Now for a look at stories making headlines around the world….and we start in Syria. <br />Thousands of people in eastern Ghouta have fled the rebel-held enclave, marking the largest exodus from the area since pro-Syrian forces intensified their offensive last month. <br />For more on this and other international news we turn to Ro Aram… <br />Aram… civilians have faces several hurdles in their attempt to flee over the past few weeks… are we finally seeing these hurdles come down. <br /><br /> Well Semin… Thursday saw more than 12-thousand eastern Ghouta residents flee, which is some progress. <br /> Images on state media show women and children crossing on foot and in pickup trucks, carrying blankets and bags. <br />On the same day, a 25-truck aid convoy also made its way into the enclave. <br />But there is still some way to go, as the International Committee of the Red Cross said that was just a fraction of what was needed.<br />It said nearly 400-thousand people are still facing severe shortages in food and medical supplies. <br />Also, pro-government bombardment on eastern Ghouta is ongoing, so it remains to be seen if evacuations or aid delivery can continue to reach the numbers it did on Thursday. <br />A UN resolution for a 30-day ceasefire has fallen through, though Syria's ally Russia claims an extension of its daily five-hour truce enabled Thursday's exodus.<br /> Meanwhile, a UN report released Thursday accuses pro-government forces fighting in Syria's seven-year civil war of using rape as a weapon. <br />It states they are targeting residents fleeing the conflict and carrying out other human rights violations, including torture and arbitrary executions. <br />These abuses are said to have started since the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. <br />
