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Xinhua world news summary at 0100 GMT, Sept. 10

Xinhua, September 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

A Norwegian citizen has been taken hostage by the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in Syria and the Nordic country has refused to pay any ransom, Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg said on Wednesday.

The Norwegian government was made aware of a possible kidnapping of a Norwegian citizen in Syria in late January and a crisis team headed by the Foreign Ministry has worked on it for some time, local newspaper VG quoted Solberg as saying at a press briefing. (Norway-Syria)

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HAVANA -- The Cuba-United States Bilateral Commission will meet for the first time Friday in Havana, Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

"At this meeting, the delegations of the two countries will define the agenda of issues to be addressed following the restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States on 20 July," said a statement published on the Ministry's website. (Cuba-U.S.)

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ISLAMABAD -- Gunmen shot dead two media workers in Pakistan in 24 hours while two others were injured, officials said on Wednesday.

Unidentified men, riding a motorbike, fired at a senior journalist, Aftab Alam, in the southern port city of Karachi on Wednesday afternoon.

Alam, 40, who had worked for private Geo and Samaa TV channels, came under attack near his house when he was heading to a school to bring his children. He died at the scene. The gunmen fled after the incident, police said. No group claimed responsibility. (Pakistan-Media)

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CAIRO -- At least 30 militants were killed and 41 suspects were arrested in a major anti-terrorism operation launched by the Egyptian security forces in North Sinai, military spokesman Mohamed Samir said in a statement Wednesday.

"The forces destroyed three vehicles and 32 motorbikes used by the militants in their terrorist and criminal attacks and also ruined 80 huts and hideouts of the terrorists," the statement said, noting that the militants started the shooting at the forces that dealt with them. (Egypt-Militants) Endi