Korean-American Kim takes helm at World Bank

Korean-American physician Jim Yong Kim took over as the new World Bank chief on Monday, immediately challenged to ensure the eurozone crisis does not set back global poverty-fighting efforts.

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Australia, Indonesia boost anti-smuggling efforts

Australia and Indonesia Tuesday agreed to work more closely to crack down on people-smuggling, with visiting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono saying his people were victims of the trade as well.

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Iran test-fires ballistic missile able to hit Israel

Iran on Tuesday test-fired in its central desert a ballistic missile capable of striking Israel as part of war games designed to show its ability to retaliate if attacked, media said. Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired the medium-range Shahab-3 missile at a mock target in the Kavir Desert on the second day of its Great Prophet 7 exercise, which is due to end on Wednesday, Iran's Al-Alam television network reported.

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Whaling nations defeat proposed Atlantic sanctuary

Japan and its allies shot down a Latin American-led proposal Monday to create a sanctuary for whales in the southern Atlantic Ocean, reigniting international tensions over Tokyo’s whaling. The International Whaling Commission, which has long been torn by disputes, fell into familiar divisions just hours after officials opened the main session of their week-long annual meeting in Panama City.

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