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'Hard days ahead' in Afghanistan
Sunday, May 20, 2012 3:13:48 PM CST
President Obama tells a Nato summit there are "hard days ahead" in Afghanistan as the alliance prepares to withdraw troops at the end of 2014.
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Pakistan restores Twitter access
Sunday, May 20, 2012 1:27:23 PM CST
Pakistani authorities restore access to the social media website Twitter after a brief ban for what officials called "offensive" content".
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Sun starts 'ring of fire' eclipse
Sunday, May 20, 2012 5:11:17 PM CST
An annular eclipse, in which the Moon does not fully block out the light from the Sun, begins across east Asia, and is due to reach the western US later.
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Sri Lanka general to be released
Saturday, May 19, 2012 9:41:25 PM CST
Sri Lanka's President Rajapaksa has signed papers to free his political rival General Sarath Fonseka from prison - three years after the civil war ended.
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China activist Chen lands in US
Saturday, May 19, 2012 9:49:36 PM CST
Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng arrives in New York, after his escape to the US embassy in Beijing last month sparked a diplomatic crisis.
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Crowded House drummer Jones dies
Sunday, May 20, 2012 5:07:50 AM CST
Crowded House drummer Peter Jones dies at the age of 45.
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China tunnel explosion 'kills 20'
Saturday, May 19, 2012 6:44:10 AM CST
An explosion in a road tunnel being constructed in central China's Hunan province kills at least 20 people, state media say.
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Deadly blast at Afghan checkpoint
Saturday, May 19, 2012 7:24:51 AM CST
A suicide bomber kills at least 10 people, a number of them children, at a checkpoint in the eastern Afghan province of Khost, officials say.
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India charges prompt Italy row
Friday, May 18, 2012 10:24:41 AM CST
Indian police charge two Italian marines with the murder of two Indian fishermen, prompting Italy to recall its ambassador.
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Inside world's ‘priciest house’
Friday, May 18, 2012 4:36:24 AM CST
The first pictures are released showing inside the "world's most expensive house", owned by the Ambani family in Mumbai.
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China jails smuggler Lai for life
Friday, May 18, 2012 5:17:27 AM CST
Lai Changxing, extradited from Canada to China to face smuggling and bribery charges, is jailed for life in China, state media says.
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India 'assault' cricketer charged
Friday, May 18, 2012 9:41:22 AM CST
Australian cricketer Luke Pomersbach is granted bail after being charged with molesting a woman and assaulting her fiance at a hotel in India's capital.
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VIDEO: Nato leaders discuss Afghan withdrawal
Sunday, May 20, 2012 3:33:45 PM CST
Nato leaders are meeting in Chicago in a summit dominated by the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
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VIDEO: Chen Guangcheng arrives in the US
Sunday, May 20, 2012 2:36:55 AM CST
Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng arrives in New York with his wife and children to begin a new life in the United States.
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VIDEO: Maldives' 'apocalyptic' waste island
Saturday, May 19, 2012 5:14:53 PM CST
Although the Maldives are known as an unspoilt tourist paradise, the islands struggle with managing their waste, as the BBC discovered on a visit to an 'apocalyptic' island waste dump.
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VIDEO: Flags 'a factor' in Karachi unrest
Friday, May 18, 2012 10:41:01 AM CST
Flags marking out the areas controlled by different political groups in Karachi should be removed in order to ease long-running political feuds, Pakistan's Interior Minister has suggested.
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VIDEO: Sri Lanka parade marks anniversary
Saturday, May 19, 2012 9:03:33 AM CST
Sri Lanka marks the three-year anniversary of the end of its 26-year civil war with a large military parade in the capital, Colombo.
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VIDEO: Nato summit to focus on Afghanistan
Sunday, May 20, 2012 3:23:06 AM CST
World leaders travel to Chicago in the US for the Nato summit, where it is hoped an aid plan for Afghanistan will be agreed.
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VIDEO: Sri Lanka general to be released
Sunday, May 20, 2012 6:09:19 AM CST
Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse orders the release of the jailed former army chief, Sarath Fonseka.
