Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, Sept 20

An assistant of the former al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was killed during battles near two Shiite towns in northwestern Syria, a monitor group reported on Saturday.

Abu Hassan al-Tunisi, the Arabic for the Tunisian Abu Hassan, which was an assistant of bin Laden in Afghanistan, was killed during intense battles waged by the al-Qaida-linked militants against the predominantly Shiite towns of Kafraya and Foa in the countryside of Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Syria-bin Laden)

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ISLAMABAD -- At least 15 militants were killed in an air strike launched by Pakistani army in the country' s northwest tribal area of Khyber Agency on Saturday, local Urdu media reported.

Dawn TV said that the troops backed by jet fighters pounded four militants' hideouts in Tirah Valley area of Khyber Agency, a restive tribal area along Pakistan-Afghanistan border. (Pakistan-Militants)

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GAZA -- Hamas movement militants seized an Israeli reconnaissance drone that fell on northern Gaza Strip, the second within two months, a Hamas official said Saturday.

The official, who spoke to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, said the second drone fell on agricultural field at the outskirts of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia, adding the farmer who found the drone handed it to Hamas. (Gaza-Israeli Drone )

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HELSINKI -- Hundreds of people gathered in several cities in Finland to protest against immigration on Saturday, reported Finnish national broadcaster Yle.

About 200 people assembled in downtown Helsinki to oppose increasing refugees coming to Finland, shouting loudly "Finland belongs to Finns." (Finland-Refugees) Endi