Reuters World News Highlights at 1356 GMT, Sep 01

TOP STORIES

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TEHRAN - Iran has prepared an updated nuclear proposal and is ready to hold negotiations with world powers, state-run Iranian television quoted the Islamic Republic's chief nuclear negotiator as saying on Tuesday.

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TOKYO - Japan's Democratic Party, fresh from a landslide election victory, discussed the country's struggling economy with the central bank and finance ministry on Tuesday as the transition to a new government stepped up a gear.

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ABUJA - Two key militant leaders in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta have started informal talks with the government about surrendering their weapons in return for clemency, an amnesty committee spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

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BEIJING/TAIPEI - The balance of military power between China and Taiwan is shifting towards Beijing, leaving the island few options without U.S. aid in the event of attack, a threat that has not eased despite warming ties.

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SOPOT, Poland - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rebuffed criticism on Tuesday of Moscow's role just before World War Two during ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland.

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BEIJING/LONDON - Manufacturers offered evidence of sustained recovery in China and signs of stability in Europe on Tuesday, indicating a global upturn from the worst recession since World War Two is taking hold.

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SANAA - The Yemeni government rejected a truce offer by Shi'ite rebels in the north of the Arabian Peninsula country late on Monday, after accusing Iranian media of stoking the conflict.

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MINGORA, Pakistan - Pakistani troops killed 15 militants in fresh clashes in Swat, the army said on Tuesday, taking the death toll to 45 in five days after a lull in the campaign to clear the Taliban out of the northwestern valley.

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NICOSIA - Turkey hopes to open its border with Armenia by the end of the year under a protocol to establish diplomatic ties, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Tuesday.

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MANILA - The son of iconic former Philippine President Corazon Aquino was endorsed on Tuesday by his party's leader to contest next year's presidential election and is likely to formally announce his candidacy this week.

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BANGKOK/BEIJING - Myanmar's assault on rebel militias on its remote border appears aimed at herding them into next year's election process, even if it comes at the cost of vital ties with its powerful northern neighbour, China.

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SEOUL - North Korea, facing tougher U.N. sanctions for its nuclear test in May and a series of missile launches, said on Tuesday it had sent a Foreign Ministry delegation to China, its biggest benefactor and only major ally.