Syria begins new attacks on eastern Ghouta

BEIRUT— A new U.N. resolution demanding a cease-fire across Syria appeared to have little effect Sunday, as Syrian government forces began new ground attacks against a rebel-held enclave east of Damascus, the capital, and continued aerial bombings that have killed more than 500 people there over the past week.

Earlier Sunday, the Syrian capital and its embattled eastern suburbs were relatively calm following the U.N. Security Council’s unanimous approval of a resolution demanding a 30day cease-fire across Syria.

But then there were reports Sunday evening of shelling, airstrikes and a suspected chlorine attack, with one child killed in eastern Ghouta and 11 people suffering symptoms like labored breathing, according to medical staff supported by the Syrian American Medical Society.

The unabated violence was disappointing after days of haggling over the wording of the Security Council resolution, which passed Saturday with the approval of both Russia, which backs the Syrian government, and the United States, which opposes it.

Value of visit questioned

MEXICO CITY— What has surprised Mexicans is not that President Donald Trump “lost his temper” in a telephone conversation with his Mexican counter part, prompting President Enrique Pena Nieto to cancela trip to Washington, but that Mr. Pena Nieto was even thinking about going in the first place.

Why ,asked foreign affairs analysts and many Mexicans taking to social media Sunday, would the country’ s unpopular president con template another tete-a-tete with Mr. Trump after two embarrassing encounters— that served to strengthen Mr. Trump politically at the expense of Mr. Pena Nieto?

Noone faulted him for canceling this trip to Washington, which he did Saturday. Some Mexicans wondered whether the administration still harbored the belief that it could convince Mr. Trump of the value of the Mexican relationship.

China’s term limits

BEIJING — China’s ruling Communist Party has proposed scrapping term limits for the country’s president, the official news agency said Sunday, appearing to lay the groundwork for party leader Xi Jinping to rule as president beyond 2023.

The party’s Central Committee proposed to remove fromthe constitution the expressio nthat China’s presidentand vice president “shall serve no more than two consecutive terms,” the Xinhua News Agency said.

The draft amendments to the constitution are almost certain to be passed into law by the party-controlled legislature, the National People’s Congress, which holds its annual full session from March5. The congress has never voted down a proposal from party leaders.

Labour making moves

LONDON — Britain’s main opposition party is poised for a significant policy change that could increase pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May to deliver a “soft” Brexit that maintains some formal economi cties to Europe.

Therewere clear indications Sunday that Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn will change course and advocate remaining in a customsunion after Britain’s departure from the EU to cushion the potential economic blow.

Keir Starmer, the party’s Brexit adviser, told the BBC that Labour’s leadership nowis unanimously in favor of staying in a customs union.

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Salih Muslim, a senior Kurdish official from Syria, was detained in the Czech Republic under an extradition request from Turkey.