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‎🇳🇬 Nigeria — Top 10 this morning

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‎1. Peter Obi convoy blocked in Benue

‎The Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate said hired thugs blocked his convoy on Gboko Road near the Air Force Base while he was going to commiserate with families of the Yelwata massacre where over 270 were killed. He described chants of "Peter Obi, go back" as deeply depressing. NDC is demanding an investigation. 

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‎2. INEC fixes by-elections

‎INEC has fixed Saturday, September 19 for five by-elections across Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states. 

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‎3. Campaigns for 2027 begin

‎Governorship and State Assembly campaigns officially started September 8 per INEC timetable. Presidential and National Assembly campaigns started August 19. 

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‎4. APC withdraws Osun petition

‎APC has withdrawn its petition challenging Governor Ademola Adeleke's re-election in the August 15 Osun poll, barely 24 hours after tribunal notices were displayed. The party's lawyer said he received fresh instructions from party leaders. 

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‎5. Naira strengthens

‎Naira appreciated to N1,387 per dollar in parallel market from N1,390, and to N1,322.9 at the official NFEM window on Tuesday. 

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‎6. Dangote Refinery expansion + IPO

‎Dangote Refinery plans a $14bn expansion from 700,000 bpd to 1.4m bpd by 2029, and has signed documents for what is slated to be Africa's biggest IPO — aiming to raise N2.15trn ($1.63bn) from Sept 14 to Oct 13. SEC has now approved it. e440

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‎7. N2.4bn fraud: 490-year term upheld

‎Appeal Court Abuja affirmed ex-NEXIM MD Robert Orya's 490-year sentence (10 years on each of 49 counts, to run concurrently) for N2.4bn fraud. 

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‎8. Flood warning

‎NiHSA warns 14,000+ communities in 33 states + FCT face high flood risk in 2026, peaking July-September.

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‎9. WAEC staff summoned, Customs officer crash, SDP in Oyo swaps candidate

‎Police cybercrime centre invited a WAEC staff over alleged cyberstalking/defamation. A Customs officer died in a lone crash on Ikom-Calabar highway. Oyo SDP replaced Michael Okunlade with Mogaji Agboola.

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‎10. Entertainment note

‎TikToker Peller said he asked Pastor Tobi Adegboyega to help free dancer Poco Lee from prison.

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‎🌍 World & Markets

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‎Oil near $100: Brent rallied to $99.49 (+$1.57) — highest since late June — as Middle East tensions escalate. Houthis hit Saudi cities, US hit Iranian tankers, Iran hit a US base in Jordan. WTI at $94.63. 

‎Stocks muted: Asia subdued, yen strengthened to 153.66/dollar toward 7-month high on BOJ hike bets. S&P 500 futures +0.1% after Wall St fell 0.6% Tuesday.

‎Norway: Preparations underway to lay King Harald to rest, with large crowds expected. Poll shows monarchy still has 72% support.

‎WHO: Staff shortage and funding hampering Congo Ebola response as outbreak spreads.

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‎⚽ Sports

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‎Ballon d'Or 2026 nominees announced yesterday in Paris ahead of the London ceremony on Oct 26: 

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‎World Cup final scorer Ferran Torres leads the 30-man list after Spain beat Argentina in July 7.

‎Also nominated: defending winner Ousmane Dembélé, Lionel Messi (now breaking Ronaldo's nomination record), Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal.

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‎Super Falcons update: Augustine Eguavoen will lead the Falcons interim for 2028 Olympic qualifiers vs Comoros in October while NFF searches for a permanent coach.

