Passed by Lebanon, Shadi decides, him, with brothers, brother-in-law and cousins "to go to England". Their point of entry into Europe will be Izmir, a Turkish coastal city, facing the Greek island of Chios.

Syrian man seeks asylum in Calais to restart his life

The UAE has sent medical aid to Syria to battle the novel coronavirus, Syrian Red Crescent said Monday. This is the first delivery since their leaders broke a nine-year silence.

The UAE has sent medical aid to Syria to battle the novel coronavirus, Syrian Red Crescent said Monday. This is the first delivery since their leaders broke a nine-year silence. Also read: US-Israeli delegation lands in Abu Dhabi on historic flight According to the Red Crescent and state news agency SANA, the delivery included medicine, ventilators and disinfectant. The medical aid comes after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan spoke on the phone in March for the first time since Syria's war erupted in 2011. Prince Mohammed took to Twitter and assured Assad of "the support of the UAE and its willingness to help the Syrian people" combat COVID-19. In 2018, the Arab country reopened its embassy in Damascus after severing ties seven years ago. Syria has been coronavirus in the areas under its control. The country reported 2,703 cases of COVID-19 and 109 deaths until now. However, medics and residents say the real number of cases in the war-battered country is likely to be much higher. (Inputs from AFP)

UAE sends medical aid to war-torn Syria battling coronavirus

German Gracia Schuette and Syrian Aeham Ahmad both had their lives changed forever by Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to leave Germany's doors open to hundreds of thousands of refugees.

In August of that year, Schuette joined thousands of volunteers serving ladles of hot soup to exhausted migrant families arriving at Munich's main train station.

Having been held in Hungary after travelling the length of Europe, trains overflowing with refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan had begun arriving at the station in a seemingly endless convoy.

Ahmad was a passenger on one of them. The Syrian pianist with Palestinian roots arrived in Munich on September 23.

A month earlier, he had left Yarmouk, a sprawling neighbourhood in the south of Damascus, after swathes of the area were occupied by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group.

He left behind his wife and two boys, still too young to embark on such a perilous journey.

Now 32, Ahmad has built a career for himself that involves travelling all over Europe and as far afield as Japan to give concerts.

At the station in Munich, where the volunteers once served hot soup, a Covid-19 test centre now stands.

'GRATITUDE'

Schuette, 36, says the experience changed her attitude to life and taught her "gratitude and the awareness that despite everything that happens in Germany, it is still a very safe country".

Ahmad speaks to AFP from a train heading to the north of Germany, where he is due to give a concert.

He remembers his first days in Germany as a time of great confusion. Like tens of thousands of other Syrians arriving in the country, he had only one word on his lips: "Alemania!" -- Germany.

"After I arrived in Munich, I was sent to several emergency reception centres and then to Wiesbaden" near Frankfurt, where he and his uncle were given a room in a hostel, he says in a mixture of English and German.

He remembers the "extreme kindness" shown by volunteers like Schuette -- "that community of people who said, 'We have to help'".

For Schuette, it was important to feel that she was "not just a spectator" watching events unfold but willing to "act decisively" by helping to distribute basic necessities or set up camp beds.

Today, she works as an administrator for a kindergarten. But she has maintained her commitment to helping refugees -- so much so that she has even taken three young people into her home, one of whom still lives with her.

Having been granted refugee status a year after his arrival in Germany, Ahmad was joined by his wife and children.

The family have since moved to Warburg, a town in northwestern Germany, and seven months ago welcomed a new baby girl.

While still in Syria, Ahmad had made a name for himself on social media with videos of songs performed amid the ruins of his ravaged home country.

NO ACCENT

In Germany, he began to sing songs about homesickness, with the aim of raising awareness in his new country and the rest of Europe of "this stupid war" that has devastated Syria for more than nine years.

Today, he aspires to "bring cultures together, to create a dialogue between Eastern and Western music".

Having given more than 720 concerts, he has at times felt exhausted. But "anything is better than living off state subsidies" as he did during his first months in Germany, he believes.

If Schuette could go back and do it all again, she would.

