Members of the United Nations Security Council vote for a ceasefire to Syrian bombing in eastern Ghouta, at the UN headquarters in New York. PHOTO: REUTERSThe United Nations Security Council has voted unanimously for a resolution demanding a 30-day humanitarian ceasefire in Syria, where government forces have stepped up attacks on the besieged rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta, near Damascus. Russia had argued that there was no guarantee that militants would adhere to any ceasefire and demanded amendments to the draft. Government attacks were targeting medical teams trying to help victims in Eastern Ghouta, according to the White Helmets, a volunteer rescue group. Nearly 400,000 people live in eastern Ghouta.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 25, 2018 20:37 UTC