Doctors in Syria’s rebel-controlled suburbs of Damascus have said they cannot keep up with the number of casualties, amid shelling by government forces.

The bombing campaign has targeted hospitals, apartment blocks and other civilian sites, killing and wounding hundreds of people in recent days.

The bombardment has forced many among the nearly 400,000 residents to sleep in basements and makeshift shelters, and has overwhelmed rescue workers who have spent days digging out survivors from the wreckage of bombed buildings.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate suspension of “all war activities” in the rebel-held Damascus suburbs known as eastern Ghouta where he said 400,000 people are living “in hell on earth”.

Syrian paramedics treat a kids who was wounded during airstrikes and shelling by Syrian government forces, at a makeshift hospital, in Ghouta, suburb of Damascus, Syria.

The UN chief said a suspension of fighting must allow for humanitarian aid to reach all in need and the evacuation of some 700 people needing urgent medical treatment.

Bishop Declan Lang, Chair of the Bishops’ Conference Department for International Affairs, has called the killing of civilians in Eastern Ghouta a “grievous offence to our common humanity”.

He said: “Their suffering underscores how over seven…

Asia Bibi was sentenced to death for blasphemy in 2010, accused of insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad, something she denies. She appealed the sentence but the hearing was postponed and she has been in prison ever since.

Jan Figel, the EU’s special envoy for freedom of religion outside the EU, has told Pakistan that the renewal of their export privileges will be dependent on the freedom of Asia Bibi.

Pakistan currently have ‘Generalised System of Preferences (GPS) status’, meaning Pakistani products have duty-free access to the EU market with either no tariffs or preferential levies.

They have had this since 2013 and the prime minister of Pakistan at the time, Nawaz Sharif, said: “gaining access to European markets was the top most priority of the government”.

However, the EU said the result of Bibi’s appeal, which is pending in the Supreme Court and could result in her being sentenced to hanging, will determine the continuity of this trade deal.

It said in a statement: “The cessation of GSP plus status will cause a severe blow to the sinking economy of the country and will not be able to compete with local competitors like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.”

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The service, which Donald Trump and a number of former US presidents are being invited to attend will take place in Charlotte, where Rev Graham was born.

His son Franklin will lead the eulogy and Rev Graham’s four other children will also pay tribute to their father.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) held a press conference on Wednesday evening at the Billy Graham headquarters in Charlotte to announce details of funeral plans and to talk about Rev Graham’s final moments.

Family spokesman Mark DeMoss announced that the preacher’s funeral service will be held on 2nd March at 12 pm.

It will take place near The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte in a tent, a tribute to Rev Graham’s first crusade in Los Angeles in 1949.

DeMoss said Rev Graham died in his sleep on Wednesday morning, and though no family members were present, his death was peaceful.

“It was described by nurse and doctor as a very peaceful passing,” he said.

“He was not in any pain, and he wouldn’t have suffered any.”

Rev Graham’s body was taken to Morris Funeral Home in Asheville on Wednesday and will be moved to Charlotte via motorcade on Saturday.

He will be buried beside his wife, Ruth, at the foot of the cross-shaped brick walkway in the Prayer Garden on the northeast side of the Billy Graham Library, in a simple pine casket made by inmates…