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Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, March 20

Xinhua, March 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Russia will help Iraq build its defensive capabilities in the fight against Islamic extremism, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said here on Friday.

"Russia, as a friend of Iraq, will do everything necessary to strengthen its defensive capabilities and provide the (Iraqi) armed forces with abilities to counter outer threats," Rogozin said at a meeting of the Russia-Iraq Intergovernmental Commission. (Russia-Iraq-Extremism)

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BRUSSELS -- The European Commission announced on Friday that Ukraine had joined the Horizon 2020 program to work with the European Union (EU) in science and research.

It said researchers, businesses and innovators from Ukraine will now be able to fully participate in the EU's research and innovation funding program on equal terms with EU member states and other associated countries. (EU-Ukraine-Research)

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ATHENS -- Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis welcomed on Friday the results of the special meeting on Greek economy held on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels, urging all European counterparts to work together to re-design Europe and move forward to shared prosperity.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras agreed with top European officials and leaders on late Thursday evening to step up efforts for the full implementation of the Eurogroup February 20 agreement to resolve Greece's liquidity woes in coming weeks and the overall debt crisis in coming months. (Greece-Economy-Finance Minister)

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GENEVA -- The Federal Council of Switzerland on Friday announced its decision to participate in the foundation process of the China-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

In an official statement issued on Friday, Switzerland said it had submitted the necessary letter of intent to this new financial institution. (Switzerland-AIIB)

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SANAA -- A total of 88 people were killed and at least 100 others wounded on Friday in four bombing attacks in Yemen, local sources told Xinhua.

Two suicide bombers attacked two mosques in the capital of Sanaa during Friday prayers, killing at least 55 people, while at least 33 others were killed in two bombing attacks against a government building and a mosque in the Shiite Houthi stronghold of Saada province. (Yemen-Suicide Attack) Endi