IN BRIEF (Page 12)

China Daily | Updated: 2013-10-23 07:12

Syria

Talks to end conflict urged

Western nations and their Middle Eastern allies pressed Syria's fractured opposition on Tuesday to join proposed peace talks, although President Bashar al-Assad has made clear he will not step down - which is their condition for participating. The US and Russia said in May they would convene a "Geneva 2" conference to try to end the conflict.

United States

Slain teacher hailed as hero

A Nevada middle school teacher who served two tours with the National Guard in Afghanistan is being hailed as a hero for trying to protect students from a shooting. Police said a Sparks Middle School student was the lone gunman who injured two classmates, killed himself and took the life of the eighth-grade math teacher, 45-year-old Michael Landsberry.

Maldives

Crisis looms despite new poll

The Maldives on Tuesday faced the prospect of a constitutional crisis after one of the main political parties warned it may not support to restage aborted elections next month.

Reuters-AP-AFP

(China Daily 10/23/2013 page12)