At least 70 people have died in a suspected chemical attack in Douma, the last rebel-held town in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta. Volunteer rescue force the White Helmets tweeted graphic images showing several bodies in basements and said the deaths were likely to rise. There has been no independent verification of the reports and the Syrian government has called the allegations of a chemical attack a “fabrication”.
Meanwhile, careful on your weekend hikes and picnics as Turkish jets have bombarded the Bradost area of the Kurdistan Region over the weekend. At least three villages were targeted in the action but there are no immediate reports of casualties. Earlier on Saturday, Turkey’s military claimed to have “neutralized” six PKK fighters during air operations against alleged PKK positions in the Khakurk area in Bradost.
Lastly, Justin Bieber and other celebs have come out to defend UFC fighter Conor McGregor, who was charged with assault after an incident on Thursday where he threw a trolley at a bus transporting fighters from a UFC 223 promotional event. At least two people were injured when the bus window shattered. McGregor has been released on bail of $50,000 after he was charged with assault, menacing and reckless endangerment following the incident.