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‎Lagos / Nigeria - Top Stories
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‎1. Kara Bridge repairs start today
‎The Federal Government is beginning repairs on the damaged expansion joints at the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway today, September 8. Expect traffic diversions if you're on that corridor.
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‎2. Dangote Refinery IPO - historic sale moves forward
‎Nigeria's Dangote oil refinery signed offering documents yesterday for its landmark IPO, on track to be Africa's biggest-ever share sale.
‎Offer period: September 14 to October 13
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‎Plan: 4.1 billion shares at ₦525 each, raising about ₦2.15 trillion ($1.63bn) if fully subscribed, with option for 30% more in case of oversubscription.
‎The 700,000 b/d plant on the outskirts of Lagos has already reshaped Nigeria's fuel market. Dangote Sugar also just raised ₦486bn ($368m) in a rights issue yesterday.
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‎3. Lagos infrastructure
‎Opebi Link Bridge will open to motorists before end of September, according to Gov. Sanwo-Olu. 431f7d87
‎Lagos to host 500+ maritime leaders for Lagos Maritime Week from Sept 8-10, focusing on blue economy, trade and security. 50e4
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‎4. Politics & Economy roundup from papers today:
‎Headlines are dominated by clashes over social intervention funds, and opposition talks ahead of 2027. 4390
‎Vanguard leads with FG domestic borrowing up 90% to ₦24.7trn in 8 months, squeezing businesses.
‎Osun APC says it is not challenging the Aug 15 governorship result at the tribunal, clarifying earlier reports.
‎NDC party warns against misinformation on ticket sales for 2027.
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‎5. Exchange & other notes
‎Dollar to Naira remains pressured — NaijaNews is tracking today's official rate.
‎Boxing returns to Nigeria: Balmoral Group & Amir Khan Promotions announced a major fight night in Lagos to be broadcast live on DAZN.
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‎World - 5 stories you might have missed overnight
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‎1. Indonesia airports reopen — Jakarta's main airport and four others reopened early Sept 8 after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau disrupted nearly 3,000 flights and stranded 340,000+ passengers over the weekend.
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‎2. UK to ban trade with Israeli West Bank settlements — Britain is set to announce a trade ban on goods produced in Israeli settlements as early as today, plus possible sanctions on settlement builders — a major shift in policy.
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‎3. Paris investigates Eiffel Tower incident — City authorities are probing claims that female staff were asked to hide during a visit by a Hindu religious delegation on Sept 5, leading to a staff protest that closed the monument late Sept 7.
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‎4. Europe's telcos eye Starlink rival — Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone and Telefonica are in early talks for a joint satellite-to-mobile venture to bid on EU-reserved spectrum.
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‎5. US Open tennis — Elena Rybakina beat Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 yesterday to reach her first US Open quarter-final, where she'll face China's Zheng Qinwen. A semi-final spot would make her World No.1

Monday Briefing

‎🇳🇬 Nigeria - lead story today
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‎Dangote Refinery IPO signing happening today in Lagos. The Dangote Group will sign documents for its refinery IPO at a ceremony at Eko Convention Centre around 12:00 noon WAT (1100 GMT). It's being called Africa's biggest-ever share sale.
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‎The IPO could raise about 2.15 trillion naira ($1.63bn) by selling 4.1 billion shares at 525 naira per share.
‎The order book is set to open September 14.
‎The 650,000 bpd refinery, built for about $20bn on the outskirts of Lagos, has been exporting jet fuel across Africa and Europe.
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‎Also in Nigeria:
‎Emirates restarts Lagos flights today, September 7, and Abuja from September 9.
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‎Newspaper roundup: Manufacturers Association of Nigeria says Q2 GDP growth of 4.43% is masking industrial crisis, and UN envoy Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim dismissed claims President Tinubu could face arrest in the US.
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‎🌍 World
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‎1. AI existential risk warning: UN rights chief Volker Turk told the Human Rights Council in Geneva today that AI could become powerful enough to threaten humanity, calling for “cast iron guarantees” on safety.
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‎2. Middle East: Israeli strikes on a southern Lebanese town early this morning killed at least 11 people including two children and two medics, per Lebanon's state news agency.
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‎3. Europe:
‎Germany's industrial production fell 1.1% in July, driven by a 9.2% drop in auto production — analysts had expected a rise.
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‎Serbia's government will propose dissolving parliament later today for a snap election this year.
‎London and European stocks were muted — oil up after fresh US-Iran attacks is stoking inflation fears. The pan-European STOXX 600 fell 0.1% early.
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‎4. Markets to watch this week:
‎US Fed decision Sept 15-16: traders pricing ∼58% chance of a hike ahead of Friday's CPI.
‎ECB expected to hike on Thursday, Bank of Japan expected to hike Sept 18. Yen hit a 7-month high today.
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‎5. India: Rescue operations continue after a building housing a boys' PG near Delhi University's South Campus collapsed Sunday. Delhi High Court agreed to hear a PIL today.

