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Palestinian Local Polls Delayed for Up to Four Months

The Palestinian government decided Tuesday to delay municipal elections for up to four months after the high court ruled they should be held only in the West Bank and not in the Gaza Strip.

However, a new date for the vote was not set by the government based in the West Bank, the Palestinian territory run by president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party.

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Syria Army Advances in Aleppo after U.S. Drops Russia Talks

Syrian regime forces advanced against rebels during intense street battles in the heart of Aleppo on Tuesday, after the United States abandoned talks with Russia aimed at reviving a ceasefire deal.

Washington said its decision did not mean it was "abandoning the pursuit of peace", as Moscow called for "political wisdom" while announcing the deployment of its S-300 missile system to the port of Tartus.

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Senior Muslim Brotherhood Leader Killed in Egypt Shootout

Egypt's Interior Ministry says police have killed a senior Muslim Brotherhood leader and another member of the outlawed Islamist group in a shootout in Cairo.

A ministry statement carried by the state MENA news agency early on Tuesday says 61-year-old Mohammed Kamal, a physician by profession, was wanted for more than a dozen armed attacks and was twice sentenced in absentia to life in prison for establishing an armed group and an explosion near a police station.

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French Woman Hostage Working for Red Cross Released in Yemen

A French-Tunisian woman working for the Red Cross has been released after nearly a year in captivity in Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross said late Monday.

An ICRC statement said that Nourane Houas had arrived in Oman's capital, Muscat, after being freed by her Yemeni captors.

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Suicide Attack on Syria Wedding Kills 14

A suicide bomber killed at least 14 people on Monday in an attack targeting a wedding party in the northeastern province of Hasakeh, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

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France Slams Russian, Regime 'Cynicism' in Syria

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault attacked on Monday the "cynicism" of Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime and its Russian ally, while urging support for a new ceasefire.

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Russia Says 'Regrets' U.S. Decision to Suspend Syria Talks

Russia's foreign ministry on Monday said it regretted a decision by the United States to suspend talks on a Syria ceasefire, saying Washington was trying to shift responsibility for the failure onto Moscow.

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Russian Blogger Fined for Call to 'Wipe Syria Off the Map'

A Moscow court on Monday fined a prominent blogger for inciting hatred after he called on President Vladimir Putin to "wipe Syria off the map."

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Yemen Rocket Attack Kills 6 Civilians in Taez

Six civilians were killed and eight wounded on Monday when two rockets allegedly fired by Huthi rebels hit a popular market in Taez, military and medical sources said. 

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U.S. Suspends Syria Ceasefire Talks with Russia

The United States on Monday suspended negotiations with Russia on efforts to revive a failed ceasefire in Syria and set up a joint military cell to target jihadists.

"This is not a decision that was taken lightly," State Department spokesman John Kirby said, accusing Russia and its Syrian ally of stepping up attacks on civilian areas.

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