Reuters: Syrian army celebrates as rebels quit most of their Ghouta stronghold
Syrian rebels left one besieged enclave on Friday and agreed to abandon another, leaving only the city of Douma still in insurgent hands in eastern Ghouta after a month-long army assault to drive them from the stronghold near Damascus.
It brings President Bashar al-Assad to the cusp of his biggest victory over the rebels since driving them from Aleppo in December 2016, though they remain entrenched in areas of northwestern and southwestern Syria.
The offensive to capture the towns and villages on the outskirts of the capital, which began on Feb. 18 with a massive bombardment, has brought 90 percent of eastern Ghouta back under government control. More than 1,600 people have been killed, a war monitor said.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
Idlib province: last Syrian rebel stronghold.
'Dozens burned to death' in Syrian regime strikes on East Ghouta. Activists: Hours before cease-fire, 37 killed in Syrian town.
Syria war: Eastern Ghouta rebels announce ceasefire. Rebels cornered as Syria and Russia pummel Ghouta.
Nearly 170,000 flee violence in Syria's Afrin: UN.
Amnesty International slams Western arms sales to Saudi Arabia and allies in Yemen war.
Turkey still discussing missile defense purchases from U.S., Eurosam.
Turkey opens airspace to northern Iraq on Friday: prime minister.
Israel-bound plane flies over Saudi Arabia for first time.
ASIA
Car bomb kills 14 in southern Afghanistan.
Asian markets jittery over trade war fears.
Russia 'arming the Afghan Taliban', says US.
US will have role in Afghan reconciliation with Taliban.
Vietnam halts South China Sea oil drilling project under pressure from Beijing.
US destroyer sails close to contested island in South China Sea.
China condemns U.S. navy operation in South China Sea.
Communist Party will regulate China’s media, film industry.
U.S. and China clash at U.N. rights forum on Beijing text.
Australia: 150 beached whales prompts South West shark warning.
AFRICA
Libya's Mufti: Egypt is conspiring against Libya.
UN troops find 8 bodies after bloodshed in eastern DR Congo.
At least 14 dead, several hurt in car bomb in Somali capital.
Mali PM in first top-level visit to restive Kidal since 2014.
Zambia opposition seeks to impeach president. Zambia's main opposition party seeks to impeach President Lungu.
Report: Western states aided Egypt's military power consolidation.
Deputy takes over after Mauritius president's resignation.
South Sudan says US oil sanctions will undermine search for peace.
EUROPE
Europeans promise more steps against Russia over UK spy attack.
Mass protests in Poland against tightening of abortion law.
France strikes: Public sector workers march against Emmanuel Macron's economic reforms.
Spanish supreme court charges 13 Catalan leaders with rebellion. Spain charges 13 Catalan leaders with rebellion.
Europeans to unveil new steps against Russia over UK spy attack.
Russian spy: EU recalls Russia ambassador after nerve agent attack.
Ukrainian MP Savchenko accused of plotting to overthrow parliament.
EU warns US on data control flaws.
Sarkozy vows to vanquish 'Gaddafi gang', fights barring order.
Nerve agent attack may have left former Russian spy with limited mental capacity.
Nearly 20 percent of Scots living in poverty, gov't figures show.
AMERICANS
Trump signs budget deal after raising government shutdown threat.
Trump threatens to veto spending bill, risking shutdown.
US Congress passes huge spending bill ahead of shutdown deadline.
Bolton replacing McMaster as Trump national security adviser.
Government knows DNC hacker was Russian intel officer: report.
Venezuela to knock three zeros off currency amid hyperinflation.
Venezuelans suspicious of currency rebrand amid hyperinflation.
Mexican leftist extends lead in presidential race, poll shows.
Incoming Peru president a political novice facing tough odds.
Hackers demanding bitcoin ransom attack Atlanta city computers.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Islamist gunman attacks French supermarket, kills three.
ISIS gunman screaming 'Allahu Akbar' kills two people and demands the release of Paris terrorist after taking hostages at French supermarket following drive-by shooting that injured off-duty cop. Deadly 'Islamic State' hostage situation in France. 2 killed, dozen hurt in French supermarket hostage-taking.
Lawsuit alleges Saudi, Iran support for 9/11 hijackers.
Jihadist threat haunts northern Mozambique.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street nosedives as investors flee on trade war fears.
Tough talk on global trade escalates as Trump claims results.
Markets edgy on US-China trade war fears. World stock markets tumble on Trump trade war fears.
EU deplore US tactics in negotiating tariffs.
Can Zuckerberg’s media blitz take the pressure off Facebook?
