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6.8-Magnitude Quake Jolts Chile

A magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck central Chile Friday, centered in almost exactly the same spot where last year's magnitude-8.8 quake spawned a tsunami and devastated coastal communities.

Electricity and phone service were disrupted and thousands of people fled to higher ground following Friday's quake, but the government quickly announced that there was no risk of a tsunami, and there were no reports of damage or injuries.

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Egypt Curfew Eased as Government Officials Banned from Traveling

Egypt's military relaxed a nighttime curfew Saturday and banned current and ex-government officials from traveling abroad without permission in its first moves since taking power after President Hosni Mubarak's ouster.

The moves came as Egyptian protesters were jubilant over their success in ousting the longtime authoritarian leader, but many vowed to stay camped in Cairo's central Tahrir, or Liberation, square until they hear "clear assurances" that the military will meet their demands for democracy.

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Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Musharraf Over Bhutto Murder

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Saturday issued an arrest warrant for former President Pervez Musharraf over the assassination of ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto, a public prosecutor said.

"Judge Rana Nisar Ahmad has issued non-bailable warrant for former President Pervez Musharraf and directed him to appear before the court on February 19," Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali told Agence France Presse.

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Salameh: Lebanese Canadian Bank Abides by Laws, International Standards

Central Bank governor Riad Salameh said Friday “the Lebanese Canadian Bank abides by Lebanese laws and international standards,” a day after the Treasury Department accused it of laundering hundreds of millions of dollars in drug profits for a cocaine smuggling organization with ties to Hizbullah.

The bank “receives the absolute support of the Central Bank,” Salameh said.

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Scuffles Break Out in Venezuela's Congress Chamber

Scuffles and a fistfight erupted between allies and adversaries of President Hugo Chavez in Venezuela's National Assembly on Thursday, forcing security guards to separate two battling lawmakers.

It was the second scuffle among lawmakers since early January, when newly elected opposition lawmakers took their seats in a legislature that had for years been controlled almost exclusively by Chavez allies.

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Suicide Bomber Kills 31 Soldiers in Northwestern Pakistan

A suicide bomber in a school uniform attacked soldiers during morning exercises at a Pakistani army training camp Thursday, killing 31 troops and wounding 20 others, police and the military said.

The attack in the northwest town of Mardan showed that despite years of army operations against their hideouts along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, Taliban and al-Qaida-linked fighters retain the ability to strike back. It was one of the worst attacks on security forces in recent months.

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Nissan Quarterly Profit Jumps 78 Percent

Nissan reported a 78 percent jump in quarterly profit and raised its full-year forecasts Wednesday as vehicle sales grew in North America, Europe and Asia, offsetting a weak performance in Japan.

Nissan's October-December net profit totaled 80.07 billion Yen ($976.4 million), up from 44.97 billion Yen a year earlier. Sales for its fiscal third quarter rose 5.3 percent to 2.103 trillion Yen ($25.6 billion).

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Protesters Fear Revenge if Mubarak Keeps Grip on Power

The trappings of a determined protest movement — chanting, flags and raised fists — fill Tahrir Square, the hard-won enclave of those who seek a new Egypt. But some there fear an enemy within.

The boldest challenge ever to President Hosni Mubarak's three decades of authoritarian rule has so far failed in its singular goal to oust him immediately. And after initial euphoria over their defiance of a state once thought impregnable, protesters are increasingly uneasy that Mubarak or leaders he has chosen may manage to hang on to power.

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6 Years after Alleged Desertion, Wassef Hassoun’s Family Seeks to Clear his Name in Book and Movie Deal

More than six years after a U.S. Marine corporal was charged with desertion for allegedly faking his own kidnapping in Iraq, his family is once again making rumblings about clearing his name.

The effort, however, wouldn't play out in military court. Instead, the Utah family of Wassef Ali Hassoun contacted a Los Angeles publicist in search of a $1 million book and movie deal.

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Rafael Nadal, Lindsey Vonn Win 2011 Laureus Awards

Rafael Nadal and Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn won this year's individual Laureus Sports Awards on Monday, with Spain's World Cup winners taking the team prize.

The No. 1-ranked Nadal — winner of three Grand Slam tennis titles in 2010 — was named sportsman of the year, beating nominees including Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao and Barcelona footballers Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.

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