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VIDEO: France confirms early Afghan exit
Friday, May 18, 2012 10:49:52 AM CST
France has confirmed it plans to withdraw its combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2012, two years ahead of the agreed Nato schedule.
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Mayawati palm tree imports probed
Friday, May 18, 2012 10:22:13 AM CST
Police in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh investigate reports that former chief minister Mayawati used public money to import palm trees.
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Limbless man hits swim landmark
Thursday, May 17, 2012 6:04:13 AM CST
Philippe Croizon, a limbless Frenchman, completes the first part of his challenge to swim between five continents.
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Escapee penguin 'found' in Tokyo
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 9:34:52 AM CST
A young penguin which escaped from Tokyo's Sea Life Park has reportedly been spotted swimming in waters around the Japanese capital.
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Malaysia sentences five to death
Thursday, May 17, 2012 1:01:40 AM CST
A Malaysian high court sentences to death five men, including three Mexican brothers, for drug trafficking, reports say.
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N Korea 'resumes work' on reactor
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 9:36:12 PM CST
North Korea resumes work on a light water reactor that could be used to support its nuclear programme after months of inactivity, a US institute says.
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Magazine sued over 'coup story'
Thursday, May 17, 2012 5:30:12 AM CST
India's Open magazine, being sued for $90m by the Indian Express newspaper, says it stands by its criticism of a recent story in the newspaper.
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Mary Kom qualifies for Olympics
Friday, May 18, 2012 9:24:30 AM CST
Boxer Mary Kom secures Olympic qualification despite quarter-final defeat at the World Championships.
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Chen's relatives tell of beatings
Friday, May 18, 2012 2:22:19 AM CST
Relatives of Chen Guangcheng describe beatings meted out by local officials after the Chinese activist's escape from house arrest last month.
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China media: Captured fishermen
Thursday, May 17, 2012 10:42:27 PM CST
Morning newspaper round-up: Widespread coverage over the fate of 29 Chinese fishermen detained in North Korea.
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Chinese gold demand hits record
Thursday, May 17, 2012 12:40:55 AM CST
Chinese demand for gold hit a record in the first quarter of 2012 and it remains the world's biggest market for gold, the World Gold Council says.
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Shah Rukh Khan given stadium ban
Friday, May 18, 2012 2:10:43 AM CST
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan is banned from Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium for five years following angry exchanges with staff at an IPL cricket match.
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Kingfisher penalised for tax dues
Friday, May 18, 2012 4:39:19 AM CST
Tax authorities in India begin moves to penalise and charge Kingfisher airline for its failure to pay $49m (£31m) in taxes, the government says.
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City site sought for Hindu ashes
Thursday, May 17, 2012 6:25:14 AM CST
Bristol's Hindus may be able to scatter ashes in the River Avon in future rather than travelling to India's River Ganges.
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US relaxes some Burma sanctions
Thursday, May 17, 2012 4:30:24 PM CST
The US says it has relaxed some sanctions on investments in Burma and named an ambassador to the country following political reforms.
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North Koreans 'hold Chinese crew'
Thursday, May 17, 2012 2:13:31 AM CST
Unidentified North Koreans holding 29 Chinese fishermen and three boats seized in the Yellow Sea demand payment for their release, reports say.
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Burma sees first gay pride event
Thursday, May 17, 2012 11:47:57 AM CST
Hundreds of people attend the first gay pride event to be held in Burma, where homosexual relationships are banned.
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Fonseka 'to be freed soon' - wife
Thursday, May 17, 2012 9:02:32 AM CST
Jailed Sri Lankan presidential candidate and former army commander Sarath Fonseka may be freed this weekend, his wife tells the BBC.
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Four dead in Pakistan air crash
Thursday, May 17, 2012 2:10:10 AM CST
Two Pakistan Air Force light aircraft collide on a training mission north-west of Islamabad, killing two trainee pilots and two instructors.
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Afghan suicide raid kills police
Thursday, May 17, 2012 3:04:39 AM CST
At least six policemen and a civilian have been killed and 13 wounded in a suicide attack on a governor's compound in western Afghanistan, police say.
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Afghanistan - Country profile
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 8:02:09 AM CST
Key facts, figures and dates.