"I don't think I would be someone who just says, 'It's going to work out and everything's going to be great.' You have to be realistic," she said, pointing to the difficulties of integration.

"But there's no doubt about it: I'd do it again."

Ahmad, too, avoids painting a rose-tinted picture of his story. His generation, he says, will be scarred for life by the horrors of war and the difficulties of adapting to life in exile.

But there is pride in his voice as he reveals that his two sons already speak German "without the slightest accent".

German Gracia Schuette and Syrian Aeham Ahmad both had their lives changed forever by Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to leave Germany's doors open to hundreds of thousands of refugees.

German Gracia Schuette and Syrian Aeham Ahmad both had their lives changed forever by Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to leave Germany's doors open to hundreds of thousands of refugees. In August of that year, Schuette joined thousands of volunteers serving ladles of hot soup to exhausted migrant families arriving at Munich's main train station. Having been held in Hungary after travelling the length of Europe, trains overflowing with refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan had begun arriving at the station in a seemingly endless convoy. Ahmad was a passenger on one of them. The Syrian pianist with Palestinian roots arrived in Munich on September 23. A month earlier, he had left Yarmouk, a sprawling neighbourhood in the south of Damascus, after swathes of the area were occupied by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. He left behind his wife and two boys, still too young to embark on such a perilous journey. Now 32, Ahmad has built a career for himself that involves travelling all over Europe and as far afield as Japan to give concerts. At the station in Munich, where the volunteers once served hot soup, a Covid-19 test centre now stands. 'GRATITUDE' Schuette, 36, says the experience changed her attitude to life and taught her "gratitude and the awareness that despite everything that happens in Germany, it is still a very safe country". Ahmad speaks to AFP from a train heading to the north of Germany, where he is due to give a concert. He remembers his first days in Germany as a time of great confusion. Like tens of thousands of other Syrians arriving in the country, he had only one word on his lips: "Alemania!" -- Germany. "After I arrived in Munich, I was sent to several emergency reception centres and then to Wiesbaden" near Frankfurt, where he and his uncle were given a room in a hostel, he says in a mixture of English and German. He remembers the "extreme kindness" shown by volunteers like Schuette -- "that community of people who said, 'We have to help'". For Schuette, it was important to feel that she was "not just a spectator" watching events unfold but willing to "act decisively" by helping to distribute basic necessities or set up camp beds. Today, she works as an administrator for a kindergarten. But she has maintained her commitment to helping refugees -- so much so that she has even taken three young people into her home, one of whom still lives with her. Having been granted refugee status a year after his arrival in Germany, Ahmad was joined by his wife and children. The family have since moved to Warburg, a town in northwestern Germany, and seven months ago welcomed a new baby girl. While still in Syria, Ahmad had made a name for himself on social media with videos of songs performed amid the ruins of his ravaged home country. NO ACCENT In Germany, he began to sing songs about homesickness, with the aim of raising awareness in his new country and the rest of Europe of "this stupid war" that has devastated Syria for more than nine years. Today, he aspires to "bring cultures together, to create a dialogue between Eastern and Western music". Having given more than 720 concerts, he has at times felt exhausted. But "anything is better than living off state subsidies" as he did during his first months in Germany, he believes. If Schuette could go back and do it all again, she would. "I don't think I would be someone who just says, 'It's going to work out and everything's going to be great.' You have to be realistic," she said, pointing to the difficulties of integration. "But there's no doubt about it: I'd do it again." Ahmad, too, avoids painting a rose-tinted picture of his story. His generation, he says, will be scarred for life by the horrors of war and the difficulties of adapting to life in exile. But there is pride in his voice as he reveals that his two sons already speak German "without the slightest accent".

How a German and a Syrian experienced the 2015 refugee crisis

A small number of US troops were injured during an interaction with Russian forces in Syria, two US officials told Reuters on Wednesday.

While such interactions between American and Russian forces are not rare, the incident highlights the risks of troops from both countries operating in close proximity in northern Syria and the potential for an escalation in tensions.

