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Thousands evacuated in California as chemical tank leak sparks explosion fears
LOS ANGELES, May 23 — Tens of thousands of people were ordered to leave their homes in California yesterday after a huge chemical tank began leaking, with warnings it might blow up, sending toxic fumes over a heavily populated area.
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Haj pilgrimage begins in Mecca as Middle East tensions and extreme heat loom
MECCA, May 22 — More than a million Muslims are gathering in Mecca for the haj pilgrimage overshadowed by the Middle East war, as animosity smoulders across the region despite a fragile ceasefire. This year’s rites, drawing worshippers from across the Islamic
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Iran media say mediator Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir due in Tehran today
TEHRAN, May 21 — Iranian media reported that Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir was due in Tehran today, with Islamabad mediating as Iran examines the latest US proposal to end the Middle East war. Iran’s ISNA news agency
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UK’s Streeting pitches wealth tax shake-up ahead of possible Labour leadership bid
LONDON, May 21 — Former British health minister Wes Streeting, a potential candidate for the leadership of the Labour Party, said he backed the introduction of tax changes which would equalise capital gains tax with income tax to make the
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China’s Xi tipped for North Korea visit amid renewed Trump-Kim diplomacy talk
SEOUL, May 21 — Chinese President Xi Jinping may visit North Korea as early as next week and will try to act as a mediator between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump, South Korea’s Yonhap
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Hair today, bomb scare tomorrow: Laser beauty gadget sparks Australia airport panic
SYDNEY, May 21 — A bomb disposal unit was called to an Australian airport today — only to find the suspicious object was a laser hair removal device. Avalon airport in Victoria state was partially evacuated in the early hours
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Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s condition worsens after multiple infections, royal palace says
BANGKOK, May 21 — The medical condition of Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha has worsened as a result of multiple infections in several organs, with physicians unable to contain her irregular heart rate, the Royal Palace said in a statement today. The
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US needs to ‘put its footprint back on Greenland’, says Trump envoy
NUUK, May 21 — The US special envoy to Greenland, the Arctic island coveted by President Donald Trump, told AFP yesterday that Washington needs to rebuild its presence in the Danish autonomous territory. At the height of the Cold War,
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Colosseum selfies, ‘Melody’ toffee and trade: Modi visits Rome
ROME, May 21 — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met yesterday in talks to strengthen ties and boost trade, a day after a night-time tour of the Colosseum. It was the first bilateral visit
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US doctor infected with Ebola in Congo flown to Germany for treatment, family placed in isolation
BERLIN, May 21 — A US doctor who contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been admitted to a German hospital that will also admit his family as contact cases, health officials told AFP yesterday. The patient —
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