Viet Nam News GENEVA — Russia, Turkey, Iran and the United Nations voiced hope on Tuesday that a committee charged with writing a new Syrian constitution will start work early next year. The Damascus government, which is backed by Moscow and Tehran, has not yet agreed to the committee, saying it will only support a process that alters Syria’s existing constitution. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov - flanked by his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif and Turkey’s Mevlut Cavusoglu - read a joint declaration after talks with UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura. Russia, Iran and opposition backer Turkey "agreed to take efforts aimed at convening the first session of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva early next year," Lavrov said. The committee has become the centrepiece of UN peace efforts in Syria and aims to set up elections that can turn the page on seven years of devastating war. De Mistura, who will be replaced as UN envoy on January 7, praised … [Read more...] about Russia, Turkey, Iran renew push for new Syrian constitution
Turkey
Turkey, Russia, Iran want ‘Syria-led’ political process
Published 8:24 am PST, Tuesday, December 18, 2018 Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting on forming a constitutional committee in Syria at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018. (Denis Balibouse/pool photo via AP) less Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting on forming a constitutional committee in Syria at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018. (Denis ... more Photo: Denis Balibouse, AP Photo: Denis Balibouse, AP Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Image 1 of 9 Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting on forming a constitutional committee in Syria at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, … [Read more...] about Turkey, Russia, Iran want ‘Syria-led’ political process
Turkey sees ‘positive’ signals from US on northern Syria
Updated 11:17 am PST, Monday, December 17, 2018 Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech during a rally in Konya, Turkey, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. Erdogan said he received "positive answers" from U.S. President Donald Trump on the situation in northern Syria, where Turkey has threatened to launch a new operation against American-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters. The two leaders spoke by phone Friday. (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool) less Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech during a rally in Konya, Turkey, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. Erdogan said he received "positive answers" from U.S. President Donald Trump on the situation in ... more Photo: AP Photo: AP Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Image 1 of 3 Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan … [Read more...] about Turkey sees ‘positive’ signals from US on northern Syria
3 railway employees arrested in Turkey over train accident
Updated 11:25 am CST, Monday, December 17, 2018 ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey's official news agency says three people have been arrested for their alleged roles in a deadly train accident. Three employees of Turkey's railway authority were put under pre-trial arrest Monday on the charges of reckless manslaughter and injury, according to Anadolu news agency. They worked as a dispatcher, switchman and controller in Turkish State Railways. A high-speed train on Thursday morning hit a railway engine and crashed into a pedestrian overpass at a station in the Turkish capital Ankara, killing nine and injuring dozens of others. The train was travelling to central Konya province. The head-on collision derailed at least two cars, hitting the station's overpass, which then collapsed onto the train. The three suspects were detained after the accident over negligence. … [Read more...] about 3 railway employees arrested in Turkey over train accident
Here’s where you can bid for a champion Christmas turkey at poultry auctions across Norfolk
PUBLISHED: 15:10 15 December 2018 | UPDATED: 15:10 15 December 2018 The TW Gaze annual Christmas poultry and show and sale in Diss. Picture: Sonya Duncan ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434 The chance to buy a prize-winning bird for the Christmas table will bring hundreds of bidders to traditional poultry auctions across Norfolk next week. Auctioneer David Gould on the rostrum at the 2017 Keys annual Christmas poultry sale. Picture: Andy Newman.Hundreds of turkeys, geese, chickens and ducks will go under the hammer as people aim to snap up fresh birds, reared by East Anglian farmers, before the big day.At Aylsham, a festive tradition which has taken place in every year of the Queen’s reign will return on Thursday.The annual Christmas poultry sale, run by auctioneers Keys since 1953, takes place from 11am on December 20 at the firm’s salerooms off Palmers Lane, with viewing of the birds from 9am.Keys director Kevin Lines said the majority of the birds, which … [Read more...] about Here’s where you can bid for a champion Christmas turkey at poultry auctions across Norfolk