One of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the injuries were a result of a collision and not any exchange of fire.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-and-greece-mobilize-their-navies-come-close-to-military-confrontation-323263">Also read:&nbsp;Turkey and Greece mobilize their navies; come close to military confrontation</a>

The other official said the incident took place earlier this week in northeastern Syria and the injuries were mild.

The Pentagon and the US military's Central Command, which oversees US forces in the region, declined to comment.

The US military does not generally comment on injuries. However, last month a paratrooper was killed during a vehicle rollover accident in eastern Syria.

Videos on social media showed Russian military vehicles, backed by a pair of helicopters, driving dangerously close to US&nbsp;armored vehicles. The origin of the videos was unclear.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-opposition-leader-navalny-poisoned-with-cholinesterase-inhibitors-says-german-hospital-322864">Also read:&nbsp;Russian Opposition leader Navalny poisoned with cholinesterase inhibitors, says German hospital</a>

Earlier this year, another video showed a close interaction between troops on a Syrian road.

About 500 US forces remain in northern Syria after a sharp reduction in troops that were initially there to drive out Islamic State militants from all of their strongholds in the country.

Some of the areas also have oil resources, something President Donald Trump has cited as a justification for keeping US troops partnered with Kurdish allies in the region.

The injuries were first reported by Politico.

A small number of US troops were injured during an interaction with Russian forces in Syria, two US officials told Reuters on Wednesday. While such interactions between American and Russian forces are not rare, the incident highlights the risks of troops from both countries operating in close proximity in northern Syria and the potential for an escalation in tensions.

A small number of US troops were injured during an interaction with Russian forces in Syria, two US officials told Reuters on Wednesday. While such interactions between American and Russian forces are not rare, the incident highlights the risks of troops from both countries operating in close proximity in northern Syria and the potential for an escalation in tensions. One of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the injuries were a result of a collision and not any exchange of fire. Also read: Turkey and Greece mobilize their navies; come close to military confrontation The other official said the incident took place earlier this week in northeastern Syria and the injuries were mild. The Pentagon and the US military's Central Command, which oversees US forces in the region, declined to comment. The US military does not generally comment on injuries. However, last month a paratrooper was killed during a vehicle rollover accident in eastern Syria. Videos on social media showed Russian military vehicles, backed by a pair of helicopters, driving dangerously close to US armored vehicles. The origin of the videos was unclear. Also read: Russian Opposition leader Navalny poisoned with cholinesterase inhibitors, says German hospital Earlier this year, another video showed a close interaction between troops on a Syrian road. About 500 US forces remain in northern Syria after a sharp reduction in troops that were initially there to drive out Islamic State militants from all of their strongholds in the country. Some of the areas also have oil resources, something President Donald Trump has cited as a justification for keeping US troops partnered with Kurdish allies in the region. The injuries were first reported by Politico.

US troops injured in interaction with Russian forces in Syria: US officials

The United States has started investigating Pakistani's role in the Islamic State movement in Syria after the&nbsp;Kurd Syrian Democratic Forces released a list of 29 names of Paksitanis are in custody.

This can, as per experts, complicate things for the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who is already stuck in the damage caused by his unsuccessful attempt to get two important FATF-linked legislations enacted

The list includes names of four Pakistanis who claim to have citizenship of countries such as Turkey and Sudan.&nbsp;Nine out of the 29 terrorists are women fighters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-urges-taliban-leaders-to-start-peace-talks-323092">Also read:&nbsp;Pakistan urges Taliban leaders to start peace talks</a>

The terrorists are being interrogated about their mission and their past connections with various terrorist groups.&nbsp;“The American security forces are currently interrogating these Pakistani nationals including who sent them to fight for IS in Syria and their past affiliations with terrorist groups like the Al Qaida or any other pan-Islamic group based in Pakistan. As the Pakistani deep state is involved with the so-called Islamic State of Khorasan Province in Afghanistan, the interrogation will also reveal its role if any,” said a counter-terror official in know of the list.

The terrorists were in Syria to fight for the so-called Islamic State, which is an ultra-onservative radical Sunni movement in Iraq and Syria, and has increased in the past decade.

Reports claim the terrorists are freelancers as the Islamic State does not hold any territory&nbsp;in Iraq or Syria.

