IN BRIEF (Page 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)