World News Briefs -- April 3, 2018

Syrian civilians gathering for their evacuation from the town of Arbin in eastern Ghouta on the outskirts of the capital Damascus. (AFP)

Reuters: Russia, Assad give ultimatum to Syria rebels northeast of Damascus

BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian rebels in a besieged area northeast of Damascus have been told they must accept state rule or leave, a rebel group said on Tuesday, as the government and its Russian ally seek to wipe out the last pockets of opposition territory near the capital.

The ultimatum to the rebels of eastern Qalamoun was served to civilians from the area during a meeting with a Russian colonel and an officer from the Syrian Air Force Intelligence, rebel spokesman Said Saif of the Martyr Ahmad Abdo told Reuters.

The area is 40 km (25 miles) from Damascus and separate from eastern Ghouta - an area right next to the capital where government forces have routed rebels in recent weeks, forcing thousands to accept safe passage out towards the Turkish border.

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MIDDLE EAST

U.S. mulls changes to Syria policy, after Trump says U.S. will leave Syria "soon".

Syria war: Rebels 'begin leaving last Eastern Ghouta town'.

Mosul post-ISIL: Iraq seeks to rebuild its 'destroyed' heritage.

Yemen: Children among 14 dead in Saudi-led air strike on Hodeidah.

UN Geneva donor conference appeals for $2.6 billion for Yemen.

Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces on Gaza border: ministry.

Saudi Crown Prince says Israelis have right to their own land.

Israel ends deportation policy affecting African migrants.

Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan to launch Turkey's first nuclear power plant.

ASIA

At least 70 killed in Afghan military strike at mosque.

Philippine communist leader Jose Maria Sison 'ready' for talks.

Monsoons could result in 'enormous deaths' among Rohingya refugees.

South and North Korea to march together at Asian Games.

North Korean diplomat reaching out to China, Russia ahead of inter-Korean summit.

South Korean lawmakers to battle over constitutional reform.

Pacific Island of Nauru scraps link to Australian appeal court.

Pakistan's Geo TV faces 'suspension' amid claims of pre-election rigging.

Peter Dutton suggests South Africa misrepresenting Australia's white farmer stance to appease audience.

AFRICA

'The wars will never stop' - millions flee bloodshed as Congo falls apart.

Five Cameroonian soldiers killed in suspected Boko Haram attack.

Ethiopia PM Abiy Ahmed wants to resolve Eritrea disputes.

Ethiopia dissidents hopeful but wary over new PM.

Sierra Leone opposition claims presidential election victory.

Egypt election: Sisi secures second term on reduced turnout.

South Africa state funeral planned for Winnie Mandela.

Dust storms ease across Africa and Middle East.

EUROPE

Russia threatens sanctions over Latvian language in schools.

Sergei Skripal poisoning: Russian Foreign Minister says West playing 'children's games'.

No 10 tries to calm Russia row amid cold war rhetoric.

German prosecutors seek extradition of Catalonia's Carles Puigdemont.

Basque terrorist group Eta to be dissolved in weeks says mediator.

'Black Tuesday' rail strikes hit France over Macron's reform plans. France strike: Rail misery as three-month action tests Macron.

EU urged to act over social media and fake news.

AMERICAS

Washington blasts China over retaliatory tariffs on $3 billion worth of US goods.

US immigration judges told to process 700 cases a year.

Mexico welcomes migrant caravan heading to US border despite Donald Trump's threats.

Trump blasts news media as ‘fakers’, defends Sinclair.

Costa Rica president-elect Carlos Alvarado calls for unity.

Venezuela blames inmates for deadly prison fire.

'Our dream is stronger than ever': 36yrs after Falklands War, Argentina vows to reclaim islands.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Bin Laden's son attacks US-Saudi Arabia relationship in new Al-Qaeda video as Saudi Crown Prince tours America.

US military: Five al-Shabaab fighters killed in Somalia strike.

US sanctions Lashkar-e-Taiba political front, seven leaders.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

New report predicts robots threaten only 10 percent of U.S. jobs.

Spotify CEO expects 'ups and downs' in stock market debut. Spotify braces for $20bn US share market listing.

Report: Google is North Korea's No. 1 search engine.

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