The United States has started investigating Pakistani's role in the Islamic State movement in Syria after the Kurd Syrian Democratic Forces released a list of 29 names of Paksitanis are in custody.

The United States has started investigating Pakistani's role in the Islamic State movement in Syria after the Kurd Syrian Democratic Forces released a list of 29 names of Paksitanis are in custody. This can, as per experts, complicate things for the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who is already stuck in the damage caused by his unsuccessful attempt to get two important FATF-linked legislations enacted The list includes names of four Pakistanis who claim to have citizenship of countries such as Turkey and Sudan. Nine out of the 29 terrorists are women fighters. Also read: Pakistan urges Taliban leaders to start peace talks The terrorists are being interrogated about their mission and their past connections with various terrorist groups. “The American security forces are currently interrogating these Pakistani nationals including who sent them to fight for IS in Syria and their past affiliations with terrorist groups like the Al Qaida or any other pan-Islamic group based in Pakistan. As the Pakistani deep state is involved with the so-called Islamic State of Khorasan Province in Afghanistan, the interrogation will also reveal its role if any,” said a counter-terror official in know of the list. The terrorists were in Syria to fight for the so-called Islamic State, which is an ultra-onservative radical Sunni movement in Iraq and Syria, and has increased in the past decade. Reports claim the terrorists are freelancers as the Islamic State does not hold any territory in Iraq or Syria.

US starts investigating 9 Pakistani terrorists held in Syria

The water supply in Syria's north northeastern province of Hasakah has been cut off by Turkey due to which lives of around 460,000 people are at risk. Residents are forced to choose between water & food.

Taps run dry in Syria's Hasakah due to water supply cut off by Turkey

Syria: What all we know of massive oil pipeline attack

A possible attack on a pipeline in Syria caused a nationwide blackout overnight, the state news agency quoted ministers as saying Monday.

Arab gas pipeline explosion caused Syria blackout

Syria state media is accusing US coalition forces of launching an airstrike at an army checkpoint in the country's Northeast. Tensions escalated after a US-led petrol team was prevented from crossing a Syrian check post.

Syria accuses US of airstrikes: US denies, claims patrol fired in self-defense

Eight children under the age of five years have died within days in a camp in northeastern Syria, where thousands of relatives of jihadists are staying, the Save the Children charity on Thursday said.

"The spike in under-five mortality was recorded between 6-10 August and is more than three times higher than the mortality rate since the beginning of 2020," a statement said, as quoted by news agency AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hits-squad-that-placed-explosives-along-syria-frontier-army-says-317789">Israel hits squad that placed explosives along Syria frontier, army says</a>

It said that health and nutrition services have fallen sharply in the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp, where tens of thousands of people, including the kin of Islamic State, reside.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-jets-flying-near-iranian-passenger-plane-over-syria-airspace-sparks-panic-315863#:~:text=Two%20US%20jets%20flew%20dangerously,board%2C%20Iranian%20authorities%20said%20Friday.">Panic as US jets fly near Iran passenger plane over Syria</a>

The camp is run by the autonomous Kurdish administration that rules most of northeastern Syria.

It has confirmed 171 novel coronavirus cases, including eight deaths.&nbsp;

Medical support has taken a big hit after UN Security Council in January scrapped a key border crossing used for delivering medical aid for residents.&nbsp;

"We are seeing a collective failure at all levels to protect children," said Save the Children Syria Response Director Sonia Khush.&nbsp;

Sonia also blamed the UN Security Council for the "ongoing failure", adding that it causing "unforgivable delays in services."

The charity said heart failure, internal bleeding and severe malnutrition were the causes of child deaths in August, which could have been avoided if they were treated in operational field hospitals, which were reduced by 40 per cent because of border crossing restrictions.&nbsp;

The delay in health services, along with the ongoing coronavirus situation has created a massive medical void in this overcrowded camp.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Eight children under the age of five years have died within days in a camp in northeastern Syria, where thousands of relatives of jihadists are staying, the Save the Children charity on Thursday said.

