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Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Jan. 24

Xinhua, January 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

Up to 35 militants had been killed amid cleanup operations by Afghan security forces since early Saturday, the country's Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

Some seven militants were injured and six others detained during the raids conducted by army, police and intelligence agency personnel in four of the country's 34 provinces, said the statement that provides daily operational updates. (Afghanistan-Raids)

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TOKYO -- Five people died and scores have been injured, as swathes of western and central Japan on Sunday saw record amounts of heavy snowfall blanket town and cities.

The snow caused major disruption to transportation networks, with hundreds of flights canceled and bullet trains services suspended. Conditions are likely to worsen through Monday. (Japan-Snowstorm)

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DAMASCUS -- The Syrian forces on Sunday captured the strategic town of Rabiah, a main rebel stronghold in the countryside of the coastal province of Latakia, state news agency SANA reported.

Rabiah is a key stronghold of the jihadist groups in the northern countryside of Latakia. The recapture of the town is the second hard blow for the rebels, just a week after the army forces captured the town of Salma. (Syria-Rebels)

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KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysian police said on Sunday that seven suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) were arrested in recent days.

Malaysian authorities have raised the security level following the terrorists attack in Jakarta, Indonesia earlier this month. (Malaysia-IS) Endi