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Here's what's making headlines today

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‎🇳🇬 Nigeria — Top Stories
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‎1. Politics - Wike vs Amaechi ahead of 2027
‎FCT Minister Nyesom Wike dominated the news cycle yesterday in Rivers State. Speaking at a grand reception in Ikwerre LGA, he predicted ADC vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi would tell supporters to boycott the 2027 election before 11am on election day, saying Amaechi would realize he can't defeat the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers. He also mocked Amaechi's base: "If he wins his village, Ubima, then he has won the election."
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‎Wike also said the Rainbow Coalition will "copy Amaechi's definition of brotherhood" from 2015 — when Amaechi chose Buhari over Jonathan — and use it to back President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
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‎2. House of Reps - All ad-hoc committees dissolved
‎Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has dissolved all ad-hoc committees of the 10th House, effective August 28. This includes the Yusuf Gagdi-led panel investigating the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council controversy.
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‎3. Insecurity debate
‎The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has accused the Federal Government of downplaying killings and kidnappings, rejecting Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa's claim that security has improved. APM cited Nigeria moving to 4th most insecure in the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, up from 6th in 2025.
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‎4. Nasarawa 2027
‎Former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu has emerged as the SDP governorship candidate in Nasarawa, winning a replacement primary in Lafia with 28,637 delegates participating.
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‎5. Entertainment
‎Nollywood actress Oluebube Obio says she was forced to attend an APC campaign event and was being blackmailed, while Isabell Idibia, daughter of Annie and 2Baba, said her mom's friendship with stylist Swanky Jerry is genuine, "not just for camera".
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‎🏀⚽ Sports
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‎D'Tigress: Nigeria's women's basketball team suffered a second straight loss at the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup in Berlin, losing 71-67 to Hungary after an earlier 99-81 defeat to South Korea.
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‎Premier League: Erling Haaland scored the winner as Manchester City beat newly promoted Coventry City 1-0 to make it 3 wins from 3.
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‎US Open: Day 7 on Saturday saw top seed Alexander Zverev beat Alejandro Tabilo 6-2 7-6(2) 6-2, while Elena Rybakina, Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek all advanced to the last 16.
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‎🌍 World / Business
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‎OPEC+: The oil producers' group is set to keep output policy unchanged for October at today's meeting, sources told Reuters. The group needs to review capacity and set 2027 baselines before unwinding further cuts, and the ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has limited its market influence.
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‎China Banks: Two major state banks announced $39bn in capital-raising plans today — Agricultural Bank of China up to 160bn yuan ($24bn) and ICBC 100bn yuan ($15bn).

Today's Top Headlines

‎🇳🇬 Nigeria — Leading Today
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‎1. Pipeline tragedy in Rivers: At least 37 people died after inhaling fumes as they tried to tap an oil pipeline in southern Nigeria, an environmental group said on Friday. The incident happened around midnight at Okrika, Rivers State, while suspected thieves were siphoning product under high pressure.
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‎2. Dangote Refinery IPO cleared: Nigeria's SEC has approved a ∼$1.6bn Dangote Refinery IPO. The order book is set to open September 14.
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‎3. Uber exits Nigeria: Ride-hailing company Uber shut down its Nigeria operations on September 2, after 12 years in the country. It began in Lagos in 2014.
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‎4. Auditor-General query: The Office of the Auditor-General has flagged ₦33.75 billion transferred to over 3.29 million vulnerable households as unaccounted for.
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‎5. Security & politics:
‎Boko Haram/ISWAP clash in Sambisa left 23 fighters dead; separately Boko Haram attacked Borno APC guber candidate's convoy.
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‎ADC unveiled 28 governorship candidates including Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Abubakar Malami for 2027.
‎Defence Minister Christopher Musa confirmed coup plot against President Tinubu was real.
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‎🌍 World / Africa Today
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‎1. UN adopts new world map: The UN General Assembly voted Sept 4 to adopt the Equal Earth projection to show the true scale of continents — making Africa bigger while shrinking North America and Europe. 164 countries backed it, only the US voted against.
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‎2. US midterms begin in confusion: America’s midterm elections opened Sept 4 with North Carolina first to send ballots, but voters face uncertainty over mail-in voting rules as Trump presses courts to impose new restrictions.
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‎3. Ukraine peace push: Trump says envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are heading abroad with a fresh proposal to attempt a Russia-Ukraine peace deal.
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🇳🇬 Top Nigeria headlines

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‎1. 37 dead in Rivers pipeline incident

‎At least 37 people died after inhaling fumes while trying to tap an oil pipeline at Okari Jetty in Okrika LGA, Rivers State. The incident happened around midnight Thursday. 

