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Egypt is to open the Rafah border crossing into Gaza permanently to Palestinians from Saturday, the state news agency reports.

A huge explosion detected by Nasa's Swift observatory is believed by scientists to be the most distant single object yet seen.

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Fifa presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam denies bribery allegations made against him by Fifa executive committee member Chuck Blazer.

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Veteran talk show host Oprah Winfrey's final programme is screened on Wednesday after 25 years on the air.

Germany is alarmed at the scale of an E. coli outbreak which is thought to have killed three people and seems to affect young women in particular.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Google boss Eric Schmidt have warned governments worldwide not to over-regulate the internet.

A huge explosion detected by Nasa's Swift observatory is believed by scientists to be the most distant single object yet seen.

In Association With

Mexico's underground rivers: The Mayan Riviera on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is home to several deep wells of gin-clear water that provide entry into a surreal underworld.

Cruises for non-cruise people: Alaskan wilds, African rivers, the Northwest Passage, tall ships and more for those who might find a traditional cruise experience a bit staid.

Postcard from Belfast: Northern Ireland’s capital has a relaxed culinary renaissance and a covetable fry-up.

Decoding airline sizes: Choosing a flight based on the aircraft – and not just the price – can make a big difference when it comes to personal comfort.

Here be dragons: Booker Prize-nominated novelist Philip Hensher travels to Taiwan for the annual Dragon Boat Festival and uncovers a land of myths, tradition and ceremony.