Syria peace talks: Govt, opposition meet in Geneva

The Syrian government and the opposition met face to face on Tuesday and observed a minute of silence for people killed in the three year conflict after a first round of talks last month failed to make significant progress, delegates said.

FP Archives|Feb 11, 2014, 17:49:40 IST

Geneva: The Syrian government and the opposition met face to face on Tuesday and observed a minute of silence for people killed in the three year conflict after a first round of talks last month failed to make significant progress, delegates said."I hope that the minute of silence will signal an improvement in the atmosphere this time," opposition delegate Ahmed Jakal told Reuters.[caption id="attachment_1384341" align="alignleft" width="380"] Syria's President Assad. Agencies.[/caption]He said that international mediator Lakhdar Brahimi proposed that the two sides discuss ending the violence on Tuesday and the formation of a transitional governing body on Wednesday.The two issues have caused deep rifts between the two sides and delayed negotiations.Monzer Akbik, a spokesman for the opposition National Coalition, said that Tuesday's session was still focused on discussing what the schedule for the week should be and said the two sides were arguing over the length and number of meeting.Reuters

US set to announce new tariff plan as temporary 10% duty nears expiry

The White House said a tariff announcement will be made later on Thursday, with the Trump administration preparing fresh duties on around 60 economies, including India, China and the European Union.

2 min read

India rejects Pakistan's 'baseless' claims at Asean, says Indus Waters Treaty to remain on hold

India accused Pakistan of misusing the Asean Regional Forum to spread false narratives, reiterating that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain suspended until Islamabad credibly and irrevocably ends cross-border terrorism.

1 min read

Indian trucker arrested in US over alleged theft of $3 million worth of tungsten powder

A 39-year-old Indian national living illegally in the US has been arrested in California after authorities alleged he stole a truck carrying nearly $3 million worth of hazardous tungsten powder.

1 min read

Austria turns Hitler’s birthplace into a police station 81 years after his death: 5 things to know

Austrian authorities inaugurated a police station at the birthplace of Adolf Hitler after years of debate around the site’s troubled legacy.

3 min read

Nawaz Sharif wants to become prime minister of PoK — but laws framed by Pakistan disqualify him

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that he would ask his brother, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to appoint him as the Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). But the Constitution bars him from making such a move.