Daily Mail: Assad rains fire on the last of the rebels: Incendiary explosives fall in militant-held region of Ghouta as hundreds of fighters and civilians flee
* Bombs which appear to contain white phosphorus, a banned weapon, dropped on Ghouta region in Syria
* Airstrikes were carried out in the town of Douma overnight, one of the last rebel strongholds near Damascus
* Russian airstrike killed 37 civilians in the town of Arbin hours before ceasefire came into effect, observers say
* Comes as hundreds of fighters and civilians were evacuated from Harasta, another rebel-held town
Syrian government forces have intensified their attack on rebels in Eastern Ghouta as fighter jets rained fire down on one of the last insurgent strongholds in the region.
Bombs containing what appeared to be white phosphorus, a banned weapon, lit up the night sky over the town of Douma in the early hours of Friday as videos from the ground showed dozens of fires burning in hellish scenes.
The bombardment came as hundreds of anti-government fighters and civilians stranded in another rebel enclave around the town of Harasta were allowed to flee to Idlib province.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
'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
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.
AFRICA
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
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 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.
Venezuela to knock three zeros off currency 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
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
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?