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Australia country profile
Monday, December 26, 2011 1:08:44 PM CST
Provides an overview of Australia, including key facts and events
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Country profile: Bangladesh
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 5:54:57 AM CST
Key facts, figures and dates
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Country profile: Bhutan
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 6:05:50 AM CST
Key facts, figures and dates.
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Brunei profile
Thursday, November 10, 2011 5:52:40 AM CST
Provides an overview of Brunei, including key events and facts.
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Cambodia profile
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 9:04:51 AM CST
Provides an overview of Cambodia, including key events and facts.
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China profile
Friday, February 10, 2012 10:25:45 AM CST
Provides an overview of China, including key events and facts.
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Cook Islands profile
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 9:12:33 AM CST
Provides an overview of the Cook Islands, including key events and facts.
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East Timor country profile
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 9:17:02 AM CST
Provides an overview of East Timor, including key events and facts about this former Portuguese colony which won independence from Indonesia in a long civil war
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Fiji country profile
Monday, January 2, 2012 5:02:26 AM CST
Provides an overview of Fiji, including key events and facts about this tropical island and ethnically diverse former British colony in the Pacific.
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French Polynesia profile
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 9:20:35 AM CST
Provides an overview of French Polynesia, including key events and facts
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Guam profile
Sunday, February 12, 2012 4:11:26 AM CST
Provides an overview of Guam, which is home to a key US military base in the Pacific Ocean
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Hong Kong profile
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 5:49:34 AM CST
Provides an overview of Hong Kong, including key events and facts.
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Country profile: India
Thursday, March 31, 2011 4:12:04 AM CST
Details of the key facts, figures and dates.
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Indonesia profile
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 9:42:49 AM CST
Provides an overview of Indonesia, including key events and facts about the world's fourth most populous nation
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Japan country profile
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 8:49:13 AM CST
Provides an overview of Japan, including key events and facts about this earthquake-prone country on the western rim of the Pacific.
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Kashmir profile
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 3:55:58 AM CST
An overview of the former princely state of Kashmir, which has been partitioned between India and Pakistan since 1947.
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Kazakhstan profile
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 8:11:55 AM CST
Provides an overview of Kazakhstan, including key events and facts about this vast, mineral-rich Central Asian country.
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Kiribati profile
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 7:59:25 AM CST
Provides an overview of Kiribati including key events and facts.
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North Korea country profile
Sunday, March 18, 2012 10:46:32 AM CST
Provides an overview of North Korea, including key events and facts.
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South Korea profile
Thursday, March 29, 2012 4:33:43 AM CST
Provides an overview of South Korea, including key events and facts
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Kyrgyzstan profile
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 10:02:41 AM CST
Provides overview, key facts and events, timelines and leader profiles along with current news about Kyrgyzstan
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Laos profile
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 2:58:17 AM CST
Provides an overview of Laos, including key events and facts
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Macau profile
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 8:18:32 AM CST
Provides an overview of Macau, including key events and facts.
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Malaysia profile
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 4:58:39 AM CST
Provides an overview of Malaysia, including key events and facts.
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Country profile: The Maldives
Thursday, February 17, 2011 10:18:33 AM CST
Key facts, figures and dates.
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Marshall Islands profile
Monday, November 7, 2011 4:18:24 AM CST
Provides an overview of the Marshall Islands, including key events and facts.
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Micronesia profile
Monday, October 31, 2011 4:10:19 AM CST
Provides an overview of Micronesia, including key events and facts
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Mongolia profile
Thursday, November 3, 2011 5:28:37 AM CST
Summary: Provides an overview of Mongolia, including key events and facts.
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Nauru profile
Monday, October 24, 2011 9:07:23 AM CST
Provides an overview of Nauru, including key events and facts about the world's smallest republic
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Country profile: Nepal
Friday, February 4, 2011 7:17:31 AM CST
Key facts, figures and dates.