Eight children under the age of five years have died within days in a camp in northeastern Syria, where thousands of relatives of jihadists are staying, the Save the Children charity on Thursday said. "The spike in under-five mortality was recorded between 6-10 August and is more than three times higher than the mortality rate since the beginning of 2020," a statement said, as quoted by news agency AFP. Also read | Israel hits squad that placed explosives along Syria frontier, army says It said that health and nutrition services have fallen sharply in the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp, where tens of thousands of people, including the kin of Islamic State, reside. Also read | Panic as US jets fly near Iran passenger plane over Syria The camp is run by the autonomous Kurdish administration that rules most of northeastern Syria. It has confirmed 171 novel coronavirus cases, including eight deaths. Medical support has taken a big hit after UN Security Council in January scrapped a key border crossing used for delivering medical aid for residents. "We are seeing a collective failure at all levels to protect children," said Save the Children Syria Response Director Sonia Khush. Sonia also blamed the UN Security Council for the "ongoing failure", adding that it causing "unforgivable delays in services." The charity said heart failure, internal bleeding and severe malnutrition were the causes of child deaths in August, which could have been avoided if they were treated in operational field hospitals, which were reduced by 40 per cent because of border crossing restrictions. The delay in health services, along with the ongoing coronavirus situation has created a massive medical void in this overcrowded camp.

Syria: Alarming rise in child deaths at northeastern camp

President Bashar-al-Assad is strapped for cash, losing the favour of western nations and having to fight on multiple fronts in the nation's decade long civil war. All this has left him with little choice to round up the country's business tycoons and get them to empty their pockets.

Family rift adds to Assad's woes: Once closest confidant, now sworn foe

Syria's President Bashar-al-assad has accused Kurdish forces of "stealing from Syrian people" after an American company made a contract with Kurdish authorities in North-Eastern Syria. Watch report.

Your Story: Bashar-al-assad seethes with anger, US "stealing oil from Syrian people"

In the sprawling desert premises of the Zaatari refugee camp, small oases of greenery are now dotting the landscape. Plants and herbs like mint, tomatoes, and cucumbers are thriving despite the infertile land, thanks to two simple elements - water and some old mattresses.

Syrian refugees grow crops in old mattresses

The Israeli army on Monday said it targeted a group of four people who had planted explosives along the border fence with Syria on the Golan Heights.

Soldiers spotted the group near a frontier outpost overnight and, backed by air support, "fired simultaneously towards the squad of four terrorists, a hit was identified", the military said.

No Israelis were wounded. An army spokesman said it was too soon to say if the squad belonged to any organization, but that Israel held "the Syrian regime accountable".

There was no immediate comment from Syria.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-pm-netanyahu-slams-media-over-protests-against-him-317743">Also read:&nbsp;Israel PM Netanyahu slams media over protests against him</a>

Tensions have risen in recent weeks along the Israel-Syria frontier after a fighter of the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shi’ite group Hezbollah was killed in an apparent Israeli strike on the edge of Damascus.

Israel has since boosted its forces on its northern front, where it borders Lebanon and Syria.

The overnight encounter occurred at the same spot where until two years ago, Israel had operated a field hospital to treat Syrians who had been wounded in the Syrian civil war, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, an army spokesman, told reporters.

The army had noticed "irregular activity" in that area for about a week and had a commando team waiting there in ambush, Conricus said.

A search of the area was being carried out.

The Israeli army on Monday said it targeted a group of four people who had planted explosives along the border fence with Syria on the Golan Heights. Soldiers spotted the group near a frontier outpost overnight and, backed by air support, "fired simultaneously towards the squad of four terrorists, a hit was identified", the military said.

