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Clashes Leaves 13 Kurdish Rebels, One Turkish Soldier Dead

Thirteen Kurdish rebels and one Turkish soldiers were killed Thursday in clashes in southeastern Turkey, Anatolia news agency reported, quoting local officials.

One soldier was killed and six wounded overnight when rebels from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) opened fire on an army unit near Cukurca, close to the Iraqi border, Hakkari provincial governor Muammar Turker told Anatolia.

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Juve Stun Milan to Put One Foot in Final

Juventus have one foot in the Italian Cup final after Martin Caceres scored a brace to hand them a 2-1 win over AC Milan in the semifinal, first leg at the San Siro on Wednesday.

Italian youth international Stephan El Shaarawy replied for the hosts but it wasn't enough.

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Bayern, Gladbach, and Fuerth Go Forth in German Cup

Second-division Greuther Fuerth joined Bayern Munich, Borussia Moenchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals of the German Cup after they shocked Bundesliga side Hoffenheim 1-0 on Wednesday.

Bayern are chasing their 16th German Cup title and are into Saturday's draw for the last four after their 2-0 quarter-final win at VfB Stuttgart with France wing Franck Ribery scoring the opening goal.

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S. Korean President Arrives in Qatar

South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak arrived in the Qatari capital Doha Thursday after a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where he secured pledges to ensure a stable supply of oil to the East Asian nation.

He is on a regional tour that will also include a stop in the United Arab Emirates.

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Study: Tai Chi Improves Balance in Parkinson's Patients

People with Parkinson's disease who practiced the Chinese martial art tai chi for six months showed better balance than counterparts who did other forms of exercise, said a U.S. study Wednesday.

A total of 195 people took part in the randomized study in four different cities in the western state of Oregon, according to the results published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Britain's Prince Harry Qualifies as Apache Pilot

Britain's Prince Harry has qualified as an Apache attack helicopter pilot, St. James's Palace said Thursday, adding that he had won a prize for shooting skills.

The 27-year-old received an award for being the best co-pilot gunner at a dinner Wednesday to celebrate the completion of 18 months of rigorous training by some 20 pilots.

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Barak: Israel Fears Syria Arms Transfers to Hizbullah

Sophisticated weapons could be transferred from Syria to Hizbullah if the regime of Bashar Assad falls, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned on Thursday.

"You have to be alert to the possibility so that during the fall of the regime there will not be the transfer of sophisticated Syrian weapons to Hizbullah and Lebanon," he told Israeli military radio.

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Syria Grand Mufti Hails Iran Support

Syria's top Muslim cleric has thanked Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his unwavering support of Syria's government as it deals with widespread unrest, the presidency website reported Thursday.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Badreddin Hassoun conveyed the "thanks of the Syrian people and president for the stance of Ahmadinejad and our nation," the website said after a meeting between the two late Wednesday in Tehran.

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Etihad Airways in First-Ever Net Profit in 2011

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways on Thursday posted a net profit of $14 million for 2011, exceeding its goal of breaking even for the first time ever, a statement said.

The national carrier of the United Arab Emirates said its revenues were up 36 percent in 2011 to $4.1 billion, with net profit touching $14 million.

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Islamist Bomb Attack Toll in Somalia Rises to 15

At least 15 people were killed by a suicide bomber from the al-Qaida linked Shebab, officials said Thursday, as details emerged of the heavy blast in Somalia's war-torn capital Mogadishu.

"The horrible suicide blast, carried out by desperate and violent criminals, killed at least 15 innocent civilians, while 20 others are injured," said Mogadishu mayor Mohamed Ahmed Nour, updating an initial toll of 11.

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