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New Caledonia profile
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 6:18:37 AM CST
Provides an overview of New Caledonia, including key events and facts
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New Zealand profile
Saturday, January 7, 2012 2:56:15 AM CST
Provides an overview of New Zealand, including key events and facts
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Niue profile
Thursday, January 19, 2012 11:03:11 AM CST
Provides an overview of Hong Kong, including key events and facts
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Northern Mariana Islands profile
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 4:58:30 AM CST
Provides an overview and key facts about this self-governing territory politically linked to the United States
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Country profile: Pakistan
Saturday, May 14, 2011 6:25:48 AM CST
Key facts, figures and dates.
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Palau country profile
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 9:56:17 AM CST
Provides an overview of Palau , including key events and facts about this tropical island nation in the northern Pacific.
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Papua New Guinea profile
Thursday, January 26, 2012 5:07:29 AM CST
Provides an overview of Papua New Guinea, including key events and facts
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Philippines profile
Monday, December 12, 2011 10:18:12 AM CST
Provides an overview of Philippines, including key events and facts.
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Samoa profile
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 5:39:21 AM CST
Provides an overview of Samoa, including key events and facts.
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Singapore profile
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 11:21:22 AM CST
Provides an overview of Singapore, including key events and facts.
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Country profile: Sri Lanka
Friday, February 4, 2011 8:24:47 AM CST
Key facts, figures and dates.
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Solomon Islands country profile
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 4:48:24 AM CST
Provides an overview of Solomon Islands, including key events and facts.
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Taiwan profile
Sunday, January 15, 2012 5:47:13 AM CST
Provides key background, including facts and figures
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Tajikistan profile
Thursday, December 15, 2011 9:18:46 AM CST
Provides an overview of Tajikistan, including key events and facts about this mountainous Central Asian republic.
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Thailand profile
Monday, April 9, 2012 4:53:12 AM CST
Provides an overview of Thailand, including key events and facts.
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Tibet profile
Sunday, May 20, 2012 2:21:46 AM CST
Provides an overview of Tibet, including key events and facts
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Tokelau profile
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 3:53:14 AM CST
Provides an overview of Tokelau, including key events and facts
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Tonga profile
Monday, March 19, 2012 2:54:36 AM CST
Provides an overview of Tonga, including key events and facts.
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Turkmenistan profile
Friday, February 17, 2012 9:02:02 AM CST
Overview of Turkmenistan, including key events and facts.
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Tuvalu Profile
Thursday, January 5, 2012 7:57:52 AM CST
Provides an overview of Tuvalu, including key events and facts.
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Uzbekistan country profile
Thursday, January 5, 2012 5:20:59 AM CST
Provides an overview of Uzbekistan, including key events and facts about the country.
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Vanuatu country profile
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 8:36:48 AM CST
Provides an overview of Vanuatu, including key events and facts
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Vietnam country profile
Sunday, January 15, 2012 6:52:29 AM CST
Provides an overview of Vietnam, including key events and facts about this east Asian country
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Xinjiang profile
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 6:49:36 AM CST
Provides an overview of Xinjiang, including key events and facts.
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US puts tariffs on Chinese panels
Thursday, May 17, 2012 7:18:37 PM CST
US to impose import tariffs on Chinese solar companies
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China raises rare earth exports
Thursday, May 17, 2012 10:00:01 PM CST
China to allow more companies to export rare earths
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Theatre leads battle to save Macau's 'sweet speech'
Sunday, May 20, 2012 5:28:06 PM CST
Macau theatre troop leads fight to save dying language
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The Chinese who actually like cheese
Saturday, May 19, 2012 4:50:06 AM CST
The Chinese who actually like cheese... stir-fried of course!
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Jubilee memorabilia: Tell us your stories
Friday, May 4, 2012 11:06:01 PM CST
Do you collect royal mementoes? Share your stories
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A glimpse of life after Nato in Afghanistan's wild east
Friday, May 18, 2012 5:47:11 PM CST
A glimpse of life after Nato in Afghanistan's wild east
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Why chess is booming in India
Thursday, May 17, 2012 5:25:22 PM CST
Could India become a chess superpower?
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Whale meeting heads for discord
Friday, May 18, 2012 12:11:13 PM CST
Hunts and sanctuaries could make whaling meeting a hot one
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Facebook's first female engineer
Thursday, May 17, 2012 7:06:55 PM CST
How Indian-born female engineer beat old-fashioned views