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U.N. mediator says Syrian peace talks are under way

 
Published Feb. 2, 2016

Switzerland

U.N. mediator says Syrian peace talks are under way

The United Nations mediator in Syrian peace talks met Monday with the major opposition delegation in Geneva, ending days of uncertainty about whether the talks would proceed. "The talks have started," Staffan de Mistura, U.N. special envoy to Syria, said at a news conference after meeting with representatives from the opposition's High Negotiations Committee. De Mistura said he would be meeting with both sides today "in order to go deeper into the issues they have raised and their concerns." The announcement came after the opposition bloc had repeatedly threatened to walk away from the talks if the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad did not end its sieges on rebel-held areas and release political detainees. On Monday, though, the opposition coalition and the U.N. officials seemed upbeat following a meeting in Geneva.

Atlanta

Boxing at 35,000 feet pays off in vouchers

Delta Air Lines is apologizing to passengers after a confrontation between two flight attendants last month led pilots to make an unscheduled landing halfway through the trip. The airline says the actions of the crew members didn't reflect the professionalism expected of employees. The Aviation Herald, a website that tracks accidents and other incidents involving planes, said Delta Flight 2598 was headed from Los Angeles to Minneapolis on Jan. 22 when two flight attendants got into a fist fight and the captain decided to land in Salt Lake City. The Herald said the plane stayed on the ground for more than an hour before resuming the flight to Minneapolis. In a statement, Delta confirmed the basics of the account. A spokeswoman said the airline sent a letter of apology to the plane's passengers and offered travel vouchers or miles in the Delta loyalty program. The spokeswoman declined to say whether the fighting flight attendants were punished or provide any other details of the incident.

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Times wires