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Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Dec. 4

Xinhua, December 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

Up to 30 Taliban militants have been killed and 15 others injured as clashes erupted in Khanshin district in Taliban's former stronghold -- Helmand province since Thursday night, police spokesman in the province, Shah Mohammad Ashna said Friday.

"Taliban rebels launched massive offensive against security checkpoints in Qala-e-Naw area of Khanshin district Thursday night, but security forces resisted leaving 30 armed rebels dead and 15 others injured," Ashna told Xinhua. (Afghanistan-Militants)

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CAIRO -- Molotov explosives started a fire at a nightclub in Cairo on Friday, killing 16 people and wounding three others, the Egyptian Interior Ministry said.

The Molotov attack appeared to have been triggered by a dispute between staff at the nightclub and a group of youths who were reportedly denied access to the place, the ministry added in a statement. (Egypt-Molotov)

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BANGKOK -- Thai authorities are currently stepping up security measures in the capital and elsewhere following last week's caution from Russia on possible terrorist attacks by IS-associated Syrian nationals who have already entered Thailand, police said on Friday.

Russia's Federal Security Service counter-intelligence unit sent a note to Thai authorities to warn of possible IS-related attacks on Russian and Western interests in Thailand following last October's entry into this country of 10 Syrian nationals, said deputy National Police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Sonpol Wattanachai. (Thailand-IS-Syrians)

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GHAZNI, Afghanistan -- At least 10 people, all civilians, sustained injuries as mortar mine fired by militants struck a house in the central Ghazi province on Friday, police said.

"Taliban rebels targeted Zana Khan district with mortar mine early Friday, but it struck a house wounding 10 people, all civilians, including seven children, some of them in critical condition," provincial police chief Aminullah Omarkhil told Xinhua.(Afghanistan-Blast)

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LOS ANGELES -- U.S. authorities on Thursday released the names of the 14 people killed in the mass shooting in the California city of San Bernardino.

The victims were six women and eight men, with the youngest 26 and oldest 60. (U.S.-Shooting) Endi