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Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1000 GMT, Jan. 27

Xinhua, January 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

A total of seven Afghan army soldiers were killed in separate attacks since early Monday, said the country's Defense Ministry on Tuesday. "As a result of enemies' heavy weapons firing, seven Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel were martyred over the past 24 hours, "the ministry said in a statement.

The army also waged offensives and killed 15 militants in Paktika, Helmand, Kandahar, Herat and Nimroz province besides recovering weapons and drugs within the same period, the statement said. (Afghanistan-Attacks)

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NEW DELHI -- Visiting U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday hailed India as a "natural partner," saying that the relationship can be a defining partnership of this century.

"The relationship between the two countries can be one of the defining partnerships of the century. We are one of the few nations who have gone both to the moon and Mars. America has the largest Indian diaspora in the world, they tie us together," President Obama said in an address at the Town Hall.

"India and the U.S. not just natural partners, I believe we can be best partners. The world would be a lot safer when our two democracies stand together," he told a gathering of 2,000 people. (India-U.S.-Address)

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CAMP SIONGCO, Philippines -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Tuesday that the U.S. troops had extended help to rescue injured people after a gunbattle that left more than 50 police personnel and Muslim rebels dead in south Philippine province of Maguindanao.

Five unarmed U.S. soldiers were seen on Monday extracting wounded members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force, using their white non-combat Bell Helicopter. (Philippines- U.S.-Rescue)

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NEW DELHI -- U.S. President Barack Obama wrapped up his three- day tour of India, making a strong pitch for religious freedom in this country.

"India will succeed as long as it's not splintered along religious lines," President Obama said while addressing 2,000 people at the Town Hall in the capital.

"Your Article 25 (of the Indian Constitution) says that all people are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion," he added. ( India-U.S.-Visit) Endi