BBC: Syria war: Government 'takes half of Eastern Ghouta'
Forces loyal to the Syrian government have reportedly taken half of the Eastern Ghouta - the last rebel-held enclave close to the capital Damascus.
"Regime forces control more than 50% of Ghouta," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP news agency.
Aerial bombing killed at least 20 people as troops and tanks advanced.
In New York, the UN Security Council gathered to discuss the failure of a ceasefire it had demanded last week.
It passed a resolution on 24 February demanding a 30-day truce across Syria but the government and its key ally Russia say it does not apply to some of the rebel groups holding the enclave.
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MIDDLE EAST
Syria army intensifies fight against rebels in Eastern Ghouta. Regime sends more forces to Ghouta as UN decries 'apocalypse' in Syria.
Turkey urges US to stop Kurdish militia's Afrin advance.
UN: US-backed SDF recruits children.
War leaves Yemenis struggling to buy fuel to cook.
Netanyahu attacks Iran and says Trump still set to abandon nuclear deal.
Hariri court rejects bid to acquit Hezbollah suspect.
Record number of women register to run in Lebanon election.
Israeli Army erects West Bank checkpoints to collect Palestinians' personal details.
Arab Summit in Riyadh delayed until April: state minister.
Palestinian parliament to convene for rare session next month, PLO official says.
ASIA
Moon, Kim to hold summit at border next month: Official.
Kim Jong-un says US is 'the sworn enemy to humankind' as South Korean President Moon warns it's 'too early to be optimistic' over North's offer of denuclearisation.
South Korea president assures political rivals North sanctions will continue.
South Korea: 'Too early to be optimistic' on North.
Seoul: U.S.-North Korea talks may precede inter-Korean dialogue in April.
US: North Korea used chemical agent VX to kill Kim Jong Un half-brother.
Pakistani army says it shot down Indian drone in Kashmir.
Sri Lanka blocks social media as Buddhist mobs attack mosques, anti-Muslim rioting flares. Violence continues in Sri Lanka despite emergency decree. Sri Lanka police and Buddhist rioters clash after emergency declared.
US lauds Afghan offer to open talks with Taliban.
East Timor and Australia sign treaty ending long-running gas dispute. Australia, East Timor sign deal on maritime border, agree to share revenue from Greater Sunrise oil and gas.
Lawyer: Presidential pardon for Pakistan's Asia Bibi 'unlikely'.
AFRICA
U.S. Secretary of State to focus on security on first African visit.
Zimbabwe youths complete Mugabe's fall, denouncing him at ZANU-PF meeting.
U.N. rights chief denounces 'climate of intimidation' in Egypt before vote.
Boko Haram kills 10 in Nigerian attacks: militia.
U.N. criticizes Angola for forcing refugees to return to violent Congo.
Egyptian jamming of Sinai insurgents disrupts phones in Israel, Gaza.
Sierra Leone heads into hotly contested elections. Sierra Leone: Voters head to polls to elect new president.
Somalia: Al-Shabab 'orders closure of football pitches'.
Ethiopian ruling party to meet next week to choose new PM.
Rwanda won't renew agreement with Human Rights Watch.
EUROPE
Britain says former Russian spy poisoned with nerve agent.
No 10 cautious over linking Russia to use of nerve agent against ex-spy.
Outrage in Britain as Russian ex-spy fights for his life.
Britain knows more about mystery substance behind illness of Russian double agent.
Brexit means drifting apart but we don't want to build a wall - Tusk.
Hungary PM announces new batch of pre-election handouts.
'They are terrified': Italy election result deepens refugees' deportation fears.
UK PM to raise human rights concerns in Saudi crown prince visit.
EU firms lash out at new net privacy rules.
US juice and peanut butter face new EU tax.
Belgium hands out millions of iodine pills in case of nuclear accident.
AMERICAS
Colombian FARC presidential candidate recovering from heart surgery.
Trump says he'll counteract any Russia meddling in midterms.
Donald Trump's top economic adviser Gary Cohn quits.
US trade deficit hits nine-year high on falling exports.
Jared Kushner leads US delegation to Mexico for visit with president.
Exodus from Puerto Rico grows.
Opioid crisis: Overdose rates jump 30% in one year.
US sues California over pro-immigrant laws.
Stormy Daniels sues Trump, says ‘hush agreement’ invalid because he never signed.
Argentine Congress to debate legalising abortion.
Killed Salvadorean archbishop Romero to be made a saint.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Teen drawn to ISIS brought homemade bomb to Utah school, police say.
ICRC says has more 'cooperative' access to detained Islamic State families.
IS group calls on Muslims to immigrate to Afghanistan.
Zawahiri incites followers in the Maghreb.
Canadian man pleads guilty to US terrorism charges.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street pares losses on prospect of tariff exemptions.
IMF chief warns trade war will harm global growth.
Germany and EU hit back at Donald Trump's trade war threat.
Amazon could become the third-biggest US bank if it wants to: Bain study.
Jeff Bezos tops Forbes' billionaires list; Trump's rank drops.
Bitcoin falls after SEC warns of 'potentially unlawful' platforms.
Cryptocurrencies subject to regulation as commodities, US judge rules.
Coca-Cola plans to launch its first alcoholic drink.
