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Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, Jan. 18

Xinhua,January 18, 2018 Adjust font size:

TRIPOLI -- Libyan coast guards on Wednesday rescued 234 illegal immigrants off western Libyan coast, navy spokesman said.

"Tripoli's coast guards managed to rescue 234 immigrants of Arab and African nationalities, including women and children, who were on board two broken rubber boats," Ayob Qassem, navy spokesman, told Xinhua. (Libya-Immigrants)

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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. State Department on Wednesday approved a possible huge military sale to Saudi Arabia of continuation of missile system support services for an estimated cost of 500 million U.S. dollars.

According to an announcement published by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency under the U.S. Defense Ministry, the agency has notified the Congress of this sale later on Wednesday. (U.S.-Saudi Arabia-Military sales)

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UNITED NATIONS -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday stressed the importance of an international deal on Iran's nuclear issue on the second anniversary of the implementation of the agreement.

"The secretary-general remains convinced that the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) is the best way to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program and to realize the promised tangible economic benefits for the Iranian people," said Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric in a statement. (UN-Iran-Nuclear)

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BERLIN -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) on Wednesday ruled out further political concessions in the preliminary coalition agreement between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU) and German Social Democrats (SPD).

"The cornerstones of this policy paper cannot be renegotiated," Merkel told the press here. At most, it was possible to "finalize" some of its legislative points, she added. (Germany-Merkel)

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ABUJA -- Ten people were killed and 65 others injured in Nigeria's northeastern city of Maiduguri following two suicide blasts on Wednesday, the police and rescue officials said.

Two people suspected to be members of the terror group Boko Haram detonated their explosive devices at a local market in Muna Garage area located on the outskirts of Maiduguri, capital of the northern state of Borno, the police said. (Nigeria-Boko Haram) Enditem

 

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