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Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, April 2

Xinhua, April 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

Negotiators will extend the marathon Iranian nuclear talks into Thursday to further bridge the gaps, as nothing breakthrough was announced in the April Fool's day.

After missing the Tuesday deadline to reach a framework agreement, negotiators between P5+1 countries, namely the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain plus Germany, and Iran held intensive negotiations and internal consultations throughout Wednesday. (Switzerland-Nuclear Talks)

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LAGOS -- Nigeria's ruling party will challenge the outcome of the March 28 presidential election in court, a state governor said on Wednesday.

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, winner of Saturday's presidential election. (Nigeria-Election)

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DAMASCUS -- The al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and likeminded groups on Wednesday captured the Nasib border crossing in Syria's southern province of Daraa on the border with Jordan, according to activists and sources.

The al-Qaida-linked group posted an online photo, showing three bearded men in camouflages standing at the Syrian side of the borders and holding their black flag with a caption that read "the lions of Nusra Front from inside the Nasib crossing thanks due to God." (Syria-Rebels)

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BANGKOK -- Martial law was lifted in Thailand on Wednesday night, effective immediately, and replaced by Article 44 of the interim constitution.

The revocation was endorsed by the king with a royal command. (Thailand-Martial Law)

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LONDON -- More than 2,000 people were evacuated Wednesday from a number of buildings in London's Holborn area due to an electrical fire among cables under a pavement, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

"Fire crews are dealing with an electrical fire among cables under the pavement on Kingsway, Holborn," LFB said in a statement. (Britain-Fire)

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THE HAGUE -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday officially welcomed the State of Palestine as new entry during a ceremony at the seat of the Court in The Hague.

Palestine became the 123rd State Party to the Rome Statute, the ICC's founding treaty. On Jan. 1 this year the ICC received a document by the Palestinian government declaring Palestine's acceptance of the jurisdiction of the ICC since June 13, 2014. One day later Palestine also transmitted documents relating to its accession to the Rome Statute. (ICC-Palestine) Endi