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the town of Doaba in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said Khan.
• The Pakistani Taliban set off a bomb at a political rally held by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam in the northwest Kurram tribal region on Monday, killing 25 people and wounding 70, said government official Javed Khan. The targeted candidate was not harmed.
• The Taliban have carried out multiple attacks in the run-up to national elections scheduled for May 11. But most of the attacks have targeted secular parties that have opposed the militants and backed the army's attempt to clear them from their sanctuaries in the northwest.
• ___
Obama hosts South Korea's new president to show united front against North Korean threats
• WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama and South Korea's new leader Park Geun-hye hope to present a strong front against North Korea's nuclear threats during their high-profile meeting Tuesday at the White House. But they also want to leave the door open to talks with Pyongyang.
• Park has had something of a baptism of fire since she took office in February, two weeks after North Korea's latest atomic test ratcheted up tensions on the divided Korean Peninsula and undermined her hopes of forging a more trusting relationship with a difficult neighbor.
• In Washington, Park is assured of a warm reception on a visit that also marks the 60th anniversary of the U.S.-South Korean alliance. Her Oval Office meeting, working lunch and joint news conference with Obama will be followed Wednesday by an address to a joint meeting of Congress.
• Daniel Russel, White House senior director for Asian affairs, said Obama would reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the defense of South Korea. He said the joint appearance of the two leaders at the White House would make it crystal clear to Pyongyang that the allies stand shoulder to shoulder.
• "In dealing with North Korea, it's vital we show unity," Russel told reporters.
• ___
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