Government forces tighten grip on Aleppo

IS re-enters Syria's ancient desert city of Palmyra after being driven out 8 months ago

The Syrian army tightened its grip on rebels besieged in Aleppo with thousands of civilians but suffered a setback as jihadists retook much of the ancient city of Palmyra.

Air strikes pummelled the shrinking rebel enclave in east Aleppo as Western powers meeting in Paris called for peace talks to resume and for civilians to be allowed to leave Aleppo, where tens of thousands have already fled the offensive.