Reuters: U.N. launches Syria peace talks as opposition ends boycott
The main Syrian opposition grouping agreed to attend United Nations-sponsored peace talks which began in Geneva on Friday, reversing a boycott that had threatened to wreck the first attempt to find a diplomatic solution to the war in two years.
On the ground, opponents of President Bashar al-Assad said they were facing a Russian-backed military onslaught, with hundreds of civilians reported to be fleeing as the Syrian army and allied militia tried to capture a suburb of Damascus and finish off rebels defending it.
U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura has invited the Syrian government and an opposition umbrella group to Geneva for "proximity talks", in which they would meet in separate rooms.
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MIDDLE EAST
UN-hosted Syria peace talks get off to shaky start. U.N. says expects Syria talks with opposition on Sunday.
Syrian Turkmens cross to Turkey, fleeing advances of pro-Assad forces.
U.S. general warns of possible "catastrophic" dam collapse in Iraq.
Turkey threatens military action against Syrian Kurds.
Making case for stronger presidency, Turkey's Erdogan denies personal agenda.
‘I have never seen such destruction’ as in Yemen: aid worker.
Deadly attack rocks mosque in Saudi Arabia. Shia mosque attacked in Saudi Arabia.
Saudis should ‘take initiative’ to defuse tensions with Iran, Rohani tells FRANCE 24.
Biden talks regional security with Israel, Cyprus leaders.
ASIA
US: Afghanistan's economic prospects 'bleak'.
US General sees Afghanistan 'deteriorating'. Pick to lead Afghanistan Forces says situation is worsening.
Japan puts military on alert for possible North Korean missile test.
Bank of Japan shocks markets by adopting negative interest rates. Bank of Japan surprises with negative interest rate.
Emperor Akihito honors Japanese war dead in Philippines.
Singapore firm fined over North Korea arms shipment.
China accuses detained Canadian, Kevin Garratt, of spying for Canadian intelligence agencies.
China Shandong: Miners 'rescued after 36 days'.
AFRICA
Exclusive: EgyptAir mechanic suspected in Russian plane crash.
Russia opposes South Sudan arms embargo, sanctions on leaders.
Deadly suicide attack at Nigerian market blamed on Boko Haram.
Algerian forces kill four Islamist fighters: ministry.
Burundi keeps seat on security body, complicating peacekeeper plan.
British journalist arrested in Burundi as fresh evidence of mass graves revealed.
Obama vows to counter ISIS extremists in Libya.
UN: Lack of accountability drives sex abuse in CAR.
South Sudan: Peace accord falters, refugees remain in camps.
Kenya and Nigeria hold bilateral talks.
Central African Republic children 'abused by EU troops' - UN.
Happy hour and drinks are still flowing in the Gambia, the newest Islamic state.
EUROPE
Dutch to join US-led airstrikes against ISIS in Syria.
Germany tightens refugee policy as Finland joins Sweden in deportations.
Migrant crisis: Germany attacks on asylum hostels soar.
40 percent of Germans want Merkel to quit over refugees.
Sweden may be at war ‘in a few years’ – top brass in leaked document.
Moscow says Poland should choose between cooperation with Russia and living with phobias.
Moldovan protests leaders agree to continue joint pressure on authorities.
France welcomes Iran's president — and his checkbook.
Spain: Princess loses legal battle to avoid tax fraud trial.
Zika virus: Five German infections after Americas trips.
Putin's ex-wife marries man 21 years her junior, report says.
AMERICAS
The State Department: Hillary Clinton’s email correspondence contained ‘top secret’ material. U.S. to withhold some Clinton emails with top secret information.
Syria, migration on agenda for Canada, Mexico, U.S. talks.
Venezuela opposition vows to oust president this year.
US election 2016: Republican rivals mock Trump over no-show. Cruz, Rubio tensions flare at Trump-less GOP debate.
Report to Congress warns of rising financial threats.
State to release some Clinton emails on Friday; thousands still delayed.
Dem senator pushes White House on regime change in Syria.
Obama administration to force employers to disclose salaries by gender.
Race for Zika vaccine gathers momentum as virus spreads.
Zika virus: Colombia warns of spike in patients with related paralysis disorder.
Dilma Roussef calls on Brazil society to unite against Zika virus.
FBI releases video of shooting death of Oregon protester.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US will counter ISIS terror plotters in any country, says Obama.
Alleged ISIS hacker extradited to US.
Obama, Carter warn of IS expansion in Libya.
ISIS wants own sea power to carry out attacks in Mediterranean – NATO naval chief.
Special ISIS cells preparing terror attacks in Europe and Russia – Russian anti-terrorism body.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Fed will be patient on US policy given global risks: Kaplan.
Microsoft drives tech rally; Wall Street up almost 2 percent.
Airbus signs $25bn deal to sell 118 planes to Iran.
Jeff Bezos loses more than $6 billion as Amazon shares drop after hours.
US economic growth slows sharply. Fourth-quarter GDP growth slows to 0.7%.
1 comment:
Losers come to a "peace conference" for only one reason, to surrender under the best terms possible, as an alternative to being exterminated.
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