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State TV: Syrian Army Seizes Town South of Capital

The Syrian army has seized a town south of Damascus in its campaign to cut off eastern neighborhoods of the capital that are home to rebels, state television said Wednesday.

"The army has taken the town of Hujeira," the television channel said.

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Iraq Attacks Kill 23 as Shiites Mass for Ashura

Violence across Iraq, including bombings against Shiites, killed 23 people on Wednesday as worshippers massed in a shrine city on the eve of major commemoration rituals often targeted by militants.

The bloodshed was the latest in a months-long surge in unrest that has forced Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to appeal for Washington's help in combating militancy as Iraqi action has failed to stem the unrelenting wave of attacks.

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U.S. Welcomes Syrian Rebels' Decision to Attend Geneva Talks

The United States Tuesday welcomed the decision by Syria's rebel Opposition National Coalition to take part in mooted Geneva peace talks.

"This is a significant step forward in the process to convene the Geneva conference, the goal of which is... establishing by mutual consent of the two negotiating delegations a transitional governing body exercising full executive powers," said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

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Netanyahu Cancels Plan to Build 20,000 Settler Homes in W.Bank

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Tuesday canceled plans to build 20,000 new settler homes in the West Bank, hours after their announcement sparked U.S. and Palestinian criticism.

Netanyahu ordered Israeli Housing Minister Uri Ariel "to reconsider all of the steps for evaluating planning potential (for the settler homes) that he distributed without any advance coordination," a statement from Netanyahu's office said.

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Saudi Arabia Officially Rejects U.N. Security Council Seat

Saudi Arabia officially told the United Nations on Tuesday that it would not be taking up a U.N. Security council seat -- opening the way for Jordan to take the place.

Saudi envoy to the United Nations Abdullah al-Mouallimi wrote to U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon to inform him of the move and reaffirm a Saudi protest over the way the council has acted over the Syria conflict.

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Mediterranean Migrant Boat Rescued Thanks to Phone Call

A boatload of about 30 migrants at risk of capsizing in the Mediterranean were rescued when a relative alerted police outside Paris, thousands of kilometers away, French authorities said Tuesday.

When stormy weather threatened to overturn the small boat late Saturday night, an Iraqi Kurd on board called his brother in France.

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U.S. Concerned over Reported Israel Settler Plans

The United States expressed surprise and concern Tuesday over a report that Israel is planning to build 20,000 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank.

"We are deeply concerned by this latest report," said State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki. "We were surprised by this announcement and are currently seeking further explanation from the government of Israel."

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Syria Rebel 'Premier' Says Order, Security Top Priorities

The Syrian opposition's provisional prime minister said Tuesday that civil order, security and basic human needs are to be the top priorities in zones under rebel control.

Ahmed Tomeh said his government would be one of "work and not words... and will have as its top priorities establishing security and civil order in the liberated zones of Syria and to respond to vital needs."

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Pakistani Faces U.S. Terror Charge, Wanted to Go Fight in Syria by Passing through Beirut

A Pakistani living legally in the United States has been charged with attempting to join an al-Qaida linked militant group after falling for an FBI sting, the Justice Department said Tuesday.

Basit Javed Sheikh, 29, contacted an undercover FBI agent, believing him to be a member of Jabhat al-Nusrah, which the State Department identifies as a Syrian al-Qaida affiliate.

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Egypt Police Arrest ex-Minister under Morsi

An Egyptian court ordered an end to a state of emergency Tuesday, two days ahead of schedule and three months after it was imposed during a crackdown on Islamist protesters.

The cabinet said in a statement it would respect the ruling but would wait for official notification from the court before implementing it.

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