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Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng lands at Newark airport near New York, after his escape to the US embassy in Beijing sparked a diplomatic crisis.

A Libyan resident in the eastern city of Benghazi casts her ballot on May 19 2012 to elect a local council.

Benghazi votes in local elections

Residents in the Libyan city of Benghazi vote in local council elections, the first polls held in the city since the 1960s.

Business

Market Data Fri, 18 May 2012 23:59 BST

Marketwatch

(min delay 15 mins) Marketwatch Ticker

Market Name	Current Value	Movement	Change	Percentage Change
Dow Jones	12369.38	-	-73.11	-0.59%
Nasdaq	2778.79	-	-34.90	-1.24%
FTSE 100	5267.62	-	-70.76	-1.33%
Dax	6271.22	-	-37.74	-0.60%
Cac 40	3008.00	-	-3.99	-0.13%

Sport

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West Ham back in Premier League

Ricardo Vaz Te strikes a late winner as West Ham defeat Blackpool in an absorbing Championship play-off final.

Entertainment & Arts

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Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, pictured in 1965

Baritone Fischer-Dieskau dies

The respected German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, famed for his performances of Schubert's song cycle Winter Journey, dies at the age of 86.

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Health

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Testing tubes for Hep C, among other diseases

US baby boomers in Hep C warning

US baby boomers are advised to get tested for the liver-destroying virus hepatitis C, in a move health officials say could save 120,000 lives.

Technology

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Met Police to extract phone data

Mobile phone data of suspects in police custody is to be extracted and retained, regardless of whether charges are brought, the BBC has learned.

Science & Environment

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Japan urges cuts in power usage

Japan urges businesses and households to cut electricity use by up to 15% to avoid possible blackouts.

Future

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China’s clean coal goal

Can the world’s biggest polluter create the solutions to our energy problems?

Reaching for the stars

The ex-astronaut in charge of plans for humanity's escape from the solar system

Travel

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Ten of England’s oddest sights: If you venture beyond the country’s noble heritage and classic landmarks, there is a motley crew of eccentric, unexpected and even raunchy attractions.

The fiery Mediterranean coast: Italy’s western seaboard is lined with some of Europe’s most active volcanoes, whose explosions have lead to the destroyed towns and idyllic islands that attract travellers today.

Bhutan, the kingdom of the clouds: The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is a place where Buddhist traditions mix with modernity, and reverence is shown to tigers and the flaming thunderbolt of wisdom.

Hong Kong’s international art fair: Starting 17 May is ART HK 12, an international art fair that this year will play host to 266 galleries from 39 countries.

Living in... Portland, Oregon: Built by pioneers and populated by artists and techies, this gloriously groovy, gritty and green city in the Pacific Northwest is an attractive base.

America’s best north-south roads: Many of the most interesting roads in the United States run vertically through the country, and these old national highways offer authentic journeys of discovery and adventure.

The greenest transport from A to B: Between planes, trains, automobiles and buses, there are a few simple rules that can help when trying to travel with the lowest carbon footprint.

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Inheriting the blues

He is the son of a legendary Malian guitar player, and now musician Vieux Farka Toure has chosen to take his father's desert blues sound in new directions.