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AP - A coalition led by Iraq’s prime minister held a comfortable lead Saturday in the crucial contest for the nation’s capital, bolstering his chances in an election deciding who will lead the country as U.S. forces go home.

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Iraq’s PM leads in early Baghdad vote count
(AP)

AP - For all the evidence of a divided GOP, the Democratic Party has its own widening cracks that could make a potentially bleak election year even more dour.

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Divided party? It’s not just GOP, but also Dems
(AP)

AP - The earth shook and shook Thursday as dignitaries walked in for the swearing-in of Sebastian Pinera as Chile’s president. It shook some more as they waited for him to join them.

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More quakes hit Chile as new president takes over
(AP)

Sebastian Pinera is sworn in as president of quake-hit Chile, as a 6.9-magnitude aftershock strikes the centre of the country.

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Pinera sworn in as new quake hits

US Vice-President Joe Biden says Middle East peace talks must resume, despite a row over Israeli settlement plans.

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Biden tries to ease Mid-East row

AP - Early estimates from a range of Iraqi parties predict a coalition led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will take the lead in the parliamentary race.

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Iraqi PM’s coalition seen leading vote
(AP)

AP - The man chosen to be the fresh face of good Afghan governance in a town just seized from the Taliban has a violent criminal record in Germany, but Western officials said Saturday they are not pushing to oust him.

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New Afghan chief in Marjah has criminal record
(AP)

AP - An astounding run keeps getting better for Lady Antebellum. Already buoyed by the crossover success of its latest album, the country trio learned it’s up for seven Academy of Country Music Awards when nominations were announced Tuesday.

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Lady Antebellum leads ACM Awards nods with 7
(AP)

A curfew in Chile’s second city, Concepcion, is extended as troops struggle to contain looting after the earthquake.

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Chile struggles to stop looting

AFP - Niger troops stormed the presidency complex amid deadly gunbattles in Niamey on Thursday and seized President Mamadou Tandja and his cabinet in a coup d’Etat, diplomats said.

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Niger soldiers seize president in coup
(AFP)