The Israeli army on Monday said it targeted a group of four people who had planted explosives along the border fence with Syria on the Golan Heights. Soldiers spotted the group near a frontier outpost overnight and, backed by air support, "fired simultaneously towards the squad of four terrorists, a hit was identified", the military said. No Israelis were wounded. An army spokesman said it was too soon to say if the squad belonged to any organization, but that Israel held "the Syrian regime accountable". There was no immediate comment from Syria. Also read: Israel PM Netanyahu slams media over protests against him Tensions have risen in recent weeks along the Israel-Syria frontier after a fighter of the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shi’ite group Hezbollah was killed in an apparent Israeli strike on the edge of Damascus. Israel has since boosted its forces on its northern front, where it borders Lebanon and Syria. The overnight encounter occurred at the same spot where until two years ago, Israel had operated a field hospital to treat Syrians who had been wounded in the Syrian civil war, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, an army spokesman, told reporters. The army had noticed "irregular activity" in that area for about a week and had a commando team waiting there in ambush, Conricus said. A search of the area was being carried out.

Israel hits squad that placed explosives along Syria frontier, army says

The Israeli army said it struck targets belonging to Hamas in retaliation for a rocket that was fired from the Gaza Strip on Sunday night.

Israel’s two-front conflict | Israel intercepts Hamas rocket from Gaza | Wion

The United States has imposed fresh sanctions aimed at depriving the Syrian regime of funds and warned that Washington would blacklist anyone doing business with Bashar al Assad's regime

U.S imposes sanctions on Bashar Al-Assad's son

Mosul train station wears a deserted look as it was destroyed by ISIS in 2014. Rebuilding efforts have been halted due to COVID-19. Watch report.

Your Story: Mosul train station destroyed by ISIS in 2014 still lies in ruins

Two US jets flew dangerously close to an Iranian passenger plane over war-torn Syria, forcing the pilot to take emergency action and sparking panic on board, Iranian authorities said Friday.

US jets flying near Iranian passenger plane over Syria airspace sparks panic

Senior US officials will visit Beijing for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-team-has-no-plan-to-go-to-china-for-trade-talks-official-202115">new round of trade war talks</a> on March 28-29, followed by a trip to the United States by China's top negotiator in April, the Chinese commerce ministry said Thursday.

The back-to-back trips come as Washington and Beijing battle over the final shape of a trade deal, with American officials demanding profound changes to Chinese industrial policy.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are returning to the Chinese capital next week, commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng said at a weekly briefing.

After their visit, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will head to the United States in April to continue the negotiations, Gao said.

President Donald Trump warned Wednesday that US tariffs on Chinese imports could remain in place for a "substantial period", dampening hopes that an agreement would see them lifted soon.

Over the last eight months, the United States and China have slapped tariffs on more than $360 billion in two-way goods trade, weighing on the manufacturing sectors in both countries.

On Friday, China's rubber-stamp parliament approved a foreign investment law to strengthen protections for intellectual property -- a central US grievance -- but critics said the bill was rammed through without sufficient time for input from businesses.

The law was adopted barely three months after a first draft was debated, an unusually quick turnaround for the legislature, which meets once a year.

Unilateral tariffs

Beijing has also expressed willingness to increase purchases of American commodities such as energy and soybeans.

But analysts say Chinese officials will be reluctant to accede to demands that could weaken the Communist Party's hold on power -- such as fully exposing state enterprises to market forces.

Trump initially said he expected to seal any final bargain at a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month but that deadline has been pushed back as momentum in the talks has slowed.

US negotiators have insisted that any agreement have teeth -- including the ability to impose tariffs unilaterally should China backslide on any commitments to end alleged unfair trade practices.

"We have to make sure that if we do the deal with China, that China lives by the deal," Trump told reporters at the White House Wednesday.

He also said the talks with Beijing were "coming along nicely".

Despite Trump's trade wars, the US trade deficit with China last year hit a record, as American consumers drew in foreign-made goods while weakened US sales of agricultural commodities weighed on American exports.

Senior US officials will visit Beijing for a new round of trade war talks on March 28-29, followed by a trip to the United States by China's top negotiator in April, the Chinese commerce ministry said Thursday.

