Men ride a tricycle as they flee deeper into the remaining rebel-held areas of Aleppo, Syria December 7, 2016. REUTERS/Abdalrhman Ismail
Reuters: Rebels seek ceasefire with Syrian army closer to retaking Aleppo
Syrian rebels in besieged eastern Aleppo called on Wednesday for an immediate five-day ceasefire and the evacuation of civilians and wounded, but gave no indication they were ready to withdraw as demanded by Damascus and Moscow.
The Syrian army and allied forces have made rapid gains against insurgents in the past two weeks and look closer than ever to restoring full control over Aleppo, Syria's most populous city before the war, and achieving their most important victory of the conflict now in its sixth year.
In a statement calling for the truce, the rebels made no mention of evacuating the several thousand fighters who are defending an ever shrinking area of eastern Aleppo.
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MIDDLE EAST
Dozens killed in west Iraq air strike, MPs and medics say.
Government forces push into Aleppo's Old City. Syrian troops in control of Aleppo's Old City after rebels withdraw. As Syrian troops gain ground, Aleppo rebels propose truce.
Russian military adviser dies after ‘opposition’ shelling in Aleppo – MoD.
Kerry, Lavrov to discuss safe passage for rebels out of Aleppo: U.S. official.
Israeli rockets strike Damascus military air base - reports.
Turkish, U.S. military chiefs meet at Incirlik air base.
Saudi jets attack Pakistani boat off Yemen, kill six sailors. Six Pakistani sailors killed, six unaccounted for after Saudi airstrike in Yemen.
Dozens missing after ship sinks off Yemen's coast.
Saudi intelligence, Al-Qaeda plot to kidnap foreign aid workers in Yemen.
ASIA
UN Security Council to discuss North Korea rights abuses.
Pakistan commercial plane goes down en route to Islamabad. Pakistan: PIA PK661 crashes with 48 people on board. Pakistan plane: No survivors likely in crash of PIA aircraft carrying about 40 people, authorities say.
Scores killed in Indonesian earthquake. Frantic rescue underway in Indonesia as quake kills scores.
Turkmenistan's president must renounce torture: U.N. committee.
Kazakhstan detains suspected oil thieves linked to Islamists.
U.S. wants to repair 'bad relations' with the Philippines: Duterte.
Rodrigo Duterte defends police accused of killing mayor.
Myanmar stops migrant workers going to Malaysia after Rohingya row.
AFRICA
Congo rights group blames govt, parties for deadly unrest.
New Zealander to head UN mission in South Sudan.
Nigeria grapples with starvation amid Boko Haram battle.
Eastern Libyan forces foil rival faction's advance on oil ports: officials.
Somali forces retake port town from faction loyal to Islamic State.
Ghana electing next president, parliament.
Egypt has 'three-year strategy' on economy, minister tells AFP.
Zimbabwe says bond notes a success, to increase circulation.
South Sudan 'deports critical reporter'.
EUROPE
Macedonian nationalist ex-PM set to win election in test for EU.
Russia says U.S. bill will restrict its diplomats, pledges retaliation.
Uncertainty over U.S. position delays action on Ukraine peace deal: Germany.
Corruption allegations and unwillingness to change taint Ukraine military – BBC.
Italy budget approval paves way for Renzi post-referendum resignation.
Eyeing re-election, Germany's Merkel takes tougher tone on migrants.
Paris bans cars for second day running as pollution strikes.
Hague prosecutors demand life sentence for Bosnian Serb general Mladic.
Julian Assange defies Swedish prosecutors by releasing rape statement.
AMERICAS
Obama praises Japan ties on Pearl Harbor anniversary.
Trump has nominated a third retired general for a top job in his new administration. Trump fills homeland security, environment, China ambassador jobs.
Boeing promises Trump to control costs on Air Force One.
Trump says he's consulted Obama on cabinet picks. Donald Trump says he ‘really’ likes President Obama: ‘I love getting his ideas’.
Retired Marine Gen. John F. Kelly picked to head Department of Homeland Security.
Report says Dole facilitated Trump call with Taiwan's leader.
Biden not planning on 2020 bid, but will 'never say never'.
Cuban entrepreneurs urge Trump to keep U.S.-Cuba detente going.
Brazil presidency seeks to end crisis between Senate, Supreme Court.
Chapecoense plane crash: Bolivia arrests LaMia airline boss.
American space legend John Glenn hospitalized in Ohio.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Around 1,500 European jihadists return from Mideast: report.
Islamic State has claimed more than 1,000 suicide attacks thus far in 2016.
EU urged to share data better to detect militants returning from Syria, Iraq.
Mosul campaign could take two more months, Islamic State to remain a threat: U.S. coalition chief.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Starbucks to add 12,000 cafes globally.
Apple says iPhones safe despite China 'fires'.
YouTube's $1bn royalties are not enough, says music industry.
Activists back Google's appeal against Canadian order to censor search results.
EU fines bank cartel for rigging Euribor rate.
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