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Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Jan. 24

Xinhua, January 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

Ukrainian insurgent leader Alexander Zakharchenko on Saturday announced the launch of an offensive on the government-controlled port of Mariupol, RIA news agency reported.

He made the announcement at a memorial ceremony in the insurgent-held city of Donetsk, according to the Russian news outlet. (Ukraine-Mariupol-Rocket Attack)

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BAGHDAD -- Iraqi security forces on Saturday freed a town and seized new areas from the Islamic State (IS) militants in northern and eastern Iraq, leaving at least 49 IS militants killed, security sources and officials said.

In Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, the security forces backed by Shiite militiamen and aircraft retook control of al-Sodour dam near the volatile town of Maqdadiyah, some 100 km northeast of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, after fierce clashes with the IS militants, leaving at least eight IS militants killed, Adnan al-Timimi, head of the town council, told reporters. (Iraq-IS)

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SANAA -- Thousands of people rallied on Thursday in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa against the militia-control of Sanaa that forced the president and prime minister to submit resignation.

The protesters gathered at the residence of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi which has been surrounded by Houthi fighters in western Sanaa since early this week. Then they marched on the street, shouting slogans against militia in the country. (Yemen-Protest)

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RIYADH -- The first U.S.-Saudi summit in the ruling of the new Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud will be held Tuesday here, Elaf news portal reported.

U.S. President Barack Obama will arrived here on Tuesday, after a short visit to India, to offer condolences of the dismiss of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (Saudi Arabia-U.S.)

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RIYADH -- A high-profile Iranian delegation arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday to offer condolences over the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The delegation is chaired by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Jawad Zarif, according to Al Arabiya News. (Saudi Arabia-Iran) Endi