A man is seen running after an air raid in the besieged town of Douma in eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria, February 6, 2018. REUTERS/ Bassam Khabieh
Reuters: U.N. demands Syria ceasefire as air strikes pound rebel areas
BEIRUT (Reuters) - The United Nations called on Tuesday for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Syria of at least a month, as heavy air strikes were reported to have killed scores of people in the last major rebel stronghold near Damascus.
Separately, U.N. war crimes experts said they were investigating several reports of bombs allegedly containing chlorine gas being used against civilians in the rebel-held towns of Saraqeb in the northwestern province of Idlib and Douma in the Eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus.
The Syrian government denies using chemical weapons.
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MIDDLE EAST
Yemeni officials say government forces retake strategic city.
Syria attacks kill dozens in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta.
Syria: UN calls for one-month ceasefire to allow aid access.
US accuses Russia of protecting Syria over chemical attacks. US, Russia clash at UN over Syria chlorine attacks.
Turkish soldier killed setting up military post in northwest Syria.
Erdogan: US presence in Syria's Manbij aimed against Turkey, Russia, Iran.
Iran-backed Iraqi groups urge full U.S. withdrawal, hardliners threaten attacks.
Iraq plans military operation to secure oil route to Iran: security sources.
Putin, Rouhani confirm commitment to Iran nuclear deal.
Iran president rules out negotiations over missiles.
Iranian women defiant against compulsory hijab.
Israeli security forces kill Palestinian suspect in rabbi murder.
Netherlands formally withdraws ambassador to Turkey.
ASIA
Maldives high court annuls order freeing jailed politicians.
Maldives leader orders arrests of Supreme Court judges.
Maldives ex-President Nasheed seeks help from India and US.
Deadly earthquake strikes Taiwan; shelters opened.
Asia markets join global stock plunge.
Pence won’t rule out NKorea meeting, will ‘see what happens.
South Korean military deployed as norovirus outbreak hits Winter Olympic security guards.
Report: Kim Jong Un ordering officials to attract foreign investment.
China activity on reclaimed reef has eroded trust: ASEAN.
Duterte slammed for response to Chinese activities in South China Sea.
Hong Kong pro-democracy activists walk free after court upholds appeal. Hong Kong protest leaders freed from prison.
Debt-ridden Laos living on borrowed money.
AFRICA
Kenyan opposition lawyer charged with treason over Odinga's 'swearing in'.
G5 Sahel summit gets under way.
Angry anti-American protest in South Sudan.
Major Jacob Zuma speech postponed amid ANC crisis. SA postpones Zuma state of nation speech.
Kenyan broadcasters back on air after government block.
Mogadishu truck bomber sentenced to death.
Mogadishu struggles with limited ambulance service.
Family demands 'truth' about killing of Tunisian opposition leader.
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai 'critically ill'.
EUROPE
Macedonia says ready to change its name and end row with Greece.
Snow forces Eiffel Tower closure as bad weather hits France.
European markets plunge at opening bell as stock market dip deepens.
German parties hope to reach coalition deal this week.
Polish president signs law barring some Holocaust speech.
Poland's president to sign controversial Holocaust bill.
Putin awards Hero of Russia title to Russian pilot killed in Syria.
Pope decries anti-migrant violence after neo-Nazi shooting shakes Italy.
Macron vows to keep Corsica French amid nationalist calls for greater autonomy.
Julian Assange: WikiLeaks founder loses challenge to UK arrest warrant.
AMERICAS
Blackout hits parts of Venezuelan capital: witnesses, subway authorities.
Chief of staff Kelly suggests undocumented immigrants who didn't sign up for DACA were 'too afraid' or 'too lazy'.
U.S. House to vote on government funding as immigration battle simmers.
On Trump’s desk: Democratic memo on Russia probe.
Donald Trump: US House panel votes to release Democratic memo on Russia probe.
US trade gap spikes 12% in 2017 on record imports.
Paraguay's EPP rebels free two Mennonite hostages.
Costa Rica's rising murder rate worries voters.
Canada confronts colonial past as Halifax removes statue of city's founder.
Powerball winner sues for anonymity over $560m jackpot.
Canada PM Trudeau faces PC backlash over 'peoplekind' comment.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
UN experts: Islamic State militants still pose world threat.
Anti-ISIS coalition announces 'shift' in Iraq amid reports of US drawdown.
Pentagon fires top official overseeing Guantanamo detainees’ 9/11 trials: report.
Islamic State, al-Qaeda support fuels attacks in West Africa.
Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam refuses to answer questions at trial.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Dow turns 567 point loss into 567 point gain as stocks rally.
SpaceX’s big new rocket blasts off with sports car on top.
Global markets follow Wall Street, plunge after U.S. losses.
FTSE and European stock markets fall after US and Asia rout .
Money exchange with links to Dubai Government identified as hub for billion-dollar laundering empire.
Bitcoin falls below $6,000.
