Children eat food distributed to them in the besieged al-Yarmouk camp
Children eat food distributed to them in the besieged al-Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus, in this April 7, 2014 file photo. As Syria approaches a surreal presidential election in the midst of civil war, the capital has avoided the worst of the conflict but reminders are increasingly coming out the water taps and appearing on the dinner table, to the dismay of Damascenes. Before the war, the government of President Bashar al-Assad maintained tight control on food prices and quality. Distracted by war, its grip has slackened and shady business practices have flourished to the detriment of water and food supplies. To match SYRIA-CRISIS/DAMASCUS REUTERS/Rame Alsayed/Files (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT FOOD)
File picture of residents extracting water from a well in Arbeen
Residents extract water from a well in Arbeen, in the eastern Damascus suburb of Ghouta, in this May 6, 2014 phile photo. As Syria approaches a surreal presidential election in the midst of civil war, the capital has avoided the worst of the conflict but reminders are increasingly coming out the water taps and appearing on the dinner table, to the dismay of Damascenes. Before the war, the government of President Bashar al-Assad maintained tight control on food prices and quality. Distracted by war, its grip has slackened and shady business practices have flourished to the detriment of water and food supplies. To match SYRIA-CRISIS/DAMASCUS REUTERS/Diaa Al-Din/Files (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT FOOD)
File picture of boys using a bucket to extract water from a well in Arbeen
Boys use a bucket to extract water from a well in Arbeen, in the eastern Damascus suburb of Ghouta, in this May 6, 2014 file photo. As Syria approaches a surreal presidential election in the midst of civil war, the capital has avoided the worst of the conflict but reminders are increasingly coming out the water taps and appearing on the dinner table, to the dismay of Damascenes. Before the war, the government of President Bashar al-Assad maintained tight control on food prices and quality. Distracted by war, its grip has slackened and shady business practices have flourished to the detriment of water and food supplies. To match SYRIA-CRISIS/DAMASCUS REUTERS/Diaa Al-Din/Files (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT FOOD)
In Damascus, reminders of lurking war on the dinner table
Central Damascus has so far dodged worst of the war, but sandy water and dubious food are starting to betray the proximity of conflict
Running for refugees, Korean peacekeeper donates $1 for every kilometre he ran
How sergeant Kim Seung-hun blazed a trail for Syrian refugees and set an inspiring example for refugee supporters worldwide.
ANALYSIS-Legacy at risk, Obama struggles to redefine foreign policy
USA-OBAMA/FOREIGN (ANALYSIS):ANALYSIS-Legacy at risk, Obama struggles to redefine foreign policy
German Foreign Minister Steinmeier shakes hands with Syrian children refugees inside an informal school at a Syrian refugee camp in the town of Bar Elias, in Lebanon's Bekaa valley
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier shakes hands with Syrian children refugees inside an informal school at a Syrian refugee camp in the town of Bar Elias, in Lebanon's Bekaa valley May 30, 2014. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT SOCIETY IMMIGRATION EDUCATION)
German Foreign Minister Steinmeier walks as he visits a Syrian refugee camp in the town of Bar Elias, in Lebanon's Bekaa valley
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (C) walks as he visits a Syrian refugee camp in the town of Bar Elias, in Lebanon's Bekaa valley May 30, 2014. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT SOCIETY IMMIGRATION)
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier walks as he visits a Syrian refugee camp in the town of Bar Elias, in Lebanon's Bekaa valley
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (C) walks as he visits a Syrian refugee camp in the town of Bar Elias, in Lebanon's Bekaa valley May 30, 2014. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY IMMIGRATION CONFLICT)
German Foreign Minister Steinmeier shakes hands as he visits Syrian children refugees inside an informal school at a Syrian refugee camp in the town of Bar Elias, in Lebanon's Bekaa valley
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (C) shakes hands as he visits Syrian children refugees inside an informal school at a Syrian refugee camp in the town of Bar Elias, in Lebanon's Bekaa valley May 30, 2014. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY IMMIGRATION CONFLICT EDUCATION)