan welcomes diplomacy on whaling action
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Japan's Government says an Australian decision not to send a customs ship to monitor this year's whale hunt in the Southern Ocean appears to be in respect of ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
US power tipped to diminish over 20 years
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American intelligence agencies say United States economic, military and political dominance is likely to decline over the next two decades.
At least five dead in Philippines landslide
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Five people have been killed and at least two others are missing after a landslide demolished part of a shanty town in the southern Philippines, officials say.
Bra Boy Abberton jailed in Hawaii
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Bra Boy surf gang leader Koby Abberton has been handcuffed and escorted to jail in Hawaii to serve a three day sentence for assaulting an off-duty police officer outside a Honolulu nightclub.
'Aggressive military action' needed to tackle pirates
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The world's biggest oil tanker company says a more aggressive military approach is the only answer to tackling the growing threat of piracy off Somalia.
Presence still needed in Solomons: AFP
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The Australian Federal Police have warned an international presence is still needed to ensure the Solomon Islands remain secure.
New strain of deadly Ebola virus discovered
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Scientists say an outbreak of Ebola that killed 37 people in Uganda last year was sparked by a hitherto unknown species of one of the world's most notorious viruses.
Houston wants China to explain military boost
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The chief of the Australian Defence Force says he wants China to explain its military build-up.
Too many eggs bad for diabetes: study
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Health experts are warning people with type two diabetes to limit the number of eggs they eat.
'Osama Obama Shotgun' betting condemned
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Passions have flared in a US town over a sign in a store asking customers to place bets on an assassination of President-elect Barack Obama.
'Tribute to women' breast implant raffle axed
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A Spanish nightclub has scrapped plans to stage a raffle for breast enlargement surgery after an uproar over the event.
Scientists say Copernicus's remains identified
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Scientists say they have identified remains found in 2005 as those of Nicolas Copernicus, the father of modern astronomy who was born in the 15th century.
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac to suspend US home foreclosures
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Two US mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac said they will halt home foreclosures until early January as they modify loans to help keep owners in their homes.
Al Qaeda has been 'dramatically' reduced in Iraq: US general
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Al Qaeda in Iraq's ability to carry out large-scale attacks against civilians, and on US and Iraqi forces, has been "dramatically reduced," a US general has said.
Reality TV bush tucker angers RSPCA
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The RSPCA has attacked a British celebrity TV show set in Australia for making its contestants eat insects and swallow kangaroo testicles.
Suicide bomber kills 9 in Afghanistan
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A suicide car-bomber has killed nine people and wounded 16, including two US soldiers, in an attack on a government compound in eastern Afghanistan, a government official said.
800 doctors 'have returned to Iraq'
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A senior official in Iraq's health ministry says 800 doctors have returned to the country this year because of the improved security situation.
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest of Darfur rebels
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The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has asked judges at the Hague to issue arrest warrants for three rebel commanders in Sudan's Darfur region.
Media star drops out of Indonesian presidential race
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The Indonesian presidential election race has narrowed to a repeat of the 2004 poll, with the shock exit of Rizal Mallarangeng, a prominent contender for the country's top job.
Dog crashes car through cafe
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A dog has crashed a car through a cafe window in the United States.
