World News Briefs -- February 28, 2018 (Evening Edition)

Russian and Syrian soldiers are seen outside eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria February 28, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Reuters: Syrian government ground forces attack Ghouta despite Russian truce plan

Syrian government forces launched a ground assault on the edge of the rebel-held eastern Ghouta enclave on Wednesday, seeking to gain territory despite a Russian plan for five-hour daily ceasefires, a war monitor and sources on both sides said.

Hundreds of people have died in 11 days of bombing of the eastern Ghouta, a swathe of towns and farms outside Damascus that is the last major rebel-controlled area near the capital.

The onslaught has been one of the fiercest of Syria’s civil war, now entering its eighth year.

The U.N. Security Council, including President Bashar al-Assad’s strongest ally Russia, passed a resolution on Saturday calling for a 30-day countrywide ceasefire. But the measure has not taken effect, with Moscow and Damascus saying they are battling members of terrorist groups excluded from the truce.

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MIDDLE EAST

Aid convoy blocked in Syria despite UN ceasefire order: official.

In Syria's Ghouta, rescuers keep finding bodies.

Syrian forces gain ground in Eastern Ghouta despite truce.

Second Russia truce attempt in Eastern Ghouta comes into effect.

Thousands of well-armed rebel fighters are in Syria’s Ghouta.

Saudi crown prince to visit Washington on March 19.

Lebanon's Hariri in Riyadh to meet King Salman, Crown Prince MBS.

Despite outcry, Iranian minister addresses UN rights body.

Israel to eliminate use of coal, gasoline, diesel by 2030.

ASIA

Suicide and gun attacks kill six in SW Pakistan: officials.

India's economic growth rises to 7.2%.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani offers Taliban peace talks and political recognition.

China's Communist Party agrees on government reform, but no details.

N Korea 'providing materials for Syria chemical weapons'. North Korea sent Syria missile and chemical weapon items, says UN report.

Expert: Delayed war games between U.S. and South Korea to take place early April.

Indonesian Parliament passes controversial law targeting its critics, anti-corruption commission.

Rights groups accuse Bangladesh army of covering up sex assault.

Papua New Guinea: at least 16 dead after strongest ever earthquake hits.

AFRICA

Four UN troops killed in central Mali mine blast.

Cameroon deploys special forces in separatist regions.

Exclusive: CAR violence divides communities in Bria.

Nigeria orders ‘all schools’ defended in Boko Haram region.

Egyptians facing soaring prices not seeing fruit of reforms.

Egypt train collision kills 15: health ministry.

Egypt’s chief prosecutor wants close monitoring of the media.

Italy, China propose solution to Lake Chad's water problem.

EUROPE

EU, U.S. officials plan Berlin talks on Iran nuclear deal: source.

Italy's 5-Star presents would-be cabinet team ahead of election.

EU's Michel Barnier reveals draft Brexit treaty.

Theresa May rejects EU's draft option for Northern Ireland.

Cyprus: Turkey’s gas search blockade prevents peace talks.

Russia reinstated into Olympic movement after doping scandal.

Slovak leader offers a $1.2 million reward for information in case of murdered journalist.

Food bank gives access cards to Germans only, despite uproar.

Kosovo: Top war crimes prosecutor forced to leave amid US state department inertia.

Europe freezes as 'Beast from the East' arrives. 'Beast from the East' kills two in Romania as freeze hits Europe. Now snow causes chaos in SPAIN while 24 are killed in Arctic conditions sweeping Europe.

AMERICAS

New York regulator asks Deutsche, other banks about Kushner loans: source.

US growth in Q4 revised down a notch.

Students in emotional return to Florida high school.

Ex-Trump top aide Manafort pleads not guilty, faces Sept. 17 trial.

Jared Kushner: security clearance change ends direct access to top secret intelligence.

ICE announces more than 150 people arrested in San Francisco area.

Thousands of Venezuelans cross into Brazil to flee crisis.

Challenger to Venezuelan President Maduro steps forward.

Five Colombian soldiers killed in 'ELN rebel ambush.

Brazil called up the military to control violence in Rio de Janeiro. Since then, it's only gotten worse. Rio military deployment stirs controversy in Brazil.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US warns law enforcement partners of spreading IS threat.

State Department designates 7 ISIS-affiliated groups as terrorist organizations.

A new strand of Islamist extremism in Pakistan.

Lebanon's Hezbollah launches Syria war video game.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street slides late; S&P 500 caps worst month since Jan 2016.

Apple back on track to become first $1 trillion company.

Bitcoin 'creator' slammed with $5 billion lawsuit.

iQiyi: 'China's Netflix' to list on US stock market.

$1bn painting 'only matter of time' as art prices surge.

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