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Italy urges EU ports to take migrants as pressure builds

The French and German interior ministers met with their Italian counterpart Marco Minniti in Paris on Sunday to discuss a "coordinated response" to Italy's migrant crisis, hours after Minniti had called on other European countries to open their ports to rescue ships.

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Fashion dominates Africa's biggest horse race

Combining high fashion with sport, nearly 50,000 racegoers marked the 120th anniversary of Africa's biggest horse race on Saturday at a packed course in the South African coastal city of Durban.

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Football star Messi weds childhood sweetheart

Lionel Messi said "I do" to childhood sweetheart and mother of their two children Antonella Roccuzzo on Friday in his Argentine hometown Rosario, where footballers and celebrities gathered for the "wedding of the century."

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S.Africa's 'White Zulu' Johnny Clegg bids fans goodbye

After nearly four decades of foot-stomping music that challenged South Africa's apartheid regime and promoted racial reconciliation, Johnny Clegg -- aka "the White Zulu" -- is heading out on his final tour.

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Key US inflation measure declines in May

The Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation retreated in May, casting further doubt on the chances for another interest rate increase this year, according to Commerce Department data released Friday.

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Global stocks pressured by tough central banker talk

US stocks finished mostly higher Friday, bucking the trend in most global equity markets as worries about tightening monetary policy pressured sentiment.

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Paddington Bear author Michael Bond dies aged 91

British children's writer Michael Bond, the creator of the much-loved fictional character Paddington Bear, has died at the age of 91, his publisher HarperCollins said on Wednesday.

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India eyes sale of debt-laden airline New Delhi is hoping to privatise

New Delhi is hoping to privatise Air India to make the ailing national carrier more competitive, but experts say debts of at least $8 billion could deter buyers.

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Philippine casino hit by deadly arson attack reopens

A Philippine casino that was shut down after an armed attacker set fire to gambling rooms claiming the lives of 37 people reopened Thursday with enhanced security, authorities said.

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Asian markets hit by fears over Trump economic agenda

Asian markets turned negative on Wednesday as Republicans' struggle to push through controversial health care legislation fuels concerns about the chances of Donald Trump passing his much-vaunted economic agenda.

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Political thriller by French PM to be made into film

A scathing political thriller co-written by France's new Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is to be made into a film, his publisher said Monday.

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Bollywood Aamir Khan's 'Dangal' sets new benchmarks for success abroad

Bollywood star Aamir Khan's hit wrestling movie "Dangal" has become the first Indian film to make 20 billion rupees, analysts said Wednesday, as it takes China's cinemas by storm.

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US to toughen airline security; no laptop ban expansion

The United States announced Wednesday it would implement tough new security rules for all airlines flying into the country, but held off from a threatened expansion of its carry-on laptop ban.

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Facebook hits two billion user mark

Facebook said Tuesday it now counts two billion active monthly users, as the social giant's founder Mark Zuckerberg highlighted his new mission -- not just connecting people, but helping them find common ground.

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Model Miranda Kerr turns in $8.1m in jewelry tied to Malaysia scandal

Australian model Miranda Kerr has turned over 8.1 million US dollars worth of jewelry to the US Justice Department following allegations that the items were linked to a massive money-laundering scheme involving a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund.

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Cyprus showdown talks seek fix for decades-old crisis

Rival Cypriot leaders meet on Wednesday to resume efforts to solve one of the world's longest-running political crises in what the island's UN envoy billed as the "best chance" for peace.

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Meet the new last word in English: zyzzyva

Eating a tasty meal with chana dal or doenjang washed down with a gin daisy could well foster a nice feeling of hygge. Just hope you don't find any zyzzyva on your plate.