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‎2. Presidency clarifies Tinubu's US court case

‎The Presidency says the Freedom of Information Act case involving President Bola Tinubu before the US District Court for the District of Columbia is a civil records-disclosure dispute, not a criminal case. 

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‎3. Dangote Refinery IPO to raise $1.55bn - $1.8bn

‎The IPO will involve 4.1bn shares priced between 500 naira and 595 naira per share. Sources say pricing around 525 naira is being considered. 

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‎4. Defence Minister warns against giving motorcycles as palliatives

‎Minister Christopher Musa warned governors and lawmakers that motorcycles distributed as palliatives could end up in the hands of terrorists. 

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‎5. 2027 politics heats up

‎Peter Obi (NDC presidential candidate) said he is ready to "lose my life protecting my votes" in 2027 at a town hall in Port Harcourt, while his running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso warned parties not to rely on governors to win. 

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‎6. Other major stories today:

‎Rivers Gov. Fubara signs N1.84trn 2026 budget into law 4529079409963650286

‎Naira gains: N1,405/$ in parallel market (from N1,410) and N1,322.50/$ at NFEM.

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‎Oyo police arrest 6 over counterfeit €100 notes worth €8,900 4529079409963650286

‎Emir of Gumel, Dr Ahmad Muhammad Sani, dies at 84 in Cairo after 46-year reign.

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‎🌍 World / Business headlines

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‎1. European shares edge lower ahead of US jobs data - STOXX 600 dipped 0.1% at 648.67, while Volkswagen jumped 6% after announcing 50,000 job cuts. 

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‎2. US markets brace for payrolls - Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures climb ahead of key jobs report, after Fed Governor Waller signaled support for holding rates steady. 

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‎3. Gold heads for weekly gain as traders pare September hike bets. 

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Today's Headlines

 

‎🇳🇬Nigeria Today:
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‎Uber exits Nigeria after 12 years — ride-hailing operations wound down from Sept 2 after a business review.
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‎House of Reps clears Gbajabiamila in PFIPC probe — committee says no evidence linking Chief of Staff to purported council, says he alerted police, NSA, DSS and EFCC.
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‎Politics: FCT Minister Wike accuses Imo and Kwara governors of working against him, and says he advised Osun Gov Adeleke to present Certificate of Return to Tinubu.
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‎INEC vs NDC: Nigeria Democratic Congress insists it did not submit the 10 Anambra candidates INEC published.
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‎Sports: Falconets ready for Spain clash at U-20 Women's World Cup on Sept 7, and agent Diomansy Kamara slams clubs over treatment of African players after Sarr & Camara deadline-day dram.
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‎🌏World /📊 Markets:
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‎Markets rally: Shares and bonds staged a relief rally in Asia as investors await U.S. jobs data and Fed signals on rates.
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‎Gold up 1%+ ahead of Friday's U.S. nonfarm payrolls report.
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‎IMF warning: MD Kristalina Georgieva says rising bond yields in advanced economies threaten developing-country debt progress.
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‎Pacific tensions: Pacific leaders' chair urges united front over China's July ballistic missile test in the Pacific. d6bb
‎Belgium heat toll: ∼3,000 excess deaths reported over summer heatwaves from June 18 - Aug 16.
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‎Other World top stories:
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‎India slams Pakistan over demolition of century-old Hindu temple.
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‎Piyush Goyal defends 7.8% GDP growth figures.
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‎Ram Mandir Trust names retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as first CEO.
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‎Trump reportedly floated renaming Strait of Hormuz to 'Trump Strait' amid US-Israel-Iran conflict.