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 dozens of people in the last major rebel stronghold near Damascus.
Separately, U.N. war crimes experts said they were investigating multiple 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.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Tuesday’s bombardment of Eastern Ghouta had killed at least 41 people. A local official, Khalil Aybour, put the toll at 53.
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MIDDLE EAST
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.
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
Asia markets join global stock plunge.
Maldives leader orders arrests of Supreme Court judges.
Maldives ex-President Nasheed seeks help from India and US.
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
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
European markets plunge at opening bell as stock market dip deepens.
German parties hope to reach coalition deal this week.
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
U.S. House to vote on government funding as immigration battle simmers.
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.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
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
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.
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