Senior US officials will visit Beijing for a new round of trade war talks on March 28-29, followed by a trip to the United States by China's top negotiator in April, the Chinese commerce ministry said Thursday. The back-to-back trips come as Washington and Beijing battle over the final shape of a trade deal, with American officials demanding profound changes to Chinese industrial policy. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are returning to the Chinese capital next week, commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng said at a weekly briefing. After their visit, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will head to the United States in April to continue the negotiations, Gao said. President Donald Trump warned Wednesday that US tariffs on Chinese imports could remain in place for a "substantial period", dampening hopes that an agreement would see them lifted soon. Over the last eight months, the United States and China have slapped tariffs on more than $360 billion in two-way goods trade, weighing on the manufacturing sectors in both countries. On Friday, China's rubber-stamp parliament approved a foreign investment law to strengthen protections for intellectual property -- a central US grievance -- but critics said the bill was rammed through without sufficient time for input from businesses. The law was adopted barely three months after a first draft was debated, an unusually quick turnaround for the legislature, which meets once a year. Unilateral tariffs Beijing has also expressed willingness to increase purchases of American commodities such as energy and soybeans. But analysts say Chinese officials will be reluctant to accede to demands that could weaken the Communist Party's hold on power -- such as fully exposing state enterprises to market forces. Trump initially said he expected to seal any final bargain at a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month but that deadline has been pushed back as momentum in the talks has slowed. US negotiators have insisted that any agreement have teeth -- including the ability to impose tariffs unilaterally should China backslide on any commitments to end alleged unfair trade practices. "We have to make sure that if we do the deal with China, that China lives by the deal," Trump told reporters at the White House Wednesday. He also said the talks with Beijing were "coming along nicely". Despite Trump's trade wars, the US trade deficit with China last year hit a record, as American consumers drew in foreign-made goods while weakened US sales of agricultural commodities weighed on American exports.

Panic as US jets fly near Iran passenger plane over Syria

Oil pollution in Syria has been a growing concern since the 2011 onset of a civil war that has taken a toll on oil infrastructure and seen rival powers compete over control of key hydrocarbon fields.

WION Fineprint: Syrian refineries raise severe health concerns

Syrians voted Sunday to elect a new parliament as the Damascus government grapples with international sanctions and a crumbling economy after retaking large parts of the war-torn country.

More than 7,400 polling stations opened across government-held parts of Syria, including for the first time in former opposition strongholds, the electoral commission said.

President Bashar al-Assad's Baath party and its allies are expected to take most of parliament's 250 seats in the third such polls to be held since the war started nine years ago.

On the eve of the polls, one person was killed and another wounded in two blasts in Damascus, state news agency SANA said.

Several lists were allowed to run across the country but any real opposition is absent, and the ruling Baath party is expected to retain its hegemony.

Portraits of the contenders have been displayed across the capital for weeks, with the 1,658 candidates including several prominent businessmen.

The elections, twice postponed from April due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, come at a time when most Syrians are worried about the soaring cost of living.

Many candidates are running on programmes pledging to tackle inflation and improve infrastructure ravaged by the conflict.

"Lawmakers are going to have to make exceptional efforts to improve services," said Umaya, a 31-year-old woman who works in a dentist's practice.

Millions of Syrians living abroad, after fleeing a war that has killed more than 380,000 people, are not eligible to vote.

But for the first time, voting will take place in territory retaken by the government, including in the Eastern Ghouta region outside Damascus and in the south of Idlib province in the country's northwest.

After a string of military victories backed by key ally Russia, the government is back in control of around 70 percent of the country, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says.

In the last polls in 2016, turnout stood at 57 percent.

UNPRECEDENTED HUNGER CRISIS

This year's vote comes as Damascus struggles to redress an economy battered by nine years of war, Western sanctions and the fallout of a financial crisis in neighbouring Lebanon.

Food prices in Syria have shot up by more than 200 percent in the past year and now stand at 20 times their pre-war levels, the World Food Programme says.

In a country where more than 80 percent of people already live in poverty, the UN food agency has warned that Syrians are now facing an "unprecedented hunger crisis".

The elections also come as Assad marked a second decade in power this month, and weeks after the United States imposed new sanctions on Syria including on the president's wife.

The next presidential polls are expected in 2021, and candidates will need the written approval of at least 35 members of parliament.

Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem last month said Assad would remain in power "as long as the Syrian want him to stay".

