CURRENT WORLD ISSUES

Syria conflict: Putin orders Eastern Ghouta 'humanitarian pause' 1 hour ago Russia's President Vladimir Putin has ordered a daily pause in the assault by its ally, the Syrian government, on the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area. It will start on Tuesday, and include the creation of a "humanitarian corridor" to allow civilians to leave. The rebel enclave near Damascus, where 393,000 civilians are trapped, has been under intense bombardment by government forces with Russian support. More than 550 people have been killed in eight days, a monitoring group says. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu made the announcement about the "humanitarian pause", saying it would run from 09:00 until 14:00 local time (07:00-12:00 GMT) daily. He said more details on the corridor would be released soon. Life in Eastern Ghouta - read residents' stories Syria conflict: Will powers end up in direct war? Why is there a war in Syria? The U...

Airstrikes and rocket fire 'kill 71' in Syrian rebel enclave The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says airstrikes, rocket fire and shelling have hit eastern Ghouta before a ground assault. 17:41, UK,Monday 19 February 2018 Image:A Syrian man carries an infant rescued from the rubble of buildings following the airstrikes in Hammuriyeh More than 70 people have reportedly been killed and hundreds wounded as airstrikes, rocket fire and shelling by Syrian government forces and their allies hit a rebel enclave in eastern Ghouta. It comes as pro-regime troops are expected to enter Afrin before the end of Monday to help the Kurdish YPG militia try to repel a month-old Turkish military assault. The Syrian state news agency SANA said: "Popular forces will arrive in Afrin within a few hours to support its people's stand against the Turkish regime's attack on the area and its people. "This comes in the framework of supporting residents and defending the territorial un...

Jacob Zuma: South Africa president 'rejects ANC request' to stand down 46 minutes ago Share this with Facebook   Share this with Twitter   Share this with Messenger   Share this with Email   Share Image copyright REUTERS Image caption President Jacob Zuma is said to be resisting calls to leave office South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has defied his party and refused to step down, according to media reports. He and senior members of the African National Congress (ANC) held talks on Sunday but no details of their meeting have been released. Facing corruption allegations, Mr Zuma was replaced as ANC leader in December. Party leaders, who may be trying to oust Mr Zuma before his State of the Nation address later this week, will hold an emergency meeting on Monday. Julius Malema, an opposition leader and former ANC member, said on Twitter that Mr Zuma had been asked to stand down but had refused. Skip Twitter post by @Juliu...