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Xinhua World News Summary at 1545 GMT, Jan. 19

Xinhua, January 19, 2017 Adjust font size:

Talks to end Asia's longest leftist insurgency in the Philippines resumed in Rome, Italy, the government said Thursday.

Peace negotiators will discuss a string of issues during the third round of talks, including the release of at least 392 political prisoners in Philippine jails and a cease-fire agreement that both sides plan to sign. (Philippines-Rebels-Peace Talks)

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DAMASCUS -- The Islamic State (IS) group executed 12 civilians in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra in central Syria, state news agency SANA reported on Thursday.

SANA said the "massacre" was committed by the IS terrorists on Wednesday evening, adding that four state employees, including two teachers, were among the executed. (Syria-IS-Palmyra)

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RAMALLAH -- Thousands of Palestinians demonstrated in the West Bank on Thursday against the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's intention to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The demonstrators took the streets in Ramallah, Nablus and Hebron, in response to calls by national and Islamic factions. (Palestinians-Demonstration)

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MOSUL, Iraq -- The Iraqi military said its troops freed Telkief, a town north of Mosul, from Islamic State (IS) group militants on Thursday.

Telkief, 20 km north of Mosul, was recaptured amid continued efforts by government forces to free the remaining IS-held neighborhoods in northeastern Mosul, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah, from the Joint Operations Command, said in a statement. (Iraq-IS-Town)

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TEHRAN -- At least 30 people were killed in the collapse of a 17-story commercial building in Iranian capital Tehran on Thursday morning, Press TV reported.

The fire started at 8:00 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) on the eighth and ninth floors of the 54-year-old building and soon spread to the upper floors.

It is estimated that 50 to 100 others, including some shop owners and firefighters, remain trapped under the rubbles, the report said.(Iran-Fire) Endi