Reuters: Last eastern Ghouta rebels poised to surrender: Syrian state media
AMMAN (Reuters) - The group in control of the last rebel bastion near Damascus appeared on Sunday to have agreed a deal for its fighters to make peace with the government or quit the eastern Ghouta enclave, Syrian state media said on Sunday.
Jaish al Islam, most of whose members are drawn from the area, has been defending the city of Douma against a months-long onslaught by government forces.
If confirmed, its surrender or departure for rebel-held areas in northwest Syria would herald an end to large-scale conflict in the enclave.
State television and Syrian newspapers said information indicated that, under the deal, the group would hand over heavy and mid-sized weapons and acknowledge the restoration of state sovereignty over Douma.
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MIDDLE EAST
Syria war: 'Deal struck' to take critically injured out of Douma.
Over 41,000 militants, their family members leave East Ghouta — Russian Defense Ministry.
Syrian army command says it has regained most of eastern Ghouta. Syria state media: Jaish al-Islam agrees to leave Ghouta's Douma.
Afrin: Turkey warns France it could become 'target' for backing Syrian Kurds.
Israel says it will expand response if Gaza clashes go on.
Gaza-Israel violence: Netanyahu and Erdogan in war of words. Netanyahu says Turkey in no position to lecture ‘world’s most moral army’ over violent Gaza clashes.
Israeli defense minister rules out inquiry into Gaza killings.
Fire damages warehouses storing food aid in Yemen.
Iran to block Telegram messaging app: reports.
Christians mark Easter at Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre.
ASIA
Massive anti-India protests erupt in southern Kashmir. 16 killed as fighting rages across Indian Kashmir.
Afghanistan plans October elections after 3-year delay. Afghanistan pledges October date for parliamentary election.
Report: Chinese President suggested Korean peace treaty to Donald Trump.
Kim Jong-un 'watches K-pop stars perform in North'. South Korean K-pop stars perform for Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang.
North Korea to participate in Tokyo, Beijing Olympics.
Beijing, Hanoi promise to keep peace in South China Sea.
China's Social Credit System seeks to assign citizens scores, engineer social behaviour.
Japanese whalers return from Antarctica with huge catch.
AFRICA
Al Shabaab attacks African Union base in Somalia: Military.
UN peacekeepers attacked by C. Africa armed group.
Libyan returnees stuck in desert say no going back.
U.N. ends peacekeeping mission in Liberia after 15 years.
Canadian helicopters in Mali could support multinational counter-terror mission.
Sierra Leone election: Final round of voting in presidential runoff. Sierra Leone votes in run-off between Maada Bio and Kamara.
Gambia accuses ex-president's supporters of sheltering rebels.
Botswana: Mokgweetsi Masisi takes over presidency amid opposition resurgence. Botswana's new president vows to tackle unemployment.
EUROPE
‘Hope and dignity:’ Pope calls for peace in Easter message.
Second plane with Russian diplomats expelled from US arrives in Moscow.
Russia expels more than 50 British diplomatic workers.
Moscow official says West is trying to deny Russia World Cup.
'Heavy burden': Russian governor resigns over Siberia mall fire that killed 64.
Albania protesters brawl with police over tolls on Kosovo link.
Italy summons French ambassador over incident at border migrant clinic.
UK Labour leader criticized for anti-Semitism in party.
London murder rate is HIGHER than New York's for the first time ever after TWELVE killings in just 19 days.
AMERICAS
'If we all protect each other we'll get through this together': Army of more than 1,000 Central Americans fleeing violence and unrest march unchallenged through Mexico towards the US border.
Trump says he's done negotiating the fate of 'Dreamers' - warning that caravans of migrants are heading to the U.S. ready to take advantage of lax immigration laws. Trump says ‘NO MORE’ on deal for ‘Dreamer’ immigrants.
Trump says Mexico not stopping cross-border flow, threatens NAFTA.
US may tie social media to visa applications.
Some US states press ahead on climate change goals, despite Trump.
Alvarado v Alvarado: Costa Rica's election explained.
Violence in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Los Cabos threaten Mexico's tourism industry.
With paper and phones, Atlanta struggles to recover from cyber attack.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Trump administration backs PLO in victims’ high court appeal.
Two Chinese militants among seven killed in anti-terrorism operation in Afghanistan.
Guaranteed safety by the U.S., former Guantánamo detainee now faces deportation to war-torn Libya and likely death.
Mali: Alleged Timbuktu destroyer to appear at International Criminal Court.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Bahrain makes largest oil discovery in its history.
Donald Trump steps up attacks on Amazon.
Tesla says vehicle was on autopilot when it crashed, killing driver in California.