Syrians voted Sunday to elect a new parliament as the Damascus government grapples with international sanctions and a crumbling economy after retaking large parts of the war-torn country.

Syrians voted Sunday to elect a new parliament as the Damascus government grapples with international sanctions and a crumbling economy after retaking large parts of the war-torn country. More than 7,400 polling stations opened across government-held parts of Syria, including for the first time in former opposition strongholds, the electoral commission said. President Bashar al-Assad's Baath party and its allies are expected to take most of parliament's 250 seats in the third such polls to be held since the war started nine years ago. On the eve of the polls, one person was killed and another wounded in two blasts in Damascus, state news agency SANA said. Several lists were allowed to run across the country but any real opposition is absent, and the ruling Baath party is expected to retain its hegemony. Portraits of the contenders have been displayed across the capital for weeks, with the 1,658 candidates including several prominent businessmen. The elections, twice postponed from April due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, come at a time when most Syrians are worried about the soaring cost of living. Many candidates are running on programmes pledging to tackle inflation and improve infrastructure ravaged by the conflict. "Lawmakers are going to have to make exceptional efforts to improve services," said Umaya, a 31-year-old woman who works in a dentist's practice. Millions of Syrians living abroad, after fleeing a war that has killed more than 380,000 people, are not eligible to vote. But for the first time, voting will take place in territory retaken by the government, including in the Eastern Ghouta region outside Damascus and in the south of Idlib province in the country's northwest. After a string of military victories backed by key ally Russia, the government is back in control of around 70 percent of the country, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says. In the last polls in 2016, turnout stood at 57 percent. UNPRECEDENTED HUNGER CRISIS This year's vote comes as Damascus struggles to redress an economy battered by nine years of war, Western sanctions and the fallout of a financial crisis in neighbouring Lebanon. Food prices in Syria have shot up by more than 200 percent in the past year and now stand at 20 times their pre-war levels, the World Food Programme says. In a country where more than 80 percent of people already live in poverty, the UN food agency has warned that Syrians are now facing an "unprecedented hunger crisis". The elections also come as Assad marked a second decade in power this month, and weeks after the United States imposed new sanctions on Syria including on the president's wife. The next presidential polls are expected in 2021, and candidates will need the written approval of at least 35 members of parliament. Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem last month said Assad would remain in power "as long as the Syrian want him to stay".

Syrians vote for new parliament amid war, economic turmoil

Syria held a parliamentary election on Sunday after new US&nbsp;sanctions were passed after President Bashar al-Assad took control of most of the country.

There were nearly 7,000 polling stations, including for the first time in former rebel bastions that the army has recaptured over the last two years.

The elections were earlier set to take place in April but were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has crippled the already struggling economy of Syria.

The elections were for nearly 250 MP seats which are being eyes by more than 1,600 candidates. This is the third time such an election has taken place since 2011.

The voters, who were mainly spotted without face masks, were disinfected upon arrival. People were being urged to maintain distance from once another to make sure the infection does not spread.

Locals claim that they came out to vote as they want change in the present living conditions and the constant rising prices of essentials in the war-striken&nbsp;country.

Syria held a parliamentary election on Sunday after new US sanctions were passed after President Bashar al-Assad took control of most of the country. There were nearly 7,000 polling stations, including for the first time in former rebel bastions that the army has recaptured over the last two years.

Syria held a parliamentary election on Sunday after new US sanctions were passed after President Bashar al-Assad took control of most of the country. There were nearly 7,000 polling stations, including for the first time in former rebel bastions that the army has recaptured over the last two years. The elections were earlier set to take place in April but were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has crippled the already struggling economy of Syria. The elections were for nearly 250 MP seats which are being eyes by more than 1,600 candidates. This is the third time such an election has taken place since 2011. The voters, who were mainly spotted without face masks, were disinfected upon arrival. People were being urged to maintain distance from once another to make sure the infection does not spread. Locals claim that they came out to vote as they want change in the present living conditions and the constant rising prices of essentials in the war-striken country.

Syria goes to parliamentary elections as new US sanctions hit amid pandemic

Syrians vote for new parliament amid war and economic turmoil

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