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U.N. Gives Cautious Backing to Turkey-Russia Deal on Idlib

The United Nations on Tuesday cautiously backed a Turkish-Russian deal to create a buffer zone in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province that put off the threat of an imminent onslaught.

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Palestinian Dies during Arrest by Israeli Army

A Palestinian died after being arrested during a raid in the occupied West Bank overnight, the Israeli army said Tuesday, with his family accusing soldiers of beating him.

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24 Bahais Could Face Death Penalty in Yemen

Twenty-four Yemenis, including a teenage girl, could face the death penalty in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on charges linked to their minority Bahai faith, Amnesty International said Tuesday.

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Libya Rivals Clash South of Capital, Causing Blackouts

New clashes flared between rival militias south of Libya's capital Tripoli on Tuesday, causing widespread power outages, the national electricity firm said.

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Syria Analysts Wary of Quick-Fix Idlib Deal

A Russia-Turkey deal for a "demilitarized zone" in Syria's flashpoint region of Idlib buys more time for talks, analysts said Tuesday while warning it does not eliminate the risk of a deadly assault.

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Putin Says Israel Not Guilty of Plane Downing in Syria, Calls Incident 'Accidental'

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that "tragic accidental circumstances" led to the downing by Syria of a Russian warplane with 15 people on board.

"It rather looks like a chain of tragic accidental circumstances," Putin told reporters, rejecting any comparisons with the downing of a Russian jet by Turkey in 2015.

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EU Says Turkey-Russia Deal on Syria's Idlib Must Protect Civilians

A deal struck between Turkey and Russia to avoid an assault on Syria's last major rebel stronghold in Idlib province must protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access, the European Union said Tuesday.

"We expect that the agreement which was according to reports reached yesterday by the Russian and Turkish presidents will guarantee the protection of civilian lives and infrastructure as well as guarantee unhindered and sustainable humanitarian access," spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters.

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Russia Summons Israeli Envoy over Plane Downing in Syria

Russia on Tuesday summoned the Israeli ambassador to Moscow following the downing of a Russian plane over Syria which the Russian defence ministry has blamed on the Israeli air force.

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Yemen Rebels Accuse Saudi, Allies of Targeting Food Warehouses

Yemen's Huthi rebels accused the government and its Saudi-led allies on Tuesday of deliberately targeting food warehouses in Hodeida as they resumed an offensive on the rebel-held port city after an 11-week pause. 

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Iran Hails 'Responsible' Turkey-Russia Deal on Syria's Idlib

Iran's foreign minister on Tuesday hailed an agreement between Turkey and Russia to avert an assault on Syria's last major rebel stronghold in Idlib province as an example of "responsible diplomacy."

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