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Sunnis complain about Baghdad barrier (AP)
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 14:35:40 GMT

AP - A wall U.S. troops are building around a Sunni enclave in Baghdad came under increasing criticism on Saturday, with residents calling it "collective punishment" and a local leader saying construction began without the neighborhood council's approval.

52 killed in battles in Somali capital (AP)
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 14:59:47 GMT

AP - Heavy fighting Saturday between Islamic insurgents and Ethiopian troops backing the government left at least 52 civilians dead in the capital, a human rights official said, describing the violence as the worst in years. One of the city's main hospitals pitched tents outside to care for the wounded.

Taliban seeks exchange for aid workers (AP)
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 14:12:35 GMT

AP - A purported Taliban statement demanded the release of a number of the group's fighters and the withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan in exchange for the freedom of two kidnapped French aid workers.

Fidel Castro meets with Chinese official (AP)
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 13:11:35 GMT

AP - Photographs published in Cuba's party newspaper Saturday showed Fidel Castro meeting and shaking hands with a visiting Chinese Communist Party official, the latest sign the Cuban leader is becoming increasingly active more than eight months after undergoing emergency intestinal surgery.

Truck bomb fails to derail Nigerian vote (AP)
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 12:42:38 GMT

AP - A truck bomb aimed at Nigeria's electoral commission headquarters ran into barriers and failed to explode Saturday, but polls opened despite the attack for a presidential vote already shadowed by charges of fraud and a last-minute ballot hitch.

Sarkozy has edge over Royal before French election (Reuters)
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 15:09:46 GMT

Reuters - Right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy goes into France's presidential election on Sunday with an edge over Socialist Segolene Royal in opinion polls, but millions of undecided voters could yet cause a surprise.

4 Palestinians die in West Bank clashes (AP)
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 15:17:48 GMT

AP - Israeli troops killed four Palestinians in clashes in the West Bank on Saturday, including three militants who died when troops opened fire at their vehicle, Palestinian and Israeli officials said.

Bolivia retakes natural gas pipeline (AP)
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 04:46:25 GMT

AP - The military retook control of a natural gas pipeline to Argentina after days of violent protests at gas installations in southern Bolivia, the government said late Friday.

Fresh attack against Nigerian army in oil-rich south (AFP)
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 15:19:23 GMT

AFP - Militants riding speed-boats on the waters of the oil-rich Niger Delta attacked a military base in southern Nigeria on Saturday as the country went to polls in a landmark presidential election.

Koreas talks snag on nuclear issue (AP)
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 14:07:04 GMT

AP - South Korea's demand that North Korea renew its commitment to dismantle its nuclear weapons program forced economic aid talks between the neighbors into overtime on Saturday.

Bush thanks Howard for leadership in 'war on terror' (AFP)
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 15:12:43 GMT

AFP - US President George W. Bush has thanked Australian Prime Minister John Howard for cooperation in the "war on terror," a White House spokesman said Saturday.