Syrian rescuers miss out on Oscars show

BEIRUT - Rescue workers from Syria's White Helmets group - the subject of an Oscar-nominated documentary-will not attend this weekend's Academy Awards ceremony because of intensified conflict and a rejected passport.

Raed Saleh and Khaled Khatib had been set to attend Sunday's ceremony in Hollywood, where The White Helmets is shortlisted for best short documentary.

"After 3 days at airport, not allowed to travel to#oscars2017 - had US visa - but passport not accepted. Sad, but important work to do here," Khatib tweeted.