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Chávez pulls the plug on opposition television station

African immigrants left drifting on tuna nets as passing boats refuse to rescue them

British troops fighting in Iraq are underequipped and overstretched

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NHS support staff asked to undertake midwives' duties

5,000 rare and endangered animals found floating off the coast of China

Russia ignores UK request for extradition connected to Litvinenko murder

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Fun for some as publication of Alastair Campbell's memoirs goes ahead despite protests from No 10

Dutch TV makes a game show out of kidney donation

US looks at possibility of cutting Iraqi forces by up to 50,000 early next year

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First formal US-Iran talks since 1980 reported "positive" MG Rover's Longbridge plant reopens for production

Most significant breakthrough in identifying cancer gene since the mid-1990s

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Summary: Damp spirits across the UK after bank holiday washout

Forecast: Tiny speck of blue in Middle East skies with promises of